Awards
Awards and Honors
Awards listed in the 2026 Citizen Handbook. Award winners are announced during Closing Ceremonies at the end of the week.
Handbook Awards
National honor
Boys Nation
Each year, two outstanding citizens from every Boys State are selected for an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for Boys Nation. The basis for selection is which boys will best represent Arizona Boys State.
City award
Capital City Award
Awarded to the most outstanding city. The capital city is designated the seat of government for the following year, and the returning Governor will be a counselor in the capital city in the next year.
Handbook criteria
- Number of candidates for office
- Number of elections won
- Participation in athletic events, the Boys State Band, the newspaper, and other extracurricular activities
- Participation on juries
Memorial award
Tony and Roger Upchurch Memorial Award
Awarded to the outstanding Mayor of Boys State.
Memorial award
Rueben C. Guerra Memorial Award
Awarded to the outstanding county official by Morgan McDermott Post 7, Tucson.
Memorial award
Lawrence T. Wren Memorial Award
Awarded to the outstanding judge by the State Bar of Arizona.
Memorial award
Arnold S. Gracia Memorial Award
Awarded to the outstanding attorney.
Memorial award
Dick Auguston Memorial Award
Awarded to the outstanding City Clerk.
Memorial award
Floyd Niewald Memorial Award
Presented to the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and the Chief Justice.
Memorial award
PDC Kay and Glenn Compton and Charles Compton Memorial Award
Awarded by the Compton family to an outstanding Boys Stater.
Memorial award
Wesley Bolin Memorial Award
Awarded to the outstanding legislator.
Scholarship
Hampton, Murph, Epstein Memorial Scholarship
Presented to an outstanding student who intends to pursue a military career.
Leadership award
Esprit de Corps Award
Awarded to the citizen exhibiting outstanding leadership by the Sons of The American Legion Detachment of Arizona.
Scholarship
Samsung American Legion Scholarship
One winner will receive a $1,250 state-level scholarship and then advance to a regional competition with the potential to receive up to $10,000 in additional scholarship funds. The recipient must be a direct descendant of a U.S. military veteran, and the application must be submitted prior to arrival at Boys State.
Essay award
Christopher Lapka Americanism Essay Award
Awarded by the Lapka family to the citizen writing the best Americanism essay.
Essay award
Boys State Impression Award
Awarded to the citizen writing the best essay on his impression of Boys State.
Other award
Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer Award
Awarded to the outstanding law enforcement officer.
Other award
Journalist Award
Awarded to the outstanding journalist on the Boys State Record.
Other award
Lobbyist Award
Awarded to the outstanding lobbyist.
Other award
Athletic Award
Awarded to the city winning the athletic competition by The American Legion.
Other award
Band Award
Awarded to all members of the Boys State Band by The American Legion.
Other award
Outstanding County Award
A rotating trophy awarded to the county judged most outstanding.