For the first time in 22 years — and the first time ever for Alabama — two young men from the same state have captured the top two leadership positions at American Legion Boys Nation.

Luke Lawson and Nick Frazier, both high school seniors from Alabama, were elected President and Vice President, respectively, during the 2025 Boys Nation elections in Washington, D.C. The American Legion, which runs the program, said it’s the first time since 2003 that both seats have been filled by candidates from the same state, and the first time both winners have hailed from Alabama.

Boys Nation is a week-long civic education program run by The American Legion that brings together two representatives from each Boys State to Washington, D.C., where they simulate the workings of the U.S. Senate through debates, committee hearings, and mock legislation. Boys State, held at the state level, is a citizenship and leadership training program for high school juniors. There, participants learn the workings of state and local government by running their own simulated government and elections. The American Legion, the largest U.S. veterans organization with more than 1.6 million members, sponsors both programs to develop young leaders, foster civic engagement, and instill an appreciation of the responsibilities of citizenship.

The American Legion shared Lawson and Frazier’s experience in an article highlighting their historic win and the inspiring stories that brought them to Washington.

Lawson, who attends Headland High School and was sponsored by Bradley Keller Post 119 in Abbeville, shared how his experience at Alabama Boys State gave him the confidence to aim high.

“I saw the leadership that I exhibited at Boys State,” he said, according to the American Legion. “I came from a small, rural school in Alabama, and I was going up against people in Tuscaloosa, in Birmingham, in Huntsville. And I thought there’s no way … this is going to be possible. But I took the time to shake the hands, make the connections, talk to the people about what was personal to them. And then I talked to them about my life. And we ended up winning really big.”

“I’m the son of an immigrant and a high school dropout. And here I am in this position. It just speaks volumes about America. And so I took that, and I decided, ‘You know, I’m going to run for president.’”

“The strategy was getting to know those people, share their common interest, but not telling them too much policy-wise. Because … you’re not going to agree with every single thing that everybody has to say,” he said. “It speaks volumes that you have to be personable with people. You’ve got to go up to them and shake their hands, and make sure that the last thing you tell them is that you’re running for president. My goal in this was just to seem as humble about it as possible. Charismatic, but at the same time knowing what my values are and telling those to people. And making running for president the last thing you bring up in the conversation.”

“My grandfather is a member of The American Legion,” he said. “He’s a Korean War veteran. He goes to his meetings. You often see it’s the older generation that is telling my generation like they say in Alabama – ‘that boy ain’t right.’ But the fact that these Legionnaires, these veterans are putting on this for us, ignoring what you hear in the media … and just having faith in our generation is something that I’m forever grateful for.”

“I advocate for my generation a lot. There’s a lot that we fall short on, but there’s a lot that’s misunderstood. And I think The American Legion is seeing that misunderstanding. And they’re seeing that they can be a beacon for us, and we can be a beacon for the future of our country.”

For Frazier, a Stanhope Elmore High School senior sponsored by Post 133 in Millbrook, the journey to vice president was also one of self-belief. Legally blind, he described how he initially second-guessed himself but ultimately committed fully to the experience.

“I decided I wanted to leave it all on the line. Go big or go home,” he said. “At Alabama Boys State, I wanted to run for governor. I second-guessed myself because of the amount of people running. And then I decided to run for lieutenant governor, and I got elected into that position.”

“Ultimately … I really don’t believe in campaigns,” said Frazier. “I believe in the truth, and that’s what I came here to do: speak my truth, speak my character as a person. And if it landed me in this position, which it did, then it was meant to be.”

“I am a very faithful person. I believe that God put me here for a reason. Ultimately, not coming here with a campaign and just coming here wanting to speak the truth is what set me apart from other people. I didn’t just go up to them and ask them for their vote. I built connections with them. And then later on … when we got close to the primaries, I started to campaign a little harder for my position.”

“The takeaway is it’s the week that shapes a lifetime in friendship,” he said. “It’s the one word that needs to end that sentence, because ultimately, when you leave here at the end of this week, you’re going to keep in contact with a majority of these guys. These great guys are going to do something in our future.”

One of the most touching moments of the week came when Frazier’s service dog, Morgan, was voted in as his chief of staff by unanimous consent — a moment that brought laughter and cheers from his fellow senators and underscored the camaraderie the program fosters.

As the two Alabama boys prepared to be inaugurated, they left an indelible impression on their peers — and a proud moment for their home state.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].