Area boys are selected for Boys State

LAUREL — Three area boys were recently selected to attend Cornhusker Boys State in Lincoln.

Brock Koranda, son of Larry and Susie Koranda, Laurel; Jackson Hall, son of Jeff and Amy Hall, Coleridge; and Kolby Hansen, son of Jeff Hansen and the late Robyn Hansen, Coleridge were all selected for the honor.

The juniors from Laurel-Concord- Coleridge School are set to attend the 2023 American Legion Cornhusker Boys State event, which will run June 4-10 on the main campus of the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. The boys are sponsored by the Coleridge and Laurel American Legion posts. Cornhusker Boys State attempts to show that the American form of government has not outworn its usefulness – that all a democracy needs is an intelligent citizenry and a clean, honest and impartial administration responsive to the will of the people.

Students become part of the operation of local, county and state government at Cornhusker Boys State.

Boys State was founded in 1935 by two Illinois Legionnaires, who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

At Boys State, participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.

The American Legion Cornhusker Boys State is held annually during the summer before the senior year of high school, typically during the first week of June, on the main campus of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Legion posts throughout Nebraska select high-school juniors to attend the program. In most cases, individual expenses are paid by a sponsoring post, a local business or another community- based organization.

Applications for The American Legion Cornhusker Boys State are typically mailed to all Legion Posts in Nebraska in early February. There is no enrollment quota for selection to attend, and each Post may sponsor as many qualified candidates as they see fit. It is encouraged that every Nebraska high school be represented, as well as home-school students.

In order to be eligible for Boys State, candidates must be a member of the junior class in an accredited high school, and must be a Nebraska resident.

Academic standing is also considered when selecting the applicants. The successful applicant must also demonstrate school citizenship and leadership.

Only candidates with outstanding qualifications in character, service and leadership, who will have a serious attitude toward an intensive citizenship training program are selected.