Staff Writer

IRON MOUNTAIN — Five Iron Mountain High School juniors have been selected to attend the 2025 Michigan American Legion Auxiliary Girls State.

Lillian Olson, Emma Roberts, Elena Nelson, Bella Person and Georgia Mundy will travel June 22-28 to Michigan State University campus in Lansing to take part in the week-long learning program.

Nelson was sponsored by Robin Johnson in honor of her mother, Patricia Jewell; Person was sponsored by the Uren-Cooper Johnson American Legion Post 50 bingo; Mundy is supported by the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Kiwanis Club; Nelson was sponsored by the Legion Post 50; and Roberts received the Carpio Scholarship.

Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo Five Iron Mountain High School juniors will be attending Michigan American Legion Auxiliary Girls State June 22-28 at Michigan State University in Lansing. Iron Mountain High School Girls State candidates from left are Emma Roberts, Georgia Mundy, Bella Person and Elena Nelson.

“This is the first time in at least five years we have sent a girl from Iron Mountain High School,” said Dawn Smith, Iron Mountain Public Schools scholarship administrator, noting they had no boys apply for Boys State.

“These girls are an ambitious group,” Smith added.

American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is designed to show young women — high school juniors — leadership and citizenship.

The program is a fun, learn-by-doing simulation of each level of government — local, county and state, Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 Auxiliary President Barb Larson said.

“It’s a great experience hosted by the Auxiliary each summer in Lansing,” she said.

The girls run and elect government offices, from village or city up to governor and state Supreme Court.

“Delegates will learn to lead, follow, compromise and work as a team,” said longtime Auxiliary member Robin Johnson, who assisted her mother at Girl State for many years.

They also will listen to guest speakers from various levels of government and civic involvement during their session.

Johnson said once they have completed Girls State in Lansing, two girls from each of the 50 states move on to Girls Nation, where girls compete to run for president and vice president.

“There’s a lot of goals,” she added.

Johnson is sponsoring Olson in honor of her mother, Patricia Jewell, who passed away in 2015 at age 89.

Jewell was a long-time active member of the local, district, state and national American Legion Auxiliary, including serving as Auxiliary state president and was national chaplain. She also served on all committees at the local through national level. She received the American Legion Auxiliary National Award.

“My mother was very involved in Girls State for many years,” Johnson said.

She also convinced many family members to go Boys/Girls State, including Johnson’s husband, Peter, in 1964; their son, Larry Johnson, in 1993; and nephew Christopher Conn in 1994.

Johnson noted her twin grandchildren, Emma and Justin Johnson, also went to Girls/Boys State four years ago.

“She would get such a kick out of all the fun stuff she would pack and the week she spent in the dorms,” she said. “She really loved every minute of it.”

Johnson believes her mother would be pleased she is doing this in her honor.

She encouraged the girls to start their campaigning on the bus on the way down state. “You don’t want to be the drain commissioner, you want to be the governor,” Johnson said.

Olson, who hopes to pursue a career in government, said she is excited about the program.

“It’s going to be an amazing opportunity to get hands-on experience with topics within that career path — I think it will be fun,” Olson said.

Roberts, who plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay after graduation to pursue a doctorate in psychology, said she is always trying to learn and better herself, whether for herself, family or community.

“I think it will be a really good experience for me,” she said. “It’s also a great way to show my leadership skills.”

Roberts looks forward to meeting new people and forming friendships as well.

Nelson was familiar with the program, as her older sister, Emily, attended. She plans to attend college and pursue a career in finance after high school.

“I feel this will give me first-hand experience of how the government works and I’m excited to learn new things,” Nelson said. “It’s going to be a great opportunity.”

Person said she looks forward to representing her community at Girls State. “I love going to these types of conferences because I get to meet new people, make friends and learn different skills,” she said. “I’m especially excited about taking part in the government process.”

Person hopes to become an actress and start her own movie company to write films.

Mundy plans to go into a government field after attending college, so appreciates what Girls State has to offer.

“I take every leadership opportunity I can get,” Mundy said. “I’m also excited to get to meet others my own age and to get to know them.”

Johnson said she looks forward to hearing about each candidates’ experience at Girls State.

“Though the week is filled with many learning opportunities, there is always time for fun and the formation of long-term friendships,” she said.

Larson said she hopes these five girls will spark interest in others to apply in the future.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.