About Buckeye Boys State and
Buckeye Girls State

BBS is an intense, leadership and citizenship 9-day program sponsored by the American Legion in Ohio for high school boys between their junior and senior year. Held each June at a college campus in Ohio (currently, Miami U. of Ohio) Quite simply the finest youth camp in the state, it gives hand-on application in running the city, county, and state levels of Ohio government. Buckeye Girls State is a duplicate program, only for the young ladies, and sponsored by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. It is held in June at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio.

BBS and BGS is each a rigorous practical experience in the many operations of our state’s democratic form of government, the make up of our political parties, and the relationship of one to the other in the shaping and running of Ohio government. Young men and women learn how our city, county, and state governments are organized and operate through non-partisan objectives.

Each program includes two dozen ‘cities,’ each politically balanced between two fictitious political parties. Each political party elects a City Chairman and Party Secretary. The citizen delegates then go through an intensive voting campaign and election process to elect mock municipal officials and representatives to the mock city, and state governmental branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

If enough citizens are present, a county level is added to the program between city and state levels, complete with party caucuses. The participants then elect state officials, including a governor, lieutenant governor, and other state positions. The three branches then conduct business. The legislature then meets to organize, elect leaders, and to pass bills, just like how the actual Ohio Legislature operates. The judicial branch functions similarly. 

Other functions organized include a boy’s band, a state newspaper, a realty company, banking, law enforcement, legislative service, utilities, and school boards.

The eight days is capped off with an address by Governor John Kasich (boys) or Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor (girls). Last, elections are held to select two delegates to represent Ohio at Boys Nation and two to represent us at Girls Nation, both held in Washington, D.C. 

HALL OF FAME

Alumni of past Buckeye Boys State programs include:
Former U.S. Congressmen Michael Oxley, Ohio state Senator Paul Gillmor, Ohio state senator Randall Gardner, former Columbus mayor Greg Lashutka, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, OSU quarterback Rex Kern (National Championship, 1968), Roger Ailes, Chairman of Fox News, Randy Gradishar, OSU Heisman Trophy candidate and Denver Broncos Hall of Famer, and no less than five astronauts—including the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong.

Some Girls State Alumni:
Ann Richards, Texas Governor; Jennifer Dunn, U.S. Congress;  Christine Gregory, Washington Attorney ; Lynne Cheney, wife of VP Dick Cheney; Janis McKenzie, U.S. Senate; Janet Napolitano, Sec. Homeland Security; Michelle Johnson, USAF Academy Supt; Rosalyn Baker, Hawaii State Senator; Erika Dunlap, Miss America 2004; Katie Stam, Miss America 2009; Terri Utley, Miss USA 1982; Sharla “Kris”  Cook, USAF Brig. General;  Jane Pauley, TV Newscaster; Leeza Gibbons, Talk Show Host; Janie Fricke, country music star; Becky Stinchcomb, Mayor, Gahanna OH.

THE COST

The cost for this unique 9-day experience to the participant is: NOTHING. Not a penny. The $300.00 per male student fee ($275 for the girls) is raised by local posts from businesses and organizatins within the community. The fees raised are paid for directly to The American Legion or Legion Auxiliary through the many Ohio posts. Reynoldsburg Post 798 sponsors Reynoldsburg youths through this funding provided by our own community. The number of boys and girls sent is determined by the funding that we receive each year.

WE NEED YOU

The post is asking for Reynoldsburg organizations to sponsor a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a Reynoldsburg High School student. Any donation your organization can make would be greatly appreciated. Donations must be received before April 1, 2017 to support students attending this June. Naturally, all donations are tax deductible (BBS is a 501 c(3) organization). See their website at:

http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/31-6080576/american-legion.aspx
 

Donations

Donations may be sent in care of:
 

Buckeye Boys State (or Girls State)
C/O Carl Bradley, BBS Committee Chairman
The American Legion
Reynoldsburg Post 798 
P.O. Box 58
Reynoldsburg, OH   43068