Two local students attend Buckeye Girls State

COSHOCTON – This year, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 65, with support from the Coshocton Business and Professional Women’s Organization (BPW), sent two delegates to Buckeye Girls State.  Shelbie Carnes from River View High School and Katie Leitz from Ridgewood High School were selected from a group of six highly-qualified candidates to attend Buckeye Girls State which was June 12 – 18.

Every summer since 1947, 20,000 young women, called delegates, participate in the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State programs across the nation. In Ohio, this event is called “Buckeye Girls State” and is held at the University of Mount Union in Alliance. Buckeye Girls State is inspirational, educational, life-changing and fun. The young delegates gain knowledge, experiences, memories, and friendships that last a lifetime. Past delegates have included Former Texas Governor Ann Richards, newscaster Jane Pauley, U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn, Former Miss USA Terri Utley, Country music performer Janie Fricke, and Brigadier General Sharla Cook.

Every year, the American Legion Auxiliary contacts each of the local high schools to invite juniors to apply for Buckeye Girls State. To be eligible to apply, female students must: be a legal inhabitant of the United States, either a U.S. citizen or a have a valid U.S. government-issued identification, have completed her junior year in high school and have at least one semester remaining before graduation, have a definite interest in government, scholastic achievement, exceptional moral character and leadership ability, maturity, a willingness to be involved, and be recommended by the principal of the high school she attends.

Buckeye Girls State operates with patriotic values through a nonpartisan curriculum where students live in mock cities within a dormitory-like setting and participate in a seven-day mock government program.  Here, they learn about civics and American government in a fast-paced, interactive program of campaigning, debating, voting and electing mock local and state leaders. The program is designed to educate young women on the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities of good citizenship. The goals are to develop leadership and pride in American citizens, educate delegates about our system of government, instill in delegates a greater understanding of American traditions and stimulate a desire to maintain our government process.

There are other valuable awards, honors and scholarships the delegates may receive for participating in Buckeye Girls State.

For additional information on Buckeye Girls State, please contact the American Legion Auxiliary Unit  65 at 652 Main Street in Coshocton.

Category: Clubs & Organizations