by Alex | 5 Jun 2025 | 2025, Top Stories, Judicial, Recent Posts
The Cornhusker Boys’ State Judicial Committees convened on Tuesday, June 3, to kick off the judicial process for this year’s program. Three committees gathered (two from each county and one state committee) to review candidates seeking appointments for District Judge and for the State Supreme Court. On Wednesday morning, finalists met with the Governor of Boys’ State for final selections. Final appointments are listed below.
2025 Cornhusker Boys’ State Final Judicial Appointments
Chief Justice
Josiah Bitker – Lincoln North Star High School, (Lincoln, NE) (Bataan)
Associate Justices – Yochum County
Matthew Wood – Millard North High School, (Omaha, NE) (Valley Forge)
Alden McKnight – Plattsmouth High School, (Plattsmouth, NE) (Valley Forge)
Brett Kalhoff – Exeter-Miligan High School, (Exeter, NE) (Gettysburg)
Associate Justices – LaCoursiere County
Finnian O. Hartman- Elkhorn High School, (Omaha, NE) (Manila Bay)
Blake Rodewald – McCook High School, (McCook, NE) (Bataan)
Roosevelt August Wilken – Millard South High School, (Omaha, NE) (Belleau Wood)
District Judges – Yochum County
Grant Kuta – Boone Central High School, (Albion, NE) (Bunker Hill)
Braden Sanders – Omaha Northwest High School, (Omaha, NE) (Valley Forge)
District Judges – LaCoursiere County
Mason Luke Hynes – Kearney Catholic High School, (Kearney, NE) (Alamo)
Vishwa Ravichandran – Millard North High School, (Omaha, NE) (Bataan)
The Judicial program resumed on Wednesday, June 4, as attorneys were assigned cases. County District Courts will hear five current United States Supreme Court cases.
by Tony | 5 Jun 2025 | 2025, Legislative
By Cale
On Wednesday, the 83rd Session of the Boys State Legislature began with the formation of committees and hearing on the over 100 bills submitted by the students. Committees organized, discussed the merits of the bill, and made recommendations for future amendments. The priority bills will soon be debated on the Legislature floor.
by Tony | 5 Jun 2025 | 2025, Legislative, Top Stories
By Cale
The 83rd Legislative Session of Cornhusker Boys State kicked off by all 49 Legislators being sworn in. They sprung into action by electing the Speaker of the Legislature, Clerk, Assistant Clerk, Chaplain & Sergant At Arms. Soon after they assigned committee spots – electing committee chairs & secretaries. These Legislators are dedicated to Boys State & look forward to delivering legislative success, for the betterment of the state!
by Eric | 3 Jun 2025 | 2025, Executive, Featured Stories, Recent Posts
Cornhusker Boys’ State has two fictitious political parties, the Nationalists and Federalists. Boys State is divided equally and randomly into each party. They start from scratch and debate the “planks” of their platform. The platform is a set of principles and policy priorities of the party. This process is entirely student-led, primarily by the peer-elected party chairman at their party’s convention.
by Eric | 12 Jun 2024 | 2024, Top Stories, Judicial
Tanner Barry (Center) of Louisville HS – Chief Justice of the Cornhusker Supreme Court
Tanner Barry of Louisville High School was appointed by Governor Anish Amin after Barry and other applicants were elevated by a delegate-led nominating committee. During the week-long camp, Barry and the approximately 50 other Boys State students in the Cornhusker Boys’ State court system attend specialized education and hold mock trials. The pinnacle of the experience is the Friday session at the Nebraska State Capitol, where the Cornhusker Supreme Court hears cases behind the bench in the Supreme Courtroom.
