Every year over 700 girls assemble at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg Missouri to participate in a week-long program known as Missouri Girls State. This year, Merikayt Patton (11) will be one of the 760 to-be senior girls who will form a mock government to learn about the complexity and duties of political workers.

Girls State offers girls or “delegates” the opportunity to form their own city; they form campaign platforms, run for offices, keep order by acting as State troopers or cops, and act as Senators or Representatives while going to the state capital to debate bills and resolutions. However, girls don’t need to be interested in pursuing a career in politics to go. Patton, though, found out about the opportunity of Girls State because of her desire to become involved with government.

“A year ago I wanted to be a politician and we [Patton and her parents] were looking for ways to get me more involved in the government,” Patton said. “My step-mom actually found it [Girls State] and it turns out my mom is actually an alumni from there.”