Caroline West and Allyce Buniak
Rising GPS senior Caroline West was one of two selected at the Volunteer Girls State to attend the 2015 Girls Nation in Washington, D.C., as a senator from Tennessee. She joins a list of GPS juniors who have made a splash at the weeklong summer event in Nashville, an annual leadership and citizenship training program sponsored by the Tennessee American Legion Auxiliary for 69 years.
This is the fifth time in six years that a Bruiser has been chosen for a top Girls State honor. Nisha Boyington ’11 attended Girls Nation in 2010. Sarah Shaw ’12, was elected governor in 2011. Emma McCallie ’13 represented GPS and the Volunteer Girls State as one of two Girls Nation senators in 2012, and Emily You was elected governor in 2013. Ms. Boyington, Ms. Shaw, Ms. You, and Ms. McCallie volunteered at this summer’s session along with several other GPS/Girls State alumnae.
All other GPS delegates at this summer's program were also chosen for leadership roles. Allyce Buniak was elected city mayor and county mayor and along with Ms. West was a nominee for Girls Nation. Rachel Raisin was a city mayor, Alyson Parris was a city councilwoman and district senator, and Mary Melissa Manuel was a party delegate. Ms. West was the Federalist Party chair and chief justice of the Supreme Court.
GPS biology/environmental science teacher Jenise Gordon served as citizenship director, and graphic design/drama teacher Suzanne Smartt celebrated her 50th year of attendance as a delegate and then counselor and staff member.
Over 500 high school students from Tennessee attended the 69th annual session of VGS at Lipscomb University in Nashville. According to the sponsoring American Legion Auxiliary, the Tennessee program is “one of the top Girls State programs in the nation…and provides young women the opportunity to form and run a mock government by meeting, living, and working with other young female leaders from across the state.”
The non-partisan, non-political event is designed “to teach and instill in the young women of Tennessee a love of God and country.” The attendees run for office, meet petitioning requirements, give speeches, address true-to-life issues, become informed, hone leadership skills, and make friends.