2 from Clark County elected to leadership roles at Arkansas Boys State

LITTLE ROCK — Two high school juniors from Clark County were elected to leadership positions while attending Arkansas Boys State in 2026.

Kaleb Cook, a student at Gurdon High School, was elected by fellow delegates to serve as City Council Position One for Lovell City. Spencer Seel, a student at Arkadelphia High School, was elected by fellow delegates to serve as Justice of the Peace for Hanner County.

The election took place during the 85th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, held May 24-29 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. The American Legion-sponsored program gives high school juniors the opportunity to experience democracy, leadership and public service through a hands-on model of local and state government.

As City Council Position One, Cook will help lead Lovell City, one of the 16 student-led cities that make up the Arkansas Boys State government simulation. Delegates at Arkansas Boys State are assigned to cities, counties and political parties, then work together to build a functioning model government from the ground up. Through elections, debate, public service projects and daily decision-making, students experience the responsibilities of democratic citizenship firsthand.

Cook’s role will place him at the center of local government during the week. City officials at Arkansas Boys State are responsible for helping their communities organize, respond to challenges, represent constituents and create a strong civic identity among delegates who live, work and compete together throughout the session.

As Justice of the Peace, Seel will help represent and serve the citizens of Hanner County. County officials guide their fellow delegates through the program’s simulations, discussions and civic responsibilities while building a sense of shared purpose and pride among the students in their county. Throughout the week, Seel will also participate in political party rallies, attend Schools of Instruction, engage in leadership and policy discussions, hear from public officials and civic leaders, and take part in activities designed to strengthen communication, teamwork and responsible citizenship.

Throughout the week, both Cook and Seel will participate in political party rallies, attend Schools of Instruction, take part in leadership discussions, hear from civic and public officials, and participate in recreational and community-building activities with delegates from across Arkansas.

“City leadership is where many delegates first discover that public service is personal,” said Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State. “When a student is elected by his peers, he is being trusted to listen, communicate clearly and help move his community forward. That is exactly the kind of leadership Arkansas Boys State is designed to develop.”

County government also plays a central role in the Arkansas Boys State experience. “County office gives students a meaningful opportunity to lead beyond themselves,” said Jackson. “The county is one of the places where delegates build their closest connections, learn to work across differences and begin to understand how leadership affects an entire community.”

The Arkansas Boys State experience culminates with Capitol Day, when delegates travel to the Arkansas State Capitol and continue their civic learning in one of the state’s most important public spaces. For elected county officials like Seel, the week provides a direct look at how local leadership connects to broader public service.

Arkansas Boys State’s guiding theme is “Democracy Depends on Me.” For Cook, being elected as City Council Position One offers a hands-on opportunity to practice that principle by serving others, leading peers and helping shape the experience of Arkansas Boys State delegates throughout the week. Through his election as Justice of the Peace, Seel will have the opportunity to put that theme into action by representing peers, serving his county and helping build a stronger Arkansas Boys State community.

Since 1940, Arkansas Boys State has helped prepare more than 60,000 alumni for lives of citizenship, public service and leadership. More information about Arkansas Boys State is available at arboysstate.org.