The Wagner American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Greer Unit #11 has three delegates that they will be sending to 2025 Girls State. Ali Myer, Jennifer Feucht-Thooft and Romiah Heth will attend the five-day event starting on May 25th through the 29th at the University of South Dakota campus in Vermillion. This is the 78th year for the annual Girls State event. Girls State is a part of the ALA’s summer leadership and citizenship programs. Each year the event is open to junior girls going into their senior year. The goal of Girls State is to expose young women to the mechanics of the American government and politics for education and potential future careers in those fields. The auxiliary was delightfully excited to be able to send three delegates this year and is very happy to see this many young women from Wagner interested in attending.

Jennifer Feucht-Thooft

Jennifer Feucht-Thooft is the daughter of Steve and Kristin Feucht. When asked why she wanted to attend Girls State, Jennifer said that it sounded like it would be a good experience. Even though Jennifer is not currently interested in going into a career in government, that is not going to stop her from learning more about government offices. If she could hold any government office it would be as director of either transportation or environmental issues. What Jennifer is hoping to get out of her Girls State experience is to meet more people and learn more about different aspects of the government. Skills that Jennifer feels that a good leader should possess are compassion and good decision making. When asked how she felt in regards to herself being a good leader, she said that she is a good leader as she is not afraid of getting the job at hand done and is good at managing others.

When it comes to the state of our current government, Jennifer feels that it has many flaws and pitfalls, but also many merits. If Jennifer could change or improve the government, she would add more departments for public transportation and the environment as well as better aid for low-income and disabled individuals.

Romiah Heth

For Romiah Heth, daughter of Bryanna Heth and Evan Arpan, this is an opportunity to learn more about the government. She is excited about the chance to learn about government in a hands-on environment, especially as she has interest in becoming a lawyer or judge in the future. Romiah is looking forward to meeting new people and learning. When asked if she could hold any government office, Romiah said that she would like to be a part of the Department of Education on either the state or federal level. She does not feel that kids are excited to learn anymore and would like to change that.

When it comes to the current state of the government, Romiah is worried because she feels that people lack empathy and do not enjoy their jobs. One area that Romiah would improve in the government is helping people find joy in their jobs and knowing the importance of doing their jobs. Compassion, problem-solving, courageous, social, witty and confidence are some of the characteristics that to Romiah make a good leader. She feels that she has a majority of the characteristics, but believes that she needs to build her confidence in order to become a leader.

Ali Myer

Ali Myer, the daughter of Jarod and Robin Myer feels honored to be able to go to Girls State. She applied to be a Girls Stater because she wanted to learn more about how city government and the government as a whole works. Girls State is a good opportunity for Ali as she is interested in going into journalism after she graduates and Girls State does offer a Journalism City experience. Ali is most looking forward to meeting new people at Girls State. One thing that Ali is hoping to get out of her Girls State experience is to become better educated about the government as a whole.

If Ali could hold any government office, she would want to be mayor of a smaller community. Communication, teamwork and integrity are characteristics and qualities that Ali feels make a good leader. As Ali is good at teamwork, she feels that she has the potential to be a good leader. In regards to how she feels about the current state of the government, Ali feels that it could be better; one program that Ali would improve upon is the structure of healthcare.