This past summer, three female students from Scituate High School spent one week at Stonehill College in Easton, MA, engaged in a program sponsored by the American Legion: Massachusetts Girls State. Traditionally held in June, Girls State is designed to educate rising seniors across Massachusetts about local and state governments.
SHS seniors Wyllys Ames and Nicolai Bokavich participated in the parallel program, Boys State, which was held during the same week as Girls State. Gil Nabstedt and Courtland Hare also represented Scituate; however, they attend private schools.
Both Girls State and Boys State are designed to teach the importance of youth leadership and activism within communities while allowing students to engage directly with their state government officials.
To qualify, students must be among the top ten students from their class. Each candidate is required to interview with members of the VFW and the American Legion; three girls and three boys are selected to represent the town by showing high academic integrity and strong leadership skills.
SHS history teacher Heather Willinger attended Girls State when she was in high school. Willinger explained how participating in the Girls State program “solidified [her] interest in government.” She said the program cultivated her interest in political science and influenced her to major in this field at the University of Vermont, eventually leading her to teach at Scituate High School.
Upon arrival, each girl is sorted into a town/city with an assigned dorm and town hall. These groups of 10-20 girls from around the state spend the week together, supporting each other in campaigns and activities.
A typical day in the life of a Girls Stater looks like this:
6:30: Engage in walk or run club
7:30: Meet in your “city’s” town hall
8:00: Breakfast in the dining hall
9:30-10:30: Electives (Gov, Law, Econ)
10:30: General Education
11:30: Mini Course
12:30: Lunch in Dining Hall
1:30: Party Conventions
3:30: City/Town Meetings
4:30: Free time
6:00: Dinner in Dining Hall
8:00: City/Town Meetings
11:00: Bedtime
General Education sessions and Elective Courses included numerous guest speakers, all dedicated, hard-working women involved in local and state politics, activism in the Commonwealth, and journalism around the country. Girls were encouraged to ask questions about their careers and aspirations to gather advice for their future.
One of the standout speakers was Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who shared her inspiring story of struggling with homelessness as a teenager in Methuen, MA, and how that experience led her to become involved in politics. After being elected as a state representative and senator, DiZoglio campaigned for auditor on a promise to investigate the state legislature. Her push for government transparency has been met with lots of pushback, yet she continues to work for it.
DiZoglio further inspired Girls Staters by sharing her experience of sexual harassment while working in the State House. In 2018, she changed the status quo when she decided to speak up and break her non-disclosure agreement during a debate. Presenting during one of the General Education sessions, DiZoglio said she “does not care what other politicians think” of her.
Along with General Education sessions, which highlighted speakers from the MA State House, mini-courses were offered throughout the week. Topics included “Lie To Me,” which explored tell-tale signs of when a person is lying. In addition, students engaged in Senate and House meetings where members debated potential bills. Girls who passed the “Bar” exam spent their mini-course time in the courthouse preparing to prosecute or defend the staters given citations throughout the week.
One of the most anticipated and significant parts of Girls State was running to be a candidate for one of the “Big Six” positions offered at the state level: Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, and Auditor. The candidates were separated into either the Federalist or Nationalist parties. They kicked the week off by being nominated by their peers to represent individual counties, separated by the three dorms.
The next morning the dining hall was overflowing with campaign posters from the candidates as they attempted to get their names out as they walked around from table to table in hopes of securing votes. The next round all three candidates, of all six positions, chosen from their counties gave thoughtful speeches to their parties about why they should be chosen as representatives of their respective parties, Nationalist or Federalist.
Once the finalists are chosen, they quickly begin preparing for the press conference where they are put on the spot and tasked with answering questions about the bills being debated in the Senate. The two candidates running for governor participated in a debate, arguing their position on a made-up scenario they had not previously heard, imitating the style of a real-life political debate.
This year, the Federalist Party took home a big win. The election resulted in a complete Federalist sweep, going six for six. All six candidates representing the Federalist Party were inaugurated into office and celebrated for their hard work and dedication throughout the week.
Senior Kelsie Modder explained how she “went into the week with no idea about how the government worked, and [she] had no prior interest in government.” However, when she left the week-long program, she “developed a new interest in the government.” That is what Girls State is all about, and even students who have no interest in the government or how it works, will get an opportunity to take advantage of all that Girls State has to offer.
Although Girls State was a week of lectures and mock debates, friendships made along the way represent the true spirit of the experience. Girls from nearly every corner of Massachusetts get together and share what life looks like in their hometown. Everyone is extremely uplifting, talented, and passionate about creating change, which our nation needs. The friendships created, memories made, and lessons learned throughout the week will last a lifetime and will continue to inspire high school girls to get involved in their communities.