For seniors, athletes, or any scholar at Southeast, the name Porter Nelson may sound familiar. Nelson, a senior at LSE, has been quite involved in the school over the past several years. He became one of two students in all of Nebraska to represent the state in Boys Nation, and was most recently elected President of LSE’s National Honors Society chapter.
According to Nelson, he has been motivated by teachers who encouraged him “to take all the opportunities given.” That mindset propelled him through high school, as Nelson tried out tennis and wrestling his freshman year among other activities later on, before reaching Boys State.
According to the American Legion website, “American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students.”
Nelson signed up for Boys State his junior year, when applications are opened up. The program is designed as a way for students to learn about the functions of government with hands-on activities, such as managing a simulated town.
After Boys State, which takes place in June, two members from each state are chosen to move on to Boys Nation, which is what Nelson managed to accomplish.
At Boys Nation, which was held at the end of July, Nelson and the other representatives were able to visit Capitol Hill and meet their state senators.
“Being given the chance to represent the people that you met, and to represent Nebraska, it’s quite an honor,” Nelson said.
But his academic achievements didn’t end at the conclusion of Boys Nation. At the beginning of his senior year, Nelson was inducted into National Honors Society, which operates “in all 50 states and many schools around the world, engaging and serving more than one million students,” according to the NHS website. In a vote cast by NHS members, Nelson was elected President of LSE’s chapter of NHS, and continues to hold that position.
Like many accomplished students, Nelson has also had his share of struggles. He’s considered time, in particular, to be a difficulty, “because time is so limited.” But also, like many accomplished students, Nelson has managed to overcome this.
“Keep yourself grounded, …focus on getting each task completed,” Nelson said.
Parents and friends especially are an important support group according to Nelson. “There’s very few things that you can do in life alone,” he said.
After graduation, Nelson plans to attend a military academy, thanks in part to his time at Boys Nation. “I’ve found a greater love and appreciation for my country,” Nelson said.
As for future Southeast students planning to achieve similar feats, Nelson’s advice is “to just take advantage of every opportunity given.” And to have a similar appreciation for one’s country, Nelson says to “see the humanity in everyone.”
