Oklahoma Boys State Awards
Each session, Oklahoma American Legion Boys State presents a number of awards to delegates and staff. Not all awards are given every year and new awards are sometimes added. Current awards are listed below.
City Awards
This award is given to the one outstanding city that displays exemplary qualities throughout the week and distinguishes itself amongst its peer cities. It is a source of pride for your city and it bestows upon you, the citizen, the honor of being a part of the best city at Oklahoma American Legion Boys State. The City of Excellence will receive a Campaign Ribbon denoting its status to be displayed upon the City Guidon.
The city that wins an academic or athletic championship will be announced during the Boys State awards ceremony and the city’s team members will receive certificates.
Delegate Awards
Awarded each day to a citizen of each city who has demonstrated outstanding citizenship, good character, and a spirit of cooperation and helpfulness as well as demonstrating qualities of leadership and patriotism.
Awarded to the outstanding citizen of each city. The award is given in honor of Dr. Thornton who taught government at OU for many years and was principally responsible for the creation of the Boys State program. He also wrote the original text upon which the current Boys State text is based.
Awarded to the outstanding academic achiever in each city at Boys State in honor of long time Director of Elections Chauncey Witcraft.
Awarded to the two most outstanding delegates nominated by the counselor staff and selected by the Americanism Commission. Boys Nation Delegates attend the national Boys Nation Camp held during July in Washington, D. C.
A $500 scholarship given to one of the Boys Nation Delegates in honor of long time Boys State Director Joseph F. Buzidragis.
A $500 scholarship given to one of the Boys Nation Delegates in honor of long time Education Director Leroy Crozier.
A $1000 scholarship awarded to the applicant whose completed application packet scores the highest points. Presented by the American Legion on behalf of the Samsung Corporation as a token of their appreciation for American Servicemen during the Korean War. The recipient’s packet is sent to the National Headquarters of the American Legion to compete for the top award of $20,000 in scholarships.
The medallion given to Boys State Delegates who are recognized as H.V. Thornton Awardees, Boys Nation Delegates, or Samsung Scholarship Winners.
Staff Awards
Presented to the outstanding Jr. Counselor of the session in honor of former Department Adjutant C. J. Wright.
Presented to the outstanding Counselor of the session in honor of former Chief of Counselors John Ruth.
Presented to the outstanding Senior Counselor of the session in honor of the model Senior Counselor Marvin J. Anderson.
Presented to the outstanding Instructional Staff Member of the session in honor of former Boys State Education Director Raymond Fleming.
Presented to the outstanding Lecturer of the session in honor of longtime Friend of Boys State and Former Governor of Oklahoma, George Nigh.
Presented to the outstanding Administrative Staff Member of the session in honor of former Boys State Formations Officer and a man for whom no job was too small or too great, Glen Reeder.
The highest award bestowed on an Oklahoma American Legion Boys State staff member, the Josh Drake ‘Follow Me’ Award is presented for exceptionally distinguished service to Oklahoma Boys State in a duty of great responsibility. This award is given in honor of the late Professor of Patriotism Emeritus Josh Drake.
The medallion given to Boys State Staff members who are recognized as Outstanding Counselors, Instructors or Staffers of the Year; or select individuals who have performed exceptional service for Oklahoma American Legion Boys State, as noted by the Director.
Presented as the Director commands to those individuals and organizations whose contributions to Oklahoma American Legion Boys State merit special recognition.