Boys State sign-up deadline Saturday

The 82nd session of American Legion Boys State of South Dakota is taking place June 2-6, and three Custer County boys have the opportunity to participate through the sponsorship of the Custer American Legion Post No. 46. The deadline to sign up is Saturday, May 3, and two sponsorship spaces are still available.
Boys State is an opportunity for high school junior and senior boys in South Dakota to gather for a week in the summer to participate in government role-playing from township to state level.
“They basically put together their own government structure with campaigns and elections, writing bills, passing bills to law and all that kind of stuff,” said Post No. 46 Americanism officer Steve Hone.
During the week, students learn about the rights, privileges and responsibilities of citizens and are trained in government structures. Activities include things like legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.
“It’s a great opportunity for the youth of the county to learn the importance of community service and how political roles can help in that endeavor,” said Hone.
This year, Boys State will be held on the campus of Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., and students will stay in the dorms.
The Custer American Legion Post No. 46 is sponsoring the $250 registration fee for three boys and will pay for transportation from Rapid City to Aberdeen if neccessary. Additional scholarship opportunities are available as needed.
Last year, Custer High School senior Dylan Frank attended Boys State, and he was recently accepted into the United States Naval Academy.
Some other notable Boys State alumni are NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw, astronaut Col. Charles Gemar, former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, U.S. Sen. John Thune, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, South Dakota Speaker of the House Spencer Gosch, former President Bill Clinton, astronaut Neil Armstrong and basketball star Michael Jordan.
To learn more or to register, go to southdakotaboysstate.org. When filling out the registration form, it will ask what American Legion post is sponsoring the student. Custer County students can put down the Custer American Legion Post No. 46.