Hartselle student selected for honor at Girls State

By Jennifer L. Williams

Samantha Simmons, a rising senior at Hartselle High School, was recently voted to serve as Alabama Girls State Governor and to serve as a Senator at Girls National later this year. Simmons was one of 320 girls selected to participate in the 80th American Legion Auxiliary’s Alabama Girls State program, held at Troy University.

As Governor, she also met Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who attended the program in 1962 as a rising high school senior and was elected to serve as the Girls’ State Lieutenant Governor. “This whole experience has been so humbling,” she said. “Going into this week, I honestly felt unsure about its outcome. I had to push through any doubts in my mind throughout the week to network, campaign, create speeches, and answer political questions on the spot. Becoming governor is definitely my greatest accomplishment and I hope to make Hartselle proud at nationals. I will always be proud to represent the great city of Hartselle.” Simmons also thanked Hartselle American Legion Auxiliary Unit 52, which selected and sponsored her to attend this year’s program.