Three high school students from East Linn county recently reflected on their experiences last summer at the annually American Legion Auxiliary Girls State.
They were sponsored by Timber City Unit 133.
Local participants included Emily Conant, daughter of Denny and Molly Conant of student at East Linn Christian Academy; Annamarie Hufford Wilson, daughter of Marvin and Jan Hufford Wilson and Shanna Reagan, daughter of Sonja Reagan, all of Sweet Home.
The 50-year old program’s goals include developing leadership and pride in American citizens, educating citizens about our system of government, instilling a greater understanding of American tradition and stimulating a desire to maintain our democratic government process.
“Girls State was a wonderful experience for me,” said Emily Conant. “This gave me the opportunity to grow in my knowledge of the government, to meet other young ladies that wanted to make a difference in this world and to challenge myself in the process of government action.”
Conant added that it was “exciting for me to look across more than 300 girls during the assemblies and know that there were high schools being represented across the State of Oregon.”
She appreciated the support of Timber City Unit 133.
“There are young ladies in this generation that will make a difference if they see their goals, take them, and pursue them until they are completed. We are to do everything in life with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. If we do this we will accomplish the impossible,” Conant said.
Annamarie Hufford Wilson said, “Girls State was an exceptional experience for me. When I first got there, I thought it would just be another activity but it changed me for life. It opened parts of my mind that I didn’t know I had. The experience broke me out of my social shell and exposed me to fabulous girls from all over the state.”
She added, “Because of Girls State, I expanded my personality and feel now that I am better able to handle any obstacle or challenge that life can throw at me.”
Shanna Reagan said she learned much about our system of selecting government officials. She was also pleased to associate with girls with a broad range of grade point averages. She said it was fun to learn more about herself and about others with whom she shared the week at Willamette University in Salem.