Kenzie Bartel.

GLADBROOK – Every spring, approximately 25,000 young women across the country are selected to attend the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Program in their respective states This spring, the Gladbrook Legion Auxiliary selected Kenzie Bartel of Green Mountain, a junior at GMG High School, to attend the Iowa ALA Girls State program in June. As part of the premier ALA program participants study local, county, and state government processes during a six-day nonpartisan political learning experience.

Kenzie attended Girls State June 14-19 at the Drake University Campus in Des Moines. ALA Girls State attendees, known as “citizens,” receive special instruction in parliamentary procedure and organize themselves into two mock political parties. The young women then campaign, hold rallies, debate, and ultimately vote to elect city, county, and state officials. Once elected to office, delegates are sworn in and perform their prescribed duties. Attendees not elected to office are given appointments and visit the offices of those elected to share their viewpoints as citizens. The conference encourages the young citizens to continue their community service by becoming leaders in their communities and local governments.

At home, Kenzie is a Junior Auxiliary member in Gladbrook, participates in many activities in her school and community. She is involved in National Honor Society, student council, school play, dance, cheer, FFA, 4-H, volleyball, golf, plus has two part-time jobs. Her parents are Matt Bartel and Mindy McCubbin.