Congratulations to Ashdown High School 2021 Arkansas Girls State and Boys State Participants
Ashdown High School was well represented at Arkansas Girls State and Arkansas Boys State. Caylee Turner attended Girls State which was held virtually for all three days (May 30-June 1) in 2021 and Landon Wright and Ben Adkison also attended a virtual edition of Arkansas Boys State May 30- June 4.
The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is an educational program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary that provides for young women who have finished their junior year in high school, training in the fundamental aspects of citizenship and government. They believe that educating youth about the basic ideas and principles of government will help ensure the survival of our democracy. ALA Arkansas Girls State is a unique and exciting government-in-action learning program in which Auxiliary members guide young women to become knowledgeable stewards of freedom, democracy, and patriotic citizens. The program started in 1937 and is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States, according to their website. Caylee was elected Lieutenant Governor of Price City Nationalists.
According to the Boys State website, Boys State is an immersive program designed for high school juniors. Boys State seeks nominations of the “best and brightest male students entering their senior year; mature leaders in the classroom, on the field, and throughout the community who are ready to shape the future of our state.” “We had every hope of reconvening in-person for our 2021 program, but with so many uncertainties about COVID-19 yet facing our communities, this was the right decision to ensure that our prestigious program occurs in 2021,” Dr. Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State, said. “We are hopeful to be in-person for our 2022 program and to invite our alumni to visit us during that week.”
The week-long program has been in existence for over 80 years. During the week of Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real; they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week’s end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends – all with our guiding principle that “Democracy Depends on Me.”
According to Ben Adkison, “Boy’s State was a good experience to learn more about government and the process of elections.”
AHS Senior Landon Wright said, “Boys State was an amazing experience! Learning how the government works was a truly eye-opening experience. Due to Covid, we were unable to attend in person, yet they still had a very interactive and interesting course. I’ve met some lifelong friends during my time at Boys State. One of the best things was that I was able to express my views and have intelligent conversations with many who didn’t agree. During my time at Boys State I ran for three offices and succeeded in winning all three (City Councilman, County Party Secretary, and District Senator). I recommend and encourage anyone who has an interest in Boys State to pursue this path, it is completely worth it.”
