Submitted by Judy Doran
Are you a candidate for New Jersey Girls State? Are you interested in how government works, how people are elected to office, how a campaign works, how laws are passed? If you want an inspiring and interesting week of citizenship, friendship and adventure talk to your guidance counselor about Girls State!
The time has come for the Clark American Legion Auxiliary Unit 328 to select candidates for participation in the New Jersey Girls State Program. The Auxiliary sends 2 high school juniors to Georgian Court College every June. The candidates have historically been chosen from Arthur L. Johnson High School and Mother Seton Regional High School. The selection process includes a personal interview with the selection committee members and academic information submitted by each student.
Every June enthusiastic young women meet to learn the workings of city, county, and state government. Proposed in 1937, ALA Girls State is the most respected and coveted learning program in the United States. It is a cornerstone of the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission to develop young women to become future leaders grounded in patriotism. The young women learn how our republic system of government works on the state and national level. Every American Legion Girls State program operates on the same nonpartisan curriculum where students assume the roles of government leaders, campaigning in mock parties (usually “Federalist” and “Nationalists”) to become mayors, county and state officials of ALA Girls State. After primary elections are held, a General Election is held to choose a governor. All elections follow the existing laws for election in the state of New Jersey. Two Senators are chosen to attend National Girls State in Washington, D.C. to represent New Jersey. This week long learning experience is held at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, New Jersey. The lessons, memories and friendships last a lifetime.
Every spring the American Legion Auxiliary begins the process of selecting delegates from their local high schools. Female delegates of ALA Girls State must be a legal inhabitant of the United States, either a U. S. citizen or have a valid U. S. government-issued identification, have completed their junior year in high school and have at least one semester remaining. Candidates should have a keen interest in government, high moral character, show strong leadership qualities, and demonstrate above-average scholastic achievement. ALA Girls State delegates’ registration fees are paid for by the local American Legion Auxiliary unit. Each candidate is interviewed by the local committee of the American Legion Auxiliary, who will have the final authority of selecting who will attend Girls State. Choosing delegates takes a great deal of time as the candidates are tops in their class. Clark American Legion Auxiliary Unit 328 Chairwoman Karen Fink and her committee take this responsibility seriously and ALA Unit 328 has been very proud of all its delegates.
More than 6,500 politically astute young women have attended Girls State Nation. If you are interested, contact your school guidance counselor or your local American Legion Auxiliary. This years’ New Jersey Girls State will be held the week of June 23 to 28, 2019 at Georgian Court University. Are you up to the challenge?
