Students learn about government

KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
 
Two Weston County students attended this year’s Wyoming Girls State and Boys State in June for hands-on learning about government and politics to better understand the political process.
Autumn Mills, who just completed her junior year at Newcastle High School, enjoyed her time at Girls State on June 6-12, and Aidan Coberly, going into his senior year at Upton High School, had his time at Boys State on June 13-19.
Girls State and Boys State, sponsored by the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, is a week long, interactive government simulation and learning experience for high-schoolers ending their junior year of high school.
“Girls State (and Boys State) is a practical application of Americanism and good citizenship. … The delegates chosen from throughout the state get to participate in education sessions that contain a mock Senate, House, and Court system. The delegates also participate in developing party platforms, running for office, and working together to run their own cities,” said Morgan Kenneda, Girls State public relations coordinator, in an email to the News Letter Journal.
“You basically just learn the ins and outs of government,” Mills said. 
Both Mills and Coberly took part in the courts at their respective events. Mills said that during court sessions, participants learned court processes and procedures and role-played the numerous parts that are involved in a court case. 
“I thought it was valuable information I could use,” Mills said, noting that she learned a lot at Girls State that will aid her throughout life. 
Mills was also the Paintbrush city clerk, Federalist Party secretary and Monday prosecution reporter and was elected judge of the district court during the mock elections. She also received the Outstanding Paintbrush Delegate Award. 
Coberly was the police chief of his city. He was also elected the Wyoming Boys State governor in the gubernatorial race, where he got to experience campaigning, receiving his party’s nomination in the primary election and going on to win the general election. As part of that election process, he gave a speech on why he would be a good candidate and partook in a gubernatorial debate with the other party’s candidate. 
“It’s definitely a huge honor,” Coberly said. “The experiences that came after that were tremendous also.” 
Coberly noted that the Boys State staff and military advisers even treated him as the governor, which is a cool experience, he said. 
Both Mills and Coberly said that being informed and educated on government and politics is invaluable to them as citizens of the United States to be able to contribute to their country. Coberly said that it is important to understand how the system works so that one can properly utilize it and create necessary change. 
Both students have an interest in politics, and Mills said that she is interested in exploring career opportunities, possibly as a prosecuting attorney. 
“I’ve been interested in government and politics since eighth grade,” Coberly said. He added that pursuing politics is a public service and a “calling,” as it takes commitment to serve others. 
“You have to be called to government and politics,” he said. 
Coberly said that he was grateful to the local American Legion chapter for all its help with the events. 
Mills and Coberly said that they took home a lot of valuable lessons from their time at Girls and Boys State, and they would encourage others to take the opportunity too — not only for the education but also for the friendships.