CEDAR CITY — Four Catholic High School girls from the Diocese of Salt Lake City were among 300 gathered at Southern Utah University in Cedar City to attend Girls’ State June 6-11. Girls’ State is a week-long summer program run by the American Legion Auxiliary that offers citizenship and leadership training for girls who are between their junior and senior years in high school. This year the Catholic Woman’s League sponsored Elizabeth Caldwell from Juan Diego Catholic High School; and Ciera Archuleta, Natalia Behnken and Joanna Matyjasik from Saint Joseph Catholic High School. "Girls State was one of the best experiences I have ever had," said Caldwell. "I felt a sense of God and country that I never realized I had. We learned a lot about the government and it encouraged me to know my community. I learned a lot about our country’s history, our flag and to appreciate them so much more. All of us were crying as we watched the veterans retire the flags. It was really amazing and touching. I realized how much people give to fight for our freedom." During the week, Caldwell served as a city councilwoman. She found it fascinating to see how the election process works and to learn about party caucuses and nominating conventions. As a juror, she learned how the court system works by participating in a mock trial. "It was interesting to see how you have to set yourself apart from the case to make a fair decision so justice is rightfully served," she said. Behnken also learned a lot about the parliamentary procedure and how officials are elected. "I learned how our vote can influence the outcome of an election," she said. Archuleta served as a city delegate and as a state senator. "We held a mock congress and wrote bills to show others how the senate works," she said. Matyjasik also served as a county delegate and won the office of city treasurer by campaigning. Archuleta liked the guest speakers, "who told us to be ourselves," she said. Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert and Attorney General Mark Shurtleff spoke at Girls State. "Herbert talked about how integrity is the key to being a good politician," said Archuleta. "Shurtleff described what he does in his position and talked about his family. He also encouraged us to go into politics if we had a desire." Shurtleff also talked about how suicide is common, said Matyjasik. "I was struck by Shurtleff’s own experience with suicide," she said. "He had to stop his teenage daughter in the act of trying to kill herself. He said if you see that your friends are in trouble, don’t think of it as telling on them, think of it as helping them. He also said to treat everyone nicely because you don’t know what they are going through." Behnken learned from Cedar City Mayor Joe Burgess not to give up. "He said it’s the little things that bring you to the top," she said. The requirements for attending Girls State include contributions to school, church and community; leadership positions and volunteer activities. Caldwell served as a Juan Diego student ambassador, is a cheerleader, plays lacrosse, runs cross country, is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteered at the Salt Lake Multiple Sclerosis walk in April. Archuleta is also a cheerleader, earned high honors, served on the West Haven Youth Council, at the Children’s Justice Center and is in the La Chala Club. Behnken is also a member of the La Chala Club and is also active in sports. Matyjasik was the girls’ tennis team captain and completed numerous hours of community service.
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