Latest news with #BoysState
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Day 2 of Boys State includes social opportunities, primary election
WESTON, (WBOY) — Monday was the second day of Mountaineers Boys State, where rising seniors from throughout West Virginia try to organize their own state for the week, complete with elected officials, emergency responders, law enforcement, bankers and everything else a society might need. 12 News sat in on a meeting with the 'Nationalist Party,' where candidates were giving their stump speeches for the primary later in the day. Director for American Legion Mountaineer Boys State Robbie Robinson said, 'It's better for the state, community and nation for us to do this, because a lot of the times [the students] are not getting how elections work in schools.' Carry Jack Howell Morgan of Monongalia County ran for Governor. Morgan told 12 News he cares about politics and trying to find a way to cut through divisiveness in America. 'We're slowly damaging ourselves more and more every time we continue to just bicker and villainize each other,' Morgan said. He added that his goal coming into Boys State was to work on his public speaking and see if he could get into a leadership role. Blenko unveils limited-edition, train-themed West Virginia Day pieces Outside of learning about the political process, Boys State also offers a unique opportunity for social development, giving students the opportunity to meet others from all around the state. 'There's guys that I know that came to this camp in 1962 and still are in touch with the boys they were in camp with here in Jackson's Mill,' Robinson said. Zach Turner of Putnam County ran for Attorney General with the slogan 'Don't be whack, vote for Zach.' Turner said he's valued the social experience of Boys State so far. 'I think that's one of the biggest aspects of Boys State is learning about your peers, getting to know your peers and all your friends. I've already made a lot of friends.' Boys State will continue through June 14. By the end of Tuesday night, they should know the result of the general election. If you want to keep up, you can follow the work of the students doing journalism at Boys State at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mountaineer Boys State marks 86 years of civic leadership at Jackson's Mill
WESTON, (WBOY) — The 86th session of the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State is being held this week at WVU Jackson's Mill, continuing a tradition of leadership and civic education for West Virginia's youth. A few hundred high school students from across the Mountain State are taking part in the week-long program, which immerses them in hands-on learning about government operations and the responsibilities of citizenship. Participants, referred to as 'citizens,' actively engage in the formation and operation of mock city, county and state governments. 'We started here in 1936, West Virginia has the second oldest Boys State in the nation. Illinois started it in 1935, we thought it was a good idea, went out and talked to them and we got the second charter back then,' the Director for American Legion Mountaineer Boys State Robbie Robinson said. 'We're able to claim that we're the only camp or only Boys State program in the United States that has it at the same place since its inception.' Morgantown Pop Shop holds first of summer concerts Throughout the week, students take part in legislative sessions, court proceedings, and law enforcement demonstrations. They also attend assemblies, join recreational programs, and explore career opportunities in various fields. Guest speakers often including government officials, veterans, and community leaders share insights on leadership and service. 'Sometimes civics isn't touched on a whole lot in school anymore. So here they get a different perspective on it, a real worlds perspective on it, and they get a chance to actually do it,' Robinson added. 'These boys will get experiences that they won't receive in other places, however this is something that will stick with them for the rest of their life.' Organizers added the experience they receive while at the camp leaves a lasting impact, helping to shape what could be future leaders while fostering a deeper understanding of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey speaks to future leaders during University of Alabama visit
Over 400 rising high school seniors gathered at the University of Alabama for the 83rd session of the American Legion Auxiliary Alabama Girls State program. Throughout the week of June 1-6, delegates gained hands-on experience in a model state government. Participants wrote bills, debated them on the House and Senate floor, participated in party caucuses and ran for office. They also heard from a variety of speakers including Gov. Kay Ivey, a former Girls State lieutenant governor, and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, who was elected Girls State governor in 1999. The session was scheduled to culminate with a trip to Montgomery to visit with elected officials, hold lawmaking sessions at the State House and tour the Capitol, the Alabama Supreme Court and Governor's Mansion. Organizers say the Girls State program provides delegates with a better understanding of how government works and a sense of patriotism while building self-confidence and lasting friendships. More: Boys State at University of Alabama aims to create good citizens "Alabama Girls State is a fun-filled, hands-on learning opportunity in good citizenship training for some of the best and brightest young women in the State of Alabama. Sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Alabama Girls State is a premier youth leadership program which offers a one-of-a-kind experience to its delegates," said Lee Sellers, program director, in news release. This year featured the largest delegation of girls to have ever attended Alabama Girls State, with the more than 400 rising seniors representing high schools throughout Alabama. UA also hosted the Boys State program May 25-31. This year marks the first time UA has hosted Boys and Girls State since 2021. Ivey spoke to delegates June 5 at Moody Music Building on the University of Alabama campus. During her remarks, Ivey shared her personal experiences at Girls State and how the program has influenced her political career. "My time here at Girls State has allowed me to mentor and to be mentored by women across every corner of the state of Alabama, forming friendships that are not just good and strong, but long-lasting," Ivey said. After graduating from Auburn University in 1967, worked as a high school teacher and a bank officer. She served as reading clerk for the Alabama House of Representatives under then-Speaker Joseph C. McCorquodale and she served as assistant director at the Alabama Development Office In 2002, Ivey was elected to the first of two terms as Alabama's treasurer and in 2010, she was elected to the first of two terms as lieutenant governor. On April 10, 2017, Ivey was sworn in as Alabama's 54th governor after the resignation of Robert Bentley. She filled out the rest of Bentley's term before winning the gubernatorial election in 2018 and she was re-elected in 2022. She is the first Republican woman to serve as Alabama's governor but she's the second woman to hold the state's top executive office. Tuscaloosa County native Lurleen B. Wallace, a Democrat, became Alabama's first female governor in 1966. Ivey emphasized the importance of citizenship, the constitution and the military during her Girls State speech. Ivey said she doesn't let being a female in a male-dominated field discourage her and she encouraged delegates to pursue their goals. Ivey said she believes that success should be measured by a person's qualifications and not their gender. "I strongly believe that whoever is the most-qualified person should be the one to get the job. And as I like to say, sometimes the best man for a job is a woman," Ivey said. Ivey concluded her speech by inspiring the delegates to carry the values of Girls State into their future endeavors. More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the News app "Girls State is not just a week. It's a state of mind, an attitude and a way of thinking that has stuck with me my entire life," said Ivey, who grew up in the town of Camden in Wilcox County. ".... (You should) leave Girls State this week with an understanding of the beauty of our democracy is that all people, even a girl, from a little town in Wilcox County can make a difference if we try," she said. Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@ This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Gov. Kay Ivey says Girls State offers opportunity for future leaders
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Arkansas Boys State wraps up in Little Rock, delegation elects new governor
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The 84th session of Arkansas Boys State concluded with the election of Flynn Capps, a rising senior from Lakeside High School in Hot Springs, as the 2025 Arkansas Boys State governor. Capps, one of 566 delegates from across the state, was chosen by his peers after a week of immersive civic engagement and leadership development, which culminated at the Arkansas State Capitol. 2025 Arkansas Girls State wraps up at Harding University Capps's journey to the governorship began with uncertainty. 'At first, I was scared and didn't really want to talk to anybody,' he admitted. 'Everyone's still in their box and nobody's really come out yet.' But that changed when he took a chance and ran for mayor of his city within the program. Winning that race sparked a deeper passion for Capps. 'At that point I was like, this is fun. I think I want to try it,' Capps said. That try turned into a full campaign for governor. 'We got to the final two, and I was like, this is it,' he said. 'In the end, I got governor, and it was a great experience.' For Capps, the title is secondary to the impact. 'Regardless if I got governor or not, the experience I had with these people is far beyond anything I could've imagined.' The American Legion Arkansas Boys State Program, now in its 84th year, provides a week-long deep dive into the structure and function of state and local government. Delegates form mock cities and counties, campaign for office, pass legislation nd simulate state-level operations—all while forging lasting connections with peers from every corner of Arkansas. Lloyd Jackson, executive director of the program, has seen firsthand how transformative the experience can be. 'They start with us on Sunday night not knowing what they've gotten into. By Thursday, they're asking, 'Do we have to leave?'' Jackson described Boys State as a brotherhood. 'It's a week that will shape and change your life—and Flynn really gets to be the personification of that.' Throughout the week, delegates elected their own city and county officials, state legislators and constitutional officers. Capps emerged from a competitive multi-stage process involving two political parties—the Federalists and the Nationalists—ultimately winning over 51% of the 'statewide' vote. Now, as governor, Capps serves as the face and voice of Boys State, leading ceremonies, signing or vetoing mock legislation and representing the program at American Legion events throughout the year. He will return in 2026 to mentor the next class of delegates and said he is committed to making the most of his opportunity. Colonel Nathaniel Todd appointed to American Legion Arkansas Boys State Commission 'I'm going to try my hardest. I'm going to make sure Boys State is represented correctly. This is a good opportunity for Boys State to come together and learn how they can lead their own state,' he said. 'I want to make Arkansas great. I want to make it a better state in this great country that we have.' Looking ahead, Capps plans to apply what he's learned back home in Hot Springs. 'It's not just upon me but all of us to do better in our own cities—whether that's food drives or any kind of social service to better our cities and Arkansas,' Capps said. From a quiet arrival to a rousing election night victory, Flynn Capps embodies the spirit of Boys State—leadership, courage and a willingness to grow, Jackson said. As he takes on his new role, he leaves behind a simple but powerful reflection: 'I went into Boys State wanting to learn how to be a leader—and I'm going to leave it that way.' For more information about Arkansas Boys State, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Applications open for annual Boys State program
JACKSON'S MILL, (WBOY) — A program of the American Legion designed to teach civic engagement to high school juniors is taking applications for its 86th session this summer. The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State will return to Jackson's Mill from June 8 to June 14. The annual summer program aims to create a government of a 51st state in the image of the West Virginia state government. The program takes the student citizens of Boys State through the political process from party platforms to campaigns to elections, before electing a slate of officials for the new state. White Hall Elementary receives statewide recognition as an Exemplary Practice School In addition to electing city, county, and state officials, Boys State also highlights other careers connected to government, including emergency services, journalism, forensics and more. Boys State Director Robbie Robinson said Boys State doesn't just instill good government practices, it also helps prepare them for life after graduation. 'The boys that are here are junior boys,' said Robinson. 'Next year, they'll be graduating and going out into the workforce or into college or or whatever they've chosen as their career. This could give them a boost.' Teaching civic engagement is important to the volunteer staff, but it's also a way to help make a mark on the state's future as well. 'Some of these boys will go on to be leaders in business, leaders in government, leaders in the military, and these are all things that we're paying it forward to improve our society and to hopefully continue our form of government,' said Assistant Director Matt Sampson. The American Legion Auxiliary also organizes the Rhododendron Girls State every year; it's currently held at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins. You can find more information on how to apply to either Boys State or Girls State on their websites. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
