Camden Catholic senior only second South Jersey student to be elected NJ Girls State Governor

Jasmine Walker, a senior at Camden Catholic High School and a resident of Camden, became the second high school girl from South Jersey ever to be elected Governor of New Jersey Girls State, the prestigious citizenship program held each year for young women.

Each year, hundreds of the best and brightest high school girls first compete for a place in New Jersey Girls State and then come together to learn of the functioning of state government at Georgian Court College in Lakewood, NJ.  This year, three girls from Camden Catholic participated, including Imani House, also a senior from Willingboro and Maggie McHugh of Pennsauken.  While at the event, Walker rose from Mayor of a fictional municipality during the five-day educational and interactive session to being elected Governor.  House was her opponent during the gubernatorial election.

Since Girls State was founded nationally in 1937, nearly one million young people have had the opportunity to learn first-hand how their state and local government works.  The goal of the program is to prepare girls for their future roles as responsible adult citizens. The program is run by the American Legion Auxiliary and locally by American Legion Post 372 in Cherry Hill.

“We are Camden Catholic are extremely proud to have three representative at Girls State,” said Jack Phipps, school guidance counselor.  “And to see Jasmine’s leadership skills be recognized as she rose to the top at such an important gathering was wonderful.”