The 83rd session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas is set to take place next week on the K-State campus.
Boys state aims to expose high school students to an interactive experience during which they learn about government, leadership and civic responsibility.
While the event is normally restricted to boys who have completed their junior year of high school, Boys State of Kansas executive director Tom Wierman says this year’s session will be different.
Last year’s session was canceled due to the pandemic.
Wierman says 2020 was one of the only years in Boys State of Kansas history that the event did not take place.
According to Wierman, the experience gives participants an opportunity to voice and develop their opinions about the role of government.
He says program success is often measured in what participants end up doing with their time and careers after the week is complete.
A number of guests will speak to participants throughout the week, including former Kansas City Chiefs long-snapper Kendall Gammon and internationally recognized educator Jane Elliot.
This year’s session will begin Sunday, August 1st and end Saturday, August 7th.
The schedule of events is as follows:
Sunday, August 1
o Opening ceremonies, 2:45 p.m., Forum Hall, K-State Union — Keynote speaker: Kendall Gammon, who played 15 seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs. He was the first pure long-snapper selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 2004. Gammon, a 1992 graduate of Pittsburg (Kan.) State University, is a special assistant to PSU President Steve Scott. He is an inspirational speaker who uses emotional strength to embrace change, build stronger relationships and directly impact success in self, family and professional life.
Monday, August 2
*Swearing in of KBS mayors, 7 p.m., Assembly Area (Marlatt Hall parking lot [northeast of building on Claflin Road])
*Party caucuses, 7:45 to 10:15 p.m., Federalist Party, Durland Hall, Room 1077, and Nationalist Party, Durland Hall, Room 1066 — Each party will select their candidates for the six state offices and formulate their party platforms. This is not open to the public.
Tuesday, August 3
*KBS governor candidates’ debate, 1 to 2 p.m., Forum Hall, K-State Student Union
*Announcement of KBS general election winners for state offices and swearing in ceremony, 7 p.m., Assembly Area
Wednesday, August 4
*Flag Retirement Ceremony, 7:30 p.m., World War II Memorial in front of McCain Auditorium
*KBS governor’s inaugural address, American Legion Department of Kansas Commander Marri Krupco address and talent show, 8 p.m., Forum Hall, K-State Student Union
Thursday, August 5
*Keynote speaker Jane Elliott, 7:45 p.m., Forum Hall, K-State Student Union. Elliott, who will be speaking virtually, is an internationally known teacher, lecturer and diversity trainer, and a recipient of the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education. In response to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, Elliott devised the controversial and startling, “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise.” This now famous exercise labels participants as inferior or superior based solely upon the color of their eyes and exposes them to the experience of being a minority.
Saturday, August 7
*Closing ceremonies, 9 to 10:45 p.m., Forum Hall, K-State Union — Keynote speaker Erik Bergrud, chief strategic communications officer, Park University (Parkville, Mo.). Bergrud is a nationally recognized public administration and civic engagement speaker. Event will also include the announcement of Outstanding Citizens from each KBS city.
For those who cannot attend these events, the Boys State of Kansas will provide updates and live video during the week on its Facebook page, facebook.com/KansasBoysState.
