16-year-old Laredoan elected mayor in Nebraska

Jason Landin (center) is pictured with Vice Mayor TiJaih Davis (right) and Father Flanagan (left). Click ahead to see 18 facts about the quirky political history of Texas politics. Jason Landin (center) is pictured with Vice Mayor TiJaih Davis (right) and Father Flanagan (left). Click ahead to see 18 facts about the quirky political history of Texas politics. Photo: Boys Town Nebraska Facebook Page Photo: Boys Town Nebraska Facebook Page Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close 16-year-old Laredoan elected mayor in Nebraska 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

Jason Landin, 16, of Laredo, was elected the mayor of Boys Town, Nebraska.

Landin will serve as the 117th mayor of the small village located on the western edge of Omaha. Boys Town is a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing a haven of support for children and families. Originally founded in 1921 by Rev. Edward Flanagan, Boys Town began as a home for wayward youth.

The home grew to include a school, dormitories and administration buildings before eventually becoming an official village in 1936. Flanagan conceived the self-government system in 1926 as a tool to build character and a sense of community among its residents.

“As mayor I represent all the people here at Boys Town,” Landin said. “If there’s anything that needs to be changed, I can be part of the meetings that lead to those changes in the community around here. I feel proud of course. It’s something I’ve been wanting since I was in the eighth grade and I’m proud to represent a place I call my second home.”

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Today, the Family Home Program replaces dormitory living and provides children a home with married couples known as Family-Teachers. Landin, a junior, has attended school at Boys Town since the age of 12.

“I came here for a better opportunity, to be able to go to college and make it farther in life,” he said.

Through his years at Boys Town, Landin said he has gained confidence in himself and an understanding about life. He runs track and cross country, and placed fifth in the state of Nebraska. Landin said he would like to attend Oklahoma University, where he plans to continue running and study criminology.

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Lon Rother, a family teacher at Boys Town, regarded the Omaha home campus as a second chance for children.

“It allows kids, that may come from disadvantaged areas or places where they may not be successful, a second chance and an opportunity to find themselves and learn some skills and have a successful future,” Rohter said.

“It’s such a big deal for the mayor, it’s kind of a neat thing because there’s only one Boys Town in the world so it’s pretty cool,” Rohter added.

Boys Town continues to expand its programs and services with more than 12 locations across the nation, including Texas.

Click through the gallery above to learn above the quirky political history of Texas.