Little Rock, AR — The American Legion Department of Arkansas is pleased to announce the appointment of RetiredU.S. Army Colonel C.H. Overbay of northeast Arkansas to the American Legion Arkansas Boys State Commission.
The American Legion Department Executive Committee approved Overbay’s appointment to fill the remaining year of the commission term previously held by Richard Carvell.
Len Cotton, chairman of the American Legion Arkansas Boys State Commission, said Overbay’s experience and commitment to service will benefit the program.
“I appreciate C.H. volunteering his time to serve on the American Legion Arkansas Boys State Commission,” Cotton said. “He has an outstanding resume and will be an asset to our commission.”
Overbay is an alumnus of Arkansas Boys State and has remained connected to the program, including working closely with Carvell in support of the program’s outreach and mission, particularly supporting schools and students in northeast Arkansas. His family also has a strong connection to The American Legion’s youth programs, with each of his daughters having attended Arkansas Girls State.
“I’m extremely humbled to be appointed as a commissioner,” Overbay said. “I have been fortunate to remain connected to Arkansas Boys State while serving as the Director of Army Instruction for two school districts from 2001-2019. I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to this life-changing program.”
A retired Army colonel, Overbay previously served as a Director of Army Instruction in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. He is also an active member of The American Legion.
As a member of the commission, Overbay will help provide oversight and guidance for Arkansas Boys State as the program continues preparing young Arkansans for lives of civic engagement, leadership and service.
Arkansas Boys State is an immersive civics education and leadership program for rising high school seniors. Since 1940, the weeklong summer program has helped prepare generations of leaders from across Arkansas and beyond. Alumni include President Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former White House Chiefs of Staff Mack McLarty and Jack Watson Jr., U.S. Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton, and retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark.
During their week at Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned to a political party, city and county. They build and administer a mock government from the ground up by running for office, drafting and passing legislation, addressing municipal challenges and engaging their constituents. By the end of the week, delegates have experienced civic responsibility firsthand while building lasting friendships and memories—all under the program’s guiding principle, “Democracy Depends on Me.”
Learn more at arboysstate.org.