Post #117 selects Boys State participants

Arlo Rude, Ecklund-Holmstrom Post #117 of the American Legion in Thief River Falls announced at a recent Post meeting it was voted to send boys to the 77th annual American Legion “Legion Boys State”, to be held on the campus of St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, June 14-20, 2026.

Scholars to Boys State must be Juniors in High School. They are singly honored in view of the outstanding qualifications set forth as requirements in selecting them. They are named through cooperation of the Post, High School Faculty and leading citizens in the community.

Al Melbye, Post #117 Boys State Chairman, announced that four local students have been selected to attend.  They include: Gabe Haugen, Lincoln Davis, Michael Rowe and Caleb Mauch from Lincoln High School and Luke Paulson from Goodridge High School.

Legion Boy’s State is a practical learning experience in local and state government. Its citizens will apply knowledge already gained through their school experience and additional knowledge provided through instruction by competent individuals from selected governmental areas to organize and operate their own city, county and state governments.  They will encouraged, through participation, toward a better civic behavior and appreciation of democratic ideals.   Programs will be considered without any reference to any existing political party and will be free from political propaganda.

Legion Boy’s State was first held in Minnesota in 1949, with 169 boys attending on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota.