The Cleveland American Legion Auxiliary Unit# 207 recently selected juniors Kayla Zimmerman (left) and Emma Treanor (right) to represent Cleveland High School at its Girls State program this summer.
CHS social studies teachers influenced them to apply.
“I was asking Mr. (Brandon) Gleason if he knew anything about Girls State, and he said he had heard good things about it from previous students,” Zimmerman said.
“Mr. (David) Cink told my class that this was a very good opportunity for us as juniors,” Treanor said. “He told us that the camp curriculum revolved mostly around different governments and how they are important for different countries.”
The goals of Girls State are to develop leadership and pride as American citizens, to educate citizens about the United States system of government, to instill a greater understanding of Americanism and to stimulate a desire to maintain our democratic government processes.
For Zimmerman, these aims provide an opportunity to improve her life skills.
“I feel like it will help with leadership skills…how to talk to people in the real world. I'm really excited because I’ve never done anything like it before.”
Treanor said Girls State will nurture her interest in politics.
“I got into politics right around the 2016 election and have kept on it ever since. It's mostly the variations in beliefs and opinions that interest me. I think Girls State will broaden our intelligence on different governments…how the other side of the world works.”
While typically at Bethel University in St. Paul, the Girls State program this year will be a virtual event. It will be held June 13-17.
The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program, first presented in the late 1930s, is one of the most respected experiential learning programs in the United States. Guided by the principle “For God and Country,” the program epitomizes the ALA’s mission to honor those who have brought us our freedom by continuing to train young women to be leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. ALA Minnesota Girls State participants become extremely knowledge-able about the democratic process and how our republic works at the state and national levels.
While Anne Hiller coordinates the ALA girls state program for the Cleveland Legion Auxiliary, the America Legion Family, which also includes the America Legion and the Sons of the American Legion, are sponsoring Zimmerman and Treanor’s attendance.
One of the duties the pair will have is escorting the senior class of 2021 into its graduation ceremony.
Zimmerman is the daughter of David and Carolyn Zimmerman while Treanor is the daughter of Terry Treanor and Tonya Treanor.