NEO's 26 Year to Host Oklahoma Boys State - Northeastern ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Katie Sweeten
Coordinator of Marketing and Public Relations
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
(918) 540-6211
NEO’s 26 th Year to Host Oklahoma Boys State
Miami, Oklahoma – Tuesday, May 15, 2012 – Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, (NEO) will host
Oklahoma Boys State for the twenty-sixth consecutive year beginning Saturday, May 26 – Saturday, June 2,
2012. The college will again welcome key players on the state’s political frontier who will speak at Okla. Boys
State, including Dept. Commander John Hardison, Former State Rep. Rex Duncan, Former Gov. George Nigh,
Boys State alumnus John Clason and NEO President
Dr. Jeff Hale who is the son of longtime state
representative, Harold Hale.
Approximately 650 students are expected to attend
Boys State, and they will be welcomed to new and
improved facilities, including the state-of-the-art
Bruce Carter Student Union. Students from across
Okla. will travel to NEO to participate in the weeklong
event.
“Boys State is recognized as the most respected youth
leadership program in the nation. The event provides
Above: The Oklahoma Army National Guard landed a Black Hawk Helicopter
on the campus of NEO A&M College for the 25th anniversary of OK Boys'
State.
an experience for young a man that is unlike any other,” Hale said. “The value that Boys State places on
patriotism and honoring our democracy has made the event a welcome addition to our campus each year. NEO
is proud to host such a storied leadership program enriched with tradition and pride.”
For one week, NEO will become the State Capitol as Boys State participants run a mock government. The high
school seniors will run for elected offices, ranging from the mayor of a city to the state’s governor. The purpose
of the program is to teach the principles of government, leadership and patriotism.

About Boys State
According to the organization’s website, Okla. Boys State is offered by the Okla. American Legion and was
founded in 1935 to combat the rising ideals of communism in the United States and to allow young men to
understand the freedoms associated with being an American.
At Boys State, participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is
objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to
various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement
presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.
Legion posts select high-school juniors to attend the program. In most cases, individual expenses are paid by a
sponsoring post, a local business or another community-based organization.
Boys State programs currently exist in all Legion departments except Hawaii. As separate corporations, Boys
State programs vary in content and method of procedure, but each adheres to the same basic concept: teaching
government from the township to the state level.
Those who attend Boys State at NEO were selected by either their local American Legion post or their high
school. Many who have completed Boys State in the past will return to provide guidance as counselors. Boys
State participants will also have the opportunity to earn up to three hours of college credit from NEO.
Below are the scheduled speakers:
NEO A&M President Jeff Hale will address the Boys State participants Saturday, May 26 at 7:45 p.m. in
the Fine Arts Auditorium.
Former State Rep. Rex Duncan and Dept. Commander John Hardison will speak Sunday, May 27 at
7:45 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium.
Former Gov. George Nigh will address Boys State Tuesday, May 29 at 7:45 p.m. in the Fine Arts
Auditorium.
Boys State alumnus John Clason will provide remarks Wednesday, May 30 at 7:45 p.m. in the Fine Arts
Auditorium.
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