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 Wagner American Legion Greer Post #11 would like to congratulate the Wagner 2024 Boys State delegates that will be attending this year’s event. This year’s Wagner representatives are Carter Smejkal and Frank Soukup.

Carter Smejkal

Carter Smejkal is the son of Shawn and Donna Smejkal. After hearing from a friend about his fun experience at Boys State, Carter thought it would be an experience that he wanted to be a part of as well. After learning that he was selected as a Boys State Representative, Carter said that he felt like he had won an award. He was happy to learn that he possessed the kind of qualities that the American Legion is looking for in their attendees. Carter will be attending Boys State not knowing exactly what to expect or what he will experience, just knowing that it will be dealing with the government. Carter is most looking forward to meeting new people and learning about the government. He is also hoping to learn some new leadership skills.

As of now, Carter’s future plans do not include a career in government, but he is a part of the WCS journalism club and enjoys taking pictures for the organization. When asked if he could hold any government position what would it be, Carter said that he would probably want to be a city mayor. That way he could have some responsibilities but not an overwhelming amount.

Carter feels that the characteristics that makes a good leader include good teamwork, time-management, and dependability. When asked how he feels about the current state of the government, Carter responded that he feels that it is not in a good place. If he could change one aspect of the government, Carter would like to see a more equal number of Republicans and Democrats, that way the voting is not so one-sided. Carter feels that he possesses the characteristics that make a good leader. He is good at teamwork, possesses the necessary communication skills and has a passion for the work that he is doing.

Carter is very active in both WCS and the community. He is involved in track, golf, FFA, Student Council, shooting sports, National Honor Society and journalism. Carter also actively volunteers by serving at his church, assisting in elementary classrooms, working middle school track meets and helping with the elementary track and field day. When Carter is not busy with school or activities, he enjoys fishing with his dad, hunting, camping, spending time with his friends, and shooting archery and other firearms.

Frank Soukup is the son of Lynn and Kimberly Soukup. He is also the grandson of the late Wilbur and Delma Slaba and Frank and Marla Soukup. Upon learning that he had been chosen for Boys’ State, Frank felt honored that the Wagner American Legion would choose him as their delegate. Frank will be attending Boys State as an empty slate in the aspect of not knowing what to expect or what the event entails. As of right now, Frank does not know if working for the government or journalism is in his future, but he is looking forward to this experience to find out if either area would be a fit for Frank’s future.

If Frank could hold any government office, he would choose to be the governor. Meeting new people is what Frank is most looking forward to while attending Boys State and a big part of what Frank is hoping to garner from his experience. What Frank thinks makes a good leader is that a leader has to lead by example. Actions speak louder than words, and one never knows who is watching. Frank feels like the current state of the government could be better. A lot of prices are too high for some people, and Frank feels that the country could be in better hands. One thing that he would change to improve the government would be to lower income taxes throughout the country because he feels that they are too high.

Frank feels that he possesses qualities of a leader. As a junior this past baseball season, he did his best to pick up his teammates when they were down. Frank also tried to let his teammates know that he cared about them as both a player and a person; his goal was to help them be the best they could be.

Frank is active in both WCS extra-curricular activities as well as his church. He plays football, basketball, baseball, men’s softball and is an alter server. When Frank is not busy with school and activities, he enjoys playing video games, spending time with his friends and family, playing baseball and listening to music.

Congratulations to both Carter and Frank on being selected as the 2024 Wagner American Legion Boys State delegates.