Back row:
K’Darius Gulley, Jalen Staggers, and Tyler Patterson
Front row: Kamron Walton, Eddrick Lard Jr., and Richard Cunningham.
HOPE, AR - Six Hope High School boys selected for Boys State. Tyler Patterson, Richard Cunningham, Jalen Staggers, K’Darius Gulley, Eddrick Lard, and Kamron Walton were nominated to represent the Hope community and school district at Arkansas Boys State 2023, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.
\r\nArkansas Boys State reports:
\r\n(The boys) will join more than 500 young men attending the program's 82nd session at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway from May 28 to June 2.
"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 the community stronger."
During the week at Arkansas Boys State, they will be assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, they and their peers 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 students are) joining us and will experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
At Arkansas Boys State, (they) will be guided through their experience by more than 60 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.myarkansaspbs.org/arcan.