Boozman Honored for Support of Boys & Girls Club

Arkansas Senator, a Club Alumnus, Earns Champion for Youth Award and Celebrates Organization’s Impact

WASHINGTON—The Boys & Girls Club of America has recognized U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) as a recipient of its 2025 Champion of Youth Award for his work advocating legislation to combat childhood hunger and championing programs that provide meals to eligible American children at no cost to kids or their families.

Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Beth Presley presents Sen. John Boozman with the Boys & Girls Club of America 2025 Champion of Youth Award.

There are 5,400 Clubs across the nation, offering a second home to over 400,000 American children each day. Boozman, a product of the Jeffrey’s Boys Club in Fort Smith, reflected on its lasting impact through community involvement, nurturing good habits and friendships, and the opportunity to be connected to mentors.  

“As a former participant myself, I know firsthand how the organization can positively change lives by providing a safe, supportive and fun environment for kids and teens to grow and reach their full potential,” said Boozman. “The Boys & Girls Club also plays an important role in providing access to nutritious meals for children during the summer months, an initiative I have championed, and we are grateful for its partnership to address food insecurity. Being recognized for supporting its mission is truly a full-circle moment and an honor I deeply appreciate.”

Beth Presley, Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs CEO, alongside other Arkansan participants and leaders representing clubs in Fort Smith, Van Buren, El Dorado and statewide leadership, presented the award to Boozman at the organization’s 11th annual National Days of Advocacy event on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Boozman with Arkansas Boys & Girls Club leaders upon receiving the 2025 Champion of Youth Award.

“It was an incredible honor to present Senator John Boozman with the Boys & Girls Club Champion of Youth Award. As a distinguished alumnus of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club, Senator Boozman has never forgotten the impact of the Club on his own life, and he continues to be a tireless advocate for young people across Arkansas and the nation. His dedication to ensuring that all children have access to the opportunities, resources, and mentorship they need to succeed is truly inspiring. We are grateful for his unwavering support and proud to recognize him for his lifelong commitment to empowering the next generation,” said Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Beth Presley.

“As an alumnus of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs Club, Senator Boozman is a testament to the impact of Boys & Girls Clubs. Since entering public office, Senator Boozman has remained a strong supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs in Arkansas and the youth they serve. We are especially grateful for his work to prevent childhood hunger which has enabled Clubs in Arkansas and around the country to provide more meals and snacks to youth at no charge to their families. It is an honor to provide Senator Boozman with our 2025 Champion of Youth Award,” said Senior Vice President of Government Relations for Boys & Girls Clubs of America Missy Dugan.

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, Boozman has long advocated for increasing access to school and summer feeding programs. In recent years, Boozman successfully led passage of legislation modernizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) summer meals program and permanently allowing states flexibilities to reach more food-insecure children when school is out.

Boozman congratulates summer interns on service to Arkansas

WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the efforts of students who served Arkansans as interns in his Washington, D.C. and state offices this summer.

“These sharp and motivated students have been a great help to the people of Arkansas during their time in Washington. I appreciate their dedication to helping my staff address issues concerning Arkansans and providing vital services. They truly have taken advantage of the unique opportunities available to them in our nation’s capital,” Boozman said. 

Hadley Burke, Anna Kate Davis, Kate Edelen, Katie Gage, Buddy Gaston, Alex Holder, Camryn Hughes, Hunter Ross and Sydney Roulhac completed a five-week internship in Boozman’s Washington office. Constituent relations were their primary duty. Additionally, they assisted the legislative and communications teams with various aspects of their work. Each intern was also afforded the chance to shadow the senator, a unique opportunity giving them rare insight into the inner workings of the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Senator John Boozman pictured with Washington interns on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. 

Connor Ragan interned in the senator’s Lowell office where he supported state staff in outreach to Arkansans.

Hadley Burke is from Bentonville and graduated from Bentonville High School in 2021. She is a rising senior studying economics and political science at the University of Arkansas Honors College. Hadley serves on the Associated Student Government executive board and is a member of her sorority Chi Omega Psi. She studied abroad in London, Spain and the Galapagos Islands.

Anna Kate Davis is from Little Rock and graduated high school in 2021 from the Baptist Preparatory School. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas studying agricultural business with a pre-law emphasis and is pursuing minors in Spanish and legal studies. On campus, she is involved in the Agricultural Business Club, the Honors College, Bumpers College Peer Mentor Program, Greekwide Student Ministries and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Anna Kate plans to attend law school after her May 2025 graduation.   

Kate Edelen is from Chesterfield, Missouri and graduated from Marquette High School in 2021. She currently attends the University of Arkansas and is majoring in nursing with a general business minor. Kate is a member of the Student Nurses Association and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.

Katie Gage is from Charleston. She is a 2021 graduate of Charleston High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where she is studying finance and legal studies. She serves on the executive board of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta, and holds many leadership positions on campus. After graduating, Katie plans on attending law school. 

Buddy Gaston is from Little Rock where he graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School. He is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas where he is studying agricultural business with a marketing and management concentration. Upon graduation, Buddy plans to attend law school. 

Alex Holder is from Little Rock and graduated from Pulaski Academy. She is studying finance and accounting at Texas Christian University, with plans to attend law school after graduation. She is involved in leadership in the Neeley School of Business, Student Government Association and Alpha Delta Pi. 

Camryn Hughes is from Crossett and graduated from Hamburg High School in 2019. She is a May 2024 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. During her time in Fayetteville, she studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. She recently accepted a job as press assistant for Senator Tom Cotton in his Washington, D.C. office.

Connor Ragan is from Rogers. He is a 2022 graduate of Rogers High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where he is studying political science and criminology with a legal studies minor. He is an active member of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Nu and of the UA Order of Omega Chapter. After graduation, Connor plans to attend law school.

Hunter Ross, is from Greenbrier. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in May with a degree in business administration in business economics. He will return to Fayetteville in the fall to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Hunter is also a proud member of the Arkansas Air National Guard where he serves as a drill status intelligence analyst at the 188th Wing in Fort Smith.  

Sydney Roulhac is a native of Pine Bluff and a 2021 graduate of White Hall High School. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas where she is studying communication with a minor in marketing. On campus, she serves on the Associated Student Government Executive Council as the Student Body Secretary and is a member of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, Order of Omega and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. 

Learn more about internship opportunities in Boozman’s Washington and state offices here. 

Sanders Receives Outdoor Recreation Leadership Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders received the first ever “Outdoor Recreation Leadership” award at the Outdoor Recreation Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, May 7th.

“I’m honored to receive the Outdoor Recreation Leadership award and earn recognition for all the progress my administration has made on growing Arkansas’ outdoor economy,” said Governor Sanders. “Alongside my husband, Bryan, I created the Natural State Initiative to invest in state parks, grow outdoor entrepreneurship, get kids off screens and outside, and show Arkansas’ natural beauty to the world. I’m proud that work is admired on the national level and look forward to inviting even more Arkansans and visitors into our outdoor spaces and breaking tourism records year after year.”

Prior to receiving the award, Governor Sanders participated in a roundtable discussion on outdoor recreation with U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. Sanders’ spokeswoman, Alexa Henning, released the following readout of their conversation:

“Governor Sanders joined Senator Hickenlooper, Governor Burgum, and outdoor recreation leaders from around the country to discuss Arkansas’ progress on growing our outdoor economy. The Governor spoke about the Natural State Initiative, which she formed alongside her husband, Bryan, to unite public, private, and nonprofit leaders around growing Arkansas’ tourism industry and improving our natural spaces. She talked about the group’s legislative successes and how, as a nonpartisan issue, growing outdoor recreation is an opportunity to bring together leaders from around Arkansas and both sides of the aisle. She also talked about how important quality of life is for attracting newcomers to Arkansas and encouraging Arkansans to stay in the state, and how the outdoors offer an opportunity for kids to get off screens. The Governor mentioned that Arkansas, as a year-round outdoor destination, has the opportunity to compete with states like North Dakota and Colorado.”