Cedar Creek’s Dua headed to D.C. as part of Girls Nation
Courtesy photo
Cedar Creek senior Devika Dua will be in Washington D.C. this week to participate in Girls Nation, where she will debate actual legislation on the Senate floor.
Miss Dua goes to Washington. It’s not the latest novel or blockbuster movie, but Cedar Creek School student Devika Dua will be embarking on a trip to the nation’s capital to make her own mark.
Dua is one of 100 female students across the country who will be attending the 75th American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Girls Nation session from July 23-30. This comes on the heels of being selected as one of 50 girls to attend the ALA Louisiana Girls State.
“Although I’ve been to D.C. before, whether it was for the National Spelling Bee or a vacation, I am beyond excited for this particular trip as I will get the opportunity to visit America’s center of governance with a mock position of a potential political leader of Girls Nation,” Dua said.
The students will begin arriving in Washington Saturday, and according to ALA, Girls Nation is a seven-day leadership conference that provides aspiring young women leaders with practical insight into how the federal government operates, instills a sense of pride in our country, and promotes youth civic engagement. Many participants of the program go on to have careers in public service at the local, state, and national level.
While in D.C. Dua will be able to participate in mock senate sessions and all that encompasses, including debating bills on a personal and political level.
“I’m most excited about debating each state’s bills, including our own on renewable energy on the Senate floor with other phenomenal leaders,” Dua added.
Also, as part of the seven-day event, Dua will be visiting Arlington National Cemetery as well as other D.C. monuments. While at Arlington National Cemetery, the students will take part in placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“ALA Girls Nation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our nation’s future leaders to learn about the inner workings of the federal government before they are of voting age,” said Nancy Magginnis, ALA Girls Nation Committee chairman. “After attending their local ALA Girls State program and then ALA Girls Nation, the girls return home ready to be engaged citizens at all levels of government.”
ALA added that many of the students who attend Girls Nation, “go on to have careers in public service at the local, state, and national level.”
Dua is a senior at CCS who has put together a well-rounded educational career at the Ruston school. She is vice president of leadership on the Louisiana DECA State Action Team, a member of Students Actively Involved in Leadership, National Honor Society, and is also a Cedar Creek Cougar Ambassador.
She is also the vice president of the Crown Club and an accomplished pianist. Dua also competes athletically for the CCS varsity tennis team and is a co-captain.
“We are delighted Devika has been chosen for this recognition and representation,” said Sumeet Dua, her father and a professor at Louisiana Tech. “She has a penchant for leadership and examining the current issues that impact our nation, and this program will give her a unique opportunity to cultivate her interests further. We are proud of her accomplishments.”
The American Legion Auxiliary is a community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families. Our members also support the mission of The American Legion in improving the quality of life for our nation’s veterans.
Sponsor of ALA Girls Nation, National Poppy Day® and recognized for advocating for veterans on Capitol Hill, the more than 600,000 ALA members across the country volunteer millions of hours annually and raise millions of dollars in service to veterans, military, and their families.
Founded in 1919, the ALA is one of the oldest patriotic membership organizations in the U.S.A. To learn more and to volunteer, join, and donate, visit www. ALAforVeterans.org.
