MONTPELIER — A number of local high school rising seniors took part in the American Legion Auxiliary Green Mountain Girls State 2026, which was held from June 20 to June 25 in the capital.

The students met with Speaker of the House Jill Krownski and Lt. Governor John Rodgers while hosting a mock House floor debate on various bills taken up by the legislature this session, offering their own amendments. Abby Young, in her role as Chief Justice, presided over a moot court case at the Vermont Supreme Court, where Green Mountain Girls State lawyers debated the Vermont Supreme Court case State v. Smith, 191 Vt. 222 (2011).

Rafaela Botti of Middlebury was named Model Citizen, Lux Tierney of Starksboro won a Spirit Award and Choir Award, Isabelle Van Vourst of Vergennes won a Spirit Award, Maddie Stroup of Vergennes was elected Green Mountain Girls State Auditor, and Abby Young of Orwell was appointed Chief Justice.