Rylee Burden, State Representative DeAnn Vaught, and Aniya Polite

Ashdown High School was well represented at Arkansas Girls State and Arkansas Boys State. Rylee Burden and Aniya Polite attended Girls State on the campus of Harding University in Searcy and A. J. Hopkins and Cole Smith attended Boys State which was held on the University of Central Arkansas Campus in Conway.
The American Legion Auxiliary believes that educating youth about the basic ideas and principals of government will help ensure the survival of our democracy. ALA Arkansas Girls State is a unique and exciting government-in-action learning program in which Auxiliary members guide young women to become knowledgeable stewards of freedom, democracy, and patriotic citizens. The program started in 1937 and is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States, according to their website.

According to Rylee Burden, “Girls State was a whirlwind of a week. We were up before 6 or 7 in the morning and stayed awake until after 11 or 12. It was very busy but was a great time. I learned tons of politics and how our government works. I really enjoyed watching the mock trial with Judge Harrod and learning about how trials work. I also enjoyed meeting tons of new people and learning about them, while also creating friendships."

Aniya Polite said, “Girls State was an extraordinary experience! I want to thank Ashdown High School and the community of Ashdown for selecting me to attend this wonderful event. There were many things that I loved about Girls State one was the atmosphere. It was so POSITIVE and LOVING! I was accepted immediately by people I had never met before. The weather may have not been great, but there was not a time that our spirits weren’t. We all thought that school was out, but it felt like we had started school again. Learning about how the Arkansas government functions and how much they take on to make sure the people of Arkansas are well satisfied is unpredictable. At Girls State, there were songs that we would sing. To hear all the voices singing together as one was an amazing feeling. It was a feeling that would overwhelm a person with joy and love! If I had a chance to experience Girls State again….I would NOT hesitate!!"

According to the Boys State website, it is an immersive program designed for high school juniors. The week-long program has been in existence for over 75 years. Upon arrival, each participant is assigned a mock political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, the delegates administrate this mock government as if it were the real government. Every phase of the program includes practical instruction on the duties and responsibilities both of a citizen and of public officials. Citizens of Boys State are instructed in the duties of the various public offices. After they learn the function of each office, its powers and limitations, they function in that role throughout the remaining week.

By weeks end Boys State has created their own state including their own governor and staff of state officials, name appointive officers, established the state Supreme Court and other courts, and organized the legislature and all other divisions of government.

A.J. Hopkins said, “My favorite things were the bonds I made with brothers in my county and how over just a week we became such close friends. I learned many things about how our state government works and I think many people should participate and be introduced to Boys State!"

“Some of the fun things I did while I was at Boys State included participating in the sports activities, running for county positions, and meeting new people from all over the state. Some of the things I learned were to always be open-minded to other people, and also how the Arkansas government works and what goes on within each position," said Cole Smith. His favorite part of Boys State was being elected for his county Secretary of State, being elected for position #11 for the House of Representatives and getting to sit in and vote on passing bills for the state!

At the end of the week, the delegates went to the Capital in Little Rock and the elected state officers took the offices of the actual Arkansas state positions for the day.