Photo courtesy of Union City Schools
By Mike Hutchens, Union City Schools Communicatios Director
Union City High School juniors Addison Kitchen and Edie Rodgers have been chosen as American Legion Auxiliary Volunteer Girls State delegates.
The 78th Session of the ALA VGS will take place at Lipscomb University from May 26 to June 1.
ALA VGS is among the nation’s most respected educational programs of government instruction and leadership development for high school students. Only female students who demonstrate leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty, service, and love for God and country were considered for inclusion.
Girls State was first held in 1937.
Kitchen and Rodgers – who were selected by UCHS administration for the honor – each have glowing credentials that helped their respective causes. Both have been involved in numerous school and community activities while earning several awards and special recognitions.
Kitchen is a member of the school’s prestigious 30+ ACT Club and has been included among the Top Ten of her class. She’s involved in the Beta, Key, and Drama Clubs, serving as Vice President of the Beta Club.
Addison has participated in the Obion County Youth Leadership, the Masquerade Theatre, and the Math and Craft Laboratory. She was selected as a member of the All-State Choir, the All-Northwest Choir, and the Tennessee Governor’s School for International Studies.
Her future plans include a college degree in psychology before attending medical school to become a psychiatrist.
“I know several people who have had a positive experience at Girls State, and I hope to gain knowledge about our government workings and make new friends while I’m there,” Kitchen claimed.
Rodgers, likewise, has succeeded and excelled in many things to date.
She serves as class president and holds the top officer spot in the Beta Club. Edie ranks in the Top 10 in her class while taking Honors and AP classes and is a member of the ACT 21+ Club. She’s been a SCOPE delegate, a member of the Key Club and the Golden Tornado Marching Band, and has been honored as a Kiwanis Student of the Month. She is also active in a number of roles at Second Baptist Church.
Rodgers was crowned Miss Obion County Fall Fest, Miss Teen Union City, and Miss Obion County Teen Volunteer.
She intends to pursue a four-year biology degree and attend medical school to become a pediatrician.
Rodgers said she hopes to network and build relationships with other participating students during her time at the conference.
“I expect it to be a great experience,” she stated. “I know I’ll learn a lot from others from different backgrounds and schools, and I look forward to gaining knowledge of what government really is and how our state is being run.”
