Scouts took over the city of Brownsville on Friday for the 73rd annual Scout Government Day, during which around 85 Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Explorers got a behind-the-scenes look at how the city operates across all departments.
After a sprawling group photograph on the front steps of City Hall, the Scouts filed into city commission chambers, where Mayor John Cowen Jr. convened the day’s commission meeting. Following this was the swearing-in ceremony, led by 103rd District Court Judge Janet Leal.
On Scout Government Day, the mayor and city commissioners literally give up their chairs to the scout mayor and scout commissioners for a day.
With dozens of scouts filling the chambers’ public seats, Victoria Robledo, a Hanna High School student and member of Girl Scout Troop 086, was sworn in as Scout mayor of Brownsville.
Sophia Arellano, a South Texas Independent School District student and member of Troop 086, was sworn in as scout commissioner at-large “A.” Also sworn in were Ana Sofia Garcia (Hanna High School, Explorers Post 3103) for scout commissioner at-large “B;” Kaitlyn Garcia (Veterans High School, Girl Scout Troop 27) for District 1; Laura Guillen (Saint Joseph Academy, Troop 27) for District 2; Madelynn Ferguson (Rivera High School, Troop 086) for District 3; and Allen Hobbs (Saint Joseph Academy, Boy Scout Troop 11) for District 4.
“This is a great learning opportunity for you,” Leal said. “I hope that you all take full advantage of it. … All the scouts that are here today, you’re going to get a little taste of what it’s like to have to get in and work and see what they do behind the scenes in every area of the city of Brownsville.”
Brownsville is one of the few cities in the state, not to mention the country, that gives scouts this type of opportunity, she said, adding that “it’s wonderful the city of Brownsville is willing to do this.”
“I hope you really get a lot out of it today,” Leal said. “Have fun. Enjoy it. Learn. It will be an experience that you will carry with you for your lifetime. So congratulations everyone for being here today.”
The scout mayor and commissioners convened the day’s commission meeting, after which Mayor Cowen Jr. presented a proclamation to Claudia Menchaca, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas, highlighting the “opportunity to gain firsthand practical experience in the functions of local government.”
“Participation in and support of Scout Government Day is essential for promoting greater youth involvement in community and civic affairs,” Cowen proclaimed.
He welcomed all the scouts to City Hall, calling them “our future leaders” and noting that Scout Government Day is one of his favorites days of the year.
“City departments and staff have coordinated to provide in-person demonstrations and presentations to show how the city works, makes decisions impacting residents, and how each department addresses anticipated and ongoing needs for city services through innovation, participatory leadership and a one-city culture,” Cowen said.
City Manager Helen Ramirez delivered a comprehensive presentation on various functions and aspects of the city, including downtown, taxation and economic development.
“It’s wonderful to participate in Scout Government Day,” she said.
Daniel Sanchez, a Harlingen Collegiate High School student and member of Boy Scout Troop 11, took over as scout city manager for the day, while Ethan Garza, a student at Los Fresnos High School and member of Explorer Post 3103, took on the responsibility of scout deputy city manager. Scouts were embedded in more than 70 departments citywide, as well as Brownsville Public Utility Board and Brownsville Independent School District.
Larry Jokl, who has coordinated 35 years worth of Scout Government Days, said it can be a life-changing experience for some scouts, some of whom have gone on to actual positions in government.
Watching from the sidelines, Luis Rodriguez, scout executive/CEO for the Boy Scouts of America Rio Grande Council, said the experience is something the scouts will be able to look back and reflect on throughout their lives. Rodriguez himself served as scout mayor during the city’s Scout Government Day in 1996, he said, describing it as an extremely valuable experience.
“At the end of the day, what they’re going to be able to see is what the mayor actually does, what the commission does,” Rodriguez said. “What the police chief does, what the fire chief does.”
The scout mayor and commissioners took a tour of SpaceX, followed by a luncheon at the Gladys Porter Zoo’s special events center, featuring a keynote speech by Scout Mayor Robledo.
Scouts witnessed a mock arrest and trial before returning to commissioner chambers in the afternoon for a closing Scout Government Day commissioner meeting, which included presentations by scout city department directors. The scouts then adjourned for a City Hall pizza party hosted by the Girl Scouts, with cookies and ice cream for dessert compliments of the Boy Scouts.