Arkansas Student Elected President of American Legion Boys Nation

Ray, who represented the Nationalist Party, captured the majority of votes from his peers to defeat Federalist candidate Lincoln Haussler of Nebraska in Tuesday night's election. Sponsored by the Shelton Tucker Craft American Legion Post 27, he holds the distinction of being the first student from Arkansas to lead the program in its history. The election marks a pivotal moment in the 2026 session, where participants spend their time in Arlington, Virginia, drafting legislation and engaging in Senate proceedings.

Alongside Ray, the student body elected Krish Korrapati of Mooresville, North Carolina, as vice president. Brady Pace of Villa Rica, Georgia, will serve as president pro tempore, while John Alley Jr. of Bountiful, Utah, takes on the role of secretary of the senate. Throughout the remainder of the week, these young leaders will continue to meet with professional congressional staff and visit regional landmarks, concluding a program designed to provide hands-on experience in the mechanics of American governance.