Boys State of Kansas
TOPEKA — High school students from across the State of Kansas participated in the 2026 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, held May 31 through June 6 at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This was the program’s 34th consecutive session at KSU and 88th overall.
The objective of the ALBSK is to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Kansas Boys State provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility.
Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
Kansas Boys State has announced the following awards and honors to area attendees.
Just prior to the beginning of the 2026 session, a new Kansas Boys State city was incorporated, naming the city in honor of Tom Wierman. Wierman, a resident of Wichita, was a Kansas Boys State delegate in 1976 from Ransom High School (now Western Plains High School) before graduating there in 1977. He has served KBS in a variety of volunteer positions since 1977, beginning in various counselor roles before ascending to serve in numerous adviser roles from 1986 through 1995. While family and work commitments kept Wierman away from the program on a full-time basis for 15 years, he returned as an adviser in 2010. He served as KBS executive director from 2020-2024 and has held the role of recruiting director the past two years.
Travis Ross, Rush Center, senior at Otis-Bison High School in Otis, was named the American Legion Department of Kansas winner of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. As the State of Kansas winner, Ross receives a $1,250 scholarship, and his application moves on to the national level where he could receive a $5,000 award as a national runner-up or a $10,000 award as a national scholar. The national awards are expected to be announced in October
Elected as mayors of their Kansas Boys State city (Originally announced on June 1):
Joey Hurla, Russell, senior at Russell High School
Talon Pyle, Ellis, junior at Ellis High School
Travis Ross, Rush Center, senior at Otis-Bison High School
The 89th session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas is scheduled to be held the week of Sunday, June 6, through Saturday, June 12, 2027, again at Kansas State University (for the 35th consecutive year). For information on becoming a delegate (applications are now open for high school sophomores and juniors during the 2026-27 academic year), nominating a delegate or sponsoring a delegate, visit https://ksbstate.org.
The following is a list of this year’s ALBSK area delegates (listed by zip code/city of residence.
(Name, year in school for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year, high school; Kansas Boys State position)
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is 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, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.
The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, visit ksbstate.org.