Girls' State

I’m mentoring a girl from a small town in NYS. She wants to try for the USCGA and USNA. It was recommended to her that she apply for Girls’ State. She had a great deal of difficulty in that the applications did not seem to be awarded on a merit basis nor on a first-come basis but only from select high schools. Anyone have any insight to this?

Idzak said:

I’m mentoring a girl from a small town in NYS. She wants to try for the USCGA and USNA. It was recommended to her that she apply for Girls’ State. She had a great deal of difficulty in that the applications did not seem to be awarded on a merit basis nor on a first-come basis but only from select high schools. Anyone have any insight to this?

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Girls State is an event hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary that focuses on leadership and politics/government. Select high schools throughout the state will send delegate(s) to a college to spend a week creating their own state government. However, if her school does not have a history of sending delegates, or has not previously sent any girls, she can inquire with the local American Legion Post to possibly secure a spot. Selection is competitive, and is based on an interview that heavily weights the well-roundedness of the student- leadership, grades, and character- all things that the service academies also look for. My DD attended this past summer and tells me that Girls State was an amazing experience- the local post paid all her expenses.

Our kids approached (via a phone call) the local american legion post and asked for the application and procedures. After a nice conversation, the application and a quick trip to their next meeting, they were sponsored. Our local post sponsors a few applicants by matching with posts in the area that don't have an applicant - so both were able to attend with a few others from the same town. I'd just call and ask the local post for info. Depending on your location, it may not be as "competitive" as others. Good luck!

Girls State

It is big plus and would help out. Attached is a link that will be of a lot of help to the two of you.

http://www.alaforveterans.org/what_we_do/mission_outreach_programs/Pages/ALA GirlsState.aspx

Best of luck,

RGK

Not sure if I can help; but I went to Keystone Boys State last summer. Had a blast; but besides the point.

I don't quite know how Girls State applications work - but I'd imagine similar to Boys State. I personally skipped going through my school in its entirety -- in fact; my guidance office didn't even have a clue what Boys State was!!!!

Basically, I went online, grabbed the application. Printed/filled it out when down to my local Legion post and turned it in. (Funny thing was my post didn't know what Boys State was either -_-) A few weeks later I got a packet in the mail saying that I will part of Keystone Boys State 2012!! No interviews or nothing!

Hope this helps!