Local students nominated to attend 2022 Arkansas Boys State summit

West Memphis, Marion representing county at annual event

Arkansas Boys State CONWAY — Local students were nominated to represent their community and school at Arkansas Boys State 2022, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.

The following local students will join more than 475 young men attending the program’s 81st session at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway from May 29 to June 3.

• Derian Lewis of Marion from Marion High School

• Brett Stephens of Marion from Marion High School

• Cylon Young of West Memphis from The Academies of West Memphis

• CJ Semiche of West Memphis from The Academies of West Memphis

• Aidan Barber of Marion from The Academies of West Memphis

• Dalvin Morris of West Memphis from The Academies of West Memphis

• Christian Burnett of West Memphis from The Academies of West Memphis

• Max Reece of West Memphis from The Academies of West Memphis “Arkansas Boys State is a

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legacy program that has produced remarkable local, state, national and international leaders,” said Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State.

“That these students were nominated to attend speaks volumes to their character, pursuit of excellence, and desire to make their community stronger.”

During their week at Arkansas Boys State, students will be assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, they will administer, from the ground up, a mock government as if it were real: run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents.

“We like to say that Arkansas Boys State is a week that shapes a lifetime, and our tens of thousands of alumni can attest to that,” said Jackson. “We’re thrilled that these outstanding students are joining us and will experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Students at Arkansas Boys State will be guided through their experience by more than 50 volunteers who serve the program.

The staff of volunteers includes college students and career professionals with interests and expertise in education, finance, industry, politics and government, journalism, and more.

The week’s activities, including keynote speakers, general assemblies, and election speeches, will be streamed live by Arkansas PBS on their Arkansas Citizens Access Network: https://www.myarkansaspb s.org/arcan.

Arkansas Boys State is an immersive program in civics education designed for high school juniors.

Since 1940, the week-long summer program has transformed the next generation of leaders throughout the state and beyond. These men have become state, national, and international leaders, including Pres. Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former White House Chiefs of Staff Mack McLarty and Jack Watson Jr., Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. John Boozman and Arkansas Chief Justice John Dan Kemp.

During their week at Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned a political party, city, and county.

Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week’s end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends – all with our guiding principle that “Democracy Depends on Me.”