AL Post 574 Programs



Boys State History
American Legion Boys State stands as one of the highly esteemed and exclusive educational initiatives in government instruction for U.S. high school students. Established in 1935 as a response to the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps, Boys State is a participatory program immersing students in the workings of local, county, and state government. The brainchild of Illinois Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, the inaugural Boys State took place at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
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This program equips participants with a comprehensive understanding of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The curriculum maintains objectivity and focuses on the structural intricacies of city, county, and state governments. Run by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities encompass legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, musical performances, and recreational programs.
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High school juniors, chosen by Legion posts, attend the program, with most individual expenses covered by sponsoring posts, local businesses, or other community-based organizations. Boys State programs operate in all Legion departments across the United States, except Hawaii. While these programs function as separate entities with variations in content and procedures, they all adhere to the fundamental principle of imparting governmental knowledge from the township to the state level.
American Legion High School Oratorical Contest
The primary goal of The American Legion's National High School Oratorical Contest is to foster a more profound understanding and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States among high school students. In addition to this, the contest aims to cultivate leadership qualities, enhance the ability to think and articulate ideas clearly and intelligently, and prepare students for the acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, as well as the rights and privileges, associated with American citizenship.
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