Treasurer Stenberg Greets Cornhusker Girl Staters in Capitol Office
Photos by Jana Langemach

Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg welcomed seven delegates to Cornhusker Girls State on Thursday, including Mackenzie Beavers of Overton who was elected State Treasurer in the Girls State mock elections.

Mackenzie said she became interested in running for State Treasurer in the Girls State mock elections after taking a high school accounting class that she particularly enjoyed.

Other delegates visiting the Treasurer’s Office were Brianna Beatham of Exeter-Milligan High School, Paige Wergin of Aurora High School, Maddie Reed of Milford High School, Kelsey Green of Neligh-Oakdale High School, RoseCarmie Froiland of Omaha Northwest Magnet High School, and Rachel Kathman of Lawrence-Nelson High School.

Cornhusker Girls State, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, is an annual week-long citizenship training program for girls who have completed their junior year of high school. Delegates are selected by Auxiliary units, who work with high school teachers and counselors to evaluate candidates.

Selection is based on the student’s interest in government and current events, leadership abilities, and scholastic standing. The goals of Girls State, according to the Nebraska Auxiliary website, are the following:

Treasurer Stenberg reviewed the duties of the State Treasurer’s Office and answered questions about his own educational and career path and his history in state government. Asked about his time at Harvard, where he received law and business degrees, he said he appreciated the challenge, the keen competition, the opportunity to meet fellow students from across the United States, and the privilege to study under distinguished scholars in fields like evidence and securities.

Asked to compare his roles as former Attorney General and now State Treasurer, he said the jobs are very different. While the position as Attorney General has conflict and controversy embedded in it, the job as State Treasurer oversees more pleasant responsibilities of state government, including returning unclaimed property to residents and helping families save for college through the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust.

  • Jana Langemach
  • Director of Communications
  • 402-471-8884