Glenbrook Senior Franklin Bridwell was elected Governor of the great State of Louisiana at the 2026 Boys State program which took place at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond July 21-27.
Brody Walker, also a Senior at Glenbrook, was appointed an assistant District Attorney in the program that allows student “citizens” to create and run a functional government at the city, parish, and state levels.
Over 200 young men attended the week-long, hands-on leadership program sponsored by the Louisiana Department of the American Legion. At the conclusion of the Louisiana Boys State program this year, Bridwell was invited to attend Boys National, which includes only 100 young men from across the United States.
“It was a great honor to be selected to represent Glenbrook at Boys State,” Franklin said. “It taught me and 220 other high-performing students the ins and outs of local and state government. While demonstrating leadership and unity, it also taught many of us about the importance of civic engagement.”
“Since I want to study law in college, I found it very interesting. There is no other activity like it anywhere else,” said Franklin, who is interested in academics, drama, and athletics at Glenbrook.
When his counselor asked him if he was interested in attending Boys State, Brody Walker said “sign me up!” That’s not surprising, since his mom, Emily Hardaway Walker, was a “citizen” at Louisiana Girls State 30 years ago.
“Everyone is elected to a City, Parish or State position. I was an assistant District Attorney. But my friend, Franklin, was elected Governor,” Brody said proudly.
He was also a member of the House of Representatives. “We created Bills and got them passed and sent to the Senate,” he explained. “I got one passed by the House.”
What was Brody’s biggest take-away? “We all really have a voice…voting for officials…laws…Our voice matters. We ARE the voice.” Another take-away was leadership. “I was in the courtroom and had to be a facilitator. I can use that leadership skill in school and the community.”
Brody’s Senior year will be busy with Student Council (vice president), drum line, cross-country running and tennis. “I’m always busy, busy, busy,” he acknowledged.
During the week of Boys State, Brody (and probably Franklin) was busy, busy, busy making friends. “They assigned each of us to a parish, and that’s a lot of new friends. Some will be friends for life.”
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