Ada Ruth Huntley, a rising senior at Chilton County High School, was selected as an at-large delegate to attend the 74th Session of Alabama Girls State held June 5-10 on the campus of the University of Alabama.

According to their website, Alabama Girls State is a week-long, fun-filled, hands-on learning opportunity for some of the best and brightest young women in the State of Alabama. Sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Alabama Girls State is a premier youth leadership program which offers a one-of-a-kind experience to its delegates.

While at Alabama Girls State, the delegates had the chance to set up city, county and state governments. The 388 delegates began their week by being divided up into two political parties: the Federalists and Nationalists.

The first order of business was to elect a delegate to serve as chairperson of the party. Huntley was elected chairwoman of the Federalist Party.

In addition to leading her party, Huntley was the campaign manager for her party’s candidate for governor, Caitlyn McTier.

The campaign was a success, and McTier was elected governor of Girls State.

After her election, McTier named Huntley her chief of staff.

“It was an experience that I will never forget,” Huntley said. “It was week full of memories that I will cherish forever with a lot of new friends that I will have forever.”

Huntley is the daughter of Tony and Liz Huntley of Clanton. She attends church at the World’s Church of the Living God in Clanton.

Huntley is pictured with Alabama Treasurer Young Boozer III, who was one of several state officials to speak during Girls State.