Lauryn Johnson, daughter of Heath and Linsey Johnson, has been selected to represent American Legion Auxiliary Oconto Sunset Unit 250 for the 81st annual session of Cornhusker Girls State to be held June 5-11 in Lincoln. Johnson will study local, county and state government processes in this nonpartisan political learning experience. Every spring, the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Program provides approximately 25,000 young women with a handson educational opportunity designed to instruct tomorrow’s leaders in the privileges and duties of responsible citizenship.

Delegates receive special instruction in parliamentary procedure and organize themselves into two mythical political parties. They then campaign, hold rallies, date and ultimately vote to elect city, county and state officials. Once elected to office, delegates are sworn in and perform their prescribed duties. Citizens not elected to office are given appointments and will attend meetings with the offices of their elected or appointed counterparts in actual state, county and city government.

Two outstanding citizens, known as “senators”, are selected at each of the 50 Girls State sessions held across the country to represent their state at American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation held in Washington D.C. in July.

Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary is the world’s largest patriotic women’s service organization. With a membership of nearly 850,000, local Auxiliary units have a strong presence in more than 9,500 communities nationwide.

Johnson is active in volleyball, basketball, play production, cheer, National Honor Society, Student Council, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, St. Ann’s youth group, Oconto 4-H group and Junior Auxiliary.