Hall of Fame

The American Legion California Boys & Girls State Hall of Fame

Established in 2010 under Chief Counselor Emeritus Joe Cenoz, the Hall of Fame originally honored alumni who progressed from California Boys State to Boys Nation and were elected Boys Nation President. In 2012 the eligibility was broadened into three categories:

  • Distinguished Alumni:Former delegates who have made major contributions to their communities or industries, with achievements that reflect lessons learned at Boys & Girls State.
  • Staff:Individuals recognized for exceptional service to the program, measured by years of service, program improvements, and leadership roles.
  • Posthumous:Honorees who are deceased but who, in life, were Distinguished Alumni, Staff, or otherwise made outstanding contributions to the program.

Each February, the Hall of Fame Selection Committee chooses honorees, and the membership affirms the selections. Up to one inductee per category is honored each year. The Distinguished Alumni inductee is presented at the Boys & Girls State Opening Program; Staff and Posthumous honorees are recognized at the Staff Appreciation Dinner before the session begins.

Beginning with the 2023 session, the program officially uses the name American Legion California Boys & Girls State Hall of Fame.

Jonathan Shapiro

Distinguished Alumni

Year Inducted: 2010
Delegate: 1980
Boys Nation President

Joseph Cenoz

Staff

Year Inducted: 2012
Staff: 1953 - 2016

Stanley Dunn

Staff / Alumni

Year Inducted: 2012
Staff: 1950 - 2011
Delegate: 1944

Gaddi H. Vasquez

Distinguished Alumni

Year Inducted: 2013
Delegate: 1972

John Perez

Distinguished Alumni

Year Inducted: 2013
Delegate: 1986

Barney LaRue

Staff

Year Inducted: 2013
Staff: 2004 - 2020

Richard Shick

Staff

Year Inducted: 2013
Staff: 1970 - 2021

Douglas Hopper, M.D.

Distinguished Alumni

Year Inducted: 2014

Timothy D. Aboudara, Sr.

Staff / Alumni

Year Inducted: 2014
Staff: 1975-2025
Delegate: 1972

Lee Haley, Sr.

Staff / Posthumous

Year Inducted: 2014
Staff: 1958 - 2005

Frank Baker

Staff / Posthumous

Year Inducted: 2015
Staff: 1955 - 2005

Barbara “Chic” Devault

Staff

Year Inducted: 2015
Staff: 1989 - 2017

Jeffrey Pash

Distinguished Alumni

Year Inducted: 2016
Delegate: 1972

Ron Rivera

Distinguished Alumni

Year Inducted: 2016
Delegate: 1979

Philo Chambers

Staff / Posthumous

Year Inducted: 2016
Staff: 1981

Mark Takano

Distinguished Alumni

Year Inducted: 2017
Delegate: 1977

James Alcorn

Distinguished Alumni

Staff / Alumni

Year Inducted: 2017
Staff: 1974 - 2020
Delegate: 1963

William Denson

Staff

Year Inducted: 2017
Staff: 1988 - current

Bud Lutz

Staff / Posthumous

Year Inducted: 2017
Staff: - 2003
Delegate: 1939

Vincent Shuttera

Distinguished Alumni

Year Inducted: 2018
Delegate: 1937

Richard Kearns

Staff

Year Inducted: 2018
Staff: 2006 - 2024

Jim Hurley

Staff / Posthumous

Year Inducted: 2018
Staff: 1994

Peter Sims

Distinguished Alumni

Year Inducted: 2019
Delegate: 1993

Gary Gummersheimer

Staff

Year Inducted: 2019
Staff: 1991 - 2021

Ryan Silver

Staff / Alumni

Year Inducted: 2019
Staff: 1997 - 2023
Delegate: 1996

Gerald Richards

Staff

Year Inducted: 2020
Staff: 1996 - 2023

Autrey "AJ" James

Staff

Year Inducted: 2025