American Legion Auxiliary Badger Girls State (ALABGS), a government and leadership conference sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, is an annual program for young women who will have completed their junior-year of high school. The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh campus will again host the ALABGS conference June 15–20, 2025. Representing OWHS in June are Lydia Van Ark, Lilli Stinson, and Isabella Lewallen. Lydia VanArk, daughter of Larry and Julie VanArk is being sponsored by ALA Unit #547 Lublin. Lilli Stinson, daughter of Erik and Tammy Stinson is being sponsored by ALA Unit #123 Owen. Isabella Lewallen, daughter of Charles Lewallen and Jeanie Holland is being sponsored through the Owen ALA Unit #123 with a contribution from the O-W Lions Club. These girls will join over 550 girls from throughout the state of Wisconsin to learn about city, county and state government by forming the mythical fifty-first state, Badger, modeled after the state of Wisconsin. The delegates will reside in dorms and experience a week of college life. Each dorm floor will be a “city.” The delegates will elect officials and create laws within their city. Two cities will join to form a county, and a similar process of electing officials and adopting laws will occur. Delegates will be randomly assigned to one of two political parties and have an active role in writing and debating party platforms for which the state constitutional officers stand. Each day will focus on various aspects of state government such as lobbying and attending bill hearings. The delegates will also witness a flag disposal ceremony and learn about veterans, military, and military families.
Jack Wendler, son of Jim and Julie Wendler and Sam Wells, son of Jerry and Dee Wells and Colton Paczkowski, son of Jim and Kelly Paczkowski are this year’s Owen-Withee High School representatives to the 2025 session of Badger Boys State. Jack and Sam are being sponsored by the American Legion Post #123 of Owen and Colton is being sponsored through the American Legion Post #123 with a contribution from the O-W Lions Club. Badger Boys State will be holding its 82nd session on the UW-Eau Claire campus from June 8-14, 2025. Hundreds of young leaders from across Wisconsin will become citizens of one of 27 cities and one of nine counties. Citizens are tasked with electing public officials at the city, county and state levels and governing throughout the sessions. Through this process, young leaders not only learn the fundamentals of civics, but also develop the interpersonal skills and confidence necessary for the next generation of leaders to feel empowered to be leaders in their local communities.
Badger State citizens become eligible for numerous scholarships and for the opportunity to attend Girls Nation or Boys Nation in Washington, DC.
Congratulations to this year’s representatives from Owen-Withee High School to Badger Girls State and Badger Boys State.