Senior Lauryn Hobbs earned a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as one of two girls selected to represent Texas at American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Girls Nation. Between holding mock Senate sessions, meeting Congresspeople and visiting national monuments, the experience proved to be truly unforgettable.

Out of the 600 girls in Texas’s Girls State program, Hobbs was named one of two “senators” to advance to Girls Nation. At the 2021 Girls Nation conference, the 100 senators spent a week in Washington D.C. learning about federal government processes firsthand while developing leadership skills and building lifelong friendships.

During mock Senate sessions, the girls wrote and debated bills, with each state’s representatives presenting unique legislation for deliberation. Further, the senators were divided into “Federalist” and “Nationalist” political parties and held a rally and convention within each. The parties built their own platforms, which required them to establish priorities, campaign and elect officials. As the chairperson of the Federalist party, Hobbs led her group of senators, exercising communication and leadership skills. According to Hobbs, working within the political parties represented “by far the most time consuming but also most fun part of the week.”

In addition, the senators toured several national sites during their field trips, including the Washington Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery and U.S. Capitol. Despite only spending one week together, the girls formed powerful friendships as one community bonded by an enthusiasm for government. 

“You feel people’s energy and you’re so excited for what they’re going to do next,” Hobbs said. “I don’t think I’ll ever be in an environment that amazing again.”

For Hobbs, the experience at Girls Nation furthered a growing passion for government. She discovered her interest when she joined the debate team as a freshman, which introduced her to policy, international relations, and governmental processes. The exploration of diverse perspectives encouraged Hobbs to delve further into government and politics. 

“I always loved being able to have that ongoing conversation about what needs to be improved and how to improve it,” she said. 

In the future, Hobbs plans to build upon her experiences and pursue a career related to government and politics. “My goal is to become a lawyer, possibly a public policy lawyer,” she said. Above all else, Hobbs encourages other young girls to “take the lead” and seek out their dreams. 

“If you’re given an opportunity that you think you might be interested in, absolutely try it. You don’t have to know what you’re doing, you don’t have to know what’s going to happen when you get there, but just try it anyway,” she said.

The Girls State and Girls Nation programs are sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, which supports veterans, military and their families.