Experiences to Last

A Lifetime

A Week That Shapes a Lifetime

Sure, it sounds like a cliche, but this week spent at Boys State is truly shaped by the time and effort put into the activities. Not a year goes by when many citizens are overheard heading back from the final general assembly talking about how they wished they had gotten more involved earlier in the week. Our week that shapes a lifetime is fast-paced so there’s no time to waste when getting involved. Below are just some of the activities open to every citizen during Boys State. Check in throughout the week to see how the citizens of Boys State have embraced this special opportunity and gotten involved.

This page is focused on our current or most recent session.

Photo Journal

At some point throughout the week, you’ll see someone taking pictures of various events. That’s Jay Grabiec, 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 two 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 2025 winners of the KeiEshaam Bhattad of Geiger County from Buffalo Grove, ILth Lucas Model Citizen Award are:

Brodie Peterson of Geiger County from Morris, IL
Joe LaSota of Card County, from Downers Grove, IL
Colby Nixon of Geiger County from Lake Zurich, 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 two citizens to compete for the Joseph McCraith Model Citizen Award. The overall winner receives a $2000 scholarship. The 2025 winners of the Joseph McCraith Model Citizen Award are:

Brenden Zeigenhorn of Card County from Mount Prospect, IL
Jacob Irabagon of Geiger County from Mundelein, IL
Parker Moore of Conatser County from Pana, 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 Josh Koyfman of Conatser County from Deerfield, 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 2025 winners of the Paul Brown State Officer Award are:

Joe LaSota of Card County from Downers Grove, IL
Yug Mehta of Kennedy County from Vernon Hills, IL
Landon Beerhalter of Geiger County from Elmhurst, 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:

Brenden Ziegenhorn of Card County from Mount Prospect, IL
Harikesh Prasad of Geiger County from Buffalo Grove, IL
Elijah McIlvain of Conatser County from Champaign, 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 2025 John Geiger Leadership Award are:

Ricky Morales of Kennedy County from Elmhurst, IL
Nick Thomas of Kennedy County from Evanston, IL
Dan Tychynskyy of Kennedy County from Arlington Heights, 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 2025 Illinois Boys State Samsung Scholarship winner is:

Colby Nixon of Geiger County from Lake Zurich, 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 2025 speech contest are:

Ricky Morales of Kennedy County from Elmhurst, IL
Brenden Ziegerhorm of Card County from Mount Prospect, IL
Elijah McIlvain of Conatser County from Champaign, 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 2025 Boys Nation Senators from Illinois will be announced on Friday:

IJosh Koyfman of Conatser County from Deerfield, IL
Brenden ziegerhorn of Card County from Mount Prospect, IL

1st Alternate Ricky Morales of Kennedy County from Elmhurst, IL
2nd Alternate Brodie Peterson of Geiger County from Morris, IL