88th Annual Alabama Boys State

by: Luke Catchings, class of 2026

Saint James School Boys State Delegate- Luke Catchings

Earlier this month, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 88th Annual Alabama Boys State, held at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Hosted by the American Legion, Boys State brings together over 500 high school students from across the state to learn about leadership, government, and civic responsibility through a week of immersive, hands-on experiences in a simulated state government. I arrived not knowing exactly what to expect, but I left having grown in ways I never imagined.

When we arrived, we were divided into cities (about 50 students), counties (100–150), and political parties (around 250). I was lucky enough to be placed in Cook City 10-aka, the best city. This group became like a second family, as we spent the most time together throughout the week. I was also placed in Lincoln County, made up of Cities 9 and 10, and was part of the Nationalist Party.

The first few days were focused on elections for city, county, and state government positions. This meant jumping into introductions, campaign speeches, and leadership pitches, often in front of hundreds of people. I was honored to be elected Vice Chairman of my political party, a role that allowed me to collaborate with fellow party leaders to shape our platform, organize meetings, and rally support for our candidates. I was also elected Circuit Clerk for my county, a position that may fly under the radar, but plays a big role in the legal system by keeping court records and proceedings in order.

In the second half of the week, we transitioned from elections to legislation. Each county was given a mock budget and two real-world problems to solve. With only four hours, we had to research, develop practical solutions, coordinate with our city and state governments, and create a presentation outlining our proposals. It was fast-paced, collaborative, and one of the most valuable team experiences I’ve ever had. We also had the chance to take a trip to Montgomery, where we toured the State Capitol and visited the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which was an incredibly moving and humbling experience. As part of the Engineering interest group, I also visited Montgomery Whitewater, where we met local engineers and learned about the design and function behind the scenes. That visit was fascinating and gave me new insight into how engineering shapes public spaces.

While I’m proud of the positions I held and the work we did, the most impactful part of Boys State was the people. I met students from all over Alabama. Whether we were debating policy, sharing ideas, or just hanging out between sessions, we built friendships I know will last far beyond the week.

“The energy and drive of everyone there was contagious, and it pushed me to become a stronger leader, listener, and teammate.”

I’m incredibly thankful to God, my school, my parents, and the American Legion for giving me this life-changing opportunity. And to everyone I met along the way…thank you for making this experience so memorable. #wearesaintjamesschool