From Delegate to Mentor: Andre Quintero

The American Legion’s "Boys and Girls State" program in California is an experience that is as intense as it is rewarding. From day one, it brings us together to tackle challenges and share unforgettable moments. Yet, we all agree on one thing: without our volunteers and alumni, this program along with the spirit of camaraderie and the lasting friendships it fosters simply wouldn't exist.

But do we really take the time to acknowledge the dedication of the remarkable members who make up our leadership team? Today, I wanted to shine a spotlight on one of them.

Andre Quintero participated in the program in 1991, back when it was still known as "California Boys State." Elected Governor during his session, he also represented his state at "Boys Nation." Today, he lends his expertise to the program as legal counsel. In this interview, he shares his fascinating journey and valuable advice, offering a deep source of inspiration. I therefore invite you to read our entire exchange carefully and to draw lessons from it.

Question 1: Briefly tell us about your personal experience when you were a delegate.

• ​How were you before, during, and after the program?

  
  

​"So, funny story. Before I came here to Boys State when it was Boys State at the time I lost

every single election from middle school to high school. Not only did I lose every single election, but my freshman, sophomore, and junior years, I was booed by my colleagues when I ran for class president each year. It was a very challenging thing to go through, but I kept moving forward. I kept trying.

​Finally, my teachers nominated me to the American Legion, and they sponsored me to come to Boys State. Here, I learned for the first time how to campaign. I guess the best thing I could describe it as was an out-of-body experience. I learned to do things that I had never done before; I campaigned and was elected Governor. That moment changed the trajectory of my life.

​I started getting more involved in student government when I went back to my high school, and I was elected student body president. Then, at 19, I was President of all the UC students throughout the state of California. I was a student at UC Riverside, and my senior year, I was student body president there. After UC Riverside, I went to law school at UCLA. I got my master's in urban planning and my law degree from UCLA.

​Shortly after graduating from law school, I ran for the Rio Hondo Community College District Board of Trustees and served there for eight years. Then, after those eight years, I ran for mayor of my hometown of El Monte and served as mayor for 11 years. I've also been serving for the last 18 years as a deputy city attorney for the city of Los Angeles in the criminal branch. My current assignment is helping people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless address their traffic or pedestrian tickets. We help them address them by asking the court to give these individuals a second chance while they're engaged in services to improve their lives.”

• Any regrets or benefits?

  
  

​"No regrets. I did everything I possibly could in this program, and I had so much fun doing it. I think probably one of the most distinct memories I have is after getting elected Governor. I was sent down to Riverside to speak at the American Legion Convention for the state of California. After I spoke, I remember walking through the aisles and seeing the men who sponsored me from the American Legion Post 261 in El Monte, and I saw tears in their eyes. They were so proud of what I had accomplished. It was just such an honor to be able to thank them on behalf of all of the students for this program, which I didn't realize at the time was going to be a major foundation for my life.”

​Question 2: What are the secrets or differences of the camp?

• Is there something you discovered that we might not know and want us to try?

  
  

​"You know, I think, as a secret, if you will, that most people don't realize until they're in it, is that this is a tremendous place to find lifelong friendships and to have an opportunity to be your authentic self. A lot of times, when we are back in our respective schools, our classmates maybe don't appreciate us. They've seen us grow up; they've been with us for a while, and they don't really understand what we're truly capable of. Here, because you really don't know too many people, it's an opportunity for you to really shine and to make genuine, authentic connections that could last for a lifetime. So, I think that's one of the secrets and benefits of this program.”

• What was different about the program back then compared to this year?

  
  

​"Well, there are many differences. Mostly, because now we're digital, and so we do a lot of things digitally. We didn't do that back then; we had paper money, for example, and we did the counting of votes manually, which led to a lot of human error.

​Obviously, the biggest difference was that it was Boys State so boys only. Now it's coed. That is a major difference, and what I appreciate about the fact that it's coed now is that in the real world, we compete against each other, men and women alike. We need to know how to compete in a respectful way. Unfortunately, sometimes that's not the case in the real world, and so having an opportunity to simulate that here at Boys and Girls State gives these leaders a unique experience that they can take with them into their communities moving forward.”

Question 3: Tell us how this program affects your life. Can you tell us about yourself today?

​"I learned so much in this program, and it completely affected my life. I don't know if I would have been as involved in politics and government as I was without it. Because of the courage this program gave me, I've had the opportunity to be a member of the Electoral College electing a president, attend party conventions, and participate in different levels of government, including serving as a Senate Fellow for the California State Senate. There are just so many things I was able to do in student government affecting policy because this program empowered me, educated me, lifted me up, and really taught me how to engage in government. I will always be grateful to the American Legion and to our veterans for giving me that opportunity.

​The other thing that I was very blessed to be able to do is serve as a counselor here for more than 20 years. As a counselor, I've gotten to know many of the men and women who made this program so special. One of the most touching things involves a chief counselor named Joe Cenoz, who served for more than 50 years. He actually recorded my inaugural address and my speech while I was a delegate here. When he passed away, his son sent me those videos and some other memorabilia that his father had kept over the years. 

​One thing I don't think the young men and women of the program really understand is that, yes, this program leaves a mark on their lives, but they leave a mark on us as well. As counselors, we see such beautiful, interesting, kind, and brilliant minds in the kids who come here, and we are deeply impacted by that. We're inspired and motivated by them. They influence us, and they remind us that the future is bright because of them.”

​Question 4: What is your contribution to the program? How do you support it?

​"Currently, I'm on the legal staff as a legal counselor. I am an attorney, so I participate in the Law Academy, teach the mayors, and help staff the law library. As delegates start engaging in mock litigation, they come to the library and ask questions.

​As one of the senior members of the staff who has been here for a while, I'm always open to providing counsel, advice, and support to any of the delegates and citizens of the program. I will often be walking around campus and someone will stop me for a random question. It gives me great joy to just be able to interact with whoever wants to interact with us.

​When I was a delegate here, I remember some of the counselors seemed so much older than me at the time. I don't know if I felt intimidated, but you definitely feel like you're just a kid. Because of that, I love it when students come up to me now to ask questions, express concerns, or whatever the case may be. It gives me great joy to be able to answer them.”

​Question 5: Why do you choose to come back and support us?

​"I believe so strongly in this program. I believe what we do each year has the potential to change the lives of so many young people. This program helps create tomorrow's leaders, and I have a chance to play a small role in doing that.

​Our democracy is not inherited; we could lose it any day. If we don't teach and inspire the next generation to be prepared to take up leadership roles, we risk losing it. I believe in that so fundamentally, and this program is the premier program for doing exactly that in the state of California.”

​Question 6: If you had to remove this program from your life’s journey, what do you think would be missing today?

"I think what would be missing is certainly a big hole in my life. Because I work in criminal law, I see people when they're in very difficult situations, and sometimes it can be a little demoralizing. When I'm up here and I have a chance to interact with young people, I feel inspired and hopeful. I just don't know if people really, truly understand the caliber of students that we get to see. I mean, bright, sharp, kind, interesting people with incredible stories and incredible experiences. To see that, to get to witness that, and to be part of their journey is such a privilege and such an honor that a big hole would be left in my life without it.

​While I'm here, I hope I have a chance to show young people what their future can be like if they stick to being involved, regardless of what they choose to do with their lives. You could be a nurse and be involved in politics through your union activity, or through some other activity. You could be a police officer and still be involved in politics. You could be a teacher, or a professor. There are so many roles that we play in society in terms of our employment, but the most important role that we play is citizen. As citizens, we vote, we contribute, we encourage other people to vote for our candidate, and we debate. We meet active citizens who are from all walks of life and all experiences. Here, I hope that my participation can inspire people to aspire to service.”

​Question 7: From your experiences in life about the program, what is some piece of advice or free guide you want to share with students?

​"I think I would say definitely stay active in some way. Whatever that may be, it doesn't have to be by running for office, but it could be being active in some way in our democracy. Know that your voice matters not just in the future, but now and that voice will evolve over time. And that's okay.

​There is one thing that I wish someone had said to me back then, which I have a greater appreciation for now. It has nothing to do with government, but everything to do with life: If you are a person of Faith, stay close to what you believe. In my case, I believe there is a God, and I would say to my daughter and to my family to stay close to God throughout your life. Because, one, God loves you, and two, by staying close to God, you will stay on the right path.

​We will all eventually be leaving this Earth. Toward the end of your life, you want to know that what you did on this Earth was more good than bad, that you served others, and hopefully served God through your work. Again, I wish someone had said that to me. I was very active in my faith as a child, went away for a long time, and now that I'm back, if I can leave anybody with that advice, I think our lives are far fuller when we stay close to God and honor the great gift that He gave us: our lives.”

​Question 8: What is your hope or wish for the delegates of this 2026 session?

​"I hope they just have an amazing time. Regardless of whether they won an election or lost an election, that was never the point. The point is to learn, and learning sometimes requires loss. But if they try, it's never a loss. It's not a failure as long as they tried and learned something. Then, this program will make a difference in their lives and they'll remember it.

​Another important thing is understanding friendships friendships with people that you would not necessarily get a chance to know otherwise. That's what is so cool: your roommate might be from another part of the state, might be of a different ethnicity, a different religious Faith, or maybe speak a different language. Who knows? There are so many varieties of folks who are here. You may not usually interact with them, but now you have a friend potentially for life, and you will celebrate each other's achievements. You guys are all going to be applying for college soon, and you'll be celebrating that where you are going, where they are going. It's a beautiful thing to be able to have friendships and connections like that.

​That's one of the best parts of being in a program like this with people: it's like finding your community. And your community doesn't necessarily have to be a community of ethnicity, geography, or Faith. It can be simply a community of people who care about leaving a positive impact on their government and on society.”

Andre Quintero’s story serves as a powerful reminder that our voices, our failures, and our commitments shape our future and that of society. Hoping that sharing this experience inspires you in turn to serve your community, I leave you to reflect on these two thoughts:

• "Never be afraid to stand up and raise your hand. The people who change the world are not those who never experience failure, but those who refuse to let rejection define the rest of their journey."

— Dr. Ellen Reed (Author and performance psychologist)

• "Sometimes, all it takes is one different place to realize that our voice has value. When you find a community that believes in you, what you thought were your limits suddenly becomes your launchpad."

— Rosanne Cash (Author and artist, committed to community causes)

Interview conducted, written and edited by: Kristerlynn-E. K. Dulcius-Oriscar

Published by: Faid Kassim