|
2007-2008  CELEBRATE FREEDOM – CELEBRATE YOUTH
For more than 60 years, the American Legion Auxiliary has provided citizenship education for America’s female high school juniors. A few hundred girls participated during the early years; now about 20,000 annually, bringing our total to nearly a million.
The South Dakota American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program will continue to grow and achieve great things during the 2008 Girls State session. The 62nd Annual South Dakota Girls State will be May 26 – 31, 2008 on the campus of The University of South Dakota, Vermillion. The W. O. Farber Center for Civic Leadership will be the campus organizer. A memorial service is planned following opening session on Monday evening. Patriotism and flag etiquette are promoted throughout the week. For those who want to continue their physical training, ROTC cadets will conduct morning exercise and running sessions. The Girls State Chorus will present a concert on Friday evening. Local judicial personnel are responsible for the legal portion of the session and local law enforcement officials will work with the law enforcement session. Local and state governmental officials will mentor the city, county, House, and Senate assemblies as well as the Citizens Forum. The Al Neuharth Media Center will be home to Journalism City with Chuck Baldwin serving as mentor.
All Girls State information and mailings are sent directly to the unit. Please complete the enclosed data form and return to me. If the form is not returned, the information will be sent to the unit president. Please note that application packets will be mailed February 1.
It is the responsibility of each Unit to make the final selection for all Girls State Citizens. The Units need to work with the schools and outline our program including the qualifications needed for participation. Ask schools for a list of students fitting our criteria, but make it clear that the American Legion Auxiliary sponsors Girls State and the final selection rests with the Unit.
Who is eligible to attend Girls State? · Finishing her junior year of high school and one semester of high school remaining; · High moral character with strong leadership abilities and above average scholastic standing; · Demonstrate DEFINITE INTEREST IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT; · Submit a statement of interest form available from the Auxiliary unit; · Attend the FULL session of Girls State. NO PERMISSION WILL BE GRANTED TO ATTEND OTHER ACTIVITIES during the session. To receive awards, the FULL session must be attended.
The Units are responsible for collecting the registration forms and health waiver forms (pay particular attention to the immunization section and past illnesses) and submitting them to the Girls State Registrar along with the registration fee. The school physical forms will not be accepted. Please verify that forms are completed (both sides) and signed by the parent/guardian (the girls are under 18 years of age). The forms are a requirement for Girls State as well as The University of South Dakota and South Dakota Board of Regents. If the information is not on file, she will not be allowed to attend Girls State. It is important the girls know their local American Legion Auxiliary Unit sponsors them. Please notify the delegates who the unit Girls State Chairman is. If the girl cannot attend, she needs to contact the Unit Girls State Chairman, so the alternate can be notified, and the information sent to the Girls State Registrar.
Once again, this year we are required to limit the number of attendees. If you would like to send additional girls, please list them as alternates on the registration forms along with a unit contact person. Following the April 1 deadline, we will add up the number registered and contact the units to fill the vacant slots on a first come, first serve basis.
The blue application form is for the regular session of Girls State and the pink form for Journalism City.
The cut-off date of May 16, 2008, will be the last day a unit may request any changes or additions to the roster. This will allow the staff to complete the final roster, print nametags, complete room assignments, and assign usernames and passwords for the computerized voting process. Any changes received after this date will not be honored.
The South Dakota Girls State Board of Directors decided they will no longer issue refunds if the girl does not attend. However, if there are circumstances beyond the delegate’s control, the Unit may request a refund, in writing, to the Girls State Director. The refund will be up to the discretion of the Girls State Board of Directors at their October meeting.
The citizens of Girls State are our future leaders and by providing a week of enthusiasm, patriotism, and service; as well as pride in our country, our organization and its accomplishments, the girls will leave with positive attitudes and strong desires to make this world a better place.
Cheryl Hovorka Girls State Chairman 816 Park Street Yankton, SD 57078 605/665-5635 (H) 605/677-5702 (W)
|
