Article Image Alt Text

LCC student enjoyed chance to learn about Neb. government

COLERIDGE – Delaney Hall spent a week of her summer vacation in Nebraska’s capital city learning the ins and outs of American government at the local, county and state levels.

The Laurel-Concord-Coleridge junior from Coleridge was selected by Coleridge American Legion Auxiliary Unit 114 as its representative to go to Cornhusker Girls State. Her alternate was fellow LCC junior Paige Cook of Coleridge.

The 2022 Cornhusker Girls State program – for Nebraska girls who are finishing up their junior year of high school – took place June 5-11 on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s main campus.

“I decided to go because everybody told me it was a great opportunity for me,” Hall said. “I feel extremely honored to have the ability to come to Girls State.” She noted she was nervous at first

She noted she was nervous at first about attending the government education program, but after getting involved in its activities, she had a “great” experience. “It is nothing I expected it to be,” Hall

“It is nothing I expected it to be,” Hall said. “I enjoyed my time learning new things about our government and meeting all these new people.”

According to the Cornhusker Girls State website, the American Legion Auxiliary developed a citizenship training program based on the 1935 formation of the American Legion’s Boys State program.

“This program offers training in the positive processes of self-government and good citizenship as practiced in democratic societies,” according to the website.

Girls State began as one- and two-day sessions during the late 1930s. In 1939, Girls State was altered to make it a weeklong government education program.

Since 1948, Girls State has been a regular part of the American Legion Auxiliary’s Americanism curriculum.

Girls State sees its participants receive objective training about the structure of U.S. government at the local, county and state levels.

They also set up and administer their own local, county and state governments, as well as hold elections, gain leadership skills and learn the duties of the various offices.

In addition, participants are separated into two political parties – the Federalists and the Nationalists – to gain knowledge of how a two-party system operates.

Hall noted she loved campaigning for city council and seeing others run for offices at Cornhusker Girls State.

“My favorite thing about Girls State is the chants we do and all my friends,” she said. “I have made friendships that hopefully last forever. These girls are all so special, and I am so grateful to have met them.”

Hall encouraged other girls who are interested in learning about the ins and outs of American government to look into attending Cornhusker Girls State in the future and contacting their community’s respective American Legion Auxiliary.

“This is an amazing opportunity to do,” she said. “I wish everyone had the ability to come. If you get the chance, take it. I have met so many creative people and had many chances for new things.”

If people would like more information about Cornhusker Girls State, they may visit girlsstate.net/nebraska/wp/.

Northeast Nebraska News Company

102 W. Main
Hartington NE 68739
402-254-3997