In her inauguration speech, 2022 American Legion Auxiliary West Virginia Rhododendron Girls State Governor Lakyn Campbell said she is looking forward to the year ahead after attending the week-long session at Davis & Elkins College she called “a life changing experience.”
Campbell was elected by her peers to serve the one-year term. She plans to focus on educating youth on veterans’ issues and protecting women in the workforce.
The daughter of Rita and Chris Campbell of Parkersburg, Campbell will be a senior this fall at Parkersburg High School where she is a cheerleader and member of the tennis team and National Honor Society.
In delivering the keynote address at the Girls State inauguration ceremony, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and Davis & Elkins College alumnus John Hutchison ’72 encouraged the citizens to seek leadership roles.
“I challenge every one of you to attain the highest possible level you can,” Hutchison said. “It may not be an elected position. Remember people who do a lot of the work are those who work for and with the elected officials.”
He also asked the citizens to meet three obligations: vote, become involved in government or serve on a commission or as an election official and serve as a juror when called.
In addition to Campbell, Hutchison also administered the oath of office to: President of the Senate Hallie Meyer, Speaker of the House Abby Hines, members of the Senate and House of Delegates, Secretary of State Trinity Kanz, Attorney General Mallory Westbrook, Treasurer Hannah Buterbaugh, Auditor Megan Mitchell, Commissioner of Agriculture Bailey Serevicz, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Mimi Ferguson, Justices of the Supreme Court Katrina Hernandez, Kianna Newbrough, Ashlyn Overbey and Jenna Waugh, mayors Kendall Itobi, Catherine Caruso, Jordan Niggemyer, Sophie Stuart, Megan Mitchell, Stella Episcopo and Sophia Cottrell and sheriffs Elizanna Hershey, Holly Paxton, Reagan Olejasz, Aliya Todd, Emma Wilcox, Elliana Cowden, Bailey Serevicz and Kamryn Conners.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals John Hutchison administers the oath of office to 2022 American Legion Auxiliary West Virginia Rhododendron Girls State Governor Lakyn Campbell of Parkersburg. The ceremony took place in Myles Center for the Arts Harper-McNeeley Auditorium on the campus of Davis & Elkins College.
