Two Chosen as American Legion Boys’ State Delegates

Avante Hart of and Emmett Coughlin of have been selected as delegates from Middletown to the American Legion Department of Connecticut Boys’ State Program.

Boys’ State and Boys’ Nation are annual programs designed to teach young men about the function of government, elected office and citizenship. Since it was organized in 1935, more than a million high school boys have attended The American Legion Boys State program to experience a week that can change a lifetime. 

Boys State delegates participate in various activities such as legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies and recreational activities. Moreover, each student is afforded the opportunity to enhance their public speaking and leadership skills, as well as acquire knowledge on all phases of creating and running a working government.

To be considered for the program, each young man must illustrate specific qualities such as leadership, loyalty, and community and school service, and he must have completed his high school junior year.  

Local Legion post select a candidate to attend Boys State, which currently exists in all Legion departments (except Hawaii). Due to its popularity, The American Legion Auxiliary now sponsors a Girls State program which adheres to a similar format as Boys State.

At the end of Boys State's week-long program, the two top delegates from each state attend Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. During Boys Nation, the delegates represent their state while receiving skilled information on the structure and function of the federal government.