As a sponsored program of the Louisiana Department of the American Legion, LABS is overseen by the Boys State Commission. Each member of the Commission represents one of the American Legion Districts in the state. Mrs. Tina Cielatka (American Legion Fifth District) serves as Commission Chair and is assisted in organizing and operating the Boys State program by a dedicated group of Program Staff Members and Counselors.
The Program Staff is composed of working professionals who volunteer year-round to plan for each annual session. With between eight and fifteen years experiences with the program, each is a former Louisiana Boys State Citizen who has previously served over the years as a Counselor (Junior, Parish, and/or Senior) or Staff Adjunct. They represent a variety professions including working in local and state government, secondary and higher education, engineering, and more.
The core work of the program during the week is carried out by a cast of Counselors and Staff Adjuncts. Junior Counselors (1-2 per city), Parish Counselors (1 per parish/2 cities), and Staff Adjuncts are typically college students chosen from the ranks of the best-of-the-best Louisiana Boys State Citizens of prior years. JCs and PCs form the backbone of one-on-one leadership mentoring of Citizens during the program. Seniors Counselors are typically upper-level college students or young professionals that have been with the program for several years, previously serving as a JC, PC, and/or SA. Each SC administers one of the academic tracks (City Government, Parish Government, School Board, Courts, Legislature, or Press) or another programmatic function of Boys State.
Boys State Staff and Counselors are also assisted year-in and year-out by members of the American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion who offer assistance as needed and also serve as Academic Judges during the Capitol Program at the end of the week.
