Fifteen delegates at the 2019 American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy have been elected mayor of their respective Kansas Boys State city. They will be sworn in during a ceremony tonight by 2018 KBS Attorney General Daylan Williams, a resident of Lansing, Kan., and a 2019 graduate of Lansing High School.
Approximately 410 young men from across the State of Kansas, all of whom will enter their senior year of high school this fall, are participating in the 2019 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy. The event, in its 82nd year, started Sunday (June 2) and concludes Friday, June 7, at Kansas State University in Manhattan, which is hosting the session for the 28th consecutive year.
Elected as mayor of their respective Boys State of Kansas city:
(Name; City of Residence, High School – all cities/high schools in Kansas unless noted); Boys State City/County)
- Alex Ast, Clearwater, Clearwater High School; City of Klassen, Patton County
- John Black, Fredonia, Neodesha High School; City of Lane, Patton County
- Josh Brandt, Manhattan, Manhattan High School; City of Finley, Kennedy County
- Connor Bullock, Wichita, Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School; City of Bluemke, Eisenhower County
- Jared Chipman, Larned, Larned High School; City of Thomsen, Powell County
- Ethan Eckman, Baldwin City, Baldwin High School; City of Whorley, Powell County
- Nick Farrell, Leawood, Blue Valley North High School; City of Schrag, Pershing County
- Eli Graham, Wichita, Wichita Collegiate School; City of Spigarelli, Pershing County
- Logan Hope, Lansing, Lansing High School; City of Johnson, Kennedy County
- Karthik Kasarabada, Overland Park, Olathe North High School; City of Bley, Eisenhower County
- Kyle Kramer, Manhattan, Manhattan High School; City of Chastain, Eisenhower County
- Bryce Liedtke, Wakarusa, Shawnee Heights High School; City of Werring, Powell County
- Brian Mann, Olathe, Blue Valley High School; City of Gardner, Kennedy County
- Liam O’Leary, Overland Park, Blue Valley North High School; City of O’Leary, Patton County
- Caiden Rempel, Leavenworth, Bonner Springs High School; City of Shelton, Pershing County
The ALBSKLA provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
— #KSBoysState —
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy, visit http://kansasboysstate.com/ or http://bsla.info/old/.