The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State did not begin as life changing for its Dadeville High School representative, but that is exactly what it ended up being. 

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Submitted / TPI Dadeville High School senior Ava Sanders represents DHS during the summer at the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program. Sanders earned the position as the Waite County Tax accessor during the program.

DHS senior Ava Sanders spent a week in June representing her school at the 2026 ALA Girls State, a mock legislative leadership program for rising seniors. What was major for Sanders in her participation was coming out of her shell. Sanders said she tends to be pretty reserved, and obviously anyone could be nervous walking into a room full of strangers. Soon, however, those strangers became close friends.