Kaden Newson Voted as Lieutenant Governor among 400 Boys invited to join Arkansas Boys State Week Long Leadership Program.
OSCEOLA· Kaden Newson (OHS Junior), 17, attended the week-long summer program for high school juniors sponsored by the American Legion, titled Arkansas Boys State. This program has taken place since 1940 with the goal of creating the next generation of leaders. More than 400 of the state's brightest young men attended Arkansas Boys State, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.
Each attendee is assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, Kayden and his peers administered from the ground-up principles of a mock government as if it were real: run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. This also included the state constitutional offices: governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, auditor, land commissioner, treasurer, and chief justice and associate justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court.
Kaden was one of 14 students elected to state office, where he won the party primary races for state office before advancing to the general election, where he defeated his opposing party's opponent.
Kayden says, " This is one of the best birthdays ever. God blessed me with brothers I thought I would never need. Leadership is action. I was the only guy from my county to make it to the final elections. I had to speak on behalf of them. I didn’t win; WE won state Lt. Governor. Without their support, it couldn’t have been done."
While attending the leadership program, Kayden also turned 17 while away from family and friends. However, he was joined by Osceola High School classmate Dionte Barbee, as both were selected in April to attend the 2023 class of Arkansas Boys State. "Last month, Kayden was able to graduate from ANC's Early College (Nucor Squared) program at only 16 years old and before becoming a senior in high school. I want him to keep striving for the best!" Says Kayden's Mom
The Osceola School District is not only proud of Kayden for his continued leadership but also for his commitment to excellence and teamwork.
The Assistant Superintendent of the Osceola School District says, "I'm very proud of Kaden! He is truly shining, thriving, and touching everyone he connects with in many entities!
This summer's 81st annual session ran May 29 through June 3 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
Se more of Kayden's Awards and scholarships from his Junior Year here:
- The East Initiative (winner of the EastCon23 Logo competition )
- 4-H Leadership Program (scholarship & award for best essay)
- Graduate of Arkansas Northeastern’s Nucor Diploma Squared Program
