Summer is approaching soon and The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is inviting all juniors at Shadow Ridge High School who are interested in politics and government to apply for their summer leadership opportunity in Reno. Students have the chance to bond with a team, debate, campaign, participate in mock government processes, and more. When students arrive in Reno, They are divided into political parties and go through the steps of a two-party system. They will become “citizens” and begin to set up their government and administer laws.
Junior Maya Garay participated in speech and debate back in freshman year. She loved the experience and she thinks this opportunity is great for juniors who are interested in government.
“I think this is a great opportunity for students to gain experience for future careers. Speech and debate has similar experiences to this. I definitely made a lot of friends my freshman year because of it, so I think this is definitely something worth signing up for.”
Both the Nevada Boys State and the Nevada Girls State will be held at the University of Nevada, Reno this year. The last day to sign up for this opportunity is May 31st. The process for signing up for the program is quick and only has three steps; register, submit all required forms and fees, and attend. The Boys and Girls State have a few differences in their program and application process, more information can be found on their websites.
The ALA explains, “You’re not required to be nominated or sponsored by your school or an American Legion Auxiliary Unit. There is also no GPA or other academic requirement.”
Two special individuals in both boys and girls state programs will be chosen to spend a week in Washington, D.C. These delegates will get to participate in a mock legislature, party conventions, and much more. While in D.C. they will get a chance to go to the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, Capital Hill, and several monuments.
Junior Rilee Copenhaver says, “If I was free over the summer I would definitely look into joining this program. The trip to D.C. is also really cool. I think it’s great that they give the delegates that opportunity.”
As juniors approach their senior year, some are beginning to look into college or the workplace. Becoming a delegate can help in future careers and gives resumes a boost. On top of this, students could possibly be awarded a scholarship or college credit just from attending the program. Rather than traditional learning, these sessions give students hands-on experience, prioritizing their education. Any additional questions about the program can be found online or answered by one of our school counselors.
