The 2023 Alabama Boys State Convention was held at Troy University from May 28, 2023 through June 3, 2023. Fifty rising senior students from high schools in Madison County participated in the week-long event.
The students were divided into cities when they arrived on campus and went right to work forming city, county, and state governments. Elections were held at each level of government and elected officials focused on solving problems, making policy, and passing legislation. Students also participated in interest groups and sports competition. Boys State choir and band performed for the convention and the drama group presented a play. Groups focused on such diverse subjects as fire college, engineering, computer science, agribusiness, air and space, healthcare, business, military, and law enforcement provided enrichment for interested students. City athletes competed in basketball, ultimate frisbee, and soccer.
Madison County students were elected to many of the city, county, and statewide positions. Constatine Haff from ASCTE, Skooter Daniel from Columbia HS, and Joshua Clark from Madison County HS were elected Justices of the Supreme Court. Nick Lozano from Bob Jones HS was elected Speaker of the House. Landon Bruski from Madison County HS was elected Lieutenant Governor and Thomas Fleming who is homeschooled was elected Governor.
Mr. Fleming and Mr. Bruski will represent Alabama as Senators to the Boys Nation Convention in Washington, D.C. from July 21st through July 29th. They will meet at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. where they will elect a federal government and debate and pass legislation. They will also have the opportunity to visit the capital and meet with Washington lawmakers.
The American Legion Posts in Madison County recruit Boys State delegates with the assistance of high school counselors, administrators, and JROTC cadre. We provide sponsorships for students that require financial assistance and we conduct an orientation for the delegates from Madison County. At this year’s orientation Mr. Yancy Mitchell, Dean of Boys State Counselors, and Andrew Dillard, 2022 Boys Nation President Pro Tempore, provided valuable assistance in preparing our delegates for the 2023 convention. In 2023 Huntsville Post 237 sponsored a shared bus with Decatur Post 15. The bus transported 50 delegates from Madison, Morgan and Blount counties to Troy University. A part of the bus expense was also paid by Alabama American Legion District 12.