Eighteen-year-old Dorothy Griffith has something in common with former President Bill Clinton, Jane Pauley, Michael Jordan and Neil Armstrong. They are all alumni of the Boys and Girls State Program, where students study national government.

Griffith, a senior at Bayside Academy, and resident of Spanish Fort, was chosen by her school to attend the program at Troy University.

For a week in June, participants were divided into groups of mock cities, officials, legislature and even a mock mayor.

Afterward, Griffith was one of two girls who were chosen to represent the state of Alabama at the Girls Nation program in Washington, D.C.

The biggest highlight of the program was when she got to meet President George W. Bush in the White House, Griffith said.

The majority of the program focused mostly on mock senate sessions, but they also participated in party nominations, debating and ceremonial signing of bills. Paul Morin, American Legion National Commander and the national director of Girls Nation, as well as two state department representatives, also spoke to the group.

Griffith also toured the U.S. Capitol and met with Sen. Shelby, Sen. Jeff Sessions and Rep. Jo Bonner.

“I also really loved talking to senators and representatives because these people are representing us for the state of Alabama,” she said.

During their stay, the group toured Arlington National Cemetery, the Air Force memorial, the Pentagon, the National Washington Cathedral and the Holocaust memorial.

While touring the Jefferson Memorial, she saw the Dalai Lama. Another memorable moment was when Nesse Godin, a holocaust survivor, also addressed the group.

In the week long program in July, Griffith stayed in a dorm setting, chaperoned by the America Legion Auxiliary.

“It was cool to hang out with the other girls from all over the country,” she said.

This was the first time that Griffith had been away from parents for that long and from that far away, she said. Griftith said her parents encouraged her all the way. Her sister was also a participant three years ago.

Last week, Griffith headed to Montgomery for a meeting with Gov. Bob Riley with the other Alabama students that attended Boys and Girls Nation. She hasn’t decided yet whether she wants a career in government.

However, she said “Attending the two programs helped me to establish a real sense of citizenship, both locally and nationally.”