Jackson Free Press

Parker says that his previous interest in politics was, at best, minimal.

"I have never really considered myself being a politician until Boys State kind of introduced me to how everything works," he says.

Boys State is a program that allows young men in Mississippi to learn how state and local governments work. The 400 selected participants campaign in a primary election to run a fictional state known as Magnolia for a week.

"It was an opportunity to basically go inside of a new world where it is based on politics and try to gain political power by working for what you believe in," Parker says.

During the week of May 24 the young men met at Copiah Lincoln Community College, which transformed into the state of Magnolia and the center for its government.

First thing every morning the men marched out of the dorms for a head count, and then throughout the day did various activities such as sports or classes. The highlight of the week was when the men were told that they would campaign for positions to run the state of "Magnolia."

"They tell you from the start—the day you get there—you start campaigning. I think I made my mark by actually walking around, and I specifically spoke to people rather than just having them see the sign. I told them my name, what I was running for, what I was here to do. That's why I came out on top," Parker says.

As governor, Parker performed the same duties of actual state governors. He had his own staff to help him veto bills and ultimately make decisions for the whole state.

Being governor also came with its perks. "I had a chance to sit with Gov. Haley Barber one-on-one, and I got to talk to him about a few things. I got a real in-depth view of how (governors) work and what really goes on, and I enjoyed it," he says.

Parker is looking forward to his senior year at Murrah, where he will serve as battalion commander of the school's JROTC program. He aspires to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point or Jackson State University after he graduates.

"I wanted to go into the army, but I'm not sure that my mom is really liking that idea," Parker says. "Other than that, I would like to be a computer engineer or programmer.