Virginia State Girls Info

VIRGINIA GIRLS STATE
Virginia Girls State
Longwood University, Farmville, VA
June 16-22, 2019

What is Girls State?
Virginia Girls State was organized by Liza Crush in 1947 who was also the first Director. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors girls from the state who have completed their junior year in high school to attend Virginia Girls State. This interactive program teaches the formation and operation of city, county and state government entities. The participants vote and carry out elected and appointed positions in the Girls State government. The program gives participants the experience of living together as self governing citizens with the privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, as well as the opportunity to gain knowledge of the American Legion Auxiliary and Virginia Government. This all takes place at Longwood University; delegates are bused from Fairfax, VA to the university.

All students selected to be interviewed must complete a Statement of Citizenship or Legal Residency form and produce a copy of their birth certificate. Candidates for Virginia Girls State are chosen through an interview process conducted by the local American Legion Auxiliary Unit. Candidates are evaluated based on their leadership abilities, interest in government, service to others, and academic. One or two participants will be chosen from SLHS and must ride the bus provided to and from Virginia Girls State. There will be a mandatory orientation meeting on Sunday, May 5th at post 177 in Fairfax.

Interested in participating in Virginia Girls State this year? More information is available at www.girlsstate-va.org The registration fee of $350 plus $50 transportation fee per delegate is generously being covered by the American Legion Auxiliary in Fairfax.

Applications and a Girls State fact sheet can be obtained in the Career Center. Applications need to be turned into the South Lakes High School Career Center by Thursday, February 7, 2019 before 3pm. Two candidates and an alternate will be chosen from SLHS. Candidates need to avail themselves to an in person interview in late February/early March.

Any questions can be addressed to: Sandy Price, American Legion Auxiliary, Virginia Girls State, Inc., Fairfax Unit 177.
Email: jpriceadvertising@yahoo.com
Details are on their web site at www.vagirlsstate.org
Participants who are descendants of military veterans will be eligible to apply for a $20,000 scholarship. One delegate from each Girls State/Boys State will be chosen as finalists for the national competition and the $20,000 scholarship. Each state finalist who does not receive the top scholarship will receive a $1,000 scholarship.