Arkansas Girls State and Arkansas Boys State are immersive civics education programs designed for young women and men who have completed their junior year of high school. Special thanks go to sponsors Summerwood Partners, First Electric, and Everett Buick GMC for their generous sponsorship of these students.
Arkansas Girls State
Bryant High School Delegates
Kaitylyn Shivers, Kayleigh Baker
Each participant of the Arkansas Girls State program is assigned a place in a mock political party, city, and county. Over the course of the week, delegates nominate and elect officials to the various levels of their government. The program offerings are designed to offer practical instruction on the duties and responsibilities both of a citizen and of public officials.
Arkansas Boys State
Bryant High School Delegates
John Bennett, Parker Adams, Cole Giompoletti, Andrew Karp
During their week at Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week’s end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends — all with the guiding principle that “Democracy Depends on Me.”
"I had so much fun during Boys State! Especially the Committee Meetings and Elections."
—John Bennett
" Boys State was an amazing experience for me. I grew close to people I never thought I would even talk to and I learned how our different world experiences have changed us. I miss the experience of the simulations as well as the people and the fun times we had. I would recommend this to any future nominees."
—Cole Giompoletti
