Girls State

2010-03-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

Now to be honest, I don't even know if going into politics is my dream career path. But I've taken an interest in programs that help educate young leaders of the political system. Last year in my Civics class I was offered an opportunity to go to the American Auxilary Girls State program. Its a week long government simulation program for all girls entering their senior year of high school. You spend a week in a hall on Michigan State campus and wake up early and go to meeting to solve the problems in the "Girls State Nation". They divide you into cities and then by counties and those are the girls you spend the week with.

I have to say I've never been in such a friendly atmosphere with five hundred 16 and 17 year old girls before. I think their kindness even suprised me at first. But it's no walk in the park, girls state is a lot of work but its true what they say, You get what you put into it. You may coast through the program for the week as a average girls state citizen or you may get as involved as you want. You may even get to be elected as the Girls State Governor! At the end of the week you get to take a walk around the capitol building and sit on the lawn while you listen to senators and governors speak on the steps of the building. Last year we even got to listen to Governor Granholm speak to us and tell us that she too participated in the Girls State program.

For me Girls State was empowering and a great expierience. I met so many different personalitites and we all bonded on the same level. But why isn't there more programs like this one? Girls State is exactly the type of program that I think we need for all kids in schools today. I think its a wonderful opportunity for anyone but I wish it were availible to more audiences. Girls State is completly funded by the American Legion Auxilary and it doesnt cost a single penny to anyone willing to go and learn. Now I have friends from all around the state that I still remain in contact with.

Thank you American Legion Auxilary! You helped to give me the learning egde I needed :) Oh! and they also have the same program for young men too! It's called Boy's State and is offered through the same funding.

For My Future Children

2010-03-01T18:58:00.000-08:00

Let me start off by explaining how this subject first arose. My boyfriend and I were on our way home one day and got into a conversation regarding the gridlock system we seem to have today in our government. He argues that they just need to get something done and he chooses to pay no regards as to how it gets done, he just wants something to get done. So the question popped in my head, Do we as American Citizens have a public duty to have some knowledge of how the government system is ran?

Now seeing as he did complete high school and has the average education of the system, is this considered enough knowledge to make important decisions in our society? Or is today's society just wrapped up in the Party labels of Republican and Democrats? Its stands proven that a child will inherit the beliefs of their parents, naturally, but are these the people we want running our country in thirty years?

Now I know from personal experience that until I willingly placed myself in the Advanced Placement American Government class in high school that I did not have enough knowledge to take any political stance, but I thought I did. As I continued in the class I soon began to realize that there are so many checks and balances in the system that it is no easy job to just pass a bill or "get something done" as my boyfriend put it. I mean I know I don't want someone who knows nothing of how the systems work deciding who is going to run our country. Why is it optional in school to have a thorough knowledge of our government? It wasn't until I took that AP Gov. class that I decided on my own where I stood in the political spectrum.

Today more people choose to watch shows glorifying a thirty year old man still living in his parents basement than the news. What are we doing as a society to inform our children of how to run our country? Don't you want your child to have the knowledge they need to decide where they stand in our society? I know one day I want my child to have that freedom to decide for themselves and I am trying to help give them that opportunity. I want to see more extensive learning curriculum's for all the Social Studies and Government classes that are mandatory of your high school education. Why not put it in their heads while they're still learning sponges? Feel free to tell me what you think!

A Learning Possibility?

Girls State

For My Future Children