Newburyport High School

Boys State is a participatory program in which high school juniors become an operational part of local,
county, and state-level government. Though Boys State was initially founded in 1935 as a response to
the apparent spread of Communist teachings, today the primary focus of the program is to provide

experiential education that builds civic literacy and promotes American democracy. More than any-
thing, the American Legion seeks to teach all young men the responsibility of citizenship.

Program Objectives 

• Understand basic operation of local municipal governments,
including city ordinances/town by-laws, budgeting, zoning, and
elections.
• Attend general lectures by speakers with subject matter expertise
relevant to municipal governments, public policies, and college
admissions.
• Partake in Government, Law, or Economic Electives taught by
collegiate level educators, as well as mini courses on various
interesting topics.
• Ability to run in local and statewide elections, including U.S. Senator
which will represent Massachusetts at Boys Nation in Washington D.C.
• Attend a college fair organized just for Boys State and Girls State.
• Participate in daily organized activities during recreational period,
including softball, flag football, basketball, band, and chorus.
• Opportunity to meet and socialize with students from different
backgrounds across the Commonwealth.
• Experience first-hand college campus living.

ALA Girls State/Girls Nation programs is to provide a nonparti-
san participatory program that teaches eligible high school

females responsible citizenship grounded in ethics, the princi-
ples of our nation’s founders and respect for God and Country.

High school girls, who have completed their Junior year,
spend an intensive week of study, working together as
self-governing citizens at Auxiliary-sponsored Girls State
programs in every state. In most cases, expenses associated

with attending this program are paid by a sponsoring Ameri-
can Legion Post, a local business or another communi-
ty-based organization.

Participants learn how to participate in the functioning of
their state’s government in preparation for their future roles as
responsible adult citizens.