CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Kenwood High School senior Kelsey Thornton is a busy, and accomplished young woman. But her latest achievement almost didn’t happen.
Thornton was elected at Governor for Volunteer Girls State at Lipscomb University last week. Volunteer Girls State (VGS) is a program of the American Legion Auxiliary. This nonpartisan, weeklong program is offered to more than 550 of Tennessee’s best and brightest young women each year.
While being elected Governor of Volunteer Girls State is a huge accomplishment, Thornton says it was not in her original plan, “When I first got there, I didn’t plan to run for any offices, I was just going to participate and learn” Thornton said. But, she had a change of heart and decided to seek election. First, she ran as a delegate (she did not win), then, as mayor (again, no victory); this might have upset many teens, but not Thornton. Instead of giving up, she worked harder and campaigned for the governor’s seat.
At VGS the participants work together to operate a fictitious state complete with two political parties and 14 cities. Experienced volunteers and counselors help guide participants, or “citizens,” during the week as they elect city, county, and state officials, engage in party politics, debate legislation, and collaborate in a variety of activities. Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam addressed the participants on Wednesday morning, and the Tennessee Supreme Court heard two cases at Girls State on Thursday morning.
Thornton was the nominee for the Federalist Party, which she described as somewhat liberal. While some of the topics participants debated were rather polarizing, Thornton stated that (unlike in some real-life elections), the races never got ugly.
“The most interesting thing about Girls State for me was a realization that these 500+ girls were all so intellectual and so open minded. There was so much healthy debate and respect for everyone’s point of view. The professionalism and level of respect was very exciting for me,” she said.
Being the leader of a mock government is not the end of political aspirations for Thornton. She said she hopes to seek public office someday. Thornton will stay busy: she will attend a JROTC leadership camp, volunteer with another camp, is working on her original oratory for the upcoming speech tournament season, and holds down a part-time job.