Weyauwega-Fremont students attend Badger Boys, Badger Girls
By Angie Landsverk
Chandler Logan is representing Weyauwega-Fremont High School this week as a Badger Boys State delegate.
He arrived at Ripon College on June 8.
“I wanted to do this because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Logan said.
The American Legion program teaches young men about state government’s civic processes and the leadership required to build a community.
He is sponsored by the local American Legion post.
This year’s Badger Boys session ends on Saturday, June 15.
The next day, Twyla Alix and Chloe Heisler head to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to be W-F High School’s Badger Girls State delegates.
The government and leadership conference is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.
Alix is sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 391, in Fremont.
“I wanted to do it because I’m very interested in politics,” she said. “I thought it’d be a good step.”
Heisler’s sponsor is American Legion Auxiliary Unit 176, in Weyauwega.
“I am very interested in government,” she said. “I think it’s interesting how everyone is accountable for everyone else, how government kind of takes care of us in a way.”
Badger Girls State ends on Friday, June 21.
Both programs are open to Wisconsin students entering their senior year of high school.
Leadership skills, public speaking
The three W-F High School students appreciate the opportunity to experience the programs.
During their sessions, the delegations function as a state, with city, county and state leaders elected.
“I plan on running for mayor and hopefully governor. I want to go to nationals,” Logan said.
He is the son of Samantha Logan-Elandt and Jeremiah Elandt.
Logan hopes to gain leadership skills from the experience, and also overcome his fear of public speaking.
He has some interest in politics.
Logan said he is curious about how government is set up, from the city level to state level and about the roles and responsibilities of those who work in government.
“I want to have the time of my life,” he said. “I plan on making the most out of this experience.”
At Badger Girls State, Alix plans to run for governor, as well as for city positions.
She is comfortable speaking in front of overs.
“I think I’d be a good representative for our state. I’d like to go to nationals,” Alix said.
She is the daughter of Anthony and Jodi Alix and hopes to gain more of an understanding about how the process works.
“There’s a difference between learning paper and pencil politics versus actual politics,” Alix said.
Heisler is the daughter of Dan and Becky Heisler.
She said participating in a program like this is “definitely out of my comfort zone.”
Heisler is not fond of public speaking.
As a result, she hopes to become more comfortable doing so, while also gaining leadership skills.
Heisler is undecided about what offices she may see as a Badger Girls State delegate.
She looks forward to the experience and is “excited to make new friends.”