Lane Westbrook of Palestine from Palestine-Wheatley Senior High was elected as a State Representative for his congressional district at Arkansas Boys State 2024, a summer leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.

Westbrook was elected by his peers during district elections on Tuesday, May 28, as part of the 83rd annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different congressional districts each with three senators and 10 representatives.

"Being elected as State Representative is quite the special opportunity for Lane and his fellow legislators," said David Saterfield, director of instruction for Arkansas Boys State. "He'll get an up-close and personal look at the legislative process with his own state legislators leading him through the process."

On Wednesday, Westbrook will meet with Arkansas legislators to learn more about the legislative branch and process. As part of their meeting, Westbrook will join his fellow Arkansas Boys State senators and representatives in creating mock legislation that they will debate and vote upon at the state capitol on Friday.

"I'm excited to see what ideas Lane and his fellow legislators bring to the House and Senate floors on Friday," Saterfield said. "I hope these Arkansas Boys State legislators take it all in when they're at the capitol. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Westbrook is one of more than 540 students from throughout the state attending Arkansas Boys State at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Students are mock citizens in eight different counties and congressional districts, sixteen cities, and two political parties.

Tuesday at Arkansas Boys State also welcomed the beginning of campaigning for statewide office, including the office of Governor.

Arkansas Boys State is an immersive program in civics education designed for high school juniors. Since 1940, the week-long summer program has transformed the next generation of leaders throughout the state and beyond. These men have become state, national, and international leaders, including Pres. Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former White House Chiefs of Staff Mack McLarty and Jack Watson Jr., Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. John Boozman and Arkansas Chief Justice John Dan Kemp.

During their week at Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends - all with our guiding principle that "Democracy Depends on Me."

Learn more at arboysstate.org.