2013 Mississippi Boys State officers elected

Contact: Margaret Kovar

MSU Vice President for Campus Operations Amy Tuck, left, the former lieutenant governor of Mississippi, administered the oath of officers to the elected officials of the state of Magnolia on Wednesday night in Lee Hall at MSU. The officials... will serve as the "Big 8" statewide elected officials of Mississippi American Legion Boys State. Shown taking the oath were: Gov. Malik Pridgeon; Lt. Gov. Chauncey Mullins; Sec. of State Hayden Boutwell; Attorney General Brad Hudson; State Auditor Seth Dickinson; State Treasurer Garrett Scott; Insurance Commissioner James Valentine; and Agriculture Commissioner Joshua Holtcamp. Tuck led the MSU Boys State Host Planning Committee.
MSU Vice President for Campus Operations Amy Tuck, left, the former lieutenant governor of Mississippi, administered the oath of officers to the elected officials of the state of Magnolia on Wednesday night in Lee Hall at MSU. The officials... will serve as the "Big 8" statewide elected officials of Mississippi American Legion Boys State. Shown taking the oath were: Gov. Malik Pridgeon; Lt. Gov. Chauncey Mullins; Sec. of State Hayden Boutwell; Attorney General Brad Hudson; State Auditor Seth Dickinson; State Treasurer Garrett Scott; Insurance Commissioner James Valentine; and Agriculture Commissioner Joshua Holtcamp. Tuck led the MSU Boys State Host Planning Committee.
Photo by: Sid Salter

Elected officials for the 2013 Boys State program are governing as the week of leadership training continues at Mississippi State University.

Winning candidates were sworn in during a Wednesday [May 29] session by MSU Vice President for Campus Operations Amy Tuck, former lieutenant governor of Mississippi.

During Boys State, more than 380 delegates learn how state and local government and elections work by campaigning for one of the many offices on the state, county, or municipal level. They then actually do the work of their real-world counterparts, such as create bills in their legislature and economic development projects in their city.

This practical experience allows the delegates to leave Boys State with a real-world understanding of democracy, from campaigning for office to the many dynamics of state and local government.

The 2013 officers are:

Governor: Malik Pridgeon, the son of Manita and Leroy Pridgeon of Horn Lake.

Lieutenant Governor: Chauncey Mullins, the son of Tammy Mullins Renick of Tupelo.

Secretary of State: Hayden Boutwell, the son of Linda and Wesley Boutwell of Hattiesburg.

Attorney General: Brad Hudson, the son of Carla and Bee Hudson of Madison.

State Auditor: Seth Dickinson, the son of Teresa and Chris Dickinson of Mantachie.

State Treasurer: Garrett Scott, the son of Robyn and Dale Gibson of Tupelo.

Commissioner of Insurance: James Valentine, the son of Alesia and Brett Valentine of Hattiesburg.

Commissioner of Agriculture: Joshua Holtcamp, the son of Susan and Andy Holtcamp of Crawford.

The university is serving through 2015 as host campus for the Mississippi American Legion Boys State. The program is considered the nation's premier program for teaching how government works while developing leadership skills and appreciation for the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Participants also hear from and ask questions of legislators, compete in sports, and display their talents in a talent show, as well as have the opportunity to win scholarships.

For more information about Boys State, visit www.msboysstate.com. For more information about Mississippi State University, see www.msstate.edu.