American Legion Colorado Boys State
Preparations Begin for the Class of 2007
www.CoLegionBoysState.org

DENVER, January 10, 2007 -  Preparations for the 2007 session of American Legion Colorado Boys States are underway, according to Tom Bock, director of The American Legion Colorado Boys State.
 
As American Legion Posts set in motion the administrative processes for Boys State, posts will be contacting high schools in their community to make sure a solid list of candidates is available when delegates to the program are chosen in early spring.

American Legion Boys State is unique in its hands-on approach to the study of state government, focusing on individual participation and personal experience in a model state, complete with governmental bodies and elected public officials. It mirrors a typical state government in structure.

“We in The American Legion have always believed that our form of government is the best on the planet,” Bock said. “But it cannot survive without an educated population that understands and appreciates our democratic republic and freedoms it guarantees. That’s where American Legion Colorado Boys State comes in. In the past 58 years of operation, we’ve found that this program develops leadership and pride in American citizenship like no other program in existence.”

“What we are most proud of is the determination it instills in participants to maintain our form of government for the next generation.”  Only young men who have successfully completed their junior years of high school and have at least one semester of high school remaining are eligible. They must also display outstanding qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty and service to their schools.

Although the selection process varies by post, in all cases it is The American Legion post that makes the final determination who will attend. The recommended procedure is for the local high school to provide the post with a list of qualified and interested students.

The post selection committee then convenes and makes its selections based on the list.

“The sponsorship of boys to American Legion Colorado Boys State is a win-win situation for all concerned,” Bock said. “Participants benefit throughout their lifetimes because of the reputation the program enjoys. Sponsors benefit because they are making a positive difference in a young person’s life. And the school benefits because their students learn leadership skills and are able to take a more active role in student government.”

Additional information about the American Legion Colorado Boys State program can be obtained by contacting department headquarters at (303) 366-5201 or by visiting The American Legion Colorado Boys State Web site, www.CoLegionBoysState.org.

American Legion Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935, when it was created to counter the Fascist-inspired Young Pioneer Camps.

The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first American Legion Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a similar program for young women called Girls State. Contact local American Legion Auxiliary units for more information.