Program History

Badger Boys State was established by the American Legion to educate young leaders about citizenship and civic responsibility.

The first session of Badger Boys State was held in 1939 at St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield. In 1941, Badger Boys State was relocated to Ripon College, where it is still held today. The program was suspended due to World War II from 1943 until 1945, but has been held ever since.

2020 will mark the 79th session of Badger Boys State.

Notable Alumni

YEARALUMACCOMPLISHMENTS OF NOTE
1985Scott Walker45th Governor of Wisconsin (2011-2019)
1975Brad SmithPresident of Microsoft (2015-Present)
1957Al Jarreau7x Grammy Winning Singer (1967-2017)
1957Daniel Travanti2x Emmy Winning Actor (1958-Present)
1956Martin Schrieber39th Governor of Wisconsin (1977-1979)


Former Governors

YEARGOVERNORHOMETOWN
2019Dylan BradleyMequon
2018Malik StaudeOconomowoc
2017Kellen SharpMilwaukee
2016Kadin HendricksDe Pere
2015Jacob MalinowskiGreendale


Former Boys Nation Senators

YEARSENATORHOMETOWN
2019Manish RajNeenah
2019Isaiah PlaceLancaster
2018Bennett ArtmanMilwaukee
2018Grant HemingerFranklin
2017Gage PillsburyShawano
2017Samuel ButlerBalsam Lake
2016Joseph ChandlerPlymouth
2016Samuel NicholsonMonroe
2015Jacob MalinowskiGreendale
2015Ryan LathamBoscobel