MaryMcKay

Girls State is a program where teenage girls are selected to run a democracy as a hands-on learning experience through the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA).

Every year, Assistant Principal and Dean of Student Services, Jen Christen, advocates for junior students to attend Girls State. 

Christen says, “Applicants are evaluated based on their interest in government, civic liberties and leadership potential.” She goes on to say it is not only important as a tradition but also because it is heavily looked upon for scholarships for college. 

Christen notes that there are typically fewer than five applicants a year. She says, “Every single girl that we’ve sent from Marian has come back, just beaming and wishing they could get more girls involved to share this experience.”

 “I think it’s a good thing they are a part of, a part of this community of positivity and what they learn is extremely beneficial,” Christen said. 

Eight Marian staff and faculty members were involved in Girls or Boys State during their time in high school. For example,  Jaime Piernicky went to Hoosier Girls State in Indiana. Although now she is a math teacher, she still learned some very valuable lessons. 

Through her time at Girls State she found a mentor who inspired her to be how she is today.  “[her mentorship] kind of put my mind to being that of a mentor as a teacher. When I see somebody with leadership, kindness, or a great quality, I let them know because standing out among others can be cool” said Piernicky.

Along a different set of lines she found this all-girls experience inspiring as she went to a coed school. “Girls were everything, like the girls were keynote speakers, girls were governors, the class clowns, the talent. They were in charge of everything. And I had never seen that before,” Piernicky said. 

This year, two students were selected: seniors Kerenzia Amouzou and Mackenzie Reidy. The two had to fill out an application and then were selected by Christen and other staff members in Student Services. 

“I’ve always kind of been sure about what I wanted to go into, which is definitely something in law or politics, so this was perfect for me,” Amouzou said. And just as Christen said, Amouzou came back wishing every girl could have this opportunity.

Girls State took place June 2-8 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It was an overnight event where students stayed in dorms for four nights and each of the eight levels was a city. Each floor had about 40 girls who voted on each other for state, city and county level government positions. 

In total, there were somewhere between 700 and 800 girls, all from high schools throughout Nebraska. Each of them got randomly picked roommates with people who they had never met before. Amouzou “hit the jackpot” with her roommate and formed an unbreakable bond with her.

 In Amouzou’s words, “Girls State was a 6-day experience at UNL where I got to just learn more about the government at different levels. I also got to meet a lot of new girls.”

Among her peers, Amouzou was selected as one of six senators. She had to campaign among complete strangers, and she says, “At first, it was a little scary, but it really helped me put myself out there.” 

In order to get that senator position, Amouzou’s campaign slogan was “Kerenzia: a name you won’t forget.” As luck would have it, Amouzou’s name was not forgotten and she received her goal spot in this mock-government campaign.

Practicing government at a state level was not the only thing Amouzou did. She met many new people by stepping out of her comfort zone. By doing so she grew close with many people on her floor. So close that she and a few others from Girls State will be going to the Billie Eilish concert together on Nov. 17.

“I would definitely recommend other girls to go to Girls State,” Amouzou said. “Thanks to Marian for sending me, it was awesome. I loved it. Ten out of ten.” 

Girls State is a valuable opportunity for students who are politically inclined. Not only does it look good on a resume, but it has sent Marian girls home with more knowledge, new experiences and a multitude of new friendships.

Current juniors make sure to check your emails for a message about Girls State 2025 in February.