Katy Blansett and Katie Norris both admit they weren’t sure what to expect when they were asked to be a part of the 2018 Girls State class.
But they’re also excited after being selected by the women’s branch of Columbia’s American Legion Post 90 for the annual leadership and civics program.
They’ll be participating this week at the University of Southern Mississippi, and some of the highlights include debating and running for office and meeting Gov. Phil Bryant.
Blansett, a senior at West Lauderdale High School and the granddaughter of Dewey and Eula Blansett of Columbia, said she is most excited about gaining a better understanding of how Mississippi government works.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to attend Girls State and to learn more about the election process as well as what each elected official actually does,” she said.
Katie Norris, a West Marion senior, said she want to learn how to run for office.
“It’s something I’ve always been interested in and now I get to see it firsthand,” she said.
Participants run for various mock offices during the week, and Blansett intends to seek the office of senator because of her interest in debating legislation and Norris wants to run for commissioner of agriculture due to her owning and being competitively involved with several types of animals.
The American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State program dates back to 1937, and each summer about 16,000 young women from throughout the nation participate in the weeklong program, making it one of the most respected and coveted programs available to young women. Each year, local American Legion units work with their area high schools to find young ladies who demonstrate leadership within their school and community, are overall good citizens and are interested in the democratic process and how our republic form of government works at the state and national levels.
In our area, American Legion Post 90 is responsible for these selections. The women’s branch of this post formed one year ago and has since spearheaded this process.
President Eula Blansett said she is sure this will be an experience the girls will never forget.
“It’s such an honor for these girls to attend Girls State. The knowledge and friendship they gain will be something they hold on to for a lifetime,” she said. “This week is particularly special for the participants because it’s actually an election week and they will get to watch this unfold first hand.”
Pictured Above: Dot Fortenberry, left, Girls State Chairman and historian, welcomes Katy Blansett and Katie Norris to the leadership program. Eula Blansett, right, president of the women’s branch of American Legion Post 90, joins them. | Photo by Brandi Perry
