Sixty-two years separate Betty Brenn and Elizabeth Kincaid, but despite the age difference they share a love for politics.

And both have been involved in Sunflower Girls State, a program sponsored by the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary that is celebrating its 60th year.

Jeanne Haas, government problem adviser, Heidi Blair, assistant director, and Sheri Jacobs, counselor, prepare supplies for the 500 girls participating in this year's annual Sunflower Girls State. The three were preparing Friday for the event, which begins this weekend at Kansas University.

“We did the same things back then,” said Brenn, a Colby resident who participated in the second Girls State in 1940. “Of course, nobody knew what it was all about. It’s really grown since then.”

Kincaid, a Lawrence High School student, will be part of the new generation at Girls State, which kicks off Sunday at Kansas University.

The program began in 1939 but was suspended for three years in World War II. Aside from its first few years when it was staged in Topeka, Girls State has always been at KU.

About 500 girls all preparing to enter their senior year of high school will participate in this year’s event. They’ll form political parties, elect mock governments and tackle municipal, school, county and state issues.

“It’s government in action giving them a taste of politics,” said Becky Keller of Hunter, the program’s director.

The girls stay in McCollum Hall at KU. Nearly 60 volunteers from throughout the state help administer the program.

Kincaid said she expected the girls to discuss public education funding. Many of her classmates suddenly became interested in politics when the Legislature started talking about cutting schools’ budgets.

“I hope this will prepare me for next year when I take (advanced placement) politics,” she said. “So far we haven’t learned that much about politics.”

Janet Murguia, KU’s executive vice chancellor for university relations, will speak to the 500 girls at their opening meeting Sunday night. Murguia said her experience in Girls State in 1977 helped convince her to work in government.

Before coming to KU, she worked as a staff member for President Clinton.

“It really changed my whole thoughts on government,” she said. “If it wouldn’t have been for Girls State and Girls Nation, I wouldn’t have thought to go to Washington, D.C., after law school. It put that thought in the back of my mind.”

Brenn, 79, has served as a volunteer at Girls State for 15 years. She said she didn’t think much had changed with the program since she was a participant.

“The elections are about the same,” she said. “It was just on a smaller scale then. It’s a big thing now.”