June 3, 2025 — Ten delegates at the 2025 American Legion Boys State of Kansas have been elected mayor of their respective Kansas Boys State city. They were sworn in during a ceremony on June 2 by Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, who was a 1989 Kansas Boys State delegate from Great Bend High School.
Elected as mayor of their Boys State of Kansas city:
(Name, Hometown, Year in High School / High School; Boys State City/County [Note: all cities/high schools in Kansas unless noted)
• Phillip Bowers, Bel Aire, junior-to-be at Wichita Northwest High School, City of Shoemaker, Powell County
• Ben Brown, Wichita, junior-to-be at Wichita Northwest High School, City of Raymond, Kennedy County
• Joseph Day, Lawrence, junior-to-be at St. James Academy, Lenexa, City of Whorley, Seitz County
• Carson Evans, Andover, senior-to-be at Andover High School, City of Gardner, Dole County
• Sam Gilman, Fort Leavenworth, senior-to-be at Leavenworth High School, City of Krupco, Eisenhower County
• Alex Hawk, Overland Park, senior-to-be at St. James Academy, Lenexa, City of Thomson, Powell County
• Griffin Judd, Shawnee, senior-to-be at Mill Valley High School, City of Werring, Seitz County
• Quinten Lashinski, Derby, senior-to-be at Derby High School, City of Bramlage, Dole County
• Aiden Najafizadeh, Lawrence, senior-to-be at Bishop Seabury Academy, City of Klassen, Eisenhower County
• Ben Selland, Powhattan, senior-to-be at Horton High School, City of Shelton, Kennedy County
High school students from across the State of Kansas are participating in the 2025 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, which started on June 1 and ends Saturday, June 7, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This is the program’s 33rd consecutive session at KSU and 87th overall.
The Kansas Boys State program includes students who have just completed their junior year of high school (will be seniors in the fall) and sophomore year of high school (will be juniors in the fall).
The objective of the ALBSK is to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Kansas Boys State 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.