 The American Legion Boys' State: Few realize the obligation they have to the public. The American Legion Boys State is not a school room activity, but a practical experience for young men in the actual problems of government as it operates in Tennessee's American Legion Boys State. The American Legion Boys' State is not meant to take the place of Civics or Government, as they are taught in the high schools of the state, but is planned so that young men may put into actual practice the theories of Government through actual participation in city, county, and state governments organized as a "Mythical 51st State." The entire program is non-partisan and will not reference any existing political party. Only young men who are in the 11th grade and in the upper third of their class will be eligible to attend. The purpose of this is that young men in the 11th grade will have one more year in their respective high schools, and will be in a position to furnish leadership not only in their schools but also in their communities during the year. Tennessee's American Legion Boys State is held on the beautiful Tennessee Tech University campus in Cookeville. Check in time is on a Sunday and the final exercises will be held the following Saturday with a parade and inauguration of Boys State Governor. The average attendance is 620 Boys State Delegates. Each high school is authorized a quota based on their prior participation. Each spring, the counselors of each high school are made aware of upcoming American Legion Boys State. See website www.tnboysstate.org Tennessee Tech University awards a scholarship to the Boys State delegate elected American Legion Boys State Governor. Additionally, delegates who are descendents of a veteran can compete for a Department $1,000.00 Samsung scholarship and the Department Samsung winner further competes for one of several national $20,000.00 Samsung scholarships. The Department Chairman for Boys State is Judge John Maddux. Point of contact at Department headquarters is Debi Cole, (615) 391-5088, email tnleg2@bellsouth.net. Coleman B Hawkins
2012 The American Legion Boys State Governor
Cookeville High School, Cookeville, TN
 The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest: The main purpose of the National High School Oratorical Contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship. You are eligible to participate if you are a citizen and a lawful resident of Tennessee and are a bona fide student under the age of 20 years on the date of the National Oratorical Contest (National Oratorical Information) and are in grades 9 through 12 of a school in Tennessee. Detailed information is mailed to all schools by October 1st each year. The Department of Tennessee awards $6,000.00 in Oratorical scholarships each year. The state winner competes for another $18,000.00 at the national American Legion level. John Keys is the Department Oratorical Chairman. The Department point of contact is Darlene Burgess, (615) 391-5088, email tnleg3@bellsouth.net.
Nicholas William Lotz
2012 State Oratorical Winner
Independence High School, Franklin, TN
 The American Legion Junior ROTC Cadet of the Year (JROTC): Annually The American Legion, Department of Tennessee selects a JROTC Cadet of The Year. This award is officially titled "The American Legion Colonel Frederick B. Bowling, JROTC Cadet of the Year." Eligibility is limited to Tennessee JROTC cadets who have been awarded either The American Legion General Military Excellence, or The American Legion Scholastic Award Medals. Awarding of The American Legion Medals must come from an adopting American Legion Post. The JROTC Senior Instructor must provide the recommendation for the award. Information and recommendation forms are provided each JROTC Unit in Tennessee. The JROTC Cadet of the Year will receive a $3,000.00 scholarship from Department. The JROTC Department Chairman is LtCol William H. Enicks. Point of Department contact is Darlene Burgess, (615) 391-5088, email tnleg3@bellsouth.net.
Brandon T. Pippin
2012 Col. Fredrick B. Bowling
Soddy Daisy High School, Soddy Daisy, TN
The American Legion JROTC Cadet of the Year
 The American Legion Eagle Scout of The Year: The nominee must be a registered, active member of a Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team, or Venturing Crew chartered to an American Legion Post, Auxiliary Unit or Sons of The American Legion Squadron. Or, be a registered, active member of a duly chartered Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team, or Venturing Crew, and the son or grandson of a Legionnaire or Auxiliary member. Additionally must have received the Eagle Scout, be an active member of his religious institution and must have received the appropriate Boy Scout religious emblem, have demonstrated practical citizenship in church, school, Scouting, and community, have reached his 15th birthday and be enrolled in a Tennessee High School at the time of selection. Eagle Scouts still in high school who reached their 18th birthday during the nomination year remain eligible if otherwise qualified. Nomination forms are made available to all American Legion Post Commanders, Post Adjutants, and Eagle couts the first week in December. Being in the 2013 year an individual selected as The American Legion, Department of Tennessee Eagle Scout of The Year will receive a $3,0000.00 scholarship and will compete for $14,500.00 American Legion national scholastic scholarships. (National Eagle Scout Information)The American Legion, Department of Tennessee Eagle Scout Chairman is Rick Baur. The Department point of contact is Darlene Burgess, (615) 391-5088, email tnleg3@bellsouth.net.
Jonathan Z. Chapman, III
The American Legion 2012 Eagle Scout of the Year
Brett Smith, Post 281 Mount Juliet - $500 National Scholarship Awardee  
William Sain Senior Sportsmanship Award Austin Bryant Senior MVP   2012 Region 4 Runner-Up Senior Division 2012 State Champions.  
Junior MVPs #3 Ryan Helgren & #9 Cody Blackburn Junior Sportman's Award Payton Phillips 
Junior Division 2012 Runner Up Junior Division 2012 Champions The American Legion Baseball: The purpose and scope of American Legion Baseball is to inculcate in our American Youth a better understanding of an American way of life; to promote 100% Americanism; to instill in our Nations Youth a sincere desire to develop within themselves a feeling of Citizenship, sportsmanship, loyalty and team spirit; to aid in the improvement and development of the physical fitness of our country's youth; and, to build the Nations future through our youth.
The American Legion Baseball Code of Sportsmanship is: I will keep the rules, keep faith with my teammates, keep my temper, keep myself fit, keep a stout heart in defeat, keep my pride under in victory, keep a sound soul, a clean mind and a healthy body. The American Legion, Department of Tennessee has numerous teams across the state broken down into the Senior Division and B Team Division. There are strict rules of eligibility for players and zones. Within the State of Tennessee there are District, Division and State tournaments. The state champion will advance to a Regional and the winners of the Regional will play in The American Legion World Series. Several trophies are awarded within the Department including MVPs. National offers a $500.00 scholastic scholarship is awarded to one player based upon leadership, character, citizenship and financial need. The Department awards $500 scholarship to each MVP and Sportsmanship winner. NCAA regulations prohibit high school underclassmen from being selected, consequently the selected player must have graduated from high school or be a college freshman. Over 60% of major league baseball players actually played American Legion Baseball. American Legion teams are exposed to college and pro scouts, with many players being given college scholarship, or pro contracts. Public Relations Guide. The Department of Tennessee Baseball Chairman is David Alexander. Point of contact at Department Headquarters is Robbie Watson, (615) 391-5088, email tnleg1@bellsouth.net. _______________________________________________________________
The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports: The American Legion is a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program is a program of the National Americanism Commission. A gun safety, education, and marksmanship program that provides the basic elements of: Safety, Education, Enjoyment, and Competition. It's a three-part program that combines the Basic Marksmanship Course, Qualification Awards, and Air Rifle Competition. Participation in The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program can be of any gender, through the age of 18. Handicapped youth are encouraged to participate. An individual American Legion Post may sponsor and pay for a Junior Shooting Sports Program, or sign up as a sponsor to one of the numerous youth groups, for example: High School JROTC, school athletic departments, police athletic leagues, Boy Scout Councils, 4-H clubs, or SAL Squadrons. Any of the above may affiliate with The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program if sponsored by an American Legion Post. Competition is at local, state and national levels. (National Shooting Sports Information)r. Department point of contact is Darlene Burgess, (615) 391-5088, email tnleg3@bellsouth.net. |
