American Legion Post #17 in Keizer, is seeking sponsors for attendees of the 2022 Boys State, to be held in June.
Boys State is a summertime education program for high school juniors and seniors that focuses on participation and personal experience in a model state.
At Boys State, participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.
Legion posts select high school juniors to attend the program. In most cases, individual expenses are paid by a sponsoring post, a local business or another community-based organization.
Oregon’s Boys State will be held at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, June 12-18. The cost is $350 for each participant. American Legion Post #17 is seeking businesses and individuals who want to help young men learn about civics. The deadline for sponsorships is May 13. Contact Fred Broadwater at 503-686-4193 to get more information.
Boys State programs currently exist in all Legion departments in the United States except Hawaii. As separate corporations, Boys State programs vary in content and method of procedure, but each adheres to the same basic concept: teaching government from the township to the state level.
To be eligible for Boys State, males need to have successfully completed their junior year of high school. Qualiities sought in potential attendees include leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty and service to their school.
Applications to be considered for Boys State are available from Kim Connelly at McNary High School or at American Legion’s website: orlegion.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2022-Oregon-Boys-State-Application-Certification-Form-350.00.pdf.
Each year, two Boys State program participants are chosen to attend Boys Nation in Washington, D.C.