Are your ready for Girls State?
 BIANKA TANORI/DOUGLAS DISPATCH Girls State representatives from Douglas High School last year were Jacque Solis, Paulina Ramos, Catherine Gallardo, and Victoria Ramos. |
for this summer event.
Girls State is a citizenship education program
sponsored by the American Legion
Auxiliary. It is a chance for high school junior
girls to compete to become one of Douglas’
delegates to go to the U of Ain Tucson
on June 5-11It is definitely prestigious for a
young girl to be able to have Girls State Program
on their resume.
Girls State is a nonpartisan program that
teaches young women responsible citizenship
and a love for their God and Country.
High School girls who have competed their
junior year spend an intensive week of study
and working together as self-governing citizens.
The girls chosen from Douglas have
the opportunity to go to the U of A to learn
how to participate in the functioning of their
state’s government in preparation for their
future roles as responsible adult women.
Last year the girls who were selected were
Jacque Solis, Paulina Ramos, Catherine
Gallardo, and Victoria Ramos from DHS.
According to Karen Smith, who is chairman
of the program, “This was a lucky group of
girls because usually we only pick 2 girls
and an alternative to be in Girls State, but
last summer all four girls got to go experience
this with the rest of the Girls State from
all of Arizona. It was definitely a strenuous
activity packed week! I would like to thank
the Unified School District for supporting
our programs throughout the years.”
Any girl in the junior class of high school
that meets the necessary qualifications is eligible
to be considered as a citizen of Arizona
Girls State. They each must complete
an application which is in the counselor’s
office that includes a short essay on “How
can I encourage my friends to show pride in
being an American?” Deadline is March 11,
2011 and must be turned in to counselor Gail
Ames.
Paulina Ramos explained the highlight of
being in Girls State. “We went to the U of A
in Tucson and stayed in the dorms. Our job
was given to us when we arrived. There are
fifteen cities, four counties, and two political
parties at Girls State. Each girl was assigned
to a city and to either the Nationalist
or Federalist party. We learned through activities,
the techniques, advantages, and disadvantages
of two-party government. Every
girl has a part in the operation of her city.
The citizens of each city elect their officials
and set up their government. It was extremely
interesting and we gained valuable
knowledge that we will use as we get older.”
Most of the girls also have the advantage
of getting scholarships. Students are encouraged
to apply for the Samsung scholarship
for their continued educations. Girls
State has given hundreds of young women a
variety of educational opportunities, including
a better understanding of governmental
operations.
Developing leadership skills and confidence
gives young women a lasting foundation
for success in their personal and professional
lives with the Girls State Program.
For more information you can contact
Karen Smith at 364-7603 or
ksmith111@cox.net.
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