A Glenbrook School student earned the highest elected office at this year’s Louisiana Boys State leadership program, representing the school among more than 200 high-achieving students from across the state.
Franklin Bridwell was elected governor during the weeklong Louisiana Boys State program held at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. Fellow Glenbrook student Brody Walker also attended the program.
Sponsored by the Louisiana Department of the American Legion, Louisiana Boys State is a leadership development program designed to provide young men with firsthand experience in government and public service. Participants, known as “Citizens,” learn about Louisiana’s political system through a simulated government while developing leadership skills and civic engagement. The program has operated in Louisiana for more than 80 years and has produced numerous business leaders, physicians, legislators, governors, and other public servants..
Head of School Johnna Jinks praised both students for representing the school.
“We were so excited to see that Franklin was elected Governor at Boys State this year,” Jinks said. “His dynamic personality obviously made an impact on the delegates who selected him for this honor. Franklin is very talented in the area of drama and also excels in both athletics and academics at Glenbrook. We are so proud of Franklin for his accomplishment and also of his classmate, Brody Walker, who attended Boys State as well. Glenbrook was well represented this year in both Girls and Boys State, and we hope this encourages future students to attend.”
Bridwell said the experience provided valuable insight into government while reinforcing the importance of leadership and civic participation.
“It was a great honor to be selected to represent Glenbrook at Boys State,” Bridwell said. “It taught me and 220 other high performing students the ins and outs of local and state government. While teaching leadership and unity it also taught many us about the importance of civic engagement. Since I want to study law in college, it was very interesting to me and everyone else like me. There is no other activity like it anywhere else.”
The American Legion, chartered by Congress in 1919, sponsors Boys State programs nationwide as part of its mission to mentor youth, promote patriotism, and encourage leadership and community service.