The Americanlegion

the world's largest veterans organization

Renew Join now

Latest News

  • Wednesday, July 02, 2014

    Boys State Elects Governor

    MORRISVILLE — High school student Ryan Leone from Suffolk County is the 2014 governor of the New York American Legion Boys State.

    Leone, who will be entering his senior year this fall, was elected out of nearly 1,100 students participating in the week-long immersion in leadership and democracy at Morrisville State College.  See Doug Malin’s Boys State photo album.

    Boys State, running June 27 to July 3, featured a number guest speakers. Among them was State Sen. Greg Ball’s Operations Director Colin Schmitt, who delivered an opening keynote address and then presented a $150,000 symbolic check to The American Legion. The check represented Boys and Girls State funding included in the New York State budget for the first time — with $100,000 going toward the cost of hosting more than a thousand students at the college.

    Boys State governor

    Boys State Governor Ryan Leone with Boys State Executive Director John Murphy (l) and New York American Legion Commander Kenneth Governor. Photo by Doug Malin.

    Check presentation

    Colin Schmitt (Sen. Ball’s director of operations) presents symbolic check for $150,000. From left: Boys State Exec. Director John Murphy, Program Director David O’Brien, Schmitt, and Boys State staffer Al Paviglianti. Photo by William Bulger