Gov. girls
Summer is the essential point of the most loved activity, summer camp! This summer was no different, girls in Weston County attended the best week of their life, a civic education camp, Girls State. Girls State is a weeklong camp sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary, hosted at Laramie County Community College. This opportunity is offered for junior class students, who experience government in Wyoming, including running for positions on the city, county, state, and federal level. The week is packed with simulations of different legislative activities, debating bills, divisions of parties, party rallies and so much more. Each delegate decided which branch of the state to serve in: House of Representatives, Senate or the court system.
This opportunity affords students the opportunity to form friendships and bonds that last forever. This experience also provides students with many success paths, such as offering college credit, scholarships and even the opportunity to travel to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., for Girls Nation.
Girls State is planned to be the most-rewarding experience one could have in high school. Ten Weston County girls can attest to this claim, after experiencing firsthand the opportunities and magic that Girls State has to offer. The staff and local auxiliaries work tirelessly to set the delegates up for success on this week of legislative duties.
Now for the most important part of Girls State, the local success of your delegates. Newcastle sent six delegates: Yaquelin Munoz, Callie Christensen, Jaydenn Nelson, Kathyrn Huber, Preslee Fitzwater and Astrid Karr. Upton sent four delegates: Reece Reihemann, Holly Trandahl, Addison Gustaf and Kate Neubauer. Loads of success were sent these girls’ way. Many of the delegates won important city positions, such as mayor; some even went on to win important congressional positions, such as President pro tem of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and Senate Clerk. Even without holding elected positions, multiple delegates debated their bills all the way to the final day, where every delegate got to attend a mock legislative session in the respective chambers of the capital building. Weston County was extremely well represented by the delegates.
The final spotlight of Girls State was the intense process of running for Girls Nation. Girls Nation is the ultimate success ticket when it comes to a summer camp like this one, and it has a vigorous process each delegate must undergo. Any delegate can run; each delegate city must then vote for two delegates to represent them. The 12 then underwent a series of rapid fire questions, and required the delegates to be quick on their toes. The staff members in the crowd then selected the top six finalists to attend an interview with the Girls State staff. The final step in the interview process was for the staff to select two delegates to attend Girls Nation and represent Wyoming. Yaquelin Munoz, Kathryn Huber and Preslee Fitzwater all were voted to run for Girls Nation spots, this is a huge accomplishment. Huber and Fitzwater went on to further competition by being selected as two of the top six finalists. Unfortunately, the girls fell short of the two positions for Girls Nation, but held their heads high, as it was a big deal to make the finalist group.
If you see any of these ladies out in our community, just know Weston County is blessed with some young leaders passionate about government in all forms. These girls truly represent and symbolize what Girls State aims to infuse young people with: God and country! Encourage young ladies in your life to engage in this amazing opportunity; we need more young people in government.
Congratulations to the Girls in government. Weston County is blessed with the greatest leaders.