SEBASTIAN — Two outstanding high school juniors from Sebastian River High School have been selected to represent their school, American Legion Auxiliary Post 189, and our local Sebastian community at the prestigious American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program in Tallahassee, Florida this summer.
Girls State is a weeklong leadership and citizenship program for exceptional high school juniors and focuses on hands-on, nonpartisan government education.
Recently, Cadets Anne Cevedeo (primary) and Genevieve Bissonnette (alternate) were chosen for this distinguished honor. Both students have demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership within their school and community. Both cadets are members of the International Baccalaureate Program, carry a cumulative GPA above 3.5, and are also active leaders in the NJROTC program.
Cadet Bissonnette serves as the Information Technology Officer (ITO), in which she manages the unit’s IT resources and user accounts. Cadet Cevedeo serves as the Community Services Officer (CSO) and is responsible for planning, scheduling, and staffing all SRHS NJROTC community service events. In their NJROTC leadership roles, they have shown responsibility, commitment, and strong work ethic—qualities that contributed to their selection for Girls State.
The Girls State program emphasizes leadership development, civic engagement, and personal responsibility. During this immersive, weeklong experience, participants join peers from across the state to take part in a simulated government experience. They run campaigns for local and state offices, draft legislation, and gain a deeper understanding of the American political system through hands-on, experience-based activities.
Both Anne and Genevieve are excited for the opportunity and look forward to meeting new people, developing their leadership skills, and expanding their knowledge of government and public service. Sebastian River High School proudly congratulates these young women on their achievement and wishes them continued success at Girls State this summer.
To learn more, visit the American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State. To learn more about the Navy JROTC program, visit the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps website.
To learn more about the SRHS Navy JROTC unit, or to partner with the unit for events and volunteer activities, contact CDR Peter Bissonnette by email at snsi@srhs.us, by phone at 772-564-4413, or by submitting an event support request.
