By Ivan Rojo | City of Ludington, Doolittle County

Badger Boys State began at St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield in 1939.

It moved to Ripon in 1941 and has been held there ever since except for a few years during World War II when it was not held at all.

BBS Director Bob Shappel said Americanism is the foundation of Badger State Boys. With the foundation cemented and polished over the years, it has allowed for young adults in their schools across Wisconsin to attend the program for them to better understand the political process of government while enhancing their leadership skills.

The best individuals from their schools in academics, athletics, volunteering and/or leading are chosen for the program because a counselor or teacher saw potential in them to become a leader in their communities. Shappel said the American Legion gives an enormous amount of dedication, time, money and planning to the BBS program because they believe in Americanism.

Shappel said Americanism is the concept of understanding what the government is all about and above all, participating in it to understand how the government operates. The counseling staff alongside the American Legion don’t expect every BBS citizen to take part in their government, but they want them to understand how it works.

The American Legion is proud of their country and BBS is a simple way they can give back to their country. They also feel a great satisfaction in knowing they did the best they could to influence individuals to make a difference in their communities.

The counselors and American Legion does their best to guide citizens in the right direction in hopes they carry a piece of the counselors or the American Legion and share it with others in their everyday life experiences. Many citizens are impacted by the program and it can be seen in their communities which makes the staff and sponsors proud of their contributions.

All states, except for Hawaii, host a Boys State program annually. Former President Bill Clinton attended Arkansas Boys State when he was in high school and, was elected mayor of his state.

Clinton was selected as a Boys Nation candidate during his citizen year and had a unique experience in Washington, D.C. Clinton had the opportunity to shake Former President John F. Kennedy’s hand when they were in the rose garden and a picture of this has since become famous across Boys State programs and the United States.

Without a doubt, attending BBS is an honor and truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that shouldn’t be wasted.