Over the course of a week, I met America’s senators, congress members, governors, and presidents.

Not actually, but I know one day while I watch the news, I’ll remember the names branded into my heart of those girls I met at Empire Girls State.

I’ll be sure to remember meeting a young activist who helped pass bills among esteemed senators that encouraged safety in New York streets. Don’t worry, I won’t forget the girl who fled from Afghanistan, publishing in the New York Times about her experiences, while advocating for immigrants. It’d be wrong of me to forget the stories I heard of powerful young women that our future will have the honor of knowing one day.

This past summer, I, along with fellow PMHS students: Vincent Ribaudo, Jacky Marca-Zumba, Kevin Hidalgo, and Justin Carrillo attended week-long programs at SUNY Brockport and SUNY Morrisville.

American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Empire Girls State (EGS) and Boys State are programs that were established in the 1930s to help enrich young citizens in Americanism and encourage them to make positive political/social change that we need in today’s world.

By simulating the creation of a mythical state where the citizens were encouraged to work together on appointing government officials, creating bills to be passed as laws, and voting for representatives, students can advocate for pressing issues revolving crime rates, homeland security, agricultural deficiency, etc.

To give you a deeper understanding of the significance behind these programs, here follows insight on my experience and the experiences of my peers at these programs.

Girls State

While, both programs aim to find the same medium of encouraging adolescents to learn about Americanism culture and understand roles in government, there were some distinct differences.

Girls State, in my experience, became a sisterhood and its own government in itself. There was compromise, appreciation, and respect throughout the entire week.

The week started with sharing dorms with strangers to leaving the week with life-long best friends.

Elections were held almost every day and there was always support from the other 300 girls there. I was unexpectedly met with the most intelligent women today that I know will go on to make real change in the world.

It eventually became more than just writing bills, there was networking throughout the entire week. For many of the girls, the college counselors became one of the most memorable people.

While waking up at 6 AM every morning to the sound of trumpets playing was tiring, I found myself indulging through every activity throughout the day. It’s safe to say there was never a dull moment.

Jacky Marca-Zumba, a senior at PMHS, reflects on her experience at Girls State as “a safe space where [she] could openly talk, listen, and support others.”

“It was a place where everyone understood each other, […] we proved that our girlhood was anything but weak – it’s powerful, bold, and ready to change the world.”

Boys State

“Adjusting to it took a while, and the first few days were slow. Then a routine formed, and the days went by quick, and I made friends with people I still talk to today”, says Vincent Ribaudo regarding his experience at Boys State.

The experience, as described by our Pat-Med representatives, was more intense in comparison to Girl’s State. The program was more centered around physical training and simulated the work ethic of the military.

In Ribaudo’s last remarks about the program, he says, “The program source pretty strict with procedure but it does eventually lighten up and you can goof with the other guys at a personal time.”

The American Auxiliary was established Boys State before Girls State, so the overall development of the program allowed for the engagement of more opportunities. Finding the comparisons between the two programs yet finding the similar sense of unity among such a large group of students brings light to the future of our nation.

According to Justin Carillo, a senior at PMHS, “Boy’s State made my junior year summer experience, and I wish so many were able to experience it too”.

“My time at Boy’s State was a one of kind experience. It helped me know how much really goes into state government and military aspects by having to build ourselves [to mold these governments]”.

While there may have been more discipline within Boy’s State, the same message remained: Creating a generation of citizens that will impact the world.

I truly believe that reaching out about Girls/Boys State is something that all students should engage in. You don’t need to want to be the future president of the United States of America to engage in such a life-changing experience, you simply need to have a desire for a change in the world!