Bishop Emeritus Thomas Skrenes receives his 50th Anniversary Award for serving on the staff of the Wisconsin American Legion Badger Boys State program, where he serves as the First Assistant Director. In the photo, From left are Robert Batty, Chairman of the Board of Badger Boys State, Bishop Emeritus Thomas Skrenes, and Bill Cosh, Director of Badger Boys State. Badger Boys State is a youth leadership program of the Wisconsin American Legion. Badger Boys State educates young leaders on how to become more impactful community members of Wisconsin. During the program, high school students between their junior and senior years learn how our government system works by creating their own city, county, and state level governments. (Photo courtesy of Bill Cosh)

Excerpts from

The Wisconsin American Legion

Notes from Badger Boys State

The 2023 session of Badger Boys State was the 80th incarnation of the program in Wisconsin.

The Rev. Tom Skrenes, who retired from his role as Bishop Reverend of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 2017, has been there for 50 of those sessions.

The American Legion, Wisconsin website describes the program as “designed to teach boys that the American form of government is stronger and more vital in today’s world of struggle than ever before.”

Skrenes, who himself attended Badger Boys State in 1971 then returned the following year as a staff member. said the only two sessions he missed were for the birth of his children.

He noted that “it’s been a great run.”

The sessions consist of boys who are grouped into cities and counties upon arrival at the University of Wisconsin, which will form a “51st state.” For eight days the citizens of the “new state” will carry out all the primary functions of city, county, and state government using the basic laws and fundamental procedures of the State of Wisconsin as a guide. The boys themselves elect their own municipal, county and state officials.

So what keeps Skrenes coming back?

“First is the enthusiasm and the optimism of the citizens and the enjoyment of seeing kids mature and grow into men, and also the warm and very excellent relationship that we have as staff,” he said. “The counselors are just excellent people from all walks of life and it’s fun to be with these young men as they grow. I’ve known some of them for 10, 20, 30, 40 years and more.”

He nodded toward Gary Saunders, another staff member whose father, Jack, had been Skrenes’ county counselor in 1971 and invited him onto the staff. “I’ve known Gary (Saunders) for 50 years. … Lifelong friendships, and just great opportunities to bond as human beings and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a great friendship we’ve developed here.”

Skrenes said the appreciation of the students turns out to be “a great payday” for the staff.

“The thanks of these young men on the last day, who are thrilled to have been a part of this program, is something you carry with you for the whole year. So we are appreciated very much by these young men. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be with these kids who learn and grow and enjoy their time,” Skrenes said

“You feel, even when you’re 68 years old, you feel 25 for a week, so what’s wrong with that?”

A video highlighting Skrene’s service is available at youtube.com/watch?v=MFNuz19olew. More information on the Badger Boys program is available at www.legion.org/boysnation/259288/notes-badger-boys-state