By Lexi MooreTen years ago Monica Bork left for a week of participation in democracy as the Hills American Legion Auxiliary delegate to Girls State.Since 1996, the 45-year tradition faltered. Changes in Auxiliary membership, coupled with a lack of interest from the student body, brought the long list of participants to a halt.This year the Hills American Legion member and Boys/Girls State Chairman Wendell Erickson decided to bring the tradition back to life. He pushed hard to get a local student involved and found interest in Hills-Beaver Creek junior Ashley Hoyme.Hoyme is the daughter of Eric and Wanda Hoyme of Hills. Last week she attended the 60th annual session with 400 other young women at Bethel University in Arden Hills.Nelson, who helped choose many of the delegates throughout the years, describes the experience as "a week of citizenship training for girls who are high school juniors. They ‘live’ in mythical cities and counties."She continues, "They establish laws, hold offices, write and debate legislative bills and learn the privileges and duties of citizenship."Hoyme admits that she was scared when she first arrived, but quickly found comfort in the group that became her mythical city."Everyone agreed that our city was the best – we didn’t fight or have any problems during the week."At the start of the week Hoyme was appointed to be a federal election judge. Holding this office meant she played a role in every election held throughout the week.Hoyme encourages her younger classmates to participate next year."The experience motivates you to go after your dreams. The people you meet all support and believe in you, but when you get home you don’t have that same support," she said. "But your will to succeed is still there. The week teaches you that you can go after your dreams and do whatever you want to do."