Wynot students will head to Cornhusker Boys, Girls State
WYNOT — Three students from Wynot Public Schools will spend a week of their summer vacation in Nebraska’s capital city learning the ins and outs of American government at the local, county and state levels.
They are the only Cedar County students attending this year's event. No other Cedar County school had anyone apply for the program.
Brandon Rempfer and Colin Wieseler have been chosen by Stanley Anderson American Legion Post 31 of Wynot to attend Cornhusker Boys State, while Lauren Haberman has been selected by Wynot’s American Legion Auxiliary Unit to go to Cornhusker Girls State. Both the 2022 Cornhusker Boys
Both the 2022 Cornhusker Boys State and 2022 Cornhusker Girls State programs – which are for high school juniors – are scheduled to take place June 5-11, on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s main campus.
Rempfer shared why he is attending Cornhusker Boys State.
“My brother went to Boys State when he was in high school, and he told me it was fun and that the people there were very helpful and he learned a lot from them,” he said.
Wieseler also was inspired by a sibling to take part in the government education program.
“Honestly, I’m a little nervous about going to Boys State, but I’m mostly excited,” he said. “My older brother went and said that it was an amazing experience, so I thought I would give it a try.”
Haberman noted she really does not know what to expect when she attends Cornhusker Girls State. “I’m really excited to go to Girls
“I’m really excited to go to Girls State and learn a lot going into it,” she said. “I decided to go because I like learning about the government and how it works, and I also like getting into politics.”
According to the Cornhusker Boys State website, the government education program – which was founded in 1935 by two Illinois Legionnaires – is a plan for training in the functional aspects of citizenship.
“Its purpose is to teach the youth of today constructive attitudes toward the American form of government,” according to the website.
“Boys State attempts to show that our form of government has not outworn its usefulness, that all a democracy needs is an intelligent citizenry and a clean, honest and impartial administration responsive to the will of the people.”
According to the Cornhusker Girls State website, the American Legion Auxiliary developed a citizenship training program based on the formation of the American Legion’s Boys State program.
“This program offers training in the positive processes of self-government and good citizenship as practiced in democratic societies,” according to the website.
Girls State began as one- and two-day sessions during the late 1930s. In 1939, Girls State was altered to make it a week-long government education program. Since 1948, it has been a regular part of the Auxiliary’s Americanism curriculum.
Both Boys State and Girls State see their participants receive objective training about the structure of American government at the local, county and state levels.
They also set up and administer their own local, county and state governments, as well as hold elections gain leadership skills and learn the duties of the variou offices.
In addition, participants in each program are separated into two political parties – the Federalists and the Nationalists – to gain knowledge of how a two-party system operates.
Rempfer shared more of his thoughts ahead of attending Cornhusker Boys State.
“I feel like I will meet some good people and learn a lot from them,” he said. “I feel honored to go because it will show me what I can prove to myself and other people there.”
He also noted he is looking forward to “learning new things, meeting new people and being able to say I coul make a difference with them.”
Wieseler echoed his classmate’s excitement.
“I’m looking forward to meeting a bunch of new friends down in Lincoln and learning more about our state government,” he said.
Haberman noted she has similar sentiments about taking part in Cornhusker Girls State.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new people,” she said. “I love getting to know people I’ve never met before.”
If people would like more information about Cornhusker Boys State, they may visit cornhuskerboysstate.org, or Cornhusker Girls State, they may go to girlsstate.net/nebraska/wp/.
Juniors Colin Wieseler, Lauren Haberman and Brandon Rempfer from Wynot Public Schools have been selected to attend the 2022 Cornhusker Boys State and 2022 Cornhusker Girls State programs, which are both scheduled to take place June 5-11 on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s main campus.