Texas Boy's State Interview
Example Q&A

Below is a structured set of interview questions that The American Legion Post can use when interviewing a candidate for The American Legion Texas Boys State program, and a separate set for the candidates parents.
The questions assess leadership potential, civic understanding, character, and alignment with the program's goals. You can adapt or extend them as needed.

Interview Questions for the Candidate

1. Tell us about yourself and what motivates you to participate in Boys State.
2. What do you consider your greatest strength, and what is an area you're actively working to improve?
3. Describe a time you faced a challenge or failure. How did you respond, and what did you learn?
4. How do you handle teacher, coach, or peer criticism or feedback?
5. How would your friends or teachers describe your leadership style?

Leadership & Civic Involvement

1. Can you provide an example of a leadership role you've held (school, community, extracurricular)?
    What was your approach and the outcome?
2. How do you plan to contribute to your Boys State team if selected?
3. What makes a good leader in a community or government context?
4. Describe a time you worked as a team to solve a problem.
    What was your role, and what was the result? How do you handle disagreements within a team or organization?

Knowledge of Government & Civics

1. What is one current event related to Texas or the United States government that you have followed recently, and why is it important to you?
2. Explain the difference between the local, state, and federal governments.
    How do these levels interact?
3. Why is it important for young people to be involved in civic processes?
4. If you could propose one civic improvement for your community, what would it be and how would you implement it?
5. How would you balance personal beliefs with public service responsibilities in a Boys State setting?

Problem-Solving & Ethics

1. How would you approach a controversial issue in a simulated government setting at Boys State?
2. What would you do if you observed unethical behavior by another participant or mentor?
3. Describe a time you had to make a difficult ethical decision. What factors did you consider?

Communication & Public Speaking

1. Tell us about a time you had to speak publicly. How did you prepare, and what was the outcome?
2. How do you ensure your communication is inclusive and respectful when discussing sensitive topics?
3. How would you persuade a peer to support a civic initiative without compromising your integrity?

Commitment & Fit

1. Why do you want to attend Boys State specifically, and what do you hope to gain from the experience?
2. How do you think participating in Boys State will influence your goals after high school?
3. What do you bring to a group that you believe will benefit the program?
4. If you notice a fellow participant being excluded in a social setting, how would you handle it?

Interview Questions for the Candidate's Parents

1. Understanding of the Program
2. Have you and your child discussed the Boys State experience? What aspects do you hope your child will gain?
3. What qualities do you think Boys State will help develop in your child?

Support & Expectations

1. How will you support your child during and after the program (logistics, time management, reflection)?
2. Are you concerned about your child's participation in a competitive or structured environment like Boys State?

Character & Preparation

1. How would you describe your child's character and values? Can you share examples?
2. How does your family approach community involvement or civic engagement?

Communication & Safety

1. What is your preferred method of communication with program staff (email, phone, text), and what level of updates would you expect?
2. Do you have any accessibility or safety considerations we should be aware of to ensure a positive experience for your child?

Post-Program Involvement

1. How do you plan to integrate or discuss the Boys State experience with yourfamily and community after the program ends?
2. Are you willing to participate in any post-program alum activities or feedback opportunities?

Quick Tips for Conducting the Interview

• Start with a warm, respectful tone to help the candidate and parents feel comfortable.
• Use open-ended and scenario-based questions to gauge thought processes, leadership, and ethical reasoning.
• Take notes on leadership potential, clarity of thought, community awareness, and communication skills.
• Ensure fairness and inclusivity; avoid questions that may be discriminatory or unrelated to the program goals.
• Provide the candidate with a brief overview of the program at the start, and allow time for them to ask questions at the end.

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Austin TX 78752
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