Zoee Buffalo News-Herald/John Speer

Zoee Buffalo, has been chosen to represent Tama Unit #73 American Legion Auxiliary, which began yesterday, Sunday, June 17. She will be a senior at South Tama High School this fall and is the daughter of Mark Buffalo and Heather Ellingson.

Girls State is held on the Drake University campus in Des Moines.

Iowa Girls State is one of the premier programs sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary and was all started by a dream of four women over 68 years ago in hopes of teaching young women about the political process. Girls State is a “learning by doing” program, which takes the girls through the entire political process.

Approximately 300 girls attended Iowa Girls State from around the state of Iowa.

Girls State cover city government which is non-partisan in Iowa

Early in the week, the girls elect their mayors and city councils, transact city business, pass city ordinances and work on a city project for judging later. They are also divided into political parties and campaign to get their parties candidates elected and create party loyalty. By the end of the week, they elect county and state officials.

During the week, between campaigning, there will be speakers on a variety of subjects.