July 14, 2026
From June 21 to June 27, Hampden-Sydney College proudly hosted 500 young men from across the commonwealth for the 83rd session of Boys State of Virginia.
Put on by The American Legion, Boys State of Virginia brings together rising high school seniors for a week of immersive learning in government and civic engagement. Along the way, the program challenges participants—known as citizens—to develop their leadership abilities while instilling a deeper sense of civic responsibility and pride in American citizenship.
While this marked the first time Hampden-Sydney hosted Boys State of Virginia, the College has long maintained strong ties to the program. The College offers a $100,000 scholarship to incoming students who have participated in Boys State, and many current Hampden-Sydney students and alumni are still involved in the annual event. This year, Noah Gearey ’29, Leland Hudik ’29, William Clup ’29, and incoming freshman Samuel Sasson ’30 served as junior counselors, while Demas Boudreaux ’02, a 1997 Boys State of Virginia alumnus, returned for his 20th year as a volunteer, serving as the program's chaplain and chorus director.
“From the moment we arrived, it was clear every person affiliated with the College, from leadership, to faculty, staff, everyone, was fully committed to giving the program whatever it needed to be a successful and positive experience,” Boudreaux says. “As an alumnus, it made me proud to see my alma mater rise to the occasion.”
Throughout the week, citizens participated in a full schedule of elections, athletic competitions, meetings, rehearsals, and ceremonies. To further enhance the experience, several town and state leaders from across Virginia educated students on government topics and shared their perspectives on public service, leadership, and civic responsibility. Among them was Governor of Virginia Abigail Spanberger, who reflected on her journey to the governor’s office and encouraged citizens to continue serving others and remain actively engaged in their communities.
“I hope you have experiences here that you will reflect upon for years to come, and I hope that you will walk away from this experience feeling fortified in your commitment to serving others, whatever that path might be—whether in education, medicine, community service, law enforcement, or elected office,” Spanberger said. “All of these paths matter, and they are all essential to the strength of our communities.”
Other distinguished guests included Wren Williams ’11, member of the Virginia House of Delegates; Kemper Beasley III ’02, commonwealth’s attorney for Buckingham County; and Conner Francis ’20, a councilman for Brookneal, Virginia. Francis, who attended Boys State of Virginia as a delegate in 2015, previously returned to serve as a counselor for three years and taught parliamentary procedure for two years, bringing a unique perspective as both a former citizen and volunteer with the program.
“Serving as a speaker during the Local Government in Virginia session was truly an honor,” Francis says. “Boys State played a significant role in shaping my passion for public service, so returning to speak as both a Hampden-Sydney alumnus and a Boys State of Virginia alumnus was a genuine full-circle moment.”
Reflecting on the week, Francis highlighted the meaningful connection between Boys State of Virginia and Hampden-Sydney, noting how the two naturally complement and strengthen one another.
“There is something especially meaningful about Boys State citizens spending the week at a college whose mission is to form good men and good citizens,” Francis says “I can’t think of a more fitting partnership. The missions are not simply compatible; they reinforce one another in a profound way. One develops young men through the practical study of citizenship and self-government, while the other has spent 250 years preparing educated men to lead lives of honor, leadership, and service.”
The partnership between Boys State of Virginia and Hampden-Sydney College represents a shared dedication to developing the leaders of tomorrow—young men who will serve their communities with integrity, lead with purpose, embrace responsibility, and uphold the enduring values of citizenship.