Cole Gifford to represent Massachusetts at American Legion Boys Nation

Cole Gifford from Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School and 99 other incoming high school seniors representing 49 states and the District of Columbia at the 80th session of American Legion Boys Nation, 100 “senators” will learn from a hands-on approach how the U.S. Senate and the federal government function, July 17-24, 2026, at Marymount University, Arlington, Va.

The nearly 1.4-million-member American Legion, the nation's largest veteran's organization, conducts American Legion Boys Nation each year. Each state except Hawaii, and the District of Columbia, holds a Boys State program for young men before their senior year of high school. Two “senators” from each program are selected to represent their state at Boys Nation, where the senators elect a president, vice president, president pro tempore and secretary. Prominent past Boys Nation graduates include former President Bill Clinton, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and the late Sen. Joe Lieberman.

The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors similar programs with Girls State and Girls Nation.