Bountiful High School senior John Alley Jr. has been elected Secretary of the Senate for the 2026 American Legion Boys Nation session, a development that follows the election of Arkansas' Sawyer Ray as president. The election occurred during the 80th annual session of the civics program held in Arlington, Virginia, where 100 rising high school seniors from across the country participate in a simulated U.S. Senate.
Leadership Elections for 2026 Session
The election of Alley Jr. was part of a series of leadership votes held during the session. According to a press release from The American Legion, Ray, a senior at Fayetteville High School in Arkansas, won the presidency after receiving a majority of votes from fellow senators. Ray, representing the Nationalist Party, defeated Federalist Lincoln Haussler of Nebraska in the Tuesday night election.
Other leadership roles for the 2026 session include Vice President Krish Korrapati of Mooresville, North Carolina, and President Pro Tempore Brady Pace of Villa Rica, Georgia. Alley Jr., representing Utah, secured the position of Secretary of the Senate.
A Simulated Legislative Experience
The 80th session of Boys Nation began on July 17, 2026, at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. The program brings together 100 rising high school seniors from 49 states and the District of Columbia, who are divided into two political parties: the Federalists and the Nationalists.
During the week-long program, senators engage in the legislative process through a simulated senate. Participants also visit Washington, D.C. landmarks, including the National Mall, the Pentagon, and the Supreme Court. The senators also have the opportunity to meet with elected officials from their respective states on Capitol Hill and interact with counterparts from the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation.
Alumni Insights on Leadership
The program focuses on leadership and civic engagement, a sentiment echoed by program alumni. During a panel held at Marymount University, 2016 alumnus Manny Jones encouraged new participants to embrace the challenges of the program. Jones, who served as the Nationalist candidate for president in 2016, noted that the experience teaches participants how to handle setbacks and find their own identities.
Other alumni, including Rob Pekarek from the class of 2016, emphasized the importance of the connections made during the program. Pekarek stated that the opportunity to interact with other motivated and dedicated individuals is a significant leadership advantage.
Shaping Future Leaders
The American Legion Boys Nation program serves as a week-long immersive experience designed to shape the lives of participating students. As 2026 President Pro Tempore Brady Pace noted, the program presents young leaders with responsibilities they would not typically encounter at age 16 or 17, requiring them to perform to the best of their ability.
A Legacy of Civic Service
The 2026 session follows the 79th session held in 2025. The program has a long history, with the American Legion celebrating its 80th session this year. Past sessions have been highlighted as pivotal moments for participants, with alumni often citing the program as a foundation for their future careers and personal development.
