Paragould High School is proud to announce the delegates for AR Boys State. Pictured are Henry Thompson, Sam McHaney, Orlando Oliver, and Owen Newby. The American Legion has established certain qualifications for prospective Boys State delegates. Only males who have completed their junior year of high school and have at least one more semester of high school remaining are considered eligible to participate. Only boys with outstanding qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty and service to their schools and community should be considered.
Arkansas Boys State is an immersive program in civics education designed for high school juniors. Since 1940, the week-long camp has transformed the next generation of leaders throughout our state and beyond.
During their week at Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week’s end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends — all with our guiding principle that “Democracy Depends on Me.”