Tristan Connell, a senior at El Dorado High School, recently returned from the American Legion Boys State of Kansas held June 1 through 7 on the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan.

Connell was one of nearly 500 boys who attended the week-long government and leadership program. During the program, Connell was a member of the city of Sullivan, in Seitz County, and held the position of city official.

The Boys State program consists of an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, students find out first-hand the difficult decision made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations.

Throughout the week, the delegates also heard from many influential speakers.

Greg Orman, entrepreneur and former of of Environmental Lighting Concepts, opened this year’s session as the keynote speaker. Other speakers included Kansas District 87 Rep. Raj Goyle, Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, Kansas Court of Appeals Judge G. Joseph Pierron Jr. and former U.S. Rep. Jim Slattery.

Delegates are sponsored by American Legion posts from all over Kansas, as well as various civic organizations. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics or other activities and were nominated to attend by school counselors and influential people in their lives. Nominations for next year’s session can be submitted online via the Kansas Boys State Web site at www.ksbstate.org.

The program was founded by the American Legion in 1935 in the state of Illinois to promote and teach the ideals of democracy. In the 73 years since, the program has spread to 49 states. The first session of Kansas Boys State was held in 1937 at Wichita University (now Wichita State University). Each year, two delegates from each state are selected to attend Boys Nation, held annually in Washington, D.C.