Five girls from Roseville High School were recently selected as potential candidates for the American Auxiliary Girls State. 

     Juniors Cameron Bones, Haylee Brooks, Ariana Criste, Kaylee Efstathiu and Nicky Paige were the girls selected as the candidates. Out of the five girls, Paige was selected to move on to the Girls State function this summer in Claremont McKenna where all the other selected candidates (about 500 girls) from the other districts in California will come together for a collaborative function.

     “The potential candidates from each school are selected based on academics and your leadership skills,” said Criste. “The selected girls go to a group interview where they are questioned by the interview panel.”

     The girls are asked about their families, personal goals, extra curricular activities and what they would change in government if they could. In the end, the girl with the most successful interview is selected to move on to the Girls State function.

     “When they asked me what I would change in government if I could, I said that I would focus more on the Wall Street movements, the overturning of Proposition 8 and making the government listen more to the people,” said Paige.   

     The girls were required to write a personal statement essay, as well as a persuasive essay on why they think they should be selected.

     After selecting the candidates, the girls will move on to the Girls State function where they will learn how to participate in the functioning of their state’s government in preparation for their future roles as responsible adult citizens.

     “They will break us into groups and separate us into different cities and counties in which we’ll design our own governments,” said Paige.  “We will also be able to pass and veto laws within our governments.”

       Two girls are selected from each Girls State program to attend Girls Nation, a national government training program. Girls Nation “senators” meet for a week in Washington, D.C., where they run for political office, campaign for the passage of legislation and possibly meet with state Representatives and Senators. At the end of the Girls Nation, there is often a meeting with the President of the United States at the White House.

     “I think it is really cool that I was selected and I’m really excited,” said Paige.  “I want to go into politics someday so this opportunity is perfect for me.”