A group of area high school students received firsthand experience this past summer on what it takes to run a city and what its like to campaign for office.
Students from Abington Heights and Valley View, who hope to join the military, attended the Keystone Boys State and the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State event in June at Shippensburg University. Abington Heights seniors Gretchen Reese, James Reese and his twin sister Gineva, and Valley View senior Jamie Heid attended the event.
With government simulation, they received firsthand lessons in civics with other like-minded students from around the commonwealth.
James Reese held the office of mayor in one of six simulated cities. His city was called Gasper City. He oversaw day-to-day activities. He and the other mayors held special sessions with the counselors about city issues and how to foster communication and cooperation. He saw the program as a way to see what military life was like working on a schedule and team building.
“It was an eye-opening experience,” he said. “Not only just the government and military parts of it, but also fostering that camaraderie between all of the different kids from all over the state. Many of whom came from different walks of life.”
After graduating from high school this year, James plans to be accepted into the Naval Academy for four years and to be commissioned as an officer. His backup plan is to take the NROTC (Naval Reserves Officers Training Corps) scholarship and attend a civilian college.
At Abington Heights High School, James is the director for its TV studio. He also partakes in competitive diving, pole vaulting and powerlifting for the school teams. He is in the Nation Honor Society and the Slava Honor Society for Russian language.
James’ sister, Gineva, was a state trooper and was elected the Chief of Supreme Court of her city, which was called Carnes. She was also in the Senate writing bills as well as discussing whether or not to pass them.
“I really appreciated the experience in leadership and the opportunity to meet so many incredible peers from all over the state,” she said. “It was really eye-opening in seeing how our state government works and being able to take part in that hands-on.”
Gineva was one to two girls in Pennsylvania to be accepted into the ALA Girls Nation. She attended this program two weeks after Girls State. Girls Nation is similar to Girls State but on a federal level. It permits two girls from each state to attend.
Gineva earned a scholarship to the Naval Academy and to the NROTC program. She hopes to receive a bachelor’s degree and upon graduation hopes to be commissioned in the U.S. Navy.
At Abington Heights, she plays the saxophone in the concert, jazz and marching bands. Like her brother James, she also does powerlifting and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is a junior firefighter at Chinchilla Hose Company as well.
During her time at Girls State, Gretchen Reese (no relation to James and Gineva) created, presented and defended bills in the House of Representatives. She also was the county magistrate, helping the mayor supervise the citizens of the imaginary city of Bidelman.
“It was an absolutely amazing experience,” she said. “My favorite part was just the people that I got to meet and am still friends with.”
Gretchen has applied to the military academies such as West Point, the Naval Academy and Coast Guard Academy. For extracurricular activities at Abington Heights, she is in the Geography Club, Interact Club and National Honor Society and is also a powerlifter. She will be competing in a national powerlifting competition. She is also a Girl Scout.
Jamie Heid ran for Senate and district attorney for his city, which called Gasper. He then moved to county voting, where he lost by a few votes. He learned the notions of the whole voting process. He also became a member of a health organization and ran a pizza business and an energy drink business.
“It felt like you were an adult, and it made me grow as a person,” he said about his time at Boys State. “I would come back in a heartbeat if I could.”
Jamie plans to join the U.S. Air Force after graduation. At Valley View, he played football and will participate in track in the spring.
James, Gineva and Gretchen became aware of Boys State and Girls State when researching key leadership activities to put on service academy resumes. They encourage any student who is interested in civic and political leadership to participate in this annual program.
Jamie heard of Boys State from his grandfather, Gerald Heid Sr., who is a member of the American Legion Hricak-McAndrew Post 869. This legion paid $300 each for James and Jamie to attend Boys State. The post’s ladies auxiliary sponsored $300 for Gineva and Gretchen to attend Girls State. They also pitched in another $100 for Gineva to go to Girls Nation.
