Several of our outstanding Chipmunks had the incredible opportunity to attend Louisiana Girls State (LAGS), a prestigious program dedicated to fostering leadership, citizenship, and a deeper understanding of government:

Drue Murray '26

Marlee Williams '26

Anita Li '26

Ella Growl '26

Mackenzie Ory '26

These young women represented Chapelle with pride, enthusiasm, and a commitment to learning about the principles of democracy and public service.

Louisiana Girls State is a week-long leadership and government-in-action program organized by the American Legion Auxiliary. Designed to educate young women about state and local government, the program immerses participants—known as “citizens”—into the political process.

During the program, “citizens” form their own city, parish, and state governments, experiencing the ins and outs of political campaigns, elections, and legislative procedures. Participants are also assigned to one of two nonpartisan political parties, the Nationalists or the Federalists, to further simulate the democratic process.

In addition to hands-on simulations, delegates gain wisdom from guest speakers, elected officials, expert panels, and experienced counselors. Through these experiences, participants leave with a stronger sense of citizenship, freedom, and patriotism.

For our Chipmunks who attended Louisiana Girls State, the experience was more than just a week of learning—it was a transformative journey. They returned with new friendships, broader perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the democratic process.

We are so proud of our students for representing Chapelle with excellence and for stepping into leadership roles that will undoubtedly impact their futures and our community.

Ella Growl '26 shared her experience:

"At Girl’s State I learned different ways to use persuasion in a speech to better connect with your audience as a speaker. Personally I loved that they held us accountable for not downplaying our achievements. Not only did they encourage me to become my most confident self but they equipped me with the tools to do so. Girl’s State truly moved me to become a more passionate citizen and I even registered to vote there. My favorite part was definitely being apart of the mock House of Representatives where I was on the committee of environmental justice. I got to propose a bill to the House and Senate for better disposal and removal of trees that are invasive or harmful to our Louisiana ecosystem."