After a hiatas due to the COVID pandemic, Arkansas Boys and Girls States returned to in-person experiences for select high school boys and girls from all across Arkansas this past week. The event was held from May 29-June 3 at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA).
Students from Paris High School attended both Boys State and Girls State. Those participating in Arkansas Girls State were: Anna Hart, Caroline Fields, Rachel O’Neal, and Maggie Richey. Paris high school boys participating in Arkansas Boys State were: Xavier Martin, Andrew Wells, and Jesse Wells.
According to the Arkansas Boys State website, “Arkansas Boys State is an immersive program in civics education designed for high school juniors. Since 1940, the week-long camp has transformed the lives of young men throughout our state and beyond. These young men have gone on to become incredible leaders, including President Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and Senator Tom Cotton — just to name a few.”
The Arkansas Girls State website states that, “Arkansas Girls State is a summer program of education that has been sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Arkansas since 1942. As of 2014, it has provided training for more than 55,000 Arkansas girls in the fundamental aspects of citizenship and practical government. The purpose of Arkansas Girls State is to educate young women of high school age in the duties, privileges, and responsibilities of American citizenship and to provide an opportunity for them to participate in the actual functioning of their government.”
The Paris delegations to both Boys and Girls States had great weeks and were elected to offices by their peers. In Girls State, Anna Hart was elected “Most Outstanding Citizen (Hutchinson City), Vice-Chairman (Hutchinson City), and Vice-Chairman (Smith County). Caroline Fields was elected as Circuit Clerk of Lewellan County. Rachel O’Neal was elected City Chairman of Kemp City, and both City Senator and County Chairman of Boozeman County. Maggie Richey was elected City Treasurer (Land City) and Federal County Clerk (Shanks County).
Boys States honors included Xavier Martin, elected to City Council (Cantrell City). Andrew Wells was elected to City Council (Rorex City) and as a State Representative. Paris HS senior Jesse Wells was elected both as a State Senator and as President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
Congratulations to the Paris delegations who participated in both Arkansas Boys State and Girls State. Both Paris delegations represented Paris and Logan County extremely well!
