The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) will hold its 68^th Annual Massachusetts Girls State at Stonehill College, Easton, MA from June 15 through June 21, 2013. More than 22, 000 Massachusetts girls have participated in this citizenship program since its inauguration in 1945.  Once again this year the Medfield ALA-post 110 will be sponsoring high school girls in their junior year who live in the town of Medfield. 

Three hundred girls from all parts of Massachusetts will participate in the week’s study of Local and State Government. They will establish and operate their own city or town, form two political parties, nominate candidates for office, conduct campaigns and hold elections.

Girl’s state trains girls to live together as self-governing Citizens.  Speakers will be state officials, leaders in Government and other professions. Also speakers from The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary will be on the program.  They will learn about the responsibilities of the various branches of government and the qualifications and benefits of many of the leading professions.

Any female high school junior who lives in the town of Medfield may sign up at the Medfield High School guidance office by Friday, February 8^th.   June Doucette-Burr or a member of the Medfield ALA will contact applicants to schedule interviews.  In order to apply for Girls State, the following standards must be met:

• They will be completing their junior year in high   school.
• They are interested in government and current events.
• They have high moral character.
• They have strong leadership abilities.
• They have an above average scholastic standing.
• They have respect for the Flag and for God and Country (the ALA motto).

Girls State will be held by every State in the Union. At the Girls state sessions, two girls will be selected to represent their respective State at Girls Nation to be held in Washington D.C., July 19-27.  

Last year, six Medfield girls received a valuable week’s study of Local and State Government at Girls State, and the Medfield ALA is extremely grateful to the American legion-post 110, Sons of the Legion-post 110, The Medfield Lions Club, and The New ‘N Towne Club for their sponsorship.  Medfield was particularly well-represented at girl’s state when two of the six girls -- Alix Kramer and Olivia Foster -- ran against each other for Governor, the highest office of Girls State.

 “Girls State was a unique experience that really put me outside of my comfort zone. On day one we were assigned to dorms and rooms with girls we had never meet before. We quickly made friends became a close-knit town with whom we would associate ourselves with for the rest of the week. Days were filled with eating and classes, from electives like freakonimcs to programs like law and government. One of the highlights of the week was hearing Governor Deval Patrick speak and having the opportunity to ask him questions. He was very open to our thoughts and concerns and willing to answer questions even after time had been called. The talent show was a great way to wrap up the week, appreciating the gifts of those in our town and those of Girls State members we had only seen across the room in assembly. It was a whirlwind of learning and memories that I will never forget,”  said a 2012 Medfield Girls State attendee in an email to ALA member Eileen DeSorgher.

For more information about Massachusetts Girls' State, login to  www.massgirlsstate.org/.

Photo: At the Medfield ALA November monthly meeting, five of the six Medfield seniors (2012 girls’ state recipients) spoke about their week at Girls State held at Stonehill College in June 2012.

From left to right in the photo:   Ashley Shen, Anna Peterson, Olivia Foster, Alix Kramer-(elected Governor of Girls State), and Carly Donovan.