THE AMERICAN LEGION LOUISIANA BOYS STATE THE AMERICAN LEGION LOUISIANA BOYS STATE For more information, visit us online at: http://laboysstate.com A Week to Change a Lifetime June 24 30, 2018 @laboysstate Hosted by: NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Contact Welcome from the Chairman I want to say welcome to each of you and offer this brochure as an introduction to The American Legion Boys State Program at Northwestern State University. At Louisiana Boys State, you do not receive lessons on how to be a leader. By merit of being invited, you show that you already possess the seeds of leadership. Louisiana Boys State believes in the tradition of learning by doing. Participants learn about both leadership and local and state government as they are tasked with creating the mythical 51st state at the local, parish, and statewide levels. During the program you will be surrounded by similar young men, those who like you have distinguished themselves as leaders in their schools and communities. You join an organization that has existed in Louisiana for more than 75 years. It is made up of an elite group of men who have gone on to become business leaders, doctors, legislators, governors, and presidents. This brochure will give you a brief glimpse into the life-changing experience that is Louisiana Boys State. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me, any of the District Chairmen listed under Contact, or to our Program Staff (at laboysstate@gmail.com). God bless you, and we hope to see you this summer on NSU s campus. Philip Legendre Chairman, Boys State Commission 202 Jerry Lou St. Houma, LA 70364 985-853-2771 pleg0691@bellsouth.net FIRST DISTRICT Anthony Haywood Jr PO Box 8380 New Orleans, LA 70182 (504) 261-6888 buffalosoldier2@msn.com THIRD DISTRICT Philip Legendre 202 Jerry Lou St. Houma, LA 70364 (985) 853-2771 pleg0691@bellsouth.net FIFTH DISTRICT Johnny Alligood Jr. 401 Auburn Ave. Monroe, LA 71201 (318) 410-1334 johnnyalligood@gmail.com SEVENTH DISTRICT Edward Hudson Sr. PO Box 699 Lake Charles, LA 70602 (337) 515-9437 ed4sgt8@suddenlink.net SECOND DISTRICT Bryan D Oriocourt 204 Amelia St. Destrehan, LA 70047 (504) 512-8847 bdoriocourt@yahoo.com FOURTH DISTRICT William Stroud 305 McDade Rd. Elm Grove, LA 71051 (318) 592-2816 wstroud040@gmail.com SIXTH DISTRICT Mike Peats 80359 Allison Rd. Covington, LA 70435 (985) 502-8802 m484048@bellsouth.net EIGHTH DISTRICT Billy Ray Foley PO Box 887 New Liano, LA 71461 (337) 424-9696 adj145@bellsouth.com 1 10
Districts Selection FIRST DISTRICT Orleans Parish THIRD DISTRICT Parishes: Assumption, Iberia, Lafayette, Lafourche, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Vermillion, Grand Isle FIFTH DISTRICT Parishes: Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, West Carroll SEVENTH DISTRICT Parishes: Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, St. Landry SECOND DISTRICT Parishes: Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist FOURTH DISTRICT Parishes: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, Webster SIXTH DISTRICT Parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, Washington EIGHTH DISTRICT Parishes: Avoyelles, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Winn, Vernon Who can attend Boys State? Boys State is a program designed for young men between their junior and senior years of high school who attended the previous year at a Louisiana school and have at least one semester of high school remaining. Students attending non-traditional schools or who are homeschooled are also eligible provided they have resided in Louisiana for the previous year and have at least one semester of high school remaining. The Selection Process Selection for Boys State is coordinated by members of the American Legion on a regional basis. As the process involved may vary slightly in different parts of the state, students, parents, and school and community officials who are interested should reach out to their respective District Chairmen. Their information has been provided on page 11 of this pamphlet. School nominations, interest meetings at Legion Posts, and interviews are common components of the process. Medical Concerns The packed schedule and continuous activity of the Boys State program can be strenuous for some participants. When considering attendance, students should be aware that climbing stairs and walking briskly across campus in the Louisiana heat are necessary parts of the program s logistics. Students with documented disabilities are not disqualified from attending. Accommodations will be attempted to the best of the ability of the Program Staff, the American Legion, and the host institution. However, a family member or designee may be required to attend (at expense) to assist the participant at the discretion of the American Legion. Students with medical or dietary restrictions should contact the Program Staff prior to arrival in order to ensure accommodations. 9 2
Our Purpose Louisiana Boys State is a leadership development program sponsored by the Louisiana Department of the American Legion. Founded in 1940, Boys State maintains a reputation as the premiere leadership development program for young men in the state. It cultivates personal growth, civic involvement, and practical governance knowledge in its participants to help build stronger, more well-informed and influential leaders for our communities, our state, and our country. At Louisiana Boys State, participants (termed Citizens ) are tasked with creating a functional government on the City, Parish, and State level. The program operates under the motto Learn by Doing, a philosophy that guides everything from how we approach teaching about government to how we view leadership development. Citizens are given a basic framework in which to operate their new positions and then given the opportunity to investigate the intricacies of elected office and civic leadership for themselves. Citizens of Boys State learn about the political machinery of a state in large part by performing the same duties as elected or appointed officials in the everyday world. The Citizens organize their own city, parish and state governments and choose their own officials in accordance with regular election procedures. They learn the duties of offices at each of these levels. They introduce and debate their own bills in the state legislature, administer justice through their own law enforcement agencies and courts, and experience the nomination process in political party conventions. The week culminates with the use actual voting machines for the election of state officials. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a similar, but separate, program for young women called Louisiana Girls State. Hear from a variety of guest speakers from around the state. Recent speakers have included the Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, state legislators, US Congressmen, local government officials, business and education leaders, and former and enlisted members of the military Attend the annual Boys State/Girls State Dance and Joint Convocation Compete in inter-city and inter-parish competitions including academic presentations, dodgeball/volleyball/tug-of-war, parish songs, and city flags Every year, the program involves new and changing aspects no two annual experiences are the same. Boys Nation Each summer, two Citizens are chosen at Boys State to represent Louisiana at Boys Nation, the premiere leadership program sponsored by the American Legion. Held in Washington, D.C., Boys Nation delegates meet fellow participants and lawmakers from across the country while learning about the inner workings of American national government. Boys Nation involves not only learning about and participating in governmental processes but typically includes meetings with members of Congress, tours of the city including the Capitol and the White House, and participation in memorial ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. Louisiana has a reputation for sending some of the highest caliber participants to Boys Nation, evidenced by recent delegates being elected to such positions as the Secretary of the Senate (2015) and Political Party Chairman (2014). Louisiana delegates are selected during the Boys State program through an evaluation and interview process conducted by members of the American Legion and Boys State program staff. 3 8
Lagniappe Our Approach Scholarships There are two primary scholarship opportunities available to Boys State Citizens, one through the American Legion and one through our host institution, Northwestern State University. The Samsung American Legion Scholarship was endowed by Samsung Corporation in 1996 through the American Legion to benefit the direct descendants of U.S. veterans as a gesture of appreciation to those who aided in defending South Korea from North Korean and Chinese aggression. Each Boys and Girls State program selects a state finalist from among its participants. State finalists move to the national level competition. In 2017 ten National Scholars received $10,000 scholarships, ten National Runners-up received $5,000 scholarships, and the remaining finalists received $1,250 scholarships. Louisiana Boys State has had Citizens recognized at each level of the competition in the last 10 years, most recently Nathan Alvarez of New Orleans named as a National Scholar and $10,000 award winner in 2017. The Samsung Scholarship uses an online application which must be completed no later than arrival on campus at the Boys State program. More information on the Samsung American Legion Scholarship can be found online at: http://www.legion.org/scholarships/samsung The second scholarship available to Louisiana Boys State participants is through Northwestern State University. Each year Northwestern pledges a $1600 scholarship ($400/year for 4 years) to any Louisiana Boys or Girls State Citizen who enrolls at Northwestern. This scholarship is automatically applied to the student s NSU account upon enrollment. For more information, contact Northwestern State University. Other Events at Boys State At Boys State, Citizens participate in a variety of activities throughout the week. Aside from the electoral and academic events which form the core educational aspects of the program, Citizens also get to: Louisiana Boys State uses the immersive educational experience model to meet its twin goals educating young men about local and state government and developing leadership skills through which they can influence their community, state, and nation. Participants are immediately thrust into action upon arriving at Boys State. They are randomly assigned to a City (made up of 25-30 Citizens) and a Parish (made up of two Cities) through which most of their program experience is organized. From the evening of Day 1, Citizens jump into the electoral process, campaigning for and winning various offices. All Citizens are elected or appointed to positions at the City and Parish level through which they must navigate the challenges of governmental leadership. This hands-on approach allows Citizens to experience for themselves the various issues faced by government officials as they work together. Whether a Parish Council is trying to develop the most effective method of economic redevelopment or members of the House of Representatives are debating new laws for Boys State, all effort and thought about the process originates with Citizens. The give-and-take of these activities allows Citizens to realize and unlock their leadership potential often in ways they previously did not know existed. Citizens also have the opportunity to interact with leaders from across the state including local and state government officials, business leaders, members of the media, and active service officers or officer cadets in the U.S. military. Speakers from a variety of backgrounds offer their own perspectives on what leadership and public service mean and look like in the real world. While the elected positions and responsibilities are the cornerstone of Boys State, the development of brotherhood among citizens and counselors is generally considered the most rewarding part of the program. Citizens are deliberately assigned to Cities and Parishes at Boys State so that they meet others from across Louisiana. This creates the opportunity to not only discover leadership potential through interaction with strangers but also to develop life-long friendships with some of the most outstanding young men from across the state. 7 4
Academics Elections Boys State s learning environment is shaped so that parents and teachers who want an active learning environment and students who don t want to be stuck in school can all rest easy. Louisiana Boys State prides itself on having one of the most hands-on, immersive learning experiences of any of the Boys State programs in the country. We use the term Academics to refer to the period each day when Citizens are working in elected positions to carry out the functions of office through development of the laws, plans, projects, etc. necessary to act out the various issues facing someone in a similar elected position in the real world. There are six Academic areas at Boys State: City Council, Parish Council, School Board, Courts, Legislature, and Press. Each area is served by different elected or appointed offices and aspires to separate, yet complementary goals, during the week. Each Academic area works throughout the week to either complete a project that proposes solutions to problems faced by real-world local governments or to address the legal, legislative, and educational needs of the state. City Council and Parish Council City and Parish officials including the Mayor and Parish President, City and Parish Councilmen, and others work together to develop ordinances, levy taxes, and encourage economic development and proliferation of culture in their areas. School Board School Board members and the Superintendent work to address a variety of concerns including facilities needs and local or state disasters impacting education in their Parish. Courts City and Parish Judges, Public Defenders, and Attorneys try cases to determine the guilt or innocence of their fellow Citizens and uphold the legal code of Louisiana Boys State. Legislature Members of the House and Senate draft laws for the state, debate issues of importance, and propose constitutional amendments for consideration. Press Each Parish has one member of the Press who together publish the program s newspaper, The Daily Magnolia, and engage in other media pursuits. There are two distinct election phases at Boys State focused on local and state offices respectively. City and Parish office elections begin the first evening of the program. Orientation sessions explain the various positions and duties, after which Citizens have time to consider the offices for which they would like to run. They file for elections with their Counselors and begin their campaign speeches to their fellow City and Parish Citizens. After the first round, Citizens who were not elected refile and rerun for still-open positions. Citizens then serve in their positions for the rest of the week. At the end of this process every Citizen is elected or appointed to a position in one of the six Academic areas City Council, Parish Council, School Board, Courts, Legislature, or Press (see the Academics page for more details). The second election phase is for State offices and is tied to the Party nomination process. Each Citizen is assigned a political party Nationalist or Federalist at the start of the week. The State election process begins on Day 3 of the program as Citizens are nominated by their Parish Party Caucus for one of seven State offices Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Insurance before moving into State Party Conventions and then the General Election. At each step in the State elections process Citizens present themselves to ever larger groups of Citizens, convincing them through speeches and campaigning that their vision for Louisiana Boys State is the best. One hundred twelve parish party nominees on Day 3 are cut to the final fourteen nominees in State Party Conventions. After political rallies, campaigning, and final speeches, seven State Officers are elected on Day 6 using voting machines provided by the Louisiana Secretary of State s office. The Secretary s office certifies the results in the presence of Boys State Staff in the same process used for actual state elections. 5 6