Every U.S. state has a governor — an adult leader who helps run the government. But in some states, kids can be governors too. New Hampshire just welcomed its newest Kid Governor, Jade Adams!
Jade is a fifth-grade student at Wells Memorial School in Harrisville, New Hampshire. Her journey to becoming Kid Governor began when she was in fourth grade. Jade explained to News-O-Matic that her class was a mixed fourth and fifth-grade class. So, when the fifth-graders started their campaigns for Kid Governor, Jade and the other fourth-graders did assignments for the program too.
As a fourth-grader, Jade researched animal testing, and when she was finally able to become a Kid Governor as a fifth-grader, she wanted to pick up where she left off. “I thought that animal testing was really wrong,” she told News-O-Matic. She wants New Hampshire to ban animal testing. Across the United States, 12 other states have already done that.
Animal testing is when animals are used in research to test how safe medicines, skincare, or beauty products are for humans. Although animal testing can help keep people safe, the tests can also hurt the animals.
“I just love all animals,” Jade said. So, she developed a three-point plan to solve the problem of animal testing in New Hampshire.
Her first step is to encourage New Hampshire kids to buy -free items. “I will run a on the New Hampshire Kid Governor website to educate people on what it means to buy cruelty-free items and what cruelty free-logos to look for,” Jade said. The logos often show a cartoon rabbit. She explained what cruelty-free means to News-O-Matic as well, saying, “Cruelty-free means that the product, or the item, isn’t tested on animals.”
The next step in Jade’s plan is to create a letter writing campaign. She wants to “flood the governor’s office with letters so we can make a difference and stop animal testing.”
Last, Jade says she will “travel to New Hampshire schools and give speeches to educate students on what it means to buy cruelty-free items.” She will also speak about “animal cruelty and how animals should be treated.” Jade says becoming a better public speaker is one of her goals during her time as Kid Governor.
Jade started her one-year- as New Hampshire’s Kid Governor on January 28. There was a ceremony at the New Hampshire Statehouse in the city of Concord.
State government officials, including Governor Kelly Ayotte, gave speeches about the importance of student leadership. Ellie Lively, the previous Kid Governor of the state, gave a speech too. Ellie had also run on a platform about helping animals.
Then, New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Gordon MacDonald led Jade in her . Jade’s Executive Council also took oaths at the event. That group is made up of other candidates for Kid Governor. They are Grace Gonsalves, Ainsley Gordon, Vivian Klein, Glen Lucas, Evelyn Palizzolo, and Jack Tata. The students will work on their own platforms throughout the year and will support Jade in her efforts.
Jade believes that by working with her council and with kids across New Hampshire, “we can help animals and bring change to our state. They need our help.” She added a final message for students — “Kids can make a difference.”
By Hannah Marcum
Updated February 19, 2025, 5:00 P.M. (ET)
