The American Legion has established certain qualifications for prospective Boys State citizens, and Massachusetts Boys State applies the following guidelines for student selection. The American Legion Auxiliary has similar qualifications for girls selected to Girls State.
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Only males who have successfully completed their junior year of high school and have at least one more semester of high school remaining are to be considered as citizens of Boys State.
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Any boy who has previously attended a Boys State is not eligible to attend a second session.
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Only boys with outstanding qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty and service to their schools should be considered for Boys State.
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American Legion Boys States are in compliance with federal handicap laws. Massachusetts Boys States does require a medical/parental consent certificate signed by both a parent and a family physician.
In the selection of boys as citizens of Boys State, merit and ability alone are the basis for selection. Selection is not based on poverty or wealth and, in most cases, tuition to the program is paid by your local American Legion post or some other community-minded organization such as the Massachusetts Boys State Foundation Inc., with little or no expense to a young man and his family.
If you would like to find out about the Massachusetts Girls State program, please visit their website at www.massgirlsstate.org.
Massachusetts Boys State is both funded and produced by the American Legion Department of Massachusetts. As such, all citizens of Massachusetts Boys State must be sponsored by an American Legion post in order to attend. Students or school administrators who are unfamiliar with the sponsorship process can contact their local American Legion post or contact the Boys State recruiting coordinator to arrange a sponsor.
Thomas Crowley, Executive Director
Massachusetts Boys State Foundation, Inc.
1185 Turnpike Street
Stoughton, MA 02072
tcrowley@maboysstate.org
Boys State is looking for students who have demonstrated a history of leadership and achievement among their peers. There is no "typical" profile for a Boys State citizen. He may be a student council or National Honors Society member, a leader of his athletic team, a Boys Scout, or ROTC cadet. A Boys State citizen may be outgoing and assertive in his school, but he may just as likely be a quiet and strong leader among his peers.
To assist in the selection, and to find those students who would benefit most from a week at Boys State, we ask that high school teachers, guidance counselors, or administrators - those who know their student leaders best - nominate applicants to the Boys State program.
If you think you know of a qualified student to attend Boys State, they may complete the online application form, contact the Recruiting Coordinator or your local American Legion Post to arrange sponsorship to the 2010 Boys State Program.
Note that all applicants, once accepted, will require submission of a medical certificate, medical release, and parental consent forms in addition to the application. If the applicant is selected and sponsored, he will need to bring the completed medical release and medical certificate forms with him for registration on June 13, 2010. Note also that the medical certificate needs to be completed by a family physician within 30 days of the beginning of the Boys State program.