AMERICAN LEGION BOYS STATE/BOYS NATION

Edwin J. Dentz, Chairman, 703-491-3642 BOYS STATE
One of the finest Legion youth programs is Boys State. Each year outstanding high school juniors are selected to be citizens of an imaginary state, where they learn how city, county and state government operate by doing the job themselves. Upon arrival at Boys State, boys are assigned to fictitious political parties and cities. The parties nominate candidates for city and state offices, and elections are held under the laws of the host state.

Popular activities at Boys State include legislative sessions, court trials, and law and police schools; most groups also publish their own newspaper. Boys State counselors include attorneys and judges, high school and college teachers, and public officials. In recent years increasing numbers of Virginia's State Delegates and Senators have spent a half-day with one or more cities each explaining the workings of both houses of the General Assembly. Through lectures, textbooks and forums, and especially through actual experience, participants get a practical education in local and state government.

BOYS NATION
Each participating department selects two boys from its Boys State to attend Boys Nation, held each summer in Washington, DC. Boys Nation is patterned after the federal government, with its legislative sessions conducted in accordance with the rules for operation of the U.S. Senate.

Besides operating their own version of the federal government, Boys Nation delegates tour the Capitol, the Pentagon, the Supreme Court and various memorials. The highlight of the week is a visit to the White House, where delegates meet with the President.

POST 176
Each year Post 176, in conjunction with counselors at West Springfield, Braddock, Edison and Lee High Schools, selects fifteen young men to attend Boys State. Cost for each boy is $225.00 which is underwritten by the Post , but largely defrayed through donations to the Post. Of great interest to the American Legion Boys State Citizens is the SAMSUNG scholarship made available only to American Legion Boys State and Auxiliary Girls State through a $5 million grant from the Korean electronics firm. A Virginia Boys Stater won such a scholarship in excess of $20,00.00 several years ago. One boy from the Virginia program is selected each year to compete with finalists from other Departments. The scholarships are a Korean thank you for our participation in the Korean War.

Please contact the Chairman for more information about this program or to make a tax-deductible donation.

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