Thursday, February 25, 2010
Keep Coming Back
We were glad to meet a lot of girls at SFHS and ALA! We hope you will keep coming back here to check our blog. We will update you on any changes this way. Let us know if you have any questions!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Spanish Fork High School
Today we were at ALA so tomorrow, February 24, we will be visiting Spanish Fork High School. We'll be there during lunch in the foyer. Come visit us!
Monday, February 22, 2010
American Leadership Academy Visit
Tomorrow, February 23, we will be visiting American Leadership Academy to get the word out! We'll be there from 11:30-12:30. Come visit us! You can ask us any questions you may have and meet us in person!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Patriotism, Participation, Progress
"The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Program has provided High School Juniors all across the country the opportunity to participate in a hands-on citizenship training program for over 60 years.
These young ladies learn government by actually creating a mythical state through the election of public officials on local, county, and state levels and then by carrying out the duties of these respective offices.
A continuation of Girls State is Girls Nation where two Senators from each state are selected to participate in a simulated National government program in Washington, D. C. The following are the areas of emphasis this year:
• PATRIOTISM as Girls State citizens gain a better understanding of our American traditions and a greater appreciation of our country and our flag as well as learn our government processes through simulated real life involvement in all levels of government.
• PARTICIPATION in the citizen's communities when she returns home and begins a life long commitment to be active in all levels of our government. To produce Girls State Citizens with this commitment of participation, units must make wise selections of delegates, provide them with informative orientations before the session begins, and then give them recognition when they return home.
• PROGRESS into the future by adding new and innovative enhancement to our program.
I hope all Departments will 'Catch the Wave of Patriotism, Participation, and Progress' and make each Girls State session a week that will change a lifetime." (Source)
DUE DATE CHANGED!!!
***ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010, 3PM
TO YOUR SCHOOL'S
COUNSELING OFFICE.***
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010, 3PM
TO YOUR SCHOOL'S
COUNSELING OFFICE.***
We would like make sure that everyone has the opportunity to apply for Girls State that would like to so we have changed our application deadline to
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010 at 3pm!!!!
Please turn in your complete application to your school's counseling office by then.
Interviewing for Girls State will now take place on
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010 at 4pm
at the American Legion Building on the southern corner of 400 North and Main Street.
Q & A
We are so excited you are interested in Girls State! It is a chance of a life time! Girls State brings opportunities of leadership, public speaking and learning more about our government. We would like to answer any questions you may have. If you have any questions please comment on this post or email us. We would love to help you in any way possible!
Q: Who are June and Melinda?
A: June Christensen is a past president of the Spanish Fork Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a councilor at Girls State shortly after she joined the American Legion Auxiliary. June spends much of her time in the service of others. She is a world traveler and has visited Mexico, Central America, North America (USA extensively), Western Europe, China, South Korea, Australia, Madagascar, Morocco, as well as many other countries. June has been married for over 30 years to her husband Ken. Together they have five children (Leona, Nadine, Weston, Melinda and Lyle) and six grandchildren. In 2007 June and her husband moved to Elk Ridge after residing in Spanish fork for 30 years.
Melinda Turner has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and it's Junior Girls for most of her life. She attended Utah's Girls State in the summer of 1999. She graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 2000. Melinda attended and graduated from BYU-Idaho in Elementary Education and is a certified teacher. She is a stay-at-home mom to her 18 month old son. Melinda is June's fourth child. Melinda now resides in Payson with her husband and their little boy. She is a Bear den leader in the cub scout program and the current precinct chair of her voting precinct in Payson.
Q: How long have you worked with the Girls State Program?
A: We're new at this. This is the first year we have been chairmen over Girls State through our American Legion Auxiliary Unit. Dorotha Willis was the Girls State Chairman before us, yes it took two people to replace her, and we are figuring out what works. We hope to enhance Girls State awareness by bringing our program into the age of technology. Please let us know if you have any suggestions!
Q: What can I find on your blog?
A: We have tried to be thorough in including as much information as possible for you.
A: "American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is a nonpartisan program that teaches young women responsible citizenship and love for God and Country. Since the inception of the Girls State program in 1937, nearly 1 million young people have had the opportunity to learn firsthand how their state and local government works.
Participants learn how to participate in the functioning of their state's government in preparation for their future roles as responsible adult citizens. Two girls are selected from each Girls State program to attend Girls Nation, a national government training program. Girls Nation 'senators' meet for a week in Washington, D.C., where they run for political office, campaign for the passage of legislation and possibly meet with state representatives and senators. Capping off the week of Girls Nation is oftentimes a meeting with the President of the United States at the White House." (Source)
"The American Legion Auxiliary believes that training our youth about the basic ideals and principles of our system of government will help to ensure the survival of our republic. Through a unique citizenship-training program, Auxiliary members teach the youth of our nation to understand, comprehend, and appreciate their roles as United States citizens. This program is called Girls State.
Girls State began as one and two-day sessions in the late 1930's and since 1948 has been a regular part of the Auxiliary's Americanism curriculum. The program has grown from a few hundred participants to nearly 25,000 Girls State delegates annually. The Auxiliary has been recognized many times by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and the National Association of Secondary School Principles (NASSP) for outstanding Girls State and Girls Nation programs.
What are the goals of the program?
• to develop leadership and pride in American citizens
• to educate delegates about our system of government
• to instill in delegates a greater understanding of American traditions
• to stimulate a desire to maintain our government processes
The citizens are divided into two mythical political 'parties.' The parties do not reflect the two major political parties in today's system, but allow citizens to gain a special knowledge of how the system works. Elections are held to fill city and state positions. Activities include legislative sessions, campaigning, party rallies, debating, and voting. The citizens also receive instruction in Parliamentary Procedure. This 'hands on' method is unique and extremely effective. Girls State affords participants an opportunity to live together as self-governing citizens by informing them about the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship and hopefully encourages their participation in the democratic process as they progress into adulthood. Additional activities include: journalism, singing, talent shows, field trips, group devotions, and patriotic ceremonies." (Source)
Q: Who is eligible to attend Girls State? Are there any restrictions?
A: The Spanish Fork Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary is able to sponsor Spanish Fork High School and American Leadership Academy. If you are a student at one of these schools you may apply through our unit. You must be a girl, sorry no boys allowed! That's why we also have American Legion Boys State! You must also be completing your junior year of high school.
YOU HAVE TO BE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN. After Girls State you must attend at least one semester of high school. Girls State is held at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. The campus is wheelchair accessible. If you have any medical/health restrictions etc. you may let one of us know after you are chosen as a delegate.
"High school girls who have completed their junior year spend an intensive week of study, working together as self-governing citizens at Auxiliary-sponsored Girls State programs in every state (with the exception of Hawaii)." (Source)
"Admission and selection criteria vary from state to state. You must have completed your junior year of high school and have at least one semester of high school remaining to be eligible to participate." (Source)
Q: What is required of me to apply to Girls State?
A: To apply for Utah Girls State through Spanish Fork Unit 68 you need:
A: Our judges will read through your application and award points according to your answers. You are also awarded points according to your interview. All girls are ranked according to their points and alternate delegates are chosen also. You will not know your score or rank. If you are an alternate delegate you will be given a number. For example, if you are alternate #1 you will be the first alternate sent in the event that a delegate is unable to attend.
"American Legion Auxiliary Unit Girls State Chairmen evaluate potential leadership qualities of the delegates and alternates, assisted by high school principals and guidance counselors. Girls are eligible to attend if they meet the following criteria:
• have completed their Junior year in high school
• are interested in government and current events
• have high moral character
• possess strong leadership abilities
• have an above average scholastic standing
• have a desire to learn
These criteria may vary slightly from state to state. The number of girls in each state is determined by the state Auxiliary's available resources." (Source)
Q: How soon will I know if I am chosen as a delegate to Girls State?
A: You will be contacted within two weeks of being chosen.
Q: What if I can't attend Girls State and I am a delegate?
A: Life happens. If an event occurs that makes you unable to attend Girls State we will send an alternate delegate. When delegates apply they are awarded points according to their application information and interview. Each girl is ranked according to these points and those girls that are not chosen as delegates but have the next highest points are runners up and are Girls State alternates. In the event that a delegate is not able to attend the first alternate is sent.
Q: How is Girls State funded?
A: The total cost to send one delegate to Girls State is $395. Each girl is responsible for her $75 transportation fee (bus). In the past we have had donations given to us from businesses in our community. Due to the economy we are not sure how much we will be able to gather through donations. Delegates may need to cover some or all of the cost of their Girls State tuition. As soon as we know how much we have gathered we will let the delegates know.
Q: Who are June and Melinda?
A: June Christensen is a past president of the Spanish Fork Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a councilor at Girls State shortly after she joined the American Legion Auxiliary. June spends much of her time in the service of others. She is a world traveler and has visited Mexico, Central America, North America (USA extensively), Western Europe, China, South Korea, Australia, Madagascar, Morocco, as well as many other countries. June has been married for over 30 years to her husband Ken. Together they have five children (Leona, Nadine, Weston, Melinda and Lyle) and six grandchildren. In 2007 June and her husband moved to Elk Ridge after residing in Spanish fork for 30 years.
Melinda Turner has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and it's Junior Girls for most of her life. She attended Utah's Girls State in the summer of 1999. She graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 2000. Melinda attended and graduated from BYU-Idaho in Elementary Education and is a certified teacher. She is a stay-at-home mom to her 18 month old son. Melinda is June's fourth child. Melinda now resides in Payson with her husband and their little boy. She is a Bear den leader in the cub scout program and the current precinct chair of her voting precinct in Payson.
Q: How long have you worked with the Girls State Program?
A: We're new at this. This is the first year we have been chairmen over Girls State through our American Legion Auxiliary Unit. Dorotha Willis was the Girls State Chairman before us, yes it took two people to replace her, and we are figuring out what works. We hope to enhance Girls State awareness by bringing our program into the age of technology. Please let us know if you have any suggestions!
Q: What can I find on your blog?
A: We have tried to be thorough in including as much information as possible for you.
- Girls State Information: We have included the basic information you'll need to know for Girl State and for applying to become a delegate.
- Search This Blog: For your convenience you may search our blog.
- Links About Girls State: Listed first is our site for our digital documents. If you need anything for the application you can find it here! The rest of these Girls State sites are linked for your information. You may find more answers here.
- Followers: Please, become a follower! We would love it!
- Subscribe: You could also subscribe!
- Blog Archive: Our posts are organized by month. If you want to see what we've posted you may check here.
A: "American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is a nonpartisan program that teaches young women responsible citizenship and love for God and Country. Since the inception of the Girls State program in 1937, nearly 1 million young people have had the opportunity to learn firsthand how their state and local government works.
Participants learn how to participate in the functioning of their state's government in preparation for their future roles as responsible adult citizens. Two girls are selected from each Girls State program to attend Girls Nation, a national government training program. Girls Nation 'senators' meet for a week in Washington, D.C., where they run for political office, campaign for the passage of legislation and possibly meet with state representatives and senators. Capping off the week of Girls Nation is oftentimes a meeting with the President of the United States at the White House." (Source)
"The American Legion Auxiliary believes that training our youth about the basic ideals and principles of our system of government will help to ensure the survival of our republic. Through a unique citizenship-training program, Auxiliary members teach the youth of our nation to understand, comprehend, and appreciate their roles as United States citizens. This program is called Girls State.
Girls State began as one and two-day sessions in the late 1930's and since 1948 has been a regular part of the Auxiliary's Americanism curriculum. The program has grown from a few hundred participants to nearly 25,000 Girls State delegates annually. The Auxiliary has been recognized many times by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and the National Association of Secondary School Principles (NASSP) for outstanding Girls State and Girls Nation programs.
What are the goals of the program?
• to develop leadership and pride in American citizens
• to educate delegates about our system of government
• to instill in delegates a greater understanding of American traditions
• to stimulate a desire to maintain our government processes
The citizens are divided into two mythical political 'parties.' The parties do not reflect the two major political parties in today's system, but allow citizens to gain a special knowledge of how the system works. Elections are held to fill city and state positions. Activities include legislative sessions, campaigning, party rallies, debating, and voting. The citizens also receive instruction in Parliamentary Procedure. This 'hands on' method is unique and extremely effective. Girls State affords participants an opportunity to live together as self-governing citizens by informing them about the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship and hopefully encourages their participation in the democratic process as they progress into adulthood. Additional activities include: journalism, singing, talent shows, field trips, group devotions, and patriotic ceremonies." (Source)
Q: Who is eligible to attend Girls State? Are there any restrictions?
A: The Spanish Fork Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary is able to sponsor Spanish Fork High School and American Leadership Academy. If you are a student at one of these schools you may apply through our unit. You must be a girl, sorry no boys allowed! That's why we also have American Legion Boys State! You must also be completing your junior year of high school.
YOU HAVE TO BE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN. After Girls State you must attend at least one semester of high school. Girls State is held at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. The campus is wheelchair accessible. If you have any medical/health restrictions etc. you may let one of us know after you are chosen as a delegate.
"High school girls who have completed their junior year spend an intensive week of study, working together as self-governing citizens at Auxiliary-sponsored Girls State programs in every state (with the exception of Hawaii)." (Source)
"Admission and selection criteria vary from state to state. You must have completed your junior year of high school and have at least one semester of high school remaining to be eligible to participate." (Source)
Q: What is required of me to apply to Girls State?
A: To apply for Utah Girls State through Spanish Fork Unit 68 you need:
- Cover Sheet (2-pages) filled out and signed. This cover sheet is the application that is used by the Department leaders of Girls State. You must have a current photo attached to this.
- Your application needs to be complete and have the cover sheet attached to the front of this. There are two posts so far dedicated to helping you with your application.
- On Monday, March 1, 2010 these applications will be picked up at 3pm. If you apply you must interview as part of the application process. These interviews will take place at the American Legion Building on 400 North and Main Street in Spanish Fork on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 4pm. All applicants will be numbered and be interviewed in the order we assign. If you have any concerns or questions about the time and date of our interviewing please let us know as soon as possible.
A: Our judges will read through your application and award points according to your answers. You are also awarded points according to your interview. All girls are ranked according to their points and alternate delegates are chosen also. You will not know your score or rank. If you are an alternate delegate you will be given a number. For example, if you are alternate #1 you will be the first alternate sent in the event that a delegate is unable to attend.
"American Legion Auxiliary Unit Girls State Chairmen evaluate potential leadership qualities of the delegates and alternates, assisted by high school principals and guidance counselors. Girls are eligible to attend if they meet the following criteria:
• have completed their Junior year in high school
• are interested in government and current events
• have high moral character
• possess strong leadership abilities
• have an above average scholastic standing
• have a desire to learn
These criteria may vary slightly from state to state. The number of girls in each state is determined by the state Auxiliary's available resources." (Source)
Q: How soon will I know if I am chosen as a delegate to Girls State?
A: You will be contacted within two weeks of being chosen.
Q: What if I can't attend Girls State and I am a delegate?
A: Life happens. If an event occurs that makes you unable to attend Girls State we will send an alternate delegate. When delegates apply they are awarded points according to their application information and interview. Each girl is ranked according to these points and those girls that are not chosen as delegates but have the next highest points are runners up and are Girls State alternates. In the event that a delegate is not able to attend the first alternate is sent.
Q: How is Girls State funded?
A: The total cost to send one delegate to Girls State is $395. Each girl is responsible for her $75 transportation fee (bus). In the past we have had donations given to us from businesses in our community. Due to the economy we are not sure how much we will be able to gather through donations. Delegates may need to cover some or all of the cost of their Girls State tuition. As soon as we know how much we have gathered we will let the delegates know.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tips On Filling Out Your Application
When you fill out an application for Girls State there are two different formats for this form. You may print the PDF format of this document and fill it out by hand. You may also open the Word format of the application and fill it in on your computer.
For this document I created a table and removed the outlines. When you use this document do not change the format. We would like the applications to stay close to two pages and not exceed four pages. If you have any questions about using this document please email us.
Please keep in mind the following while you fill out your application:
For this document I created a table and removed the outlines. When you use this document do not change the format. We would like the applications to stay close to two pages and not exceed four pages. If you have any questions about using this document please email us.
Please keep in mind the following while you fill out your application:
- Keep your handwriting neat and in blue or black ink.
- Under each question, when appropriate, use bullets to make an easy-to-read list.
- Use complete sentences with appropriate spelling, punctuation and grammar.
- List years participated in activities, work experiences, awards etc and only list items from 9th grade to your current age.
- Be thorough AND concise. We only know what you've done the last three years if you have it listed. If you don't, we have no idea. Remember that our judges will need to read through all of the applications the day of interviewing (Wednesday, March 3, 2010).
Getting Started With Your Application
***ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010, 3PM
TO YOUR SCHOOL'S COUNSELING OFFICE.***
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010, 3PM
TO YOUR SCHOOL'S COUNSELING OFFICE.***
If you haven't received a hard copy application, which you can be picked up at your school's counseling office, you may print one from our site. If you received a hard copy application it should have included a cover letter from us detailing the requirements for applying for Girls State, a cover sheet that needs to be completed, signed by your guardian and have attached a current photo of yourself and the application from our sponsoring unit.
To access these digital files
- On the right of this blog you'll find a section entitled Links About Girls State. The first link under this section is Google Site Documents.
- You'll be directed to our Google Site Home Page. From here you can find a page called Girls State Application. Here you can find another explanation of what you need to apply for Girls State as well as the documents you'll need.
Monday, February 15, 2010
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