CONWAY -- Matthew Holland and Ty Latta, of Gravette and students at Gravette High School, will join more than 475 young men attending Arkansas Boys State 2022, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.
The program's 81st session will be held at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway from May 29 to June 3.
"Arkansas Boys State is a 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, 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 the Boys State guiding principle that "Democracy Depends on Me."
"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 the 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 its Arkansas Citizens Access Network: https://www.myarkansaspbs.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. Learn more at arboysstate.org.