Every delegate at the 2026 Louisiana Boys State has a different reason for attending, but they all arrived looking for an opportunity to grow. Whether it was learning about government, developing leadership skills, or simply trying something new, each delegate hopes to leave the week better prepared for the future.
For some, the decision to attend was entirely their own. For others, they had a little encouragement from home.
In an interview with Trigger Woodard, he said, “I came here to further my knowledge of state government and really hone my abilities to lead,” he said with a laugh. “I also came here to potentially help my odds towards a scholarship. Laughing, he stated, “My parents encourged me to come here, so it’s a little bit of both.”
Another citizen said hearing about the program from students who attended last year convinced him to apply.
“I heard this was a good leadership opportunity from some people who came last year,” he said. “They thought it was something I’d be interested in, so I applied. As I found out more and more, I realized it was pretty cool.”
For Roman Colson, the week is about learning how to serve others. While campaigning for attorney general, Colson explained that the book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson inspired his view of justice.
“I want to exemplify the justice in Just Mercy by being tough on crime,” Colson said. “But I also want to show the mercy part by giving people reasonable sentences that still give them a second chance. “Grace isn’t for the people that deserve it; it’s for the people that don’t.”
Another delegate, Blane, said Boys State fits with his passion for serving his community.
“I’ve always been involved in programs that are based around helping people and making better versions of myself and other people,” Blane said. “I believe Boys State is a great place to start because it gives me a skill set that can help me better my community in the future.”