Delegates for the American Legion Auxiliary Volunteer Boys State and Girls State have been chosen. This year will mark the 77th annual program for the girls and the 84th for the boys.
ALA President for Girls State, Pat Bryan, shared her thoughts on the program stating, “Since 1947, Volunteer Girls State, a program of the ALA, has invested in more than 25,000 young women in Tennessee by providing the tools they need to become confident, informed citizens and voters.”
According to Bryan the program is offered annually to more than 550 of Tennessee’s rising high school seniors and is centered on citizenship, teamwork and fostering a love of God and country.
“Experienced volunteer staff and counselors, each one a program alumna, help guide participants through the week as they elect city, county and state officials, engage in party politics, debate legislation and collaborate in a host of fun team activities,” stated Bryan.
Bryan wrapped up her thoughts, sharing, “From the moment participants arrive on campus, they’ll be a part of a community and a thought-provoking experience that is often described as life-changing. ALA Volunteer Girls State provides young women the opportunity to learn about state government and how they can positively affect their communities at home through active citizenship and informed living.”
The ALA Volunteer Boys State is comparatively similar to the Girls State, being a practical experience for young men in the actual problems of government. Boys State is designed to place the participants into actual practice of the theories of governments through participation. There will be 600 boys in attendance representing each county in the state, and will be assigned to mythical cities to be that city’s representatives. Much like Girls State, they will be assigned to different governing bodies by way of campaigning and learning the electoral process. The program is designed to host students in the 11th grade, during their last week of school, to prepare them for being model citizens as they enter their last year of high school.
The same model is used for those in Girls State as well.
Commander Kenny Sweeton, representative for the boys program, said the program means a lot to not only him, but those who participate as well. “Boys State is an excellent program,” he stated. “We get sponsorships by soliciting funds from local businesses and institutions. It is a much-regimented program and the boys learn a lot about the government. Each boy is assigned to a fictional party where they hold elections and learn about bills and committees. The participants always seem to enjoy it and it is great for a resume and college application, as it is a state-recognized program.”
Aside from political forums, each program will hold a variety of engaging activities such as musical programs and athletics.
The boys’ program will take place in Cookeville on Tennessee Tech’s campus, and the girls’ program at Lipscomb University.
In a means to combat the $425 price tag for the delegates, American Legion Posts 173 and 173 Auxiliary have secured a number of eligible sponsors for the program. Ben Lomand Communications, Caney Fork Electric, Citizens Tri-County Bank, Evening Exchange Club, First National Bank, Homeland Community Bank, Junior Auxiliary, Vietnam Veterans of America, Generations Mental Health Center, McMinnville Breakfast Rotary, Dr. Michael Netherton and Noon Rotary have all been sponsors for this year’s ALA state programs.
Delegates chosen this year for Girls State were Karigan Bost, Kora Forbes, Rachel Jackson, Anna King, Sydney Matthews, Lizbeth Ramirez, Keira Reynolds and Elena Rowland, with alternates, Chloe Rogers and Aleah Davis.
Delegates chosen this year for Boys State were Jackson Dunlap, Samson Wright, Emery Stefanick, Easton Denning, Sammy Elder, Braylen Moore, Austin Craft, Dylan Hutchings and Sadler Simmons.
