Girls State increases students' interest in politics

Friday, Jun. 19, 2015

OGDEN — Kathryn Jones of Juan Diego Catholic High School and Anna Naranjo from Judge Memorial Catholic High School attended the 68th annual Girls State held this year at Weber State University June 1-6. 

Both girls said the event was a life-changing experience and they are now considering going into politics.

Girls State is a nonpartisan program that teaches girls who have just completed their junior year of high school about the government process. It is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

“From their experience at Girls State, we want the girls to know they are an important part of the government process and that women have the opportunity to share their voice by running for offices, said Merilee Wilson, American Legion Auxiliary director. “We want the girls to know that they do need to register to vote, their vote counts and to be a part of the political process. We also want the girls to understand how important it is to honor our military men and women for their service. We do patriotic presentations to teach the girls about the military services and the American Legion.” 

The flag-retiring ceremony at Girls State had special meaning for Jones, she said. “My grandfather was a veteran of World War II; he died in October,” she said. “It was hard for him to tell me about his experiences in the war but he would. I think about him every day.”

Naranjo is from the Mexican culture and learned “many new things about the American culture,” she said.  “The retiring of the flag brought us all together.” 

The American Legion Auxiliary wants the girls to find strength in being themselves so they help them to see women can support one another and that they can be who they are and be successful, said Wilson. 

The week-long camp is organized around the political process on the city, county and state levels, with local speakers talking about the levels of government.

“We try to get female speakers because we want the girls to see that these women have accomplished the same goals that the girls might have; sometimes the governor comes if he is available,” Wilson said.

A motivational speaker among the American Legion staff volunteers to talk to the girls to “show them they have value and that their opinion matters,” she added. 

Neither Jones nor Naranjo knew what to expect when they arrived at Girls State, they said. However, both girls said they made a lot of friends, learned teamwork and negotiation skills working within their groups, learned about the government process, were elected to offices in their cities and were impressed with the talk given by Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox. 

Jones liked hearing Cox speak from a male perspective about women, she said. “He had such a respect for women and he said women are the future and we can drastically shape the world,” Jones said. “That gave me confidence. I am an independent person and my dad inspires me to work hard; he went into business for himself and I have always had the same goal. Girls State allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and gave me courage to follow that dream.”

Cox’s speech resonated with Naranjo because he was very engaged and wanted to know what the girls thought, she said. “He encouraged us to get involved, and I found him motivating.” 

Naranjo also was impressed with the leadership skills she learned at Girls State, she said. “I learned how to make sure everybody’s voice was heard within our group; I also made a lot of speeches while I was running for office, telling them why I would be good and what I would bring to a position.”

Naranjo was elected to city secretary and also won state treasurer. She had to speak in front of all of the girls at Girls State to get elected for state treasurer. 

“If I would have had to do that the first day, I would have been overwhelmed, but by the last day I had made so many speeches, I felt prepared,” she said. “It was a fun and beautiful experience.”