MANHATTAN, Kan. — Eight delegates at the 2026 American Legion Boys State of Kansas have been elected mayor of their respective Kansas Boys State city. They were sworn in during a ceremony tonight by Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, who was a 1989 Kansas Boys State delegate from Great Bend High School.
Elected as mayor of their Boys State of Kansas city:
(Name, Hometown, Year in High School / High School; Boys State City/County [Note: all cities/high schools in Kansas unless noted)
- Alden Deady, Overland Park, senior-to-be at Blue Valley West High School, City of Lindholm, Kennedy County
- Joey Hurla, Russell, senior-to-be at Russell High School, City of Schrag, Kennedy County
- Beau Kalkman, Olathe, senior-to-be at DeSoto High School, City of Johnson, Eisenhower County
- Talon Pyle, Ellis, junior-to-be at Ellis High School, City of Wierman, Powell County
- Travis Ross, Rush Center, senior-to-be at Otis-Bison High School, City of Shelton, Powell County
- Nico Schober, Wichita, senior-to-be at Central Christian Academy, City of Finley, Dole County
- Nikon Sublett, Hutchinson, senior-to-be at Hutchinson High School, City of Klassen, Eisenhower County
- Noah Washington, Topeka, junior-to-be at Washburn Rural High School, City of Chastain, Dole County
High school students from across the State of Kansas are participating in the 2026 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, which started on Sunday (May 31) and ends Saturday, June 6, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This is the program’s 34th consecutive session at KSU and 88th overall.
The Kansas Boys State program includes students who have just completed their junior year of high school (will be seniors in the fall) and sophomore year of high school (will be juniors in the fall).
The objective of the ALBSK is to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Kansas Boys State provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
