Gilbertsville-Mount Upton senior Tavian Raymond served as our delegate this past July at Empire Girls State, a program sponsored by Gilbertsville’s American Legion Auxiliary.
Tavian spent a week at SUNY Brockport, where she and other girls from across the state participated in an intensive week of educational activities, working to design a government for a theoretical 51st state with democratic and American ideals.
The girls learned about the structure and processes of their state’s government, and democratic participation in politics to prepare them for their future roles as responsible and active citizens.
"I had an amazing experience and I would recommend going to anyone interested in a heartbeat,” Tavian exclaimed. “I learned a lot of new things, not only about the government but also how to properly honor our veterans.
“We raised and lowered the flag every morning and afternoon,” she continued. “Unfortunately, we had to fly the flag at half-staff that week for a young soldier who lost his life in Afghanistan. He and his wife were expecting a child. Doing such things increased my nationalism and patriotism. There’s never a time where I won’t stand with my hand over my heart, proudly."
Tavian has been an amazing delegate and has made GMU and Gilbertsville's Legion Auxiliary so proud!