2026 Inauguration Program

TNALBS Logo - Decorative

Daily Schedule

All times are Central (CDT)

Sunday, May 24

FIRST DAY

Time Event
12:00 REGISTRATION (In delegate housing located in Capital Quad - Maddux / McCord Halls & Cooper / Dunn Halls)
1:30 GET ACQUAINTED TIME: Meet your fellow delegates and counselors, arrange your room, and dress in a Boys State America 250 t-shirt.
2:30 Boys State Band Members meet at HQ with instruments; introduction to Band Director at Bryan Fine Arts
4:00 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS BY CITIES: Counselors will direct delegates to their designated city meeting location. Organize athletic teams, begin selection of oratory contestants, and correct rosters.
4:50 Prepare for supper and city photographs. Delegates wear dark pants and Boys State America 250 T-shirts.
*5:00 FORMATION by cities in the Assembly Area located West of Boys State Headquarters (near STEM Center) and the State photograph
5:45 SUPPER AND CITY PHOTOGRAPHS
  • Alexander City provides a delegate to deliver the invocation and flag lowering, and to lead the way to the meal; this privilege and responsibility rotates in alphabetical order by city for each mealtime.
  • Alexander leads the way to supper, followed by Bradshaw, Cheek, Dornan, Drennon, and Hensley. Enter the RUC via the RUC Ground floor and proceed up the spiral staircase to the cafeteria.
  • Lahiere, Levi, Maddux, Mathis, Roberts, and Watson proceed in alphabetical order to Centennial Plaza for city photographs on the stage. Once the city photograph is complete, each city will enter the RUC Ground floor entrance to the cafeteria.
  • Alexander - Hensley will exit the cafeteria to Centennial Plaza immediately following supper and take city photographs. 
7:00

Delegates seated in Derryberry Auditorium

MEMORIAL SERVICE
  • Presiding: COL(R) Jim Reed, ALBS Chairman
  • Special Guest: Tennessee American Legion Department Chaplain Jon Shonebarger
7:20 Special Guest: Address - “Service, Sacrifice, Civic Duty”
  • Gubernatorial Candidate, State Representative Monty Fritts 
7:50

ORIENTATION ASSEMBLY

  • Presiding: Dr. Robert Owens, ALBS Director
  • Dr. Harry Ingle, Dean of Counselors, Amos Powers, Elections Director, Assistant Directors Dr. Patrick McClellan and LTC Ben Sweeney 
9:30 ORGANIZE DRILL AND CEREMONIES (formation area) Counselor in charge of city instruction
10:15 Lights out immediately. Remember, your room is your home—Be there!
  • Counselors submit the "Attendance Reporting Form" by 10:30 PM

Monday, May 25

SECOND DAY

Time Event
*6:50 FORMATION
7:00 BREAKFAST - Bradshaw City provides a delegate to say invocation, flag raising, and leads the way to the meal.
  • Bradshaw, Cheek, Dornan, Drennon, Hensley, and Lahiere proceed to breakfast, then return to their rooms to prepare for inspection.
  • Levi, Maddux, Mathis, Roberts, Watson, & Alexander prepare for the room inspection and then proceed to breakfast.
7:15 Levi, Maddux, Mathis, Roberts, Watson, & Alexander proceed to breakfast.
8:00 Seated in Derryberry Auditorium for keynote address - “SGT Ken” Weichert “Mental Resilience”.
8:25 CITY PARTY CAUCUSES:Jacksonians and Johnsonians of each city meet separately in locations specified by Senior and Junior Counselors to select each party's nominees for Mayor (1), Alderman (4), County Commissioners (2), and State Representatives (8). Candidates begin campaigning for city offices.
  • Counselors turn in the "City Party Caucus Form" by 9:45 AM today.
10:05 Move to Derryberry Auditorium for address by Secretary of State Tre Hargett
10:15 Address by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett – Elections and Other Responsibilities of the
Secretary of State
11:15 Address by Democratic Party Chair, Rachel Campbell
11:15 Address by Republican Party Chair, Scott Golden
11:50 LUNCH: Cheek City provides a delegate to say the invocation and lead the way to the meal. Cheek, Dornan, Drennon, Hensley, Lahiere, and Levi proceed to lunch first..
12:00 Maddux, Mathis, Roberts, Watson, Alexander, and Bradshaw are dismissed for lunch.
1:15 COUNTY PARTY CONVENTIONS (State Party Chairs observe)
COUNTY JACKSONIANS JOHNSONIANS
Ferrell Stonecipher 113 Stonecipher 126
Harper STEM Center 135 STEM Center 150
Hildebrand Lab Science Commons 1201 STEM Center 139
Markham Lab Science Commons 1207 Lab Science Commons 1211
  • See pages 20 and 21 for procedures and page 22 for offices to be filled. Candidates for county offices are nominated by County Party Conventions. Candidates begin campaigning for county offices.
  • Senior Counselors assigned to County Party Conventions submit the County Party Convention Form by 2:15 PM today.
2:45

STATE PARTY CAUCUSES: Select Chair; Vice-Chair; Sec.
State Party Chairs will address delegates

  • Jacksonians - Stonecipher 113
  • Johnsonians - Stonecipher 126
Senior Counselors assigned to State Party Caucuses submit State Party Caucus Forms by 3:45 PM today.
4:00 ATHLETICS / BAND PRACTICE (Band Room)
5:30 END ATHLETIC PERIOD
*5:50 FORMATION
6:00 SUPPER
  • SUPPER - Dornan City provides a delegate to say invocation and leads way to meal.
  • Senior Counselors Meeting/Tech Pride Room.
6:50 CONTINUE CAMPAIGNING FOR CITY AND COUNTY OFFICES
7:15 CITY AND COUNTY ELECTIONS - Vote by Cities
*7:30 FORMATION
7:45
  • Move to Derryberry Auditorium for TBD
8:45 LTC Ben Sweeney Presentation - Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps (SROTC)
10:15 Lights out.
  • Counselors submit "Attendance Reporting Form" by 10:30 PM.

Tuesday, May 26

THIRD DAY

Time Event
*6:50 FORMATION
7:00 BREAKFAST - Drennon City provides delegate to say invocation, flag raising, and leads way to meal.
  • Drennon, Hensley, Lahiere, Levi, Maddux, & Mathis cities proceed to breakfast, then return to rooms to prepare for inspection.
  • Roberts, Watson, Alexander, Bradshaw, Cheek, & Dornan prepare for room inspection.
7:30 Roberts, Watson, Alexander, Bradshaw, Cheek, & Dornan proceed to breakfast.
8:30 Proceed to Derryberry Hall Auditorium for an address by United States Senator Marsha Blackburn, Gubernatorial Candidate
9:10 STATE PARTY CAUCUSES
  • Jacksonians - Stonecipher 113
  • Johnsonians - Stonecipher 126
  • Party Chairman in charge. Candidates for state offices may make announcements.
  • Petitions containing signatures and ID numbers of at least 25 of the candidate's party members must be submitted to Headquarters by 1:00 today (see page 21).
10:10 CAMPAIGNING FOR STATE PRIMARIES
10:40 DELEGATES SEATED in Derryberry Auditorium
10:45 Discussion of Major Political Issues in Tennessee
  • Speaker Cameron Sexton, House Speaker
  • Dr. Adam Lowe, State Senator
  • Ryan Williams, State Representative
11:45 LUNCH - Hensley City provides a delegate to say invocation and leads way to meal.
12:45 CONTINUE CAMPAIGNING FOR STATE PRIMARIES
1:10 Delegates proceed to Derryberry Auditorium for address
1:15 Social Media & Online Behavior Program presented by District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway
2:00 PETITIONS FOR STATE PRIMARIES DUE IN HEADQUARTERS: No Exceptions! (party members 25 signatures with voter ID numbers; independents 300 signatures with voter ID numbers)
2:15 MOVE TO CLASSROOMS BY PARTY FOR SCALES Program Study
  • Jacksonians – STEM 150 – Guest facilitator: District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway
  • Johnsonians - Stonecipher 126 –Guest facilitator: District Public Defender Craig Fickling
4:00 ATHLETICS (2nd Round) / Band Practice
5:30 END ATHLETIC PERIOD
*5:50 FORMATION
6:00 SUPPER - Lahiere City provides a delegate to say the invocation and then leads the way to the meal. Sr. Counselors Meeting/RUC 246.
7:00 STATE PRIMARY ELECTIONS (Vote by Cities)
7:15 Move to Derryberry Auditorium for Deputy Commissioner Les Dolente, Leadership progression: Serving Tennesseans
8:00 TUG OF WAR (Walton Park)
10:15 Lights out. Counselors submit "Attendance Reporting Form" by 10:30 PM.

Wednesday, May 27

FOURTH DAY

Jacksonian Schedule

*6:50 FORMATION
7:00
  • BREAKFAST - Levi City provides a delegate to say invocation, flag raising, and leads the way to meal.
  • Jacksonian Party members proceed to breakfast first. After breakfast, Jacksonians proceed to Bryan Fine Arts Auditorium.
8:30 Jacksonians are seated in Bryan Fine Arts Auditorium for the SCALES Program with the Tennessee Supreme Court.
9:00 SCALES Program for Jacksonians
10:00 Jacksonians move to Pennebaker Room 128 for debriefing.
11:00 Jacksonians remain in Pennebaker Room 128 for the Tennessee Tech Presentation.
11:45 Jacksonians proceed to LUNCH

Johnsonian Schedule

*6:50 FORMATION
7:00
  • BREAKFAST - Levi City provides a delegate to say invocation, flag raising, and leads the way to meal.
  • Johnsonian party members then return to rooms to prepare for inspection.
7:30 Johnsonian party members proceed to breakfast.
9:00 Johnsonians are seated in Pennebaker Room 128 for the Tennessee Tech Presentation.
10:05 Johnsonians are seated in Bryan Fine Arts Auditorium for the SCALES Program with the Tennessee Supreme Court.
10:15 SCALES Program for Johnsonians
11:15 Johnsonians move to Prescott Room 215 for debriefing.
12:00 Johnsonians proceed to LUNCH

Normal Schedule Resumes

12:50 JACKSONIANS and JOHNSONIANS reunite with Cities and MOVE TO Bryan Fine Arts Auditorium
1:00 Coach Bobby Wilder – Tennessee Tech Football Coach – Leadership in Action
1:20 STATE ELECTION CAMPAIGNING
  • Introduction of State Office Nominees by State Party Chair.
  • Speeches by Nominees for Governor. Introductions 2 min., Speeches 8 min.
3:00 STATE GENERAL ELECTION - Bryan Fine Arts Auditorium
4:00 ATHLETICS (3rd Round) / Band Practice
5:30 END ATHLETIC PERIOD
*5:50 FORMATION
6:30 SUPPER - Maddux City
  • All members of the General Assembly will proceed to supper at 6:00 PM, then proceed to a “Bill Writing” presentation in Bryan Fine Arts Auditorium at 6:30 PM.
  • Sr. Counselors Meeting/RUC 246
    		•
    7:45 BE SEATED IN Bryan Fine Arts Auditorium
    Anighya Crocker Address – Leadership from a Boys State Governor and Boys Nation President
    8:15

    Move to the Marc L. Burnett Student Recreation & Fitness Center

    Marc Burnett Address

    JACKSONIAN/JOHNSONIAN ALL-STAR BASKETBALL GAME – Marc L. Burnett Student Recreation and Fitness Center (All Must Attend)
    10:15 Lights out.
    • Mayor & Guideon Practice.
    • Counselors submit "Attendance Reporting Form" by 10:30 PM.

    Thursday, May 28

    FIFTH DAY

    Time Event
    *6:50 FORMATION
    7:00 BREAKFAST - Mathis City provides delegate to say invocation, flag raising, and leads way to meal.
    • Roberts, Watson, Alexander, Bradshaw, Cheek, & Dornan cities proceed to breakfast, then return to rooms to prepare for inspection.
    • Drennon, Hensley, Lahiere, Levi, Maddux, & Mathis prepare for room inspection.
    7:30 Drennon, Hensley, Lahiere, Levi, Maddux, & Mathis proceed to breakfast
    8:30 MEET BY CITIES – Take Test & Prepare for Organizational Meetings
    9:20 DELEGATES PROCEED TO BRYAN FINE ARTS HALL FOR ADDRESS
    9:30 BG Steven Turner, Assistant Adjutant General - Army - Tennessee National Guard – Military Department Address
    10:00Organizational Meetings/Executive, Legislative, and Judicial bodies. Each citizen must attend one of the sessions. City and county officials attend city council and county court sessions, respectively..
    Organization Guest Leader Location
    Governor's Cabinet Commissioner Tommy Baker
    Commissioner David Salyers    		 Bryan Fine Arts Hall Auditorium
    State Senate Senator Jeff Yabro AI Engineering 244
    State House Rep. Ronnie Glynn / Rep Bob Freeman / Rep Mike Sparks AI Engineering 130
    State Courts AG Jonathan Skrmetti / Craig Fickling AI Engineering 249
    City Councils Mayor Laurin Wheaton with City of Cookeville Officials Pennebaker 128
    County Officials County Mayor Randy Porter & Mayor Robbie McCready Prescott 215
    11:45 LUNCH - Roberts City provides a delegate to say the invocation and lead the way to the meal in the RUC Multipurpose Room.
    1:15 The following Organizational Meetings reconvene.
    Organization Guest Leader Location
    State Senate Senator Jeff Yarbro AI Engineering 244
    State House Rep. Ronnie Glynn / Rep Bob Freeman / Rep Mike Sparks AI Engineering 130
    State Courts: Simulation & Chief Justice Election AG Jonathan Skrmetti / Craig Fickling Al Engineering 249
    3:00 ATHLETICS (4th Round) / BAND PRACTICE - Boys Nation nominee interviews (RUC room 224)
    4:30 END ATHLETIC PERIOD
    *5:15 FORMATION
    5:45 FORMAL DINNER - Watson City leads the way to meal to RUC Multipurpose Room for supper. Governor's Cabinet will proceed to Supper first. Keynote Speaker – Congressman John Rose, Tennessee Gubernatorial Candidate
    7:15 ORATORICAL CONTEST
    • See Page 4 for details.
    • Each contestant is allotted four minutes.
    7:45 Proceed to Bryan Fine Arts Auditorium for ORATORICAL CONTEST - See Page 4 for details. Each contestant is allotted four minutes.
    9:00 PARADE PRACTICE – ALL CITIES MEET IN THE FORMATION AREA
    10:15

    Lights out. Mayor & Guidon Practice

    • Counselors submit the "Attendance Reporting Form" by 10:30 PM.

    Friday, May 29

    SIXTH DAY (LAST DAY)

    Time Event
    *6:50 FORMATION FOR ALL
    7:00 BREAKFAST - Alexander City provides delegate to say invocation, flag raising, and leads way to meal..
    8:00 CLEAN UP AND PACK:
    • Look under the bed and in the closets.
    • Remove all trash from the room.
    • Fasten pillows, blankets, etc., to your luggage so that you will not forget any items.
    • Leave all luggage in your room until you are ready to depart from campus.
    8:45 CITY MEETING
    • Presentation of certificates and awards.
    • All Delegates wear their Boys State America 250 t-shirt and long dark pants.
    • Band members dismissed at 9:15 AM for practice in Memorial Gym
    *9:45 FORMATION
    10:00 PREPARE FOR PARADE
    10:30 INAUGURATION CEREMONY - Memorial Gym
    • Presiding: COL(R) Jim Reed, Boys State Chairman
    • Leading Candidate, National Commander ’26-‘27: Jay Bowen
    • Inauguration Speaker: Chad Graham, MOH Society Chairman
    • Boys Nation Delegates: COL(R) Jim Reed, Boys State Chairman
    • Presentation of Samsung Scholarship: Director Dr. Robert Owens
    • Presentation of a plaque to the Outgoing Governor:  COL(R) Jim Reed, Boys State Chairman
    • Results of City Competition: Dean of Counselors, Dr. Harry Ingle
    11:55 PROGRAM ENDS - HAVE A SAFE TRIP HOME

    **Whistles will sound at times indicated by an asterisk. ALL FORMATIONS will be by cities in the large parking lot West of Headquarters near the STEM CENTER unless otherwise stated. Roll Calls will be made at each formation..

    Delegate Resources

    TNALBS Blue Book 2026

    Oratorical Judging Rubric

    TNALBS Map

    TN Supreme Court SCALES Handbook

    Boys State Reading & Study Guide 2026

    State Party Caucus- 2 Minute Speeches Outline

    Party Nominee Presentations- 6 Minute Speeches Outline