American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. Boys State programs currently exist in all Legion departments in the United States except Hawaii. Boys State programs vary in content and procedure as separate corporations, but each adheres to the same basic concept: teaching government from township to the state level. The 2026 program was the 78th session of Arizona Boys State and the second time held in Tucson at the University of Arizona. Approximately 80 high schools from across the state took part in the weeklong program. Students attended multiple classes on government leadership and civic training.

This year, Post 62 sponsored eight students to attend the program from Peoria and Liberty high schools. Every student learns essential leadership skills. All were very actively involved in elected offices. Post 62 encourages and supports Americanism and by supporting the program, this helps make students even better citizens.

Upon completion, Post 62 received messages/letters from two of the young men telling us about their experience. One stated that toward the end, his senior counselor nominated him to become a future junior counselor for Boys State. The other young man said that his time allowed him to improve himself in ways he could not imagine and understood why the slogan is “A week that shapes a lifetime.”