By Paula Pyzik Scott

Buckeye Boys State and Buckeye Girls State are American government learning experiences hosted by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary that are dubbed “A Week to Shape a Lifetime.” A conversation with Aidra Preston, an Ada High School student who participated in summer 2024, makes it also sound like a lifetime compressed into a week.

Preston described how the 500 girls attending Buckeye Girls State (BGS) in Bowling Green, Ohio wrote 40 bills and how she sought various offices before becoming a state house representative. Ultimately, she helped write a bill on First Generation Farming Assistance and saw it pass in both BGS House and Senate, and be signed into law by the BGS governor.

The Ada student noted that “some girls came ready” to be elected governor, judge, etc. But if Preston didn’t arrive with a role in mind, she certainly arrived with a goal in mind.

As President of her chapter of the Future Farmers of America and Junior Fair Board and an experienced public speaker, she was ready to address the needs and interests of Ohio farmers. She used her red cowboy boots as an attention-getter in her campaign.

Armed with a notebook full of details, Preston explained how the girls were sorted into two groups, Nationalists and Federalists, and assigned roles beginning at the county level. She ran for several positions, giving speeches each time to her party and then experiencing a primary and general election as a Federalist.

During the government function period, Preston became the minority speaker in the house. She helped appoint girls to various committees. When writing the bill, Preston worked with the majority leader of the Nationalist party. Her strong interest farming and experience as a presenter gave her plenty of material when it came time to suggest a topic.

To her surprise, Preston had to explain what “Ag” was to many BGS participants. In turn, she says the girls helped her gain perspective when discussing areas of concern including the environment, mental health and financing. She says it was eye-opening to discover that despite her knowledge and passion for farming, getting down to specific policy is extremely difficult. Ultimately, the bill focused on financing for first generation farmers with loans to be implemented through county Ohio Department of Agriculture offices.

But would the bill make it all the way into law? After an agonizing waiting period, the bill was signed by the BGS governor. Preston attributes the bill's success to being unique and specific.

For others considering attending Buckeye Boys State or Buckeye Girls State, Preston says it is a great opportunity for those with an interest in government or someone who wants to make a difference in a specific area. There is also an opportunity to spend the time with the Ohio Highway Patrol and serve as the police department.

For more information on Buckeye Girls State, visit https://buckeyegirlsstate.org/

For more information on Buckeye Boys State, visit https://www.ohiobuckeyeboysstate.com/