UA Set for Alabama Boys, Girls State

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama will host hundreds of the state's top rising high school seniors for experiential learning of a model state government through American Legion Alabama Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Alabama Girls State.

Alabama Boys State will take place May 24-30, and Alabama Girls State will follow May 31-June 5.

Alabama Boys State is a leadership and government training initiative that provides knowledge of the political process through practical participation. Students from around the state are selected based on their demonstration of leadership, dedication and strong commitment to education and community engagement.

"We look forward to hosting around 600 of the top students from across the state at the 89th American Legion Alabama Boys State, where our goal is to build leaders who understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and develop a commitment to serve their communities, their state and their nation," said retired Air Force Col. Mark Valentine, director of Alabama Boys State.

"While we use a mock government delivery method for our programing, Boys State is not focused on building future politicians. Our staff and the nationally recognized speakers we bring in are focused on preparing our delegates to be good citizens and lead across multiple disciplines including business, medicine, law, academia, law enforcement and just about every subject in between."

From Gov. Kay Ivey to Sen. Katie Britt and a host of city, county and state officials in between, Alabama Girls State has provided the basis for leadership for Alabama's future. Girls State delegates are a selective group of outstanding young women representing the best of Alabama's young leaders.

"Girls State is designed to provide the best training possible in practical leadership, citizenship engagement and constitutional democracy," said Lee Sellers, director of American Legion Auxiliary Alabama Girls State. "This will be our 84th session of Girls State and we know from experience that our delegates increase their knowledge about Alabama, grow their leadership skills and understand the importance of active, citizen participation in the communities throughout our great state.

"Within a week, our delegates gain a comprehensive awareness of all aspects of government and the role they can play by attentive patriotism."

In addition to activities on the UA campus, Boys and Girls State delegates will visit Montgomery to tour the Capitol and meet with various elected officials.