It was a busy and productive summer indeed for the young men and women of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary’s Boy’s and Girl’s State programs held at NSU. Girl’s State brought 250 young ladies from high schools in every corner of the state for a week of fun and learning June 16-22. Boy’s State drew 185 young men from throughout Louisiana June 23-29 for a chance to learn and grow.

The young men and women, all high school upperclassmen, had a busy week. They learn about government by a hands-on approach. They are divided into two political parties, develop platforms and policies, and run for office. Once elected, the citizens, as participants in the program are called, must deal with putting their policies into effect, often with additional situations introduced by staff members.

The program is designed for its participants to not only learn about government at the state and local level, but to grapple with policy and its implications. Boys’ State and Girls’ State is a comprehensive education on citizenship and its responsibilities.

One of the more noteworthy features of Boy’s and Girl’s State is the young people who are alumni of the program and who have returned to serve as unpaid volunteer leaders. Likewise, many of the program’s speakers, who are serving in the community as civic leaders in various capacities, got their start in leadership as high school students in Boy’s or Girl’s State.

In addition to a hands-on education in citizenship, every young person completing Boys’ or Girls’ State receives a scholarship to NSU worth $1,600 over 4 years should they choose to attend our university after graduation.