Hundreds of rising seniors converge on campus for annual leadership training
More than a simple seminar or role-playing exercise, American Legion Boys State provides a transformative experience for rising high school seniors. Many of the more than 250 young men gathered this week for the annual event at the University of Mississippi expect it to yield lasting benefits.
“People told me before I came that it would be the best time of my life,” said Cameron Burchfield, of Meridian. “They were right about everything. I’ve learned so much, made so many connections and found some really cool friends I know I’ll stay in touch with.”
Jude Alley said this year’s Boys State has been the political simulation he was expecting – and more.
“Being here this week is turning me into a real leader,” the Biloxi resident said. “After this week, I know I’m going to be an even better leader than I ever was before.”
Such testimonies are no surprise to Milton Robinson, director of the weeklong event that runs through Friday, May 31, 2024.
“I bought into this program 10 years ago and it turned me around,” Robinson said. “Before attending Boys State in 2014, I was an unfocused high school student with little ambition and poor grades.
“Today, I am a staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives and in my fourth year as Boys State director.”
Robinson said that he and other staff members want to see the delegates return home, speak well publicly, be active in their communities and emerge as leaders.
“All our staff were once Boys State delegates themselves who return as volunteers to work here,” he said. “We come because we know that our program has changed lives.”
Staffers Jonathan Livingston, of Ridgeland, and Ford Stewart, of Madison, each emerged as leaders when they attended the 2023 session. Though they did not know one another before coming to Boys State, they quickly became friends and supporters of each another during and after the week.
“The best part of the whole experience for me is the togetherness,” Stewart said. “I came knowing no one, but by the end of the week I had made connections with people from across the state of Mississippi.”
Livingston said Boys State has prepared him for entry into the U.S. Air Force Academy. Stewart said the training has given him more confidence and motivated him to become more involved in his community.
During the week, Boys State delegates have been learning how city, county and state governments function by simulating those jobs. They also participated in Memorial Day services and heard from many local, state and federal elected officials.
This year’s speakers include U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, U.S. Representative Michael Guest, state Attorney General Lynn Fitch, State Auditor Shad White, Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs and author David Magee.
Delegate Kachren Lacy said he came to Ole Miss wondering whether Boys State was a good fit for him. After two days, the Jackson native said it has boosted his leadership skills tremendously.
“Boys State is all about leadership,” Lacy said. “Everything I’ve seen and heard has opened my mind to all that I can become after I return home and beyond.”
The goal of Boys State is to make sure every delegate understands the value of civic education and provide an opportunity to put that education into practice while on campus.
The American Legion Auxiliary’s Girl State is scheduled for June 9-15 at Ole Miss.
“We are proud of the strong partnership we have cultivated with Mississippi’s American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary to host both Boys State and Girls State programs,” said Bradley Baker, director of the Ole Miss Student Union.
“Our commitment to recruiting Mississippi‘s best and brightest high school students remains unwavering, and there is no better way to achieve this than by welcoming them to our campus each summer.”
By Edwin Smith
