Arkansas Boys State

Students from across Arkansas completed Arkansas Boys State 2026 during the program's Commencement ceremony. The 85th annual session of Arkansas Boys State was held May 24-29 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Sponsored by The American Legion Department of Arkansas, Arkansas Boys State is an immersive civic leadership experience that challenges students to practice citizenship, public service and leadership through a hands-on model of government. During the week, delegates experienced democracy in action by taking part in elections, city and county government simulations, legislative activities, leadership discussions, Schools of Instruction, recreation and Capitol Day at the Arkansas State Capitol. By completing Arkansas Boys State, the 2026 delegates join a tradition of more than 60,000 alumni who have taken part in the program since 1940. The experience reflects the program's guiding theme, "Democracy Depends on Me," and recognizes each delegate's commitment to learning, leading and serving for the common good. More information about Arkansas Boys State is available at arboysstate.org.

Students were elected by their peers to state office on Thursday, May 28, as part of the 85th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government, including the state constitutional offices: governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, auditor, land commissioner, treasurer, and chief justice and associate justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court. The 14 students elected to state office won their party's primary races for state office before advancing to the general election where they defeated their opposing party's opponent. More than 150 students ran for state office at Arkansas Boys State 2026. More than 500 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 85th annual session runs May 24-29 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to the State Senate and State House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 26, as part of the 85th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different congressional districts, each with three senators and 10 representatives. More than 500 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 85th annual session runs May 24-29 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to county office on Monday, May 25, as part of the 85th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different mock counties each with their own county judge, vice county judge, county sheriff, and justices of the peace. More than 540 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 85th annual session runs May 24-29 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to city office on Monday, May 25, as part of the 85th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including sixteen different mock cities, each with their own city council and mayor. More than 500 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 85th annual session runs May 24-29 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Arkansas Boys State 2026, the American Legion-sponsored leadership and civic engagement program for male high school juniors, welcomes 580 delegates from 198 high schools on Sunday, May 24. During the 85th annual session, held May 24-29 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, delegates will join students from across Arkansas for an immersive week of citizenship, leadership and public service. Throughout the program, delegates will build a mock government from the ground up by participating in elections, legislative debate, city and county activities, Schools of Instruction, leadership discussions, recreation and Capitol Day at the Arkansas State Capitol. The experience is designed to help students strengthen their communication, leadership and civic engagement skills while forming meaningful relationships with peers from communities across the state.

Isaiah Marshall of Fort Smith from Southside High School was elected by his peers at Arkansas Boys State to attend Boys Nation in Washington DC. Marshall was one of just two students from Arkansas Boys State elected to represent the state at the national program sponsored by the American Legion. He will join representatives from 49 other states at Boys Nation from July 18-26. According to the American Legion website, "Two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, where the young leaders receive an education on the structure and function of federal government." More than 570 of the state's brightest young men attended Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 84th annual session ran May 25-30 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," were assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administered this mock government as if it were real: they ran for office, drafted and passed legislation, solved municipal challenges, and engaged constituents. By the week's end, the delegates experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Ian Lee-Kim of Conway from Conway High School was elected by his peers at Arkansas Boys State to attend Boys Nation in Washington DC. Lee-Kim was one of just two students from Arkansas Boys State elected to represent the state at the national program sponsored by the American Legion. He will join representatives from 49 other states at Boys Nation from July 18-26. According to the American Legion website, "Two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, where the young leaders receive an education on the structure and function of federal government." More than 570 of the state's brightest young men attended Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 84th annual session ran May 25-30 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," were assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administered this mock government as if it were real: they ran for office, drafted and passed legislation, solved municipal challenges, and engaged constituents. By the week's end, the delegates experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Arkansas Boys State will welcome 580 young men from 200 high schools across the state to its 85th summer session, held May 24-29, 2026, at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Sponsored by the American Legion, the weeklong leadership and civic engagement experience invites male high school juniors to learn how democracy works by building a mock government from the ground up. Throughout the week, students will be assigned to political parties, cities and counties as they run for office, draft and debate legislation, solve municipal challenges and engage with constituents. Guided by the program's principle that "Democracy Depends on Me," delegates will also participate in leadership discussions, instructional tracks, recreation, keynote sessions and activities designed to strengthen communication, civic understanding and relationships with peers from across Arkansas. Since 1940, Arkansas Boys State has shaped more than 60,000 alumni through what the program calls "a week that shapes a lifetime."

Students were elected by their peers to state office on Thursday, May 29, as part of the 84th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government, including the state constitutional offices: governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, auditor, land commissioner, treasurer, and chief justice and associate justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court. The 14 students elected to state office won their party primary races for state office before advancing to the general election where they defeated their opposing party's opponent. More than 150 students ran for state office at Arkansas Boys State 2024. More than 600 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 84th annual session runs May 25-30 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to the State Senate and State House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 27, as part of the 84th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different congressional districts each with three senators and 10 representatives. More than 600 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 84th annual session runs May 25-30 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to county office on Monday, May 26, as part of the 84th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different mock counties each with their own county judge, county sheriff, and justices of the peace. More than 600 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 84th annual session runs May 25-30 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to city office on Monday, May 26, as part of the 84th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including sixteen different mock cities each with their own city council and mayor. More than 600 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 84th annual session runs May 25-30 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

More than 610 of the state's brightest young men, representing 207 high schools throughout the state, will attend Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 84th annual session runs May 25 through May 30 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. The program's 2025 enrollment marks its largest class of young men in 10 years. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Chance Bradford of Little Rock from Mills University Studies High School was elected by his peers at Arkansas Boys State to attend Boys Nation in Washington DC. Bradford was one of just two students from Arkansas Boys State elected to represent the state at the national program sponsored by the American Legion. Sims will join representatives from 49 other states at Boys Nation from July 19-26. According to the American Legion website, "Two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, where the young leaders receive an education on the structure and function of federal government." More than 540 of the state's brightest young men attended Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 83rd annual session ran May 26-31 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," were assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administered this mock government as if it were real: they ran for office, drafted and passed legislation, solved municipal challenges, and engaged constituents. By the week's end, the delegates experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

X'Zaeviun Sims of Pine Bluff from Pine Bluff High School was elected by his peers at Arkansas Boys State to attend Boys Nation in Washington DC. Sims was one of just two students from Arkansas Boys State elected to represent the state at the national program sponsored by the American Legion. Sims will join representatives from 49 other states at Boys Nation from July 19-26. According to the American Legion website, "Two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, where the young leaders receive an education on the structure and function of federal government." More than 540 of the state's brightest young men attended Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 83rd annual session ran May 26-31 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," were assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administered this mock government as if it were real: they ran for office, drafted and passed legislation, solved municipal challenges, and engaged constituents. By the week's end, the delegates experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to state office on Thursday, May 30, as part of the 83rd annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government, including the state constitutional offices: governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, auditor, land commissioner, treasurer, and chief justice and associate justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court. The 14 students elected to state office won their party primary races for state office before advancing to the general election where they defeated their opposing party's opponent. More than 150 students ran for state office at Arkansas Boys State 2024. More than 540 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 83rd annual session runs May 28-31 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to the State Senate and State House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 28, as part of the 83rd annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different congressional districts each with three senators and 10 representatives. More than 540 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 83rd annual session runs May 26-31 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to city office on Monday, May 27, as part of the 83rd annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including sixteen different mock cities each with their own city council, vice mayor, and mayor. More than 540 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 83rd annual session runs May 26-31 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

More than 565 of the state's brightest young men will attend Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 83rd annual session runs May 26 through May 31 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends. The program's 2024 enrollment marks its largest class of young men in seven years.

Students were elected by their peers to county office on Monday, May 27, as part of the 83rd annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different mock counties each with their own county judge, vice county judge, county sheriff, and justices of the peace. More than 540 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 83rdd annual session runs May 26-31 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Tanner Holden of Benton from Benton High School was elected by his peers at Arkansas Boys State to attend Boys Nation in Washington DC. Holden was one of just two students from Arkansas Boys State elected to represent the state at the national program sponsored by the American Legion. He will join representatives from 49 other states at Boys Nation from July 21-29. According to the American Legion website, "Two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, where the young leaders receive an education on the structure and function of federal government." More than 470 of the state's brightest young men attended Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 82nd annual session ran May 28 through June 2 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," were assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administered this mock government as if it were real: they ran for office, drafted and passed legislation, solved municipal challenges, and engaged constituents. By the week's end, the delegates experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Harrison Henry of Fayetteville from Fayetteville High School was elected by his peers at Arkansas Boys State to attend Boys Nation in Washington DC. Henry was one of just two students from Arkansas Boys State elected to represent the state at the national program sponsored by the American Legion. Henry will join representatives from 49 other states at Boys Nation from July 21-29. According to the American Legion website, "Two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, where the young leaders receive an education on the structure and function of federal government." More than 470 of the state's brightest young men attended Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 82nd annual session ran May 28 through June 2 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," were assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administered this mock government as if it were real: they ran for office, drafted and passed legislation, solved municipal challenges, and engaged constituents. By the week's end, the delegates experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to state office on Thursday, June 1, as part of the 82nd annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government, including the state constitutional offices: governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, auditor, land commissioner, treasurer, and chief justice and associate justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court. The 14 students elected to state office won their party primary races for state office before advancing to the general election where they defeated their opposing party's opponent. One-hundred twenty-three students ran for state office at Arkansas Boys State 2023. More than 470 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 82nd annual session runs May 28 through June 2 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to the State Senate and State House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 30, as part of the 82nd annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different congressional districts each with three senators and 10 representatives. More than 470 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 82nd annual session runs May 28 through June 2 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to county office on Monday, May 29, as part of the 82nd annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different mock counties each with their own county judge, vice county judge, county sheriff, and justices of the peace. More than 470 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 82nd annual session runs May 28 through June 2 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Students were elected by their peers to city office on Monday, May 29, as part of the 82nd annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including sixteen different mock cities each with their own city council, vice mayor, and mayor. More than 470 of the state's brightest young men are attending Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 82nd annual session runs May 28 through June 2 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

More than 500 of the state's brightest young men will attend Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 82nd annual session runs May 28 through June 2 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

More than 400 of the state's brightest young men attended Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 81st annual session ran May 29 through June 3 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. These students join a global network of program alumni spanning success in public service, business, education, healthcare and more. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," were assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administered a mock government as if it were real: they ran for office, drafted and passed legislation, solved municipal challenges, and engaged constituents. By the week's end, the delegates experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.

Henry Chilcoat of North Little Rock from Little Rock Central High School was elected by his peers at Arkansas Boys State to attend Boys Nation in Washington DC. Chilcoat was one of just two students from Arkansas Boys State elected to represent the state at the national program sponsored by the American Legion. Chilcoat will join representatives from 49 other states at Boys Nation from July 22-30. According to the American Legion website, "Two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, where the young leaders receive an education on the structure and function of federal government." More than 400 of the state's brightest young men attended Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion. This summer's 81st annual session runs May 29 through June 3 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. During their week at Arkansas Boys State, these students, known as "delegates," were assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administered this mock government as if it were real: they ran for office, drafted and passed legislation, solved municipal challenges, and engaged constituents. By the week's end, the delegates experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends.