One junior from Fayette High School and one junior from New Franklin High School have been selected for this year’s American Legion Boys State of Missouri, which will be held at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, June 11-18. Asher Hepner of New Franklin and Sidney West of Fayette will represent Howard County as delegates. 

Missouri Boys State was founded in 1938, and is based on the principles of promoting “leadership, citizenship and the value of the individual voice and vote.” 

Students from more than 300 high schools across the state come together for a week and participate in mock city, county, and state governments, and may run for office and make decisions.

They may also take courses in civics, government, American history, and political science and may earn two or three hours of college credit. Boys State alumni can become eligible for a number of scholarships to various Missouri universities.

Delegates to Boys State and their families are not required to pay to attend. Local organizations from a delegate’s community are asked for sponsorships each year. 

Donations were made by community organizations for local delegates selected for Boys State in 2020, according to White-Bell American Legion Post Commander Josh Kirby, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to cancellation of the event that week. In 2021, students who had been selected in 2020 were invited to attend, but no local students were able to go.

This marks the first year the event will be held in person since 2018, and will be held concurrently with American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girls State this year. 

To be eligible for Boys State, an applicant must be between the ages of 15 and 19, and must have successfully completed his junior year at a Missouri high school and have at least one semester of high school remaining after Boys State. 

Sidney West is the son of Amy Wilder of Fayette, and David and Naomi West of Wichita, Kansas, and has been active in sports (football and track) and esports. He is interested in attending Boys State to meet other students from across the state and to get hands-on experience in government and leadership. He plans to apply to the University of Missouri.

Asher Hepner is the son of Nathan and Fadra Hepner of New Franklin, and is active in a range of extracurricular activities including band, National Honor Society, and Science club. He wants to attend Boys State “to learn more about our government and its functions, as well as opening up new opportunities for scholarships and future academic success.”