Experiences to Last

a Lifetime

Photo Journal

At some point throughout the week, you’ll see someone taking pictures of various events. That’s Dominic Baima, the staff photographer. He keeps a visual record of what happens during the session. Sometimes he’s at scheduled events, sometimes it’s some people tossing a frisbee on the quad. At various times throughout the week this page will be updated in the rolling feed below with a few highlight pictures, however the entire repository can be viewed here.

It is one thing to be noticed as a good sport, or an example to be modeled after. It is another to be selected by an entire group of peers you’ve met less than a week ago. The Keith Lucas Model Citizen Award is that kind recognition. The citizens of each county select one of their own who they feel exemplifies what it means to them to be a model citizen. The overall winner is given a $2000 scholarship. The 2026 winners of the Keith Lucas Model Citizen Award are:

Steven Jiang of Kennedy County, from Chicago, IL
Isa Ibraham of Card County from Hinsdale, IL

Over their years of experience, the counseling staff has honed the ability to find the citizens who are just that touch above in a sea of quality individuals. Throughout the week each county’s counseling staff is evaluating and comparing the fine young men assigned to them. Each county staff selects one citizen to compete for the Joseph McCraith Model Citizen Award. The overall winner receives a $2000 scholarship. The 2026 winners of the Joseph McCraith Model Citizen Award are:

Charles Davis of Card County from Naperville, IL
Aaron Pranger of Kennedy County from Tinley Park, IL

The James R. Thompson Medal and $2,000 scholarship was established in 1990 in honor of the 39th Governor of Illinois upon his retirement. It is awarded annually to the Governor of Illinois Boys State. This year’s Governor is Jashith Sharma of Geiger County from Onarga, IL.

The Paul Brown State Officer Award is a $2,000 college scholarship award selected by a committee of staff members from among the following elected State officials: Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller and State Treasurer. Selection is based on observation of the elected officers’ campaign speeches and other campaign activities, as well as an interview process. The 2026 winners of the Paul Brown State Officer Award are:

James Mannor of Geiger County from Clarendon Hills, IL
Anden Hong of Geiger County from Chicago, IL
Ryshid Marsh of Card County from Peoria, IL

Every year we hold an essay contest for a $2000 scholarship. The topic of the essay does change from year to year, but is usually in reference to some portion of the Bill of Rights. The winners of this year’s essay contest are:

Sasha Teboul of Conatser County from Carbondale, IL
Logan Gibson of Geiger County from Elgin, IL
Ruan Gumprecht of Geiger County from Woodstock, IL

The John Geiger Leadership Award is a $2,000 college scholarship funded by the American Legion, Department of Illinois, in honor of John H. Geiger, the first Illinois Boys State alum to serve as National Commander of the American Legion. The award winner is selected by a committee of staff members from among the following: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Nationalist Party State Chairman, and Federalist Party State Chairman. The winners of the 2026 John Geiger Leadership Award are:

Ronin Joshi of Kennedy County from Hinsdale, IL
Kiran Patel of Card County from Barrington, IL
Nick Mayhew of Geiger County from Dunfermline, IL

Each year, on both the state and national levels there are scholarships available from the Samsung Corporation. To be eligible, the citizen must be a descendant of someone who served during a specified time of war. There are $2000 scholarships awarded at the state level, and larger scholarships awarded at the national level. The 2026 Illinois Boys State Samsung Scholarship winner is:

John Ciok of Card County from Mount Prospect, IL

Each year we hold an speech contest for a $2000 scholarship. The selected topic for the speech contest does shift each year. It always has to do with some portion of Lincoln’s life. The topic this year was a quote by Lincoln, “You can not escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” From that quote the orators were to show how Lincoln handled responsibility throughout his life. The winners of the 2026 speech contest are:

Charles Davis of Card County from Naperville, IL
Ronin Joshi of Kennedy County from Hinsdale, IL
Kaveen Shrestha of Conatser County from Glen Carbon, IL

The Boys State program is a great program where young men can learn a lot about how the state, counties, and local cities operate. There is a companion program, Boys Nation. Each state selects 2 Senators to travel to Washington D.C. to partake in another week long program learning about various aspects of the federal government. Since complications may arise two alternates are also selected in case one of the original Senators can not attend for any reason. The 2026 Boys Nation Senators from Illinois will be announced on Friday:

James Mannor of Geiger County from Clarendon Hills, IL
Charles Davis of Card County from Naperville, IL

1st Alternate Steven Jiang of Kennedy County from Chicago, IL
2nd Alternate Kiran Patel of Card County from Barrington, IL