American Legion Auxiliary Girls State
(Carroll College, Helena June 12-18, 2022)
ALA Girls State is the premier program for teaching young women about the democratic process and how our republic works at the state and national levels. Guided by the principle, “For God and Country”, the program epitomizes the Auxiliary’s mission to honor those who have brought us our freedom by continuing to train young women to be leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. Attendees develop leadership skills, an appreciation for active citizenship and a lasting foundation for personal and professional growth. The knowledge, memories, and friendships gained at ALA MT Girls State will last a lifetime.
Forty nine states support ALA Girls State with about 20,000 young women participating in the weeklong program of nonpartisan, non-denominational curriculum. As a MT participant, the girls are assigned to fictional cities whereupon they embark in the full democratic process of seeking City and State office, holding elections, making/enforcing laws, and participating in mock legislation in the actual House and Senate chambers at the State Capitol. It is a unique and exciting government-in-action learning program. Additional activities include journalism, debate, public speaking, special distinguished speakers, self-defense classes, a mock fatality trial and Supreme Court moot trial, talent show and Inauguration banquet. Two girls selected by the Delegates and counselors will become our ALA MT Girls State Senators and have the opportunity to represent Montana at our Nation’s Capitol for the week-long ALA Girls Nation.
Completion of ALA Girls State will gain many scholarship and college/university bound students extra consideration on applications as well as empower them to aspire to greater accomplishments. Speaking of scholarships, the Delegates who are elected as Governor will receive $500 and the Lieutenant Governor $300, courtesy of the Department of Montana American Legion Auxiliary.
ALA MT Girls State will be held on the campus of Carroll College in Helena from Sunday, June 12 through Saturday, June 18, 2022.
Delegates to ALA Girls State are selected from girls who have completed their junior year of high school, have an interest in government and current events, show strong leadership abilities and have high moral character. Local American Legion Auxiliary Units sponsor the girls and the $325.00 delegate fee may be paid through the Unit or other local organizations. If your community does not have a local American Legion Unit or Post to endorse the application, please contact me at 406-949-3660 or dymples43@gmail.com.
Applications will be accepted January 15, 2022 until May 15, 2022. Deadline for delegate fee refunds is May 15, 2021. Delegates are required to attend the full session of ALA Girls State from Sunday afternoon to Saturday noon. All delegates must be American Citizens or show proof they are residing in the country legally. If a delegate has special needs, please annotate the application as such and accommodations will be made to the best of our ability.
MT ALA members are looking forward to another successful and fulfilling ALA Montana Girls State and celebrating our 74th year of guiding young women to become patriotic, knowledgeable stewards of freedom and democracy.
Jen Dalrymple
Director, MT ALA Girls State
Related Links:
ALA GS Letter to Unit Chair
2022 ALA GS Letter to Schools
2022 ALA Girls State Application
Samsung American Legion Scholarship
https://www.legion-aux.org/cmsdesk/ALA/media/PDF/Scholarships/Samsung_ShortCuts.pdf
Party Platforms
How to Write a Bill
2022 Girls State Agenda
Parliamentary Handbook
Girls State Handbook
