by Eric | 9 Jun 2025 | Top Stories
Lucas Noll of Omaha’s Westside High School is the 2025 American Legion Cornhusker Boys’ State Governor! Governor Noll participated in a week-long campaign, competing in both the primary and general election debates. He will return to the Boys’ State camp staff in 2026 to serve as Governor. The runner-up for Governor is Rodney Tuttle Jr. of Papillion-LaVista South High School.
The American Legion Cornhusker Boys’ State program is a premier leadership and civics camp for rising high school seniors held at the University of Nebraska. It focuses on educating high school students about Nebraska government, leadership, and the responsibilities of citizenship. Participants form a model state and local government by electing officials at each level of government. Students also create a model legislature and judicial system. Through workshops and discussions, these newly elected representatives learn about governance, legislative processes, and community involvement, ultimately engaging in debates and policy-making to gain a deeper understanding of how government functions. In addition to civics simulations, students compete in a sports program and publish a daily newspaper. Cornhusker Boys’ State is an annual tradition in Nebraska, dating back to 1938. For more details, please visit https://cornhuskerboysstate.org
Lucas Noll of Westside High School (Omaha) elected 2025 Governor of Cornhusker Boys’ State
Rodney Tuttle Jr. (Papillion-LaVista High School) Runner-up for 2025 Governor of Cornhusker Boys’ State
2025 Governor, Lucas Noll, with Boys State Governor Traveling Trophy
Lucas Noll speaking at the primary caucus to a Boys’ State town.
by Eric | 9 Jun 2025 | 2025, Top Stories
The gallery below shows images of the primary campaign for Cornhusker Boys’ State Governor. These are the party caucuses and pre-primary debates where candidates share their message and try to build support for the upcoming primary election.
by Alex | 6 Jun 2025 | 2025, Top Stories, Judicial, Recent Posts
The 2025 Cornhusker Boys’ State judicial program reached its pinnacle on Friday, June 6, as the seven justices heard four cases that were elevated following the County District Court hearings on Thursday.
The four cases argued today were Mahmoud v. Taylor, Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, United States v. Skrmetti, and A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, Independent School District No. 279.
by Eric | 6 Jun 2025 | 2025, Top Stories
Secretary of State Bob Evnen discussed the historical importance of the institution of free and fair elections. In exploring the vital role of elections in upholding our democracy and empowering the next generation of leaders, he urged Staters to register to vote as soon as they turn 18.
Secretary of State Bob Evnen speaks to Cornhusker Boys’ State 2025
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.
