Boys State

Press Release:

The Genesee County American Legion is currently searching for boys in their Junior year of high school to participate in the American Legion Boys State. It is our earnest hope that each young man who attends Boys State will return to his community a better citizen than when he left.

He will have a desire to demonstrate this fact by his willingness to make civic contributions which will help make his community a better place in which to live. Boys State is sponsored by the Department of New York American Legion.

• American Legion Boys’ State is a week-long program that immerses high school youth (currently completing their junior year) in citizenship and leadership training. They learn the practical aspects of government as it exists in New York State, and come to recognize that the individual is integral to the character and success of government. They also participate in physical fitness, teamwork, and other activities under the guidance of American Legion counselors and U.S. Marines.
• The American Legion Boys State is a non-partisan, non-political mock government exercise in a model state designed to mirror the structure and operation of its respective state government. It is intended to instill character, the importance of civic engagement, and patriotism among rising high school seniors.
• By participating in the weeklong program, delegates learn firsthand about leadership, practical citizenship, and the democratic process. It is an excellent academic opportunity and experience.
• The program consists of classroom work, lectures, and camaraderie, with delegates taking on elected and appointed roles to experience democracy in action and learn how legislation is passed.
• Ideal candidates are individuals who understand the value of teamwork and possess outstanding leadership, character, and community service qualities. An interest in government and public service ensures the student will be actively engaged in the program.
• Delegates are required to attend for the entire week.
• Delegates are housed in the dormitories and dine in the cafeteria. All meals are provided, however, there are vending machines and a store on campus so it is a good idea to bring a little spending money.

The objectives of Boys State are as follows:

• To develop civic leadership and pride in American Citizenship.
• To stimulate a keen interest in the detailed study of our government.
• To incite in your citizens a determination to maintain our form or government.
• To develop in these young men a full understanding of our American traditions and a belief in the United States of America.

In addition to their government work, participants will attend information assemblies with guest speakers, such as former Boys Nation representatives, elected officials, members of the military, and a public speaking expert to name a few. 

A softball game, a basketball game, and a tennis tournament will be held as announced in assemblies. Boys who play musical instruments are encouraged to bring their instruments to join the band.

2024 NYS Boys State will be held at Morrisville College starting June 28 through July 3. The local American Legion posts pay for the boys' tuition to attend and the transportation to Morrisville. The only cost to the boys’ family is the cost to pick him up at the conclusion of Boys State on July 3.

The deadline for application is Friday, April 12. For interested individuals please contact your local Junior/Senior High School’s guidance counselor, Junior/Senior High School assistant principal, or local American Legion Post Home.

GLENN S. LOOMIS POST 332

• David Dumuhosky - Commander and Boys State Coordinator
• Batavia High School and Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School Batavia, NY

SACKETT-MERRILL-WHITE POST # 575 

• Gary Hilbert - Commander
• Ryan Ditaccho - Boys State Coordinator
• Byron-Bergen High School, Bergen, NY and Elba Central School District, Elba, NY

BOTTS – FIORITO POST #576

• David Rumsey - Commander
• Dennis McCumiskey - Boys State Coordinator
• Le Roy Jr./Sr. High School, Le Roy, NY, and Pavilion Central School District, Pavilion, NY

HIRAM G. LUHMAN POST # 626

• Norman Birch - Commander
• Myron Cramer - Boys State Coordinator
• Oakfield-Alabama School District, Oakfield, NY, and Pembroke Central School District, Corfu, NY

Learn more about Boys State and Boys Nation, founded in 1935 at: www.legion.orgboysnation/about

Submitted photo and press release:

The New York State American Legion Boys State program will be held June 27^th to July 2nd at Morrisville State College, Morrisville.

The American Legion Boys State is a unique summertime educational program for boys entering their senior year of high school.

The program focuses on participation and personal experience in a model state, complete with governmental bodies and elected public officials. It is designed to mirror the structure and operation of state government while providing training in practical citizenship, leadership and character through a non-partisan lens. 

The American Legion Boys State program consists of classroom work, lectures and hands-on activities that promote learning by doing. Each participant is known as a “citizen” and becomes an integral part of the process assuming specific responsibilities as an elected or appointed official.

The American Legion Posts, local businesses, or other civic organizations pay the delegates' enrollment fees. 

The Genesee County American Legion Committee is proud to be sponsoring the following 2019 Boys State delegates:

• Zachary Anderson -- Batavia High School
• Zeshan Armstrong -- Batavia High School
• Aiden Cornelius -- Oakfield-Alabama High School
• Grantham Gilligan -- Le Roy High School
• Zachary Hannon -- Byron Bergen High School
• Jake Hill -- Le Roy High School
• Ryan Manges -- Oakfield-Alabama High School
• Alexander Pratz -- Oakfield-Alabama High School
• Dylan Rykert -- Oakfield-Alabama High School
• Gavin Schmidt -- Batavia High School
• Cameron Smith -- Le Roy High School
• Keith Szczepanski -- Notre Dame High School
• Charles Urbanczyk -- Pavilion High School

About The American Legion 

The American Legion is the largest wartime veterans service organization with nearly 2 million members in 12,875 posts in communities across America. Chartered by Congress in 1919, The American Legion is committed to mentoring youth and sponsoring wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.

This year's delegates to Boys State from Genesee County school gathered in Le Roy on Thursday for a meet-and-greet at the Botts Fiorito American Legion Post #576.

This year's delegates are: Adam Drake, Byron-Bergen; Jared Fregoe, Byron Bergen; Matthew Grover, Batavia; Zakariah Jantzi, Batavia; Erik Maier, Oakfield-Alabama; Roan Mallaber, Le Roy; Maxin McKenzie, Le Roy; Kyle Mott, Oakfield Alabama; David Pillo, Batavia; Reece Tresco, Le Roy; and  Hagan Triftshauser, Notre Dame. 

Boys State is a program of the American Legion nationally and was founded in 1935 to help educate young men on free, democratic government.

The Genesee County representatives for the American Legion Boys State of New York met on Thursday night in Le Roy, before they depart on June 25. 

The American Legion Boys State is a weeklong program that immerses high school youth in citizenship and leadership training. While at Boys State, they learn the practical aspects of government in New York and participate in physical fitness, teamwork and other activities under the guidance of counselors and Marines. 

This year, Boys State will be held at SUNY Morrisville.

Bryce Bordonaro, Ryan Driscoll and Thomas Mellon are representing Le Roy; Jacob Brower is representing Waterport; Ethan Fischer, John Kindig, Nathan Loria and Joseph Marchese are representing Batavia; John Igoe is representing Oakfield; Nathan Knickerbocker is representing Byron; and Tyler Wood is representing Corfu.

(Photos by Maria Pericozzi.)

Above, the 11 students representing Genesee County in Boys State pose at the Botts Fiorito American Legion post in Le Roy during Wednesday evening's meet and greet. They will be heading to Morrisville for a weeklong educational experience starting June 26th. 

American Legion Boys State is an educational program for students to learn and experience government legislation. Each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government.

Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935. 

At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.

High school juniors are selected by local American Legion Posts to attend the program. Expenses associated with attending this program are paid by the sponsoring American Legion Post.

The high school students representing Genesee County are:

From Sackett-Merrill-White Post #575 -- Brandon Burke, Russel Cunningham, Ryan Richardson, Colin Noeth

From Hiram G. Luhman Post #626 -- Campbell Andersen, Christopher Lemley, Jacob Walton, Caleb Walcott

Botts Fiorito Post #576 -- Joshua Laurie, David Privatera, Jacob Steffenilla

For more information on the Boys State, contact Dennis McCumiskey at the American Legion Post in Le Roy at 585-768-8597.

There is also a Girls State. For more information, click here.