O'Gormans Tynan Elected 2025 South Dakota Boys State Governor As Rhoden Visits | Aberdeen Insider

Brody Tynan was elected governor of 2025 South Dakota Legion Boys State. 

Tynan, who is a senior-to-be at O’Gorman High School in Sioux Falls, said he doesn’t have a clear plan for what he’ll do after high school, but he’s considered going into the medical field. Attending a military academy is another possible option, he said.

Discipline is of high importance to Tynan.

“I think that this discipline is something that is very important to my life. Discipline is something that every man needs to have. You need to be busy, and that’s what I need in my life. Boys State instills that in you,” he said after the governor’s banquet the evening of Thursday, June 5 in the Kessler’s Champions Room at the Barnett Center.

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Tynan said his sister was elected Supreme Court chief justice when she attended South Dakota Girls State.

He said it was a busy and sometimes stressful week, but he was happy to connect with fellow Boys Staters, especially those from smaller towns and reservations because they have different backgrounds.

Rhoden speaks to Boys Staters

Students at Boys State had the opportunity to see and meet South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden. Rhoden, a Republican, was the night’s keynote speaker during the governor’s banquet.

After dinner, Rhoden gave an address to students, telling them to take as many opportunities as they can. 

He said he never thought about being the state’s top elected official. Rhoden recalls growing up on a farm in western South Dakota and other experiences that lead to where he is today.

After high school, Rhoden served in the South Dakota National Guard. He was first elected to the Legislature in 2000.

The governor fielded questions and shared insight into what it was like moving into the role of governor and his experience thus far. He served as lieutenant governor under then-Gov. Kristi Noem from 2018 until her move to the Department of Homeland security in January.

“A lot of the issues that she brought up were near and dear to me. So, it was very much an honor to work alongside her, but I do have a different approach on a lot of things. Doesn’t mean that what she was doing was wrong or what I’m doing is right, just a different approach.” Rhoden said. 

Boys State is open to high school juniors and seniors, with around 130 attendees this year.

The program, which is sponsored by the American Legion, is an experiment in government and civics. Attendees are randomly assigned to a city and one of two fictional political parties. They run for elected office throughout the week with the culmination being the election of the governor of South Dakota Boys State.