Kingfisher High School had yet another strong delegation at the 2021 Oklahoma American Legion Boys State.

Boys State has been an annual gathering of selected Oklahoma high school junior boys where they learn about leadership, government and patriotism.

The Kingfisher contingent featured eight delegates and five staff members as the state program resumed May 29-June 5 after missing 2020 due to COVID-19.

Those who were scheduled to attend last year were invited to attend this summer’s session, which featured about 250 delegates and 80 staff overall.

“While most Boys State programs around the nation either canceled again this year or are conducting abbreviated virtual versions, the Oklahoma American Legion program decided it was essential to resume the in-person session as the pandemic began to decline,” said Dr. A.J. Johnson, longtime KHS teacher who is the Oklahoma Boys State senior adviser to the director.

Delegates from Kingfisher included Konner Baartman, Xander Bolner, Devin Diedrich, Kolby Gilbert, Brenden Hill, James Perdue, Tyler Roman and Noah Schaefer.

Bolner and Diedrich were each presented the Thornton Award for being outstanding citizens of their respective communities.

Gilbert earned the Director’s Special Award for contributions to Boys State as a student journalist.

Hill and Roman took part in band during the week.

Joining Johnson as staff were counselors Shane Soudek and Dawson Leffingwell; William Blocker; Jared Harrison, director of education; and Sam McPherson, office manager.

Leffingwell earned the Outstanding Counselor Award.

Johnson provided the following update to the KT&FP during Boys State week as it provides a glimpse of what delegates and staff experience:

“So far this week, the delegates have engaged in team building recreational activities, heard patriotic speakers, attended numerous classes on Oklahoma government and honored the war dead with a Memorial Day service.

“They have also heard from Adjutant General Michael Thompson as well as Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell and had a visit from the National Guard Lakota helicopter.

“They have also elected to sets of governors and lieutenant governors with seniors representing 2020 and juniors representing 2021.

“Delegates attend special schools including a police academy and an Oklahoma National Guard-sponsored Homeland Defense School.

“There’s also a Leadership School, an Americanism Forum and a Political Roundtable for interactive discussion.

“The delegates are busy with two to three hours of recreation per day plus legislative sessions, assemblies for speakers and political activities. The delegates usually wake at about 6 a.m. and are scheduled throughout the day until about 10 p.m.

“Thursday night features a talent show and a band concert while Friday draws the program to a close with a final awards program and then the traditional and very moving final assembly.

“Delegates will take a final exam Saturday morning before leaving for home. This test is part of a series of tests which are used for awarding up to three hours of college credit. (Boys State has gone Tech and the exams are actually taken via the delegate’s cell phone.)

“The program concludes on Saturday with exhausted, fulfilled and inspired young men returning to their homes.”

Johnson said the week is made possible by the work of many.

“Boys State could not happen without the support of around 80 volunteer staff members. They come from every walk of life: Students, teachers, lawyers, members of the military, businessmen, retired, etc.,” he said.

“They come from all over Oklahoma and some travel and even fly into the state from their homes just to be a part of the Oklahoma American Legion Boys State Program.”

Kingfisher’s delegation was sponsored by the local Keith Lowry-Henry Ellyson Post 5. Their expenses at Boys State were covered by donations from local community businesses and individuals.