Every summer, dozens of soon-to-be seniors from around Tennessee gather for a week-long crash course in leadership, democracy, and civic life. The American Legion Auxiliary Volunteer Girls State (ALAVGS), or simply Girls State, brings together some of the state’s finest young women and tasks them with building an entire mock government from the ground up. In its best, Girls State is a platform in which students are able to discover their voice, develop leadership ability, and forge lifelong friendships with peers who embrace a desire to achieve. But as with any high-stress program, experiences are extremely varied. For Lenoir City High School seniors Aubree Jones (12) and Annie Alvo (12), going to Girls State last summer was an experience that tested them in ways they never expected—to leave each of them with different but no less significant lessons.
For both students, the path to Girls State began not with a carefully planned application process, but with an impromptu opportunity presented by their school.
“What motivated me to apply for girls state was Aubrey Jones inviting me out of class to fill out the application the day it was due,” Alvo said.
Jones described her experience in a similar spirit.
“The application process was untraditional. It was basically just Mr. Baldwin interrupts one of my classes to see if I was interested in going and then interrupts my friends’ classes to see who would go with me,” Jones said.
In both cases, what might have seemed like a spur-of-the-moment decision soon grew into an immersive week of exploration, trial, and reflection.
Arriving on the campus where Girls State is held each year can be overwhelming. Hundreds of unfamiliar faces, a rigorous schedule, and the expectation to jump headfirst into leadership roles all set the tone for the week.
“When I first arrived, it was really intimidating,” Jones said.
Alvo agreed that the atmosphere wasn’t what she expected.
“My first impression when I arrived was definitely not as I expected it to be. I expected there to be more team bonding and not necessarily a self-centered program,” Alvo said.
That early sense of unease would shape both of their experiences—but in very different ways.
Central to Girls State is its government simulation. Each participant is assigned to a “city” within the program and must decide how to get involved—whether running for office, joining a party, or supporting others through journalism and photography roles. Alvo threw herself into the process with ambition, pursuing nearly every office she could.
“I ran for many government positions including city council, city nationalist, city mayor, law enforcement chief, city reporter/news journalist, and governor. While running I had to gather enough information and convince the people in my city to elect me into office. After all of the assemblies and events that took place throughout the day, I would get to my dorm and stay awake for hours writing essays and speeches as to why I’m deserving for the position,” Alvo said.
Jones, however, chose a path that matched her long-term career goals.
“I was a city reporter and photographer. This was perfect for me because those are careers that I’m interested in. I really enjoyed getting to observe and be present instead of being caught up in all the stress and chaos of some of the other positions,” Jones said.
Their choices reflected their personalities: Alvo eager to test her limits by running for major offices, Jones more comfortable sharpening her communication and creative skills.
Girls State is famous for throwing its participants into situations that require fast thinking and adaptability. For Alvo, that meant taking on a challenge she hadn’t planned for.
“Yes, an unexpected lesson that I learned throughout the week at girls state was take every opportunity you can. One of my experiences at girls state was running for governor. I did not expect to run for governor however, about 2 minutes before the ballot closed for candidates, I decided to run. Multiple girls in my city encouraged me to be a nominee because of my confidence and well spokenness. I had no speech written down, I had no information gathered about a specific topic, but I decided to push myself to go all in. I had 4 minutes to prepare a speech in front of 300 teenage girls. Most candidates had their speeches prepared and some even memorized,” Alvo said.
Jones also encountered challenges that reshaped her perspective.
“My time at ALAVGS was anything but what I had expected. Girls State taught me a lot of difficult lessons. It taught me failure. It taught me discomfort. It taught me disappointment. But my time at Girls State also taught me endurance. It taught me growth. It taught me hope. While these were intimidating lessons to learn, these lessons gave me a new perspective. This new perspective forced me to realize that these young women I was surrounded by were not a measure of my own success or failure, but instead a template for my own innovation,” Jones said.
Both found themselves in uncomfortable positions—one learning to improvise speeches under pressure, the other confronting feelings of inadequacy and competition. Yet both emerged with lasting lessons.
As the week went on, Alvo said she did experience some personal growth, especially in her ability to speak publicly.
“A moment that stood out to me while at girl’s state was developing more confidence in public speaking and furthering my skills with presentations. Throughout the week I would gather information on government issues and speak to my city about how we want to improve our County,” Alvo said.
But despite these positive moments, the constant pressure took its toll.
“Did girls state help me grow as a leader? Yes. Did I necessarily enjoy myself and feel comfortable there? No. My experience was more negative than positive. I found the week more stressful and competitive rather than a learning experience that connects young women. I ended up leaving three days early because I felt out of place and mentally drained. Leaving early was a big surprise because I am not one to quit or give up,” Alvo said.
Jones, meanwhile, saw her struggles as a way to redefine what leadership meant for her personally.
“That week, I learned a lot about government and citizenship, but I learned even more about myself. I learned that being a leader doesn’t just mean being confident or being a good communicator. It means being vulnerable. It means preserving and finding hope in every situation. Even if it seems easier to quit. Even if it seems easier to just walk away. Even when it seems easier to just go home. I believe Girls State was a valuable experience. Not just because of the connections I made or the people I met, but because of the traits I discovered about myself. When you are presented with an opportunity, you have control over your experience. I recommend making the most of it, even if it´s difficult or intimidating,” Jones said.
Despite their differences, both students agreed that Girls State ultimately provides a platform for young women to grow.
“Yes, I do believe girls state empowers young woman by giving them all an opportunity to express themselves and providing a place for young women to push themselves into becoming a leader,” Alvo said.
“I think Girls State is a unique program because it takes successful young women across the state and teaches them confidence and community,” Jones said.
Even though Alvo left early, she acknowledged that the lessons would carry forward.
“Absolutely, this experience has developed me into a stronger motivator to myself and my peers,” Alvo said.
For Jones, the growth was equally significant. While the week tested her in ways she didn’t expect, it left her with clarity about resilience, self-discovery, and the meaning of leadership.
Scores of potential seniors from throughout the state of Tennessee gather annually in a week-long crash course in citizenship, leadership, and democracy. The American Legion Auxiliary Volunteer Girls State (ALAVGS) program draws some of the state’s finest young women on the task of building a complete mock government from the ground up. At its best, Girls State is a place where students can discover their voice, hone leadership skills, and forge lifelong friendships with students who are determined to be successful. But as with any program of high stress, experiences can be drastically different. For Lenoir City High School seniors Annie Alvo (12) and Aubree Jones (12), a visit to Girls State last summer was an experience that challenged them in ways they never anticipated—both coming back with distinct, but no less impactful, lessons.
