By Leah Ouellet
Special to The Review
The week school ends, most high school students prepare to relax, go on vacation or hang out with family and friends.
For five junior girls from Lake Orion High School, however, the first week of summer meant a week at Michigan State University for Girls State 2008.
From June 15-21, students Ashia Johnson, Ashley Coulter, Devan DeAngelis, Katie Gritzinger and Leah Ouellet participated in the program, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan.
‘We went there without having any idea what we were going to do,? said Johnson.
The week started off slow, but the girls were soon completely immersed in the program.
Michigan Girls State is a government simulation program comprised of approximately 400 of the best and brightest female students from around the state. First started in 1920, the program hosts selected students after they complete their junior year of high school.
The objective is to provide ‘hands on? training in city, county, and state government. Each girl, or ‘citizen,? could choose to run for positions within each level of government, including city drain commissioner, county sheriff, senator or governor.
The state of ‘Girls State? was faced with many of the same problems seen within Michigan–problems with resources, education, natural disasters, crime rate, etc.
Each of the 12 cities had to come up with solutions that work well within their counties.
To help facilitate the process, real government officials from around Michigan ran programs and helped answer questions from true-life experience. The program encouraged girls to get involved in their communities and take an active role in improving their homes.
‘You’re with girls from all over the state with completely different perspectives,? said Coulter.
‘The fact that all the girls here were open, easy to work with, and not catty at all really shocked me.?
The week provided fun for the girls as well’dance parties, t-shirt tie-dyeing, picnics, coming up with city cheers and party conventions, among the activities.
‘My favorite part was definitely the bonding I did with my city. We had dances in the dorm halls, and talked about our lives at home. I really became close to all those girls,? said Johnson. ‘I truly miss the experience, and know it will have a big impact on my future.?