Special to The Banner-News
Jermaine George of Waldo from Magnolia High School was elected as Mayor for Lovell City at Arkansas Boys State 2023, a summer leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.
George was elected by his peers during city elections on Monday, May 29, as part of the 82nd annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including sixteen different mock cities each with their own city council, vice mayor, and mayor.
"While the most important role in our democracy is that of citizen, city and county roles are especially important and critical while also being often under-appreciated," said David Saterfield, director of instruction for the program. "At Arkansas Boys State, these offices lay the foundation for the rest of the week and give delegates hands-on and practical experience in leadership and public service.
"Once elected, those officials will be responsible for helping to lead their cities and counties and making decisions that have a real impact on the lives of delegates with whom they share dorms and mealtimes. This is just the first step in the transformative leadership journey that students embark on this week," Saterfield added.
George is one of more than 470 students from 187 schools throughout the state attending Arkansas Boys State at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Students are mock citizens in eight different counties, sixteen cities, and two political parties.
"When the week comes to a close for Jermaine, he and his peers will have learned what it means to intentionally and thoughtfully share their stories, lead their peers, and advocate for their communities," said Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State.
County elections were also held on Monday at Arkansas Boys State. On Tuesday, students will run for the House of Representatives and Senate and begin campaigning for statewide office.
Arkansas Boys State is an immersive program in civics education designed for high school juniors. Since 1940, the week-long summer program has transformed the next generation of
leaders throughout the state and beyond. These men have become state, national, and international leaders, including Pres. Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former White House Chiefs of Staff Mack McLarty and Jack Watson Jr., Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. John Boozman and Arkansas Chief Justice John Dan Kemp. Learn more at arboysstate.org.
During their week at Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends - all with our guiding principle that "Democracy Depends on Me."