Meredith Earp probably hadn’t imagined herself in this exact situation before. Picture it: A throng of citizens and staff takes to the senate floor at the Texas State Capitol. The space is rich with history, having been the site of legislative action since the late 1800s. Earp sits at one of the desks in the chamber—she’s had the opportunity to submit a bill, and has debated in its favor. She rises, walks to the speaker stand, and addresses the senate, facing the gathered crowd.
Earp, a rising high school senior, arrived in that moment this summer by way of Texas Girls State, a program founded by the American Legion back in the 1940s, in an effort to educate young women in the duties, privileges, and responsibilities of American citizenship, and to teach them how the government operates.
Back in the beginning, some ninety-four high school-aged girls gathered together for the first Girls Sate. Since 1969, Texas Lutheran University has had the privilege of playing host to the weeklong event, which takes place every summer—and this year, over 600 girls, the largest group to date, participated.
The program draws the best and brightest from across the state. To be eligible, participants must be nominated by the faculty or staff at their high school, based on their accomplishments in leadership, citizenship, and character.
Earp, a resident of Bowie, was one of the young women chosen to attend Girls State this year, after being nominated by her high school, Victory Christian Academy, in Decatur. “I believe I was chosen to attend Girls State because of my constant desire to work hard and further myself,” Earp said. “I also hope that I was chosen because I exemplified exceptional character and leadership skills, and I hope that I was chosen because I was seen as a good representative for my school and community.”
Earp had never been to TLU before but enjoyed her time there. “It was a beautiful and very accommodating campus that I know was adored by all in attendance at Girls State,” she said. As it turned out, TLU President Dr. Debbie Cottrell is an old friend of Earp’s former school counselor, Julie Green. The two met during their college years at Baylor University, and when she heard that Earp would be at TLU for Girls State, Green alerted Cottrell. “Dr. Cottrell then reached out to me, and we had the opportunity to meet,” said Earp.
The week held many important lessons for Earp. “Girls State taught me how to work with others effectively and share opinions openly,” she said. “It taught me how to be confident in my principles and ideas, and I learned more about how the Texas government operates and how state officials campaign for office. I also learned how to be more confident while speaking in front of crowds.”
Earp will carry those empowering lessons—as well as the courage she found within herself facing the crowd there on the floor of the Senate Chamber—as she wraps up her high school career and heads out into the world to pursue her dreams. “My dream is to attend the United States Air Force Academy, and I believe that Girls State will aid me in this dream through its lessons in character and leadership,” she said. “I also learned more about the government and freedoms I will be protecting in the United States military.”