CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Cody Steffick's friends call him "Governor," because at 17 years old he is the highest elected official in the state -- that is, the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State.

Boys State brings together about 300 high school students every summer from across West Virginia to spend a week re-enacting state elections and legislative sessions from the House and Senate to the governor's seat.

"It's our own West Virginia political utopia," said Steffick, a senior at Hurricane High School.

Steffick also is the first student from Putnam County to win the governorship at the summer civic program in more than 30 years, and he won the seat by a landslide -- 86.5 percent.

"It was the first time I had to really solicit myself, and campaign on that level," he said. "I went around and talked to the guys and just tried to be really personable."

Steffick ran for the mock Nationalists party on a platform of promoting alternate sources of energy, increasing teacher pay, improving roads and transportation systems in the state, requiring mandatory drug testing for recipients of government aid and improving West Virginia's image.

"The first two days, with every passing minute and passing hour, I got more and more into it. I know that sounds corny, but it's true," he said.

Steffick was one of about 320 high school seniors who attended this year's Boys State June 13-30 in Jacksons Mill.

"The program teaches young men about government, about service and community," said Steve Sluss, administrator for Boys State, and chief deputy of the Kanawha County Assessors Office. "It teaches them how to be leaders, and understand that being a good citizen means understanding how your government operates."

Steffick admits that when he agreed to attend the camp, and even the day he arrived, he wasn't really sure what he was getting into.

"Honestly, I had no idea even though they had explained it to me," he said.

"The first day you're there they basically say you can run for governor," he said. "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision."

But one he wouldn't change for the world.

"It made me realize what I'm capable of as a person, and it is kind of cool," he said.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Cody Steffick's friends call him "Governor," because at 17 years old he is the highest elected official in the state -- that is, the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State.

Boys State brings together about 300 high school students every summer from across West Virginia to spend a week re-enacting state elections and legislative sessions from the House and Senate to the governor's seat.

"It's our own West Virginia political utopia," said Steffick, a senior at Hurricane High School.

Steffick also is the first student from Putnam County to win the governorship at the summer civic program in more than 30 years, and he won the seat by a landslide -- 86.5 percent.

"It was the first time I had to really solicit myself, and campaign on that level," he said. "I went around and talked to the guys and just tried to be really personable."

Steffick ran for the mock Nationalists party on a platform of promoting alternate sources of energy, increasing teacher pay, improving roads and transportation systems in the state, requiring mandatory drug testing for recipients of government aid and improving West Virginia's image.

"The first two days, with every passing minute and passing hour, I got more and more into it. I know that sounds corny, but it's true," he said.

Steffick was one of about 320 high school seniors who attended this year's Boys State June 13-30 in Jacksons Mill.

"The program teaches young men about government, about service and community," said Steve Sluss, administrator for Boys State, and chief deputy of the Kanawha County Assessors Office. "It teaches them how to be leaders, and understand that being a good citizen means understanding how your government operates."

Steffick admits that when he agreed to attend the camp, and even the day he arrived, he wasn't really sure what he was getting into.

"Honestly, I had no idea even though they had explained it to me," he said.

"The first day you're there they basically say you can run for governor," he said. "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision."

But one he wouldn't change for the world.

"It made me realize what I'm capable of as a person, and it is kind of cool," he said.

Students also had the chance to hear from Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-W.Va. Gov. Joe Manchin and Secretary of State Natalie Tennant among other state and business leaders.

They also traveled to the state Capitol and presented their legislation in the House and Senate chambers.

"When I came back, all my football friends cracked jokes and started to call me a governor," Steffick said.

But it's a nickname and title he doesn't mind.

"I'll do my best to represent Boys State and West Virginia," he said.

As part of his governorship, Steffick will attend a variety of American Legion conferences and next year's Boys State to help pass the torch to the next elected governor.

Students can only attend the camp between the end of their junior year and the beginning of their senior year of high school.

"Once you pass that point you're no longer eligible, so it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Sluss said.

Students are nominated by their high school teachers to participate in Boys State.

Steffick traveled to Jackson's Mill with several other students from Hurricane and other high schools in Putnam County.

"It was a great experience," Steffick said. "Something I took away is, it really made me proud not only to be a West Virginian, but also proud to be an American."

Steffick was also chosen as an alternate for this year's Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. Two participants from West Virginia Boys State will travel to Washington July 17-25 to take part in the national program.

Boys State is open only to male students but a female version, The West Virginia Rhododendron Girls State, is held in Wheeling every summer.

For information about Boys State visit www.mountaineerboysstate.org. For information about Girls State visit www.wvgirlsstate.com.

Reach Veronica Nett at veroni...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5113.