CONWAY, Ark. – Magazine High School’s Brock Gentry was elected as Justice of the Peace for Cotton County at Arkansas Boys State 2023, a summer leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.
Gentry was elected by his peers during county elections on Monday (May 29) as part of the 82nd annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different mock counties each with their own county judge, vice county judge, county sheriff, and justices of the peace.
"Counties are the primary municipal structures at Arkansas Boys State - and they're what students identify with and rally around at the program - and will inevitably share with fellow alumni in years to come," said David Saterfield, director of instruction for Arkansas Boys State. "From here, Brock will represent the citizens in his county as they develop, navigate and advocate solutions to complex simulations and county problems throughout the week."
Gentry is one of more than 470 students from throughout the state attending Arkansas Boys State at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Students are mock citizens in eight different counties, sixteen cities, and two political parties.
"Being elected to county office is such a remarkable honor for Brock because the counties are the cornerstone of the student identity at Arkansas Boys State," said David Saterfield, director of instruction for the program.
City elections were also held on Monday at Arkansas Boys State. On Tuesday, students will run for the House of Representatives and Senate and begin campaigning for statewide office.