SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
We talk to a lot of politicians on this show, so when Nebraska elected its newest official in a special election earlier this month, we reached out.
CHARLIE COUCH: You can ask my mom. I'm a natural-born leader and I like helping other people.
DETROW: That's 10-year-old Charlie Couch, Nebraska's first ever kid governor. She won the state's top spot after 600 of her fellow fifth graders voted her in.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
CHARLIE: This victory is not just mine. It belongs to every fifth grader in Nebraska who wants to make a real difference in our state.
DETROW: Five other states have Kid Governor programs. The goal is to teach kids how elections work by holding actual elections. Kid governors serve a yearlong term. They focus on one issue they're passionate about. Couch ran on a platform of cancer awareness. Every candidate needs to provide a three-point plan. Couch has hers memorized.
CHARLIE: No. 1, we can hold fundraisers and activities to raise money not only for treatment, but also so that we can help financially with organizations like Camp Kesem. Two, I can meet with doctors, nurses and patient families to let them know about...
DETROW: The program's first ever kid governor is now a 20-year-old senior at the University of Connecticut. Elena Tipton says that megaphone, to talk about one issue, is one of the reasons the program is so special.
ELENA TIPTON: My advice to her would be, your dreams can never be too big and that she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to.
DETROW: As for Charlie Couch, she says she's most excited about two things going into her term.
CHARLIE: Just helping people and making sure people know that no matter what, they are loved, and they're safe.
(SOUNDBITE OF ELLA MERCER'S "JAZZ IN CUPS") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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