Dylan Cox of Diamond City and Jason Smith of Harrison from Lead Hill High School were nominated to represent their community and school at Arkansas Boys State 2025, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.
Cox and Smith will join 611 young men from 207 high schools attending the program's 84th session at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway from May 25-30. The program's 2025 enrollment marks its largest class of young men in 10 years.
"Arkansas Boys State has a rich legacy that has produced remarkable local, state, national and international leaders," said Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State. "That Dylan and Jason were nominated to attend speaks volumes to their character, pursuit of excellence and desire to make their community stronger."
During his week at Arkansas Boys State, Cox and Smith will be assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, they and their peers will administer, from the ground up, a mock government as if it were real: run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges and engage constituents.
"This year's remarkable growth speaks to how this program is playing a life-changing role in the lives of the young men who join us year after year," said Jackson. "We're thrilled that Dylan and Jason are joining us and will experience this once-in-a-lifetime leadership opportunity in just a few weeks."
Cox, Smith, and their peers at Arkansas Boys State will be guided through their experience by more than 75 volunteers who serve the program. The staff of volunteers includes college students and career professionals with interests and expertise in education, finance, industry, politics and government, journalism, and more.
The week's activities, including keynote speakers, general assemblies, and election speeches, will be streamed live by Arkansas PBS on their Arkansas Citizens Access Network: https://www.myarkansaspbs.org/arcan.
Cox of Diamond City selected to attend Arkansas Boys State 2025
Smith of Harrison, AR selected to attend Arkansas Boys State 2025