MADISON – Cameron Cummings, a senior at Bob Jones High School, represented Alabama at Boys Nation in Washington D.C. He was successful in his bid for a Senate seat and in his campaign for Vice President.

Boys Nation is an annual program American Legion that includes civic training, leadership development and a focus on Americanism.

All delegates at Boys Nation first participated in Boys State, sponsored by American Legion. Cummings attended Boys State held at the University of Alabama. At the Alabama conference, Cummings earned a slot as Senator and thus qualified to attend Boys Nation on July 23-30.

In the race for Vice President, Cummings defeated Aiden Sanders, also from Alabama. Both vice presidential candidates represented the ‘state’ of Michigan at Boys Nation.

At Boys Nation, each state had two representatives. These young leaders studied the structure and function of federal government. (legion.org/boysnation)

Originally called Boys Forum of National Government, Boys Nation first convened at American University in Washington D.C. in August 1946, and the American Legion National Convention that year adopted the event as an official youth activity.

Boys Nation lawmakers caucus at the beginning of the session, then organize into committees and conduct hearings on bills submitted by program delegates. Senators learn procedures for handling bills, according to U.S. Senate rules.

Numerous graduates of Boys Nation have been elected to public office, including presidents, U.S. Congressmen, state governors and state legislators.

Cummings and his fellow delegates to Boys Nation convened at Marymount University in Arlington, Va. for orientation, assemblies, party conventions and senate sessions. The boys toured the National Mall, including the World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Wall and Korean War Memorial, along with Smithsonian Museum of American History. At Arlington National Cemetery, delegates presented a wreath at the Tomb of Unknowns.

At Bob Jones, Cummings serves as President of the Student Government Association and founded a new organization, the Cyber Security Honor Society. He helped Bob Jones cybersecurity program qualify as the first American high school to earn sanctions from Order of Sword & Shield National Honor Society (Omicron Sigma Sigma).

In addition, Cummings participates in cross country, Cyber Patriots, JROTC, National Honor Society, Key Club and Junior Citizens. He is president of Huntsville Kappa League and a church youth leader and trainer. Cummings is an intern at CyberProtex, a local cybersecurity company. He enjoys playing golf and bowling.

Cummings hopes to pursue a career in cyber security.