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This is the 81st year that the South Dakota American Legion has been hosting Boys State. This year the state-wide event is being held on the campus of Northern State University in Aberdeen from May 27th through May 31st. There are expected to be up to 350 soon to be seniors attending the event. Nationally, Boys State was founded by the American Legion in Illinois in 1935. South Dakota adopted the program in 1940. Boys State was held until 1942. After that WWII ensued making it necessary to put a hold on the program until 1946. The purpose of holding the American Legion Boys State event is twofold. First, it is designed to better help the young men of our nation understand and appreciate the American system of government and way of life. This includes having a working understanding of the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen. Secondly, the program is used to give a better knowledge of the guiding principles of government within the State of South Dakota. It is important for the youth of South Dakota to understand the problems of the government as well as how it functions, in order for future generations to make any necessary changes to continue to make the United States a great nation. Upon registering at Boys State, each citizen is assigned to a specific city and county as well as randomly divided into two mythical political parties, Federalist and Nationalist. Once the boys’ staters are sorted into cities, nominations begin for city positions. After city positions come county positions, state official positions, legislators, and judicial branch positions. The boys craft party platforms, campaign for their nominees, hold a mock trial, and the legislative body meets to organize, elect leaders and pass bills just as the state legislature does. A newer addition to Boys State would be Journalism City, where participants spend their days covering and reporting on the events of each day and creating a daily newspaper. The only requirement to be a Boys State delegate is a student needs to be a junior boy going into his senior year. The Avon American Legion Arthur Wissman Unit #150 would like to congratulate the Avon 2024 Boys State delegates that will be attending this year’s event. This year’s representatives are Trevor Eggers and Gunnar Voigt. Trevor Eggers Trevor Eggers is the son of Matt and Liz Eggers and the grandson of Dave and Carol Eggers. The reason that Trevor applied to be a Boys State delegate was because he had heard from previous boys staters that it could be an interesting experience and a good way to meet new people. Upon hearing that he was selected, Trevor was both excited and grateful to be chosen for this experience. When asked what he knew about Boys State, Trevor said that it involves learning about the state government and how small towns like Avon are run, but he also realizes that he will probably learn many new and interesting things as well. As of right now, Trevor does not know what his future holds, so he is looking forward to being exposed to both journalism and government. He is hoping that by attending Boys State he may get some future ideas of what some possible career options for him will be. When asked if he could hold any government position, Trevor said that he thinks being a judge or working in law enforcement could be very interesting and fulfilling work. He sees working in the government sector as a way to serve the community. What Trevor is most looking forward to at Boys State is getting to meet new people and network so that in his future he will have good resources in whatever field he goes into. In addition to meeting new friends, he is also looking forward to the experience of governmental responsibility and how it may have some influence on his future educational and career paths. For Trevor, the characteristics and qualities that make a good leader are honesty, the willingness to work hard, integrity and the ability not to be intimidated by others’ opinions. He feels that he is a good leader. Trevor is not afraid of hard work and believes in listening to all sides. The news makes the current state of the government look chaotic, but Trevor knows that there are still many hard-working government officials in the country that have integrity and are doing their best. Trevor’s priority when it came to improving the government would be supporting the people who work hard. Trevor is very active in school and community activities. He is involved in golf, basketball, working construction in the summer, working for a local catering business, helps his grandpa at church with yard work and odd jobs, assisting his grandma with meals on wheels and helps set up and take down chairs for community events. When Trevor is not busy with school or activities, he enjoys playing sports, watching sports and spending time with family and friends. Gunnar Voigt Gunnar Voigt is the son of Bradley and Tiffany Voigt. When asked why he applied to be a Boys State delegate, Gunnar said that he wanted to have a better understanding of how the government works. Gunnar knew that as there were only two that applied to attend Boys State, that he would more than likely be chosen, but he was none-the-less honored and excited when he was officially given the news. Gunnar knows that as a Boys State delegate that they will be essentially creating a 51st state from the town up. Gunnar has always been interested in the government and how it works, but as of now does not have a plan of it being a part of his future career. If Gunnar could hold any government office, he would want to be a SD State Senator. He chose this office because he felt that as a senator, he would be able to directly change the state for the better. Gunnar is most looking forward to learning more about the government and how it functions and hopes to gain a better understanding of how the local and state government works. Gunnar feels that a good leader would be someone who is open to criticism, strongwilled and morally sound. When asked how he feels about the current state of the government, Gunnar said that there is always room for improvement. One thing that Gunnar would change or improve upon in the government would be to give more power to the states. He feels that most of the US’s issues are regional and should be treated as such. Gunnar has been active in Avon School District’s extra-curricular activities of drama club (three years) and choir (three years). When he is not busy with school or his extra-curriculars, Gunnar enjoys golfing and weight lifting. Congratulations to both Trevor and Gunnar on being selected as the 2024 Avon American Legion Boys State delegates.