Boys and Girls State participants named

The American Legion Posts and Auxiliaries in Perkins County and Wallace are pleased to announce their candidates for Boys and Girls State 2023.

Those chosen by local Posts and Auxiliaries are as follows: Elsie Legion—Henry Taylor; Madrid Legion—Juan Perez; Venango Legion—Nolan Foster; Grant American Legion Auxiliary—Maggie Fisher; Madrid American Legion Auxiliary—Emma Klahn; Venango American Legion Auxiliary—Caitlyn Dolezal, Layla Vigil and Kaitlin Meyer; Elsie American Legion Auxiliary—Katie Cook; Wallace American Legion Auxiliary—Brooke Bryant and Reagan Pelster. 

Those chosen will join other high school juniors from across Nebraska participating in the American Legion Cornhusker Boys’ State and American Legion Auxiliary Cornhusker Girls State Programs are June 4-10, 2023, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The annual citizenship programs are designed to provide youths with a better understanding of how city, county and state governments operate. 

Boys State

American Legion Comhusker Boys’ State is set up as a functional “51 51 state” and each boy learns how government subdivisions operate by actually doing the job. Participants will campaign for offices, hold elections, take part in band and chorus, compete in athletics, and be involved in other varied activities as part of the citizenship training program. 

Special lectures and addresses will be delivered by experienced public officials and professional leaders throughout Nebraska. Invitations have been sent to the Governor and Secretary of State offices for special appearances at this year’s program. 

National acclaimed motivational speakers are also scheduled to address the entire group. The American Legion is dedicated to the motto of “Veterans Strengthening America.”

Girls State

The American Legion Auxiliary developed a citizenship training program based on the formation of the American Legion’s Boys State program. This program offers training in the positive processes of self-government and good citizenship as practiced in democratic societies.

Since 1948 Girls State has been a regular part of the Auxiliary’s Americanism curriculum.

At Girls State, the delegates study local, county, and state government. The girls do this by setting up their own miniature city, county, and state governments and administer them according to the rules and procedures set by Nebraska’s laws.

Girls State citizens participate in these mock political parties and elections are held to fill city, county, and state positions. Other activities include legislative sessions, campaigning, party rallies, mock trials, and debating. The citizens also receive instruction in Parliamentary Procedure.