By Jacob Doerksen and Brandon Hurn
Staters Union
The Boys State organization is a flagship program of the American Legion Association, and the Boys State of Kansas has many former members of the military on staff as advisors.
Scott Bley, past executive director of Boys State and current Ceremonies Advisor, is one of the valuable veterans in the program.
Following high school, Bley went to Bethany College and got a degree in music education. After entering his own professional field, Bley expressed an interest in serving his country, and the Army Reserves offered him an opportunity to continue his career while training.
Bley enlisted in the army reserves in 2010, and completed his advanced training in 2012. He is currently a member of the Army Band in the 338 Army Reserve Unit in Ohio, his home state.
Bley said that when he found out that he could ” serve his country and still keep his job,” he jumped at the opportunity to joint the Reserves.
“When I look back on my professional life, I didn’t take the path that people might think is correct,” Bley said. “There is no right way, there is no wrong way, to go through life.”
Boys State has been a part of Bley’s life since 2000, when he was a delegate himself. Bley has proven over the years to be an invaluable resource to the Boys State of Kansas program, and has returned for 15 years to assist with the program; serving as a counselor, associate director, and a three year term as the executive director.]]>
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