Juuso Young, a Senior at Port Allegany High School, attended Keystone Boys State (KBS) this summer as a delegate sponsored by the American Legion, Frank Burt Post 258 Port Allegany, PA. The 2024 Keystone Boys State was held at Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA. Young men who are Pennsylvania residents with outstanding qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty, and service to their school and community are selected to take part in this leadership experience. “The Keystone Boys State experience allowed me to apply and develop my leadership skills and I am thankful for the opportunity to attend provided by Charles Yaeger and the American Legion, Frank Burt Post 258.” Mr. Young said about the experience. 

Keystone Boys State (KBS) is a week-long leadership development program that uses a state government simulation to instill the principles of civic engagement, democracy, and patriotism in the students who attend. The American Legion organizes the experience and prepares participants to be better leaders by “learning-by-doing”. Participants are organized into “cities” in the simulated “51st State of Keystone,” where they’re required to respond to real-world challenges drawn from Pennsylvania and its cities. Participants run for elected state and local office and work together to develop solutions to the challenging political, social, and economic problems facing our state. 

During the week, Juuso Young was elected the mayor of his Keystone city and later in the week, he won the election to be a Governor candidate for his party. Mr. Young then won the Governor election and was elected to the highest office, the Office of Governor of the Keystone. The Pennsylvania Department of the American Legion and the Pennsylvania Detachment of the Sons of the American Legion have created several scholarships recognizing the most outstanding participants in KBS each year. Juuso Young was awarded a scholarship of $1,000 for being elected a Governor which he received in the Graduation Ceremony held at the end of the week. He was also invited to attend the 105th Annual Department Convention in Harrisburg where he received the Award for 2024 Keystone Boys State Governor. Juuso Young is the son of Andrew and Ink Young.