On to Girls' State this year….

Khaili and Cheyenne

Minnie Knych tells me the selections of the two girls from FHHS for this year’s Girls’ State have been made – here’s more:

Cheyenne Cook and Khaili Radden were chosen as the Girls State representatives for the Unit 163 American Legion Auxiliary for 2009. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors the week long leadership camp for girls. Full tuition and board are provided for the representatives from Friday Harbor. Girls from all over the state will assemble for Girls State at Central WA University in Puyallup during the week of June 14-20.

Girls State is a nationwide Americanism and government training program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. The honor of being a Girls State representative is bestowed each year on a high school junior who has demonstrated good citizenship and leadership qualities and who will make the commitment to return to school as a senior high school student to use what was learned during Girls State for the good of the school and community.

This program allows teens the opportunity to spend a week as self-governing citizens and informs them about the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities of American citizenship. Through participation, delegates may better understand the functioning of their government and the responsibilities they will assume when they become adults.
In order to experience how our system of government works during their week at Girls State, all of the participants are organized as citizens of four counties comprised of fifteen cities. Each girl becomes a member of either the Nationalist or Federalist Party. As citizens of these fictional cities, counties and political parties, the girls learn 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.

The Girls State Legislature is organized upon the principles of the Washington State Legislature. Bills are introduced and, by legislative process, defeated or enacted into law. Procedures are conducted according to Reed’s parliamentary rules, and the laws of the State of Washington. Political parties are organized at the city precinct level and continue through county and state conventions. Platforms are endorsed and primary and general elections are held. Two girls will be elected Senators and one girl will be elected by her peers at the governor.

As a culmination, the two Senators and the Girls State Governor will represent Washington State at Girls Nation in Washington D.C. in July 2009.

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