The Girls Stater: Vol 78 Issue 1

s l r i G The r e t a t S Vol 78 Issue 1 May 2022

Welcome to the American Legion Auxiliary Oklahoma Girls State!

We here at The Girls Stater want

to

extend

a

warm

welcome to the delegates of the 78th Session of Oklahoma Girls State. We are excited to share a week of patriotism, leadership, and government. We also want to extend our gratitude to our host - The University of Central Oklahoma. Thank you!

be hard WANTED Must working, enthusiastic, and

CITY REPORTERS:

ready to get the scoop on Girls State news!

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY OKLAHOMA GIRLS STATE

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO: Energizing Speakers Riveting Elections Girls State Show & Sing Girls State Celebrations

Written by: Ashley Sebree Rush, Editor Although many people have heard of the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA), few truly know the impact the organization has made on our country.

Established in the early twentieth century, the Auxiliary has grown to nearly one million members, setting up programs to support education and veterans as well as solutions for teen pregnancy, abused children, and drugs.

Today, the ALA has over twenty national programs that reap many benefits through money and other donations. Two of the ALA’s most wellknown programs are Girls State and Girls Nation.

Since its founding in 1937, Girls State has been devoted to bringing young girls together to learn about the government as well as leadership. Girls State delegates spend a week together discussing issues, practicing parliamentary procedure, and developing qualities that they will retain for the rest of their lives. Because the United States government has historically been dominated by males, Girls State allows delegates to realize their true potential and encourages them to be an active leader and participant to make changes in their communities and in society.

Girls State now has almost twentythousand participants nationally. Not only does the American Legion Auxiliary impact the lives of teenagers through education, but fundraising and volunteering are two key components its members practice on a daily basis.

The Auxiliary raises more than eighteen million dollars a year, which is reinvested into helping veterans (VA medical facilities and other programs). One of the Auxiliary’s main projects is to distribute poppy seeds to veterans. Although poppy seeds might be seen as merely a flower to some, to the American Legion and the ALA, the poppy seed represents the sacred sacrifice that veterans have made for our country.

The Poppy of Flanders Field was adopted as the memorial flower of the Auxiliary in 1921. The selling and distribution of this sacred symbol helps to fund much of the relief organizations ran by the Auxiliary.

Each year, the ALA encourages our country to remember the veterans who fought for our freedom by wearing the poppy flower on Memorial Day. “Service, Not Self” (the main philosophy of the American Legion Auxiliary) is the only key to keeping our country’s history alive.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

https://okamlegionaux.org/

Eight Reasons Why Girls State Will Rock Your World

1. TRADITION

You are part of a more than 70 year tradition that is sponsored by the largest women’s patriotic organization.

2. LEGACY

You are following in the footsteps of famous Girls State and Boys State alum such as Bill Clinton, Neil Armstrong, Cory Booker, Nick Saban, Jari Askins, Katie Couric, Garth Brooks, & Summer Walker.

3. OPPORTUNITY

Girls State and travel? What more could you want! At the end of the week, two delegates will be selected to represent Oklahoma at Girls Nation, held in Washington, D.C. later this summer.

4. CONFIDENCE

Between running for office, debating legislation, and getting to know your peers, your confidence will shoot through the roof!

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5. FRIENDSHIPS

You will make new friends for life! Look at the delegates around you. These girls could be your future college roommates, bridesmaids, and life-long pals.

You never know where your friendship will take you.

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2022

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6. SPEAKERS

You will have the honor of listening to some of our state's politicians and most revered speakers who will motivate you and encourage you to never stop following your dreams. .

7. SINGING

You get to learn the most amazing songs and have the privilege of singing them approximately five hundred times a day for an entire week.

8. BECAUSE OF YOU!

At Girls State, you can be the best version of your self. Your authenticity, spirit, and positive attitude is what makes this program so great!

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE Throughout the week, we will be hiding trivia questions in each issue of the paper! The first Girls State citizens to find Media Staff (Ashley & Laura) with the correct answers will get a prize!