Hays High School is sending four seniors to Girls and Boys State this year. The select group includes (left to right) Peyton Perez, Tyler Cullen, Victoria Volker and Payten Spielberger. (Photo by Jim Cullen)
by JIM CULLEN
Four of Hays High School’s finest join a long tradition of Rebel representation at Girls and Boys State this summer. The select group headed for the intensive experience includes Tyler Cullen for Boys State and Victoria Volker, Peyton Perez, and Payten Spielberger for Bluebonnet Girls State. Tyler has joined other men from across the state at the University of Texas at Austin this week. Victoria, Peyton and Payten head for Girls State at Texas Lutheran University June 12-18.
Sponsored by the American Legion, Boys State will offer Tyler an experience complete with governing bodies and elected public officials. Program materials note that “rather than classroom lectures and textbook learning, we emphasize participation and personal experience in a model state.”
The Rebel girls will find a similar week, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, at Bluebonnet Girls State. The program describes its site as “a mythical 51st state where, for a week, participants organize their own various city, county and state offices.” They will introduce and debate their own bills in a mock legislature and the week includes a visit to the State Capitol where the girls get the chance to sightsee and meet state officials.
Tyler is the son of Michael and Stacey Cullen. At last report he was maintaining a grade point average of 4.2 and carrying a number of Advanced Placement courses. He has served as vice president of both the junior class and the student council, band secretary, and sophomore class co-president. He was also a Rebel Award winner in both 2009 and 2010.
Victoria is the daughter of Jody Robertson and James Volker. She reports a grade point average of 4.0 and has been sergeant-at-arms for the student council, editor in chief of Flashpoint Literary Magazine, and the creator and president of the Smart Janes Feminist and Activist Club. She is a member of the National Honor Society and competes in UIL Criticism.
Peyton is the daughter of Javier and Jennifer Perez. She is maintaining a 3.7 grade point average, is a member of the National Honor Society and an officer in the Hays High chamber choir. She is also a member of the OAKE National Choir and the UIL Spelling Team and volunteers with the school’s Leo Club and at Rolling Oaks Nursing Home. Additionally, she earned honors as a Region Choir member this year.
Payten is the daughter of Christy Spielberger and Thomas Untermeyer. She maintains a 3.9 GPA while handling the demanding duties of cheerleading (two JV years and one varsity, to date), is a 10-year Girl Scout, and is a member of the Leo Club, Spanish Club and the Spanish Honor Society, as well as the National Honor Society. Her honors include Girl Scouting’s Bronze and Silver Award and its Leadership Award. She was also recognized as a Rebel Pride Award winner.
