Flathead High School student Mikayla King took her first trip to the nation's capital to attend the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation. 

The incoming senior was one of two Montana delegates selected to represent the state, joining 102 other emerging leaders in Washington, D.C. 

From July 18-25, the students put on the hat of “senator” to participate in mock Senate sessions, where they were required to write, caucus and debate bills, working together to pass legislation. They also joined either the Federalist or Nationalist party, electing officials, a president and a vice president. 

King said there was a real effort to give as many students as possible floor time to present their bills. She recalls that they got through 24 bills. 

"Each state brought their own bill," King said. "I think one day we had a total of like six hours of Senate, which everyone got really tired afterwards.” 

She and her co-senator, Claire Steinbeisser of Sidney, wrote a bill on rural mental health access to establish a grant system for new facilities, maintain existing facilities, create a telehealth system and hire staff, noting Montana's high suicide rate. 

“We were No. 34 on the docket, so we didn't get to present it in Senate, but it did pass committee,” she said. 

The Flathead Policy Debate competitor got a chance to speak on other bills, including proposing an amendment to one on service animals and identification. She said one of the interesting bills she gave an affirmative speech for dealt with ranked-choice voting. King said she wasn't aware of this type of electoral system, which allows voters to rank candidates by preference until a candidate receives a majority, similar to a traditional runoff election. While it is used in some states for some elections, it is banned in Montana. 

"I found an article explaining it and actually explaining the benefits, and I went up and I gave an affirmative speech and explained how ranked choice voting allows for voters to pick the candidate that truly aligns with their values, instead of having to settle with one side or another," King said.  

Like many state senators, she went into sessions with how bills would affect Montana constituents first in mind, but she also considered how other rural states would be affected, including Wyoming, Idaho, Alaska and the Dakotas. 

“I wanted to think about the states that aren't as prevalent in ... policies or just government in general, and just think about how would these states be affected if this bill is mostly just targeting metropolitan areas?” she said. 

DURING THE week, students were able to watch a Senate session in action with an understanding of how it operated through their mock sessions. 

King and her co-senator sat in the Senate Gallery, catching part of a senator's speech, which, from what she gathered, was related to economics. 

"I think he was talking about something economic wise — which I praise anyone who understands economics, because I was so confused. I briefly remember him talking about the crown jewels, which is what really confused me," King said with a laugh. 

Their brief visit lasted about 15 minutes before they had to get back on the bus. Girls Nation participants also visited the National Mall, where King saw the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and World War II Memorial and snapped photos of the Washington Monument from afar. King also visited the Marine Corps War Memorial, or Iwo Jima Memorial, which was illuminated as it was nighttime. The American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation participants also placed a wreath at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. 

King and Steinbeisser, along with the two Boys Nation delegates, also met both of Montana's U.S. senators, Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy. 

"[Sheehy] acknowledged us and shook our hands and gave us challenge coins, but his conversation was just mostly with the boys because one of them wants to go in the Navy and Tim Sheehy was in the Navy, so he just kind of gravitates toward that, but he was still a really nice guy. I just wish he would have talked more openly with everyone," King said. 

“And then Steve Daines, he made a great effort to talk to everyone personally and have a little mini conversation with everyone,” King added.  

Daines also had each student take photos sitting at his desk, she said.  

“And he just seemed very excited to have us there to talk to him,” King said, later adding, "You can tell he definitely had more experience with the whole meeting constituents and just talking to people who wanted to come meet their senators." 

As a service project, Girls Nation senators assembled goody bags for veterans who travel on Honor Flights and Lone Eagle Honor Flights to show gratitude and support on their journey. 

FOUNDED IN 1947, Girls Nation has provided civic education to thousands of students, teaching them how the federal government works. 

Students selected for Girls Nation first participated in Girls State. To be selected to attend Girls Nation, King went through an interview process that culminated in presenting a speech before a three-person panel. 

“Once I was told I was picked, I was like, 'Oh wow, this is getting serious.' And I started thinking about what I wanted to talk about in my speech and what I would do, or how I would represent Montana to the best of my ability if I got picked to go to Girls Nation,” she said. 

King said she first heard about the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State from a school counselor who recommended that she attend.  

"I've always been interested in just how the government works and the relationships within our country, but also other countries," King said.  

As a policy debater, she is up for any opportunity to give or prepare a speech. 

“It's very evidence-heavy debate. Whereas other forms of debate, you're allowed to offer more analytical points, but in policy, everything you say has to be backed up by evidence,” King said. “It's always a domestic issue that we're debating. So, our topic last year was the United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development in the Arctic.” 

King said that previous experience was very helpful during Girls Nation for doing quick research with an eye for reputable sources. 

"It helped me with the research aspect, but also the short preparation. Even if I wasn't always called on, I still had a speech ready on affirmative or negative for every single bill," she said with a bright smile. 

In addition to speech and debate, King participates in Model United Nations and DECA and is a member of the National Honor Society at Flathead High School. 

THE AMERICAN Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation experience taught King a lot about leadership. 

“It's just really shown me that one thing a lot of people say is that the best leaders don't always have to have the loudest voices, and I feel like that really is true. But also, it's just taught me that in leadership, it's best to lead with grace, kindness and humility because that's just the better way to go through with it. And I've also learned that I come from a very blessed place. I am blessed to live where I do, and I have the opportunity to advocate for others, and I can advocate for people who may not have the opportunity to advocate for themselves,” King said. 

King said it also taught her that, even at a young age, it's never too early to become civically engaged. 

"And even though I can't vote yet, I think it's extremely important to understand what is going on in politics and how this is going to affect me, because even though I'm young, I know that every decision made will affect me either now or in the future,” she said. “So, I think it's just very important to stay informed and stay on top of what is happening, so you can truly form the best opinion for yourself and have an educated opinion." 

Being among a distinguished group of her peers from each state gave King hope for the future. 

"People really do care, and it was amazing to see how many people do care about politics and do care about where our nation is headed," she said. 

"And yeah, it made me realize that sometimes the headlines don't make it seem like everything's going to be OK, but it really — I truly believe that everything will be OK because of the young people who are so passionate about what they believe in," King added. 

For more information about the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation program visit legion-aux.org. 

Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 406-758-4431 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.