Allie, Jennings learn the ins and outs of government at Girls State

by Cole Arndorfer
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For over 80 years, thousands of girls in Missouri have attended the Missouri Girls State program through the American Legion Auxiliary. 2023 marked the 81st session of Girls State in Missouri and this session was held from June 24-July 1 in conjunction with Missouri Boys State at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.

In attendance for the 81st session was Grain Valley High School students Harper Allie and Haylie Jennings. The two girls went to Girls State to represent Grain Valley and gain experience in the workings of government, and specific career paths.
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When the girls arrived on campus, they were split into different cities. Allie was put into Boone city, while Jennings was a part of Covington city. Both girls also held elected positions for the week.

Allie was elected to be city and county committeewoman by the fellow citizens in her city and county. In this position, she was able to run elections and decide on ballots for the city and county.  Harper was also appointed to the position of city clerk by her city.

Jennings, on the other hand, chose to attend broadcast and journalism school for the week and was elected to be the broadcast representative for her city as well as councilwoman. As the broadcast representative for the Covington city, Haylie delivered important news from the city throughout the week.

“This week was very important to me,” Allie said. “I got to meet people from different backgrounds than mine, different leadership styles that I hadn’t been around, and those that view things in ways that I had never thought about!”

“At first, I questioned how important this week would be, but this week was very important. For one of the first times in my life I was completely on my own,” Jennings said. “It allowed me to develop my leadership skills and get out of my comfort zone.”

The pair each said that there was plenty to do each day they were at Girls State. Over the week the Girls State citizens heard talks from various influential people, participated in athletic competitions, attended religious services, conventions and rallies, and more. Both Allie and Jennings agreed that their favorite event was the State Fair held towards the end of the week. At the fair, citizens could spend their Girls State Bucks they had earned throughout the week to purchase various items from the different booths as well as listen to music, watch fireworks, and spend time with new friends they made over the week.

Though the two girls had the same favorite event, they differed in views on who the most outstanding speaker was.

For Allie, the speaker who most stood out was Missouri State Representative, Crystal Quade. “She [Representative Quade] stood out to me because she talked a lot about what it was like to be a woman in a leadership role that is usually dominated by men,” Harper said. “Mrs. Quade gave a very powerful and motivating speech with lessons that opened my eyes and encouraged me to continue being a female leader in my community,” she added.

Jennings said that her favorite speaker of the week was Judge Sarah Castle. “She [Judge Castle] was a great speaker, but also passionate,” Haylie said. “Throughout her life she has faced so much adversity and she has overcome them valiantly. She is a very moving speaker, great with her words and overall, a true seeker of justice.”

Jennings had a couple favorite moments from the week. She said that she loved broadcasting and the broadcasting team. Her overall favorite part of the week came on the last night when five other girls joined Jennings and her roommate for a sleepover in her room. “We stayed up late and got to know each other very well,” she said. “Who knew seven girls in one dorm room could be so much fun?!”

Harper also had a couple favorite moments. “I learned a lot in my class for those interested in the field of education, and that class was one of my favorite parts of the week,” she said. “I was able to learn a lot about the structure of school boards and advocating for students.” Harper also had a similar overall favorite moment from the week as Haylie. She said on the last night there was a storm that moved in around dinner, so the girls had to eat in the dorm building instead of the dining hall like normal.

“I really loved this because we got to be with the city that we had become close with, and we had a big sleepover in the common room of our floor! It was nice to spend some time with the people that I had lived with the whole week before we had to leave the next morning, and I made lots of lasting memories that night,” Allie said.

Neither of the two girls’ cities won any overall awards, though Harper’s Boone city won the Spirit City of the Day award for the city that had the loudest cheers and involvement.

Both Allie and Jennings said that they would more than recommend Girls State to anybody that may be interested in attending in the future.

“There is a place for everyone there, and you are presented with many different opportunities to put yourself in! I have a passion for leadership, so this was an inspiring and growth-enabling experience. It also is a very empowering experience for women,” Allie said. “It continuously emphasized the fact that we can make a change in the world and that we matter in any community that we are in,” she added.

“Go to Girls State!” Jennings exclaimed. “Step out of your comfort zone, learn more than you thought possible, build connections, make friends, find your passions, don’t be afraid to fail, but also don’t be afraid to try. If you think you possess any qualities of a leader, go to Girls State, there you will learn how to develop as a leader and help lead your communities back home to a better tomorrow.”
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Jennings sums up all of the excitement around Girls State with a common phrase heard at the event, “the best state in the land, Girls State!” 

Grain Valley High School student Harper Allie (right) attended the 81st Girls State program to represent Grain Valley and gain experience in the workings of government, and specific career paths. Photo credit: Cathy Allie
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GVHS student Haylie Jennings (right) attended the 81st session of Girls State. Photo courtesy Haylie Jennings.