New Ulm High School Student Alexandra Groebner stands at the podium in the Minnesota House of Representative Chamber on the last day of the 2023 Girls State program.

ST. PAUL — Last week Alexandra Groebner served as New Ulm’s representative for the 2023 American Legion Auxiliary Minnesota Girls State program at Bethel University.

The week-long program helps teach young women about citizenship and government. Delegates to the event spend the week setting up a state government beginning at the lowest city level and moving up to governor. Activities include political party campaigning, caucusing, debating and voting.

“There are about 200 girls in the program,” Groebner said. “We moved through the levels of city, county and state government.”

The purpose of the Girls State Program is to provide citizenship training and to inform participants about the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of government as practiced in a democratic society.

Groebner wanted to participate in the programs out of a passion for the law and government.

“I’ve always had an interest in government and the law and I wanted to immerse myself into that,” she said.

Before attending Girls State she was considering attending law school, but the experience sealed the deal for her.

On the first day of the program following orientation, the girls hit the ground running with assemblies, speakers and campaigning.

“We were up from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day,” she said. “It was a long day. It is very worth it though.”

Groebner ended up as a city and county delegate. She helped develop platforms for the party she was assigned. She was eventually appointed the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Though the Girls State program was a simulation of the governoment, many of the topics they addressed reflected the real world.

Groebner said she and her fellow delegates discussed affordable healthcare, easier access to education, more walkable cities and green energy.

Like in real life, finding solutions to every issue in society was not possible. Groebner said not every issue was in their control.

“It was not an issue of want to do it or not wanting to do it,” she said. “It was more of, ‘How do you do it?”

Not every bill introduced at Girls State could make it through the House, Senate and Governor’s office but Groebner was pleased they were able to pass a bill for a homeless task force. The task force would assign an individual to assist a homeless person in finding shelter and finding work. She said the bill assisted with the homeless crisis but also stimulated the economy by finding individuals employment.

On the last day of the program, the girls were able to visit the State Capitol. Groebner said this was the most exciting part for her. The girls were able to hold mock sessions of the House and Senate in the actual House and Senate buildings. Those in County and City Governments were able to hold a mock trial in the Minnesota Supreme Court building.

At the Capitol, Groebner was able to network with people who work there.

“I talked to a few people who were clerks and pages of the actual Representatives and they had really good insight on how to get internships and jobs,” she said.

Groebner plans to attend law school someday, but she might study in another field first to gain a broader experience based on advised she gained at Girls State. She currently works in marketing with Foresee Studio and might continue in that field before joining law school.

After attending Girls State, Groebner encourages other young women to attend.

“It is an amazing opportunity,” she said “The experience of being around this many young women was empowering. It