The 2026 session of the Iowa American Legion Auxiliary Iowa Girls State will be held June 14-19 on the campus of Drake University In Des Moines.
The Solon American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #460, is pleased to announce this year’s Girls State selections. Participants from Solon will be Audrey Mack, Lauryn Swann, and Haiden Wolfe.
Mack is the daughter of Chris and Abby Mack. During the school year, Audrey has been involved in Golf and Best Buddies and serves as a Buddy Director. She has helped with the Legion Lenton fish fry’s. When not at school, she is employed by Smash Juice Bar & Eatery. Her plans after graduation potentially will be to own a food industry business and/or become a nail technician. She is excited to be attending Girl State to gain a deeper understanding of how the government and world works. These are real-world concepts that are important for us to have a voice in shaping the future. She also thinks it will be fun meeting new people and work together with people she may not typically choose to work with.
Swann is the daughter of Michael and Jennifer Swann from Solon. While in high school she has been on the Golf team. She has volunteered her time to help with the Solon Legion fish fry’s, and she currently works at Buff’s Gameday and Solon Sips. After graduation, she is planning to attend Kirkwood Community College’s CNA program and then enroll in their nursing program. She is excited for Girls State because she wants to get a deeper understanding of how our government works. These are important things we need to know in the world, and this is a perfect way and age to start learning. She is looking forward to making new friends and to learn leadership skills.
Wolfe is the daughter of Bradley and Kelly Wolfe from Solon. Throughout high school, she has been involved in volleyball, track and wrestling where she was a team captain. She has been active helping with the Legion Lenten fish fry’s. Currently she works at Spartan ECC and Kroul’s Farm. After graduating she is excited to explore different paths. She’s looking forward to attending Girls State to learn many new things and to meet so many new people.
About Iowa Girls State
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 75 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.
The girls will join approximately 300 young women attending Iowa Girls State who have completed their junior year of high school and will study City, County and State government processes. Iowa Girls State citizens set up their own City, County and State governments and administer them according to the laws of Iowa. The girls also participate in legislative sessions, campaigning, party rallies, debating and voting along with learning deeper knowledge of parliamentary procedure. In addition to their political activities, the girls hear several motivational speakers along with local and State government officials.
On Friday evening, June 19th, the inauguration will be held which includes the closing of the final joint session of the House and Senate, the installation of the governor and her officials, many scholarships are awarded and the Girls Nation Senators are announced. The Inauguration will be held immediately following the flag lowering at 5:15 p.m. outside the Olmsted Building at Drake University, Des Moines, IA. The public is invited to attend.