The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Local news

Discussion

June 26, 2007

Garber teen is 1 of 2 selected to represent state at Girls Nation

By Tippi Rasp Staff Writer

A Garber High School student stood out among more than 400 other high school juniors who attended Oklahoma Girls State last month.

Carly Schnaithman was one of two Oklahoma girls selected to participate in Girls Nation next month in Washington, D.C.

Girls State is sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary. Schnaithman said she appreciated the opportunity to attend and learned a lot about government and leadership.

“It was awesome,” Schnaithman said.

Schnaithman campaigned and was elected lieutenant governor by her peers. She even got to spend the day with Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Jari Askins.

Six girls were chosen to be interviewed for the chance to attend Girls Nation, a continuation of Girls State in which two senators from each state are selected to participate in a simulated national government program in Washington. This year’s areas of emphasis are patriotism, participation and progress. Girls Nation is July 21-28.

During the trip to Wash-ington, girls will visit Ar-lington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill and the White House. The delegates also will participate in Senate sessions and political party meetings and listen to guest speakers.

Girls State is a program for high school juniors that promotes citizenship and government while earning students college credit.

Ten girls from six Garfield County schools participated in Girls State last month at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

The week-long Girls State program gives participants an entire semester’s worth of credit in government and is designed to help participants learn the duties and responsibilities of citizenship by participation as residents of a mythical state, according to information provided by the auxiliary. It first was held in 1940 and has been held annually except for two years during World War II.

Each girl chosen must be sponsored with donations. Schnaithman, daughter of Lee and Becky Schnaithman, was sponsored by Garber Athenian Club and Argonne Unit No. 4 American Legion Auxiliary of Enid.

Schnaithman was junior class president, Spanish Club president, FFA vice president, FCA vice president and student council secretary.

She has been listed on the superintendent’s honor roll for the past six years and is active in National Honor Society. She was selected all-conference in softball and basketball.

She attends St. Gregory’s Catholic Church.

Text Only
Local news