Three students from Pope John and one from Elgin Public have earned the opportunity to attend Girls State later this year in Lincoln.
Jan Henn, president of American Legion Auxiliary Elgin Unit #229, announced the names of students chosen to attend, as well as alternates.
Pope John junior Kayce Kallhoff of Elgin, daughter of Brent and Susan Kallhoff has been selected as a delegate to Girls State. Selected as an alternate for Kallhoff was PJCC junior Breanna Bartak of Ewing, daughter of Gary and Mary Bartak.
A junior, Araceli Palmer will be attending from Elgin Public School.
Named as an alternate for Palmer was PJCC junior Faith Kinney of Petersburg. Faith is the daughter of Josh and Maria Kinney.
The trips are paid for by ALA #229 and the Elgin Community Club.
Girls State attendees, known as citizens, receive special instruction in parliamentary procedure and organize themselves into two mock political parties.
According to a press release from ALA, “the young women then campaign, hold rallies, debate, and ultimately vote to elect city, county and state officials. Once elected to office, delegates are sworn in and perform their prescribed duties. Attendees not elected to office are given appointments and visit the offices of those elected to share their viewpoints as citizens.”
Every spring, approximately 25,000 young women across the country are selected to attend Girls State programs in their respective states. This year it will be held June 2-8.
Girls State began as one and two-day sessions in the late 1930s. In 1939, Girls State was altered to make it a week-long government education program.
Cornhusker Girls State chairman is Ashlyn Wilkes.
