VCHS Senior | Class of 2027 | 2026 California Girls State Delegate
When VCHS senior Brooke Boettcher was selected to attend California Girls State, she was surprised, excited and honored to have the opportunity to represent Vacaville Christian School and her local community alongside hundreds of young women from across California.
“It means so much being able to represent my school and area in a competitive environment where hundreds of other girls are,” Brooke said. “It honestly feels like an honor being chosen to be alongside other talented and capable young women.”
At Girls State, Brooke took part in the work of government firsthand. Students formed mock cities and counties, campaigned for leadership positions, delivered speeches, voted in elections and worked together on community issues. They also heard from women serving in a variety of leadership roles.
“Leaders aren’t made when following the crowd.”
For Brooke, the experience opened her eyes to just how many people are involved in serving a community. “I didn’t realize just how many people were needed and how many positions there really are,” she said. “Now I feel more grateful for the people who help out our community and strive to make it better.”
Being surrounded by students who were campaigning, speaking publicly and putting their ideas forward also pushed Brooke outside of her comfort zone and gave her a different perspective on leadership. “If you want something to change, you have to be the one to initiate that,” she said. “It’s better to speak up about your ideas than be quiet about them.”
She also noticed that the students who stood out weren’t necessarily the ones doing what everyone else was doing. As she watched the campaigns and different leadership styles, Brooke reflected, “Leaders aren’t made when following the crowd.”
Brooke’s faith helped guide both her voting decisions and the way she treated others.
“I think that my faith influenced me to really treat everyone with care, and that contributed to me making so many friends,” she said.
Those friendships became one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. Brooke describes Girls State in three words: sisterhood, eye-opening and immersive. She went expecting to learn about government and politics, but came away equally grateful for the relationships she formed along the way.
“While I absorbed so much new information about how government and politics work, the friendships and moments created are what I will cherish forever,” Brooke said.
Brooke returned to VCS with a better understanding of government and a greater appreciation for the people who serve their communities. While she already had ideas about what she wanted to pursue after high school, she now sees government and politics as possibilities to consider.
For other students considering Girls State, Brooke has this advice: “If you get the opportunity, take it! It’s so much fun, and the connections you create are so worth it. I promise you will remember this week forever.”
