Arizona Boy's State Help!

bluedog

USMA 2028
Joined
Oct 9, 2022
Messages
47
I have been building my application for West Point and one thing that I always knew was important was Boy's State. This leads me to talk to my counselors close to ten months ago. After I explained my reasoning they seemed on board and were excited to send me. I reached out about 8 months ago and again about 2 months ago to talk to them about it. Again, they reiterated that they would a hundred percent send me one because they knew I was qualified. The problem is I just realized the application passed about two weeks ago. My counselor has sent students before, just not in the past two years because of Covid-19.

I never reached out to my local American Legion because my school seemed so serious about sending me which I now realize is a mistake as the application dates are past and there is nothing they can do. I informed my counselor of the due date we missed and she is emailing around to see what she can do. However, is their anyway I could reach out to someone who could help me make it into the program? I am not mad at her because she is really nice and I know it just escaped her mind as she has helped me many times before and is now doing what she can still get me in. But I still want to see if you guys have any idea what I can do.
 
My son’s school failed to put him in - new employee.

The American Legion guy helped. Went so far as to offer help with the cost which we declined.

The American Legion people are fantastic. Found out in the last year the guy who helped my son was a seabee.
 
I'm a trustee and staffer at our Boys State and I'm in the middle of getting the admin done on boys from 4 local high schools. Our due date from headquarters is still well in front of us so it isn't a great rush right now. After looking at the Arizona Boys State webpage, you are past the date but I'd follow their webpage and contact The American Legion Department of Arizona (select the option for Membership and Programs), to discuss possible options for becoming an Alternate delegate.
 
I agree with some of the others. Our HS counselors were not particularly helpful but the POC at the American Legion was very helpful and even arranged a special interview for my son since he was out on travel the week the regular interviews were held. I believe they want to get good folks in there and will assist as much as they can.
 
Yes, reach out your local American Legion post. They have more knowledge on the subject than a lot of high school counselors. We are from a very large city and DS's school guidance counselors had never even heard of Boys or Girls State. In my state it is more of a downstate thing. Anyway, get in touch and they should be more helpful. Our local post had 2 area students interested in being sponsored by them (DS being one), and they were both invited to speak at a meeting. Then the members vote to send both. They had not sent any kids in years. Keep in mind, you don't need to be sponsored by a local post, but if the Boys State organizations registration has closed, the Legion will have more pull in getting you in.
 
Keep in mind, you don't need to be sponsored by a local post
Varies by state. My state's program did not allow "Self Sponsors" until a couple of years ago and some have it but others do not. I do know that our local Girls State does not allow Self Sponsors as it is a much smaller program with severe size constraints at this time.
 
I am in Washington where it was cancelled due to not enough people last year. Super late into that cycle for boys state I reached out to California and they still gave me a spot a couple months before attending. Definitely worth a shot.
 
Varies by state. My state's program did not allow "Self Sponsors" until a couple of years ago and some have it but others do not. I do know that our local Girls State does not allow Self Sponsors as it is a much smaller program with severe size constraints at this time.
True. Thanks for the clarification!
 
Also, I recommend looking at other plans for the summer to either supplement Boys State, or to 'replace' it, with some good activities, volunteer work and initiatives that you can use to build your résumé. Only about 6 - 8% of cadets/midshipmen attend Boys & Girls State so it will not be catastrophic if you miss it. Take the initiatives as noted above and I bet you will be successful. Plus, add the story/adventure into your essays for USMA and the other SAs. Best of luck!
 
An interested applicant reached out to me. Teacher nominated them but counselor didn’t submit. This happens to be in AZ.

I referred to our local Legion Post who sponsored DS and loves to help SA applicants and stellar young men and women.

Deadline had passed but they typically have space left. They are working the problem to get the young person in. Likely limited expense to the attendee.

Advocate for yourself locally at the Post level.
 
Only about 6 - 8% of cadets/midshipmen attend Boys & Girls State
USNA did not list Boys/Girls State on the profiles that I looked at but looking at the last couple of USMA profiles, its approx 25%. The one USAFA profile I saw was 14%
 
I highly recommend you pursue through the American Legion Post. I was nominated to my Boy's State and will always remember the experience. I ran for office at my Boy's State and won by election to House of Representatives. Running taught me many lessons. Got me out of my comfort zone! I made many new friends who, like me, were applying to the SA's and we keep in touch. Some have already posted that they have appointments to the SA's they applied to.
 
Thank you to everyone who answered my question. I reached out to our local American Legion Post and am awaiting a response. My high school counselor is also reaching out to everyone who she believes could help me gain entry. I know it is not the end all be all of my application but will still help a lot. I will keep you updated on the outcome.
 
Hi, we kinda had same issue here in TN last year. After speaking with our school and the local American Legion I called the main ofc of Boys State- I received a code to register and just send in the check. I would follow that path if you haven’t already. It’s not too late. The numbers have been way down the past couple of years. I’m sure they love to have him.
 
My high school counselor ended up reaching out to the main office and got me a link that allowed me to register. Thank you to everyone who reached out. Does anyone have any idea how many people that register get into this program or when people will be sent out letters informing them if they made it or not?
 
That's great you found a way to register! The interview with the commanders at my post was a big deciding factor on me receiving an invitation to represent them. I received an email within a week of my interview from my commanders that I had earned a spot (March). Then a couple of weeks afterwards, I received another email from my Boys State' Chairman congratulating me as well (April). Then a few weeks went by and I received another email from my Boy's State staff (May) with logistics of the program that was coming in June. I loved every minute of Boy's State! Made lots of new friends from all over my state. Second day of Boy's State I ran for House of Representatives and won by election. That was big for me because I really had to get out of my comfort zone and give a speech to a very large group of boys I didn't know. I also won the dodgeball competition that evening. The third day, I made friends with a group of boys and it turned out many of them were also applying to SA's. Some had already gone to USNASS and others had plans to go in the near future. My Boy's state ended on a Friday and that next Saturday I had to catch a 5:30am flight to USNASS. I wore my Boy's State T-shirt on that flight and noticed a lot of other boys had their Boy's State T-shirts from other states at the USNA. It was cool to have that connection right off the bat! Hope you get a spot.
 
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