Every leader has to start somewhere and Girls State has been the starting point for many successful young students. The Girls State program is a summer leadership and citizenship program sponsored by the American Legion for High School students between their junior and senior years. Port Saint Lucie High Jaguar Battalion’s Cadet Captain Kaylee Zuidema was one of this year’s representatives.
During the program, the participants are first divided up into subgroups referred to as cities. The citizens of each of these cities elect mock municipal officials and representatives to the mock state legislature. The cadets get the opportunity to receive high school and college credits while learning about government and politics of Florida. Overall, it is a great experience for the cadets, and Port Saint Lucie High School appreciates the continuous support of the American Legion Post 318.