BONNERS FERRY — In June, Bonners Ferry High School juniors Brooke Roney and Rachel Tye will journey to a course in government process by Idaho Syringa Girls State, Inc.

Each year the American Legion Auxiliary elects two girls from Bonners Ferry or Riverside high schools or from the home school system for the venture.

Roney and Tye will travel to Nazarene College in Nampa and spend a week studying the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. They also will learn constructive attitudes toward American form of government, the political process and flag etiquette.

 “I am really excited this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I hope to learn things I can bring back for school,” said Roney.

Tye expects to learn a lot by attending Girls State.

“I feel honored to be chosen to represent Bonners Ferry and I feel like I will get a lot out of it,” she said.

The girls  were chosen by American Legion Auxiliary chairwoman Teresa Becker and assistant chairwoman Valdie Burkholder.

Girls are chosen based on a chart that rates them on integrity and leadership, in addition to displaying an interest in learning how governments are run.

“There were four girls who tried out and they were all very good and it was hard to pick because they were all very nice girls,” Burkholder said.

Roney is involved in dance team, National Honor Society, drama club, Peers Encouraging Abstinent Kids, pep club, Idaho Drug Free Youth, Academic Decathlon and cheerleading. She also is softball team manager.

Tye’s achievements include Associated Student Body secretary, two interview bronze medals. She also has a 4.0  grade-point average, is involved with Academic Decathlon and also has received awards for academic excellence, sportsmanship, high academic honors and citizenship. 

She has held student council government positions for three years and is junior president. She is in National Honor Society, a Delta Kappa Gamma student of the month and received the Positive Student Award in her sophomore year.

She also was awarded a third-place chess trophy in a 2008 tournament and placed fifth in the pole vault at the 2008 regional track and field competition.

Roney has been involved in other activities such as booster cub, Second Chance Animal Adoption, highway clean up, Peers Encouraging Abstinent Kids and Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce.