Awards

American Legion Boys Nation:

Two young men are selected as Principal Delegates to attend American Legion Boys Nation in Washington D.C. in mid-July. Two young men are also selected as Alternates in the event that one or both of the delegates are unable to attend.

Nominees for Boys Nation are recommended by the Legionnaire Staff in charge of each Section of the Boys State Program. Boys Nation Delegates and Alternates are chosen by a special Boys Nation Selection Committee. The selection process includes a personal interview with each prospective candidate. The names of those selected are announced as part of the graduation ceremony of Buckeye Boys State.

Criteria for selection:

  • Young men considered must reflect a good image of Buckeye Boys State.
  • Candidates must have contributed significantly to the successful operation of Buckeye Boys State.
  • Candidates must be available and must desire to attend Boys Nation.

U.S. Senate Youth Program:

The Buckeye Boys State program, working in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Education and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the sponsoring organization, selects nominees for consideration to participate in the U.S. Senate Youth Program held in Washington D.C.

The young men nominated by the Legionnaire Staff in charge of each Section of the Boys State program for consideration for American Legion Boys Nation are also reviewed by the Boys State Selection Committee for the U.S. Senate Youth Program.

Several young men are selected by the Boys Nation Selection Committee for the U.S. Senate Youth Program and these names are forwarded to the Ohio Department of Education which makes all final selections.

Ohio State Highway Patrol "Junior Cadet Week":

Fifteen young men interested in learning about law enforcement will be chosen to attend the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy in Columbus after Boys State in an intense mini-training course on the operations of the Ohio Highway Patrol. Young men interested will submit an application at Boys State and are interviewed by Highway Patrol Auxiliary members.

Daily City and County Awards:

A banner is awarded to one city in each of the nine counties of Buckeye Boys State judged to be the most outstanding city for that day. A special banner is also presented to one Buckeye Boys State County of the nine counties judged to be the most outstanding that day.

Legislative Awards:

Awarded to Boys State citizens who served in the Buckeye Boys State General Assembly. The following are recognized:

  • Most outstanding Senator
  • Most outstanding Representative
  • Most outstanding member of the clerk's staff in the Senate
  • Most outstanding member of the clerk's staff in the House

Special awards:

Special Awards are presented to Boys State Citizens who demonstrate outstanding abilities and achievements in each of the following Sections of the Buckeye Boys State program:

  • State Government
  • County Government
  • City Government
  • City Parks and Recreation
  • Boys State Bank
  • School Boards
  • Utilities
  • Hetuck Newspaper
  • Boys State Highway Patrol

Boys State Government Excellence Award:

Six will be presented to young men selected from State, County, City, Courts, Legislature, Bank, and other sections. Applicants must be interviewed and recommended by the Boys Nation Selection Committee.

Samsung American Legion Scholarship:

Each American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program selects/nominates one citizen for consideration. Ten National Finalists are chosen, with each National Finalist receiving a $20,000 scholarship. Details are available here: Samsung American Legion Scholarship

Forty + Eight Award:

Special gavel awards presented to Speaker of the Boys State House and the President of the Boys State Senate.

Sons of the American Legion Award:

A special gavel award is presented to the Chief Justice of the Boys State Supreme Court by the Sons of the American Legion Detachment of Ohio.

Other awards:

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Buckeye Boys State will each receive a United States Flag which has flown over Buckeye Boys State during the week and a special gavel plaque, as part of the Graduation Ceremonies of Buckeye Boys State.