Educating Youth About Civic Responsibility
May 22, 2015 08:11AM ● By Ty Gorton
Girls State Citizens 2015 (Left to Right): Lyndee Ledesma, Mallory Christensen, Sara Munzert, Paige Nelson, Kari Schott, Jessica Valletta, Wendy Packer. Not pictured: Sophie Will, Sara Senior, Baylie Draper, Bertita Vilchez.
For six days in June, Weber State University will host hundreds of girls selected for The Girls State program, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, to educate youth about civic responsibilities and the ins and outs of government processes.
The selected students have participated in mock trials, elections, music, sports and seminars with public officials. In addition, each girl ran for office on a city, county and state level, devoting their time to learning how government functions.
Girls State delegates selected two senators to represent them later this year at Girls State Nationals, held in Washington, D.C.
The 11 girls selected comprised a collective from Alta, American Fork, Hillcrest and Jordan High Schools; they were chosen by the Sandy American Legion Auxiliary, Post 77.
The representatives for each school are as follows:
Sara Senior and Mallory Christensen;Alta HighLyndee Ledesma, Paige Nelson, Jessica Valletta, Baylie Draper and Katherine “Sophie” Will; Corner CanyonWendy Packer and Sara Munzert;HillcrestKari Schott and Bertita Vilchez;Jordan High
Upon completion of the program, each girl has the opportunity to earn three semester hour credits in political science to use toward a university of their choice.
But more than that, they will gain a greater understanding of the democratic process and earn a deeper patriotism for their country.
