Tag Archive for: ALMBS

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ALMBS Orientations Underway

Have you applied to attend ALMBS? Have you registered for an orientation session? Do so today!

You and your parent(s)/guardian(s) are requested to attend an Orientation Session. Preregistration for an Orientation Session is required. The purpose of the Orientation is to acquaint you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) with the ALMBS program. You will meet others who will be attending ALMBS and will have an opportunity to ask questions about the program. Please have the Citizen Packet with you during the Orientation Session.

The program should last approximately 45 minutes. Your local American Legion Post may have a supplemental orientation that will provide additional information. The orientation sessions will be held virtually. It is requested that the citizen be available by video; however, this is not required. Pre-registration should be completed on the ALMBS website at https://e.wvboysstate.org.

To register for an Orientation Session, you will need the password included within the Citizen Packet. After registering, a link will be sent to the email address provided so that you can join the virtual orientation session.

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2022 High School Recommendations and Applications Still Being Accepted

It remains our goal to have every high school and home school community in the State of West Virginia represented at each annual ALMBS session. We are willing to work with you to assure that your high school is represented at the program.

ALMBS is a leadership action program where qualified high school students take part in a practical government exercise. It is designed to develop a working knowledge of the structure of state government and to impress upon the citizen the fact that our government is just what we make it.

The goal of ALMBS is to teach good government through participation by becoming a mythical state government and operating it as such. It is an objective citizenship training program which strives to inculcate individual responsibility to the community, state, and nation.

ALMBS is still accepting HIGH SCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS and APPLICATIONS for the 2022 ALMBS Camp to be held June 12-18, 2022.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Individuals who meet the below qualifications are eligible to apply for admission to ALMBS. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 & 2021 sessions, each high school senior class will be permitted at least one attendee to the 2022 session along with the junior class attendees.

  1. Be a member of the male enrollment of the current junior class.
  2. Have a 2.75 grade point average or higher on a four-point scale or its equivalent. (Note: Schools should use the most current cumulative grade point average as of the time of their response.)
  3. Have demonstrated outstanding qualities in the areas of school activities, community activities, and character.
  4. Have never attended an American Legion Boys State program previously.
  5. Be a citizen of West Virginia OR attend a high school in West Virginia.

 

ALMBS is open to those meeting the above requirements regardless of race, color, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, or national origin.

 

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What is ALMBS?

The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State is among the most respected educational programs of government instruction for high school students and is West Virginia’s Premier Leadership Academy. Each participant becomes a part of the operation of his city, county, and state government. The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State has been a program of the American Legion Department of West Virginia since 1936.

At the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights, privileges, duties, and responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county, and state governments operated by the participants elected or selected to the various offices and positions. Activities are varied and include many facets of government such as elections, legislative sessions, and legal proceedings. Law enforcement presentations, assemblies, guest speakers, band, chorus, recreational programs, a college/career fair, and a talent show are also held.
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2022 ALMBS Applications Still Being Accepted

The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State (ALMBS) has long been recognized as one of the most respected educational programs of government and leadership instruction for high school students. We have accomplished this over eight decades by adjusting our program to keep pace with the times. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us to think creatively about how we can safely deliver a meaningful and engaging program and we are proud to return to this mission in 2022.

QUALIFICATIONS: Individuals who meet the below qualifications are eligible to apply for admission to ALMBS. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 & 2021 sessions, each high school senior class will be permitted at least one attendee to the 2022 session along with the junior class attendees.

  1. Be a member of the male enrollment of the current junior class.
  2. Have a 2.75 grade point average or higher on a four-point scale or its equivalent. (Note: Schools should use
    the most current cumulative grade point average as of the time of their response.)
  3. Have demonstrated outstanding qualities in the areas of school activities, community activities, and character.
  4. Have never attended an American Legion Boys State program previously.
  5. Be a citizen of West Virginia OR attend a high school in West Virginia.

WHERE AND WHEN: WVU Jackson’s Mill, June 12-18, 2022

APPLICATION: Complete the Application form and work with your High School Guidance Counselor or local American Legion Post to get registered. Limited slots are available, so ACT NOW!

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2022 ALMBS COVID Policy

The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State will adhere to all WV Bureau for Public Health and Lewis County Health Department guidelines that are in place at the time of the program. All participants, as in past years, will be required to have a physical examination and all participants will undergo a medical screening upon arriving at the WVU Jackson’s Mill facility. Frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing is encouraged and expected. Participants are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer and sanitization wipes. Social distancing and outside activities will occur when possible. As of publication, the WV Bureau for Public Health and Lewis County Health Department policies do not require mandatory mask wearing. Participants will not be required to wear masks but are encouraged to do so. This policy is subject to change and will be updated as necessary.

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2021 American Legion Mountaineer Boys State Session Cancelled

Friends of The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State,

It is with great disappointment we write to inform you that The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State (ALMBS) has been cancelled for 2021, in accordance with the consensus decision of The American Legion Department of West Virginia Mountaineer Boys State Board of Directors.

Meanwhile, The American Legion Boys Nation, The American Legion Auxiliary Rhododendron Girls State, and The American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation are all committed to holding their programs, even if it is in a virtual capacity.

Since 1936, The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State has been West Virginia’s Premier Leadership Academy, and this is officially the 4th time in its history that the program has been cancelled. This would have been the 83rd ALMBS.  The ALMBS staff stands ready to provide an in-person camp when it is SAFE for our staff and participants. It is anticipated that the 2022 session of ALMBS will be held at WVU Jackson’s Mill from June 12-18, 2022.

Throughout West Virginia, educators are working diligently to continue to engage students through unplanned and unprecedented distance learning opportunities. We salute ALL West Virginia teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators who have stepped up and continue educating our youth throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

We would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to all the school personnel, American Legion comrades, Sons of The American Legion volunteers, sponsors, and our ALMBS staff and family for all their efforts put forth towards the potential for a 2021 program. ALMBS is truly blessed with your support and we look forward to working with you as we begin planning for the 2022 session.

We appreciate all our volunteers, alumni, veterans, and sponsors and encourage you to continue to remain safe and follow the guidance of your local health officials. If you have immediate questions that need to be answered, please contact us via email at almbs@wvboysstate.org. We will respond as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

David “Robbie” Robinson, Director

Matthew Sampson, Assistant Director

ALMBS Cancellation Memorandum

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2020 American Legion Mountaineer Boys State Session Cancelled

Friends of The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State,

It is with a heavy heart, we write to inform you that The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State has been cancelled for 2020. This decision has been the hardest decision to make during one of the hardest times of our lives. Please know this decision was made after thorough deliberation with our program’s senior leadership and based on the current national and state-wide effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Legion Auxiliary Rhododendron Girls State, The American Legion Boys Nation, The American Legion National Oratorical Finals, and Junior Shooting Sports Competitions have also been cancelled for 2020. West Virginia becomes the 21st state to cancel Boys State this year.

Since 1936, The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State has been West Virginia’s Premier Leadership Academy, and this is officially the 3rd time in her history that the program has been cancelled. It hasn’t been since the food rationing of WWII that she has stepped aside for the safety of West Virginia’s youth. This would have been the 83rd American Legion Mountaineer Boys State.

The health, safety and security of our citizens, staff and many volunteers remain our primary consideration. Throughout West Virginia, educators are working diligently to continue to engage students through unplanned and unprecedented distance learning opportunities, it seemed unfair to ask them to continue with the nomination and selection process. American Legion Posts are closed, recruitment and fund-raising activities are also suspended. Many of our sponsors throughout the state are also closed or are out of work due to being under our state’s stay-at-home order. We appreciate all our volunteers, alumni, veterans and sponsors and encourage you to continue to remain safe and follow the guidance of your local health officials.

ALMBS would like to encourage all completed 2020 applications to be immediately transmitted to The American Legion Department of West Virginia without application fees. Our program would like to provide official notification to those who have already enrolled and were planning their attendance. ALMBS will be refunding posts and sponsors for any payments already received and deposited.

Many questions remain and we will get details out as they become available. We would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to all of the school personnel, American Legion comrades, sponsors and our American Legion Mountaineer Boys State staff and family for all of their efforts put forth towards the 2020 program. ALMBS is truly blessed with your support and we look forward to working with you as we immediately begin planning for the 2021 session.

If you have immediate questions that need to be answered, please contact us via email at almbs@wvboysstate.org. The American Legion Department of West Virginia Headquarters is currently closed to the public and operating remotely with limited resources at this time. We will respond as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

Jim Davis, Director

Robbie Robinson, Assistant Director

ALMBS Cancellation Memorandum

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COVID-19 Announcement

It is with a heavy heart to announce The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State and The American Legion Auxiliary Rhododendron Girls State programs have been cancelled for 2020. Please know this decision was made after thorough deliberation with our program’s senior leadership and based on the current national and state-wide effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information see the attached ALMBS and ALARGS Memoranda.

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Senator Manchin Keynotes ALMBS Graduation Assembly

Senator Manchin has served in several leadership capacities on various associations, including: Chairman of the National Governors Association, Chairman of the Southern States Energy Board, President of the Council of State Governments, Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Association.

Senator Manchin served as Secretary of State from 2000 to 2004, and his office was known for excellent customer service. He was a state legislator from 1982 to 1996, where he earned a reputation for standing up for West Virginians.

Senator Manchin became a successful businessman after attending West Virginia University on a football scholarship.

Senator Manchin is an avid pilot, outdoorsman, hunter, angler and motorcyclist. He has been married for more than four decades to the former Gayle Conelly of Beckley. They have three children: Heather, Joseph IV and Brooke, and are the proud grandparents of Joseph V, Sophie, Kelsey, Madeline, Chloe, Jack, Carly, Vivian, Beaux and Knox.

For more information: https://www.manchin.senate.gov/

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