Twelve students learned more about government, made connections and gained leadership skills at Girls and Boys State this summer at Lindenwood University.
“When I was there I learned so much about government systems and how you can stand up for what you believe in. There were so many incredible guest speakers that truly inspired me,” senior Tatum Bohl said.
American Legion Boys State and Girls Auxiliary State are the top programs for teaching how the government works. They develop leadership skills and appreciation for the rights/responsibilities of citizenship. Those who attended were juniors Drake Murrell, Logan Gemes, Elijah Long, Joey Culbertson, Gabe Wassman, Jaxson Deckard, Madison Lawrence, Paige Collier, Marissa Ricke, Brooklyn Jackman, Tatum Bohl, and Heather Terry.
This year, Girls and Boys State was held at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri the week of June 22-29. A select few of Warsaw High School students were chosen by counselor Tyler Richardson to attend this event.
“Students have to have a good GPA, stay out of trouble, and be a student leader. Teachers vote on who gets to be nominated for Boys State, so building strong relationships with teachers and other students is important,” Richardson said.
Girls and Boys State involves getting to know new people, learning information, and getting to do educational activities. The students gained real life experiences with public service and democratic forms of government.
“At Girls State I was elected a senator in my city, I got to go to the Capitol in Jefferson City and pass bills on the floor. I will remember this forever as it was so much fun to speak on the bills and discuss the importance of them,” Bohl said.
“I would definitely choose to go to boys’ state again because I would like to redo things there differently now that I know how the process works,” senior Jaxson Deckard said.
The WHS students that attended this trip stated that they would recommend this opportunity to their other peers. Missouri Girls and Missouri Boys State events are some of the few youth leadership programs that are free for high school students.
“I would recommend going to Girls State because it’s a week of forming your own government and meeting other girls from other towns and cities in Missouri. Girls State also looks good on college applications when you go to apply,” senior Heather Terry said.
This program has benefited many students and helped with their knowledge of the government. It was the third summer of Lindenwood University hosting this event.
“I learned that politics are actually pretty interesting and they play a major role in our everyday lives,” Deckard said.
