June 7, 2022 — Austin Davis, a resident of Lansing, Kan., and a senior-to-be at Lansing High School, has been elected governor of the 2022 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas. The announcement was made this evening during the ALBSLK’s evening retreat at Kansas State University in Manhattan.
Davis, the Federalist Party candidate, and his lieutenant governor running mate, Lukas Haase, Overland Park, Kan., and a senior-to-be at Blue Valley Southwest High School in Overland Park, won the election over the Nationalist Party team of governor candidate Josh Hulsey, Wichita, Kan., a senior-to-be at Andover (Kan.) High School, and his lieutenant governor running mate Konnor Quinn-Colman, Leavenworth, Kan., a senior-to-be at Leavenworth High School.
Election results for the other state offices:
(Name, City of Residence, High School – all cities/high schools in Kansas)
— Secretary of State — Roman Johnson, Nationalist, Leavenworth, a senior-to-be at Leavenworth High School, defeated Calvin Shank, Federalist, Hutchinson, a senior-to-be at Buhler High School.
— Attorney General — Daniel Newallis, Nationalist, Olathe, a senior-to-be at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, defeated Nicholas Murphy, Federalist, Leawood, a senior-to-be at Blue Valley High School in Overland Park.
— State Treasurer — Zach Jowers, Federalist, Topeka, a senior-to-be at Seaman High School, defeated Caleb Denney, Nationalist, Leavenworth, a senior-to-be at Leavenworth High School.
Kansas Boys State Governor Davis will give his inaugural address tomorrow (Wednesday, June 8) at 8 p.m. at K-State’s McCain Auditorium, followed by an address by Jeremy Ehart, Hutchinson, who was elected the American Legion Department of Kansas commander this past Sunday in Topeka during the organization’s 103rd annual convention. In addition, Kansas American Legion dignitaries will be introduced.
The evening’s festivities kickoff at 7:30 p.m. with a flag retirement ceremony at the World War II Memorial in front of McCain. The event is an observance of the proper respect for the American flag and how unserviceable flags are properly disposed. The Kansas Boys State delegates from across the state will be in attendance during this ceremony, as well as the honor guard from the American Legion Pearce-Keller Post No.17 in Manhattan, which will be presenting the ceremony. Dr. John Lindholm, a 1949 KSU graduate who provided the dog tags as a model for the “Tags of Honor” sculpture at the Memorial, was a longtime Kansas Boys State staff member as a Legionnaire advisor before passing away in January 2020.
Young men from across the State of Kansas, all of whom will enter their junior or senior year of high school this fall are participating in this year’s session of the ALBSK. The event, in its 84th year, started Sunday (June 5) and concludes Saturday (June 11). This year marks the 30th consecutive Kansas Boys State session at KSU.
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas 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.