Delaware students attend American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation program

Madison Rice from Sussex Central High School, right, and Nikki Pilla, from the Conrad Schools of Science, represented Delaware at ALA Girls State. SUBMITTED PHOTO July 1, 2018

Madison Rice from Sussex Central High School and Nikki Pilla from the Conrad Schools of Science are two of only 100 young women who attended the 2018 American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation Program in Washington, D.C. Two outstanding citizens, known as senators, are selected at the 50 ALA Girls State sessions held across the country to represent their state at the ALA Girls Nation Program. This premier leadership conference is designed to provide practical insight into the workings of government, to instill a sense of pride and loyalty in America and to create friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

A key component of the program involves mock senate sessions complete with caucusing and debating of bills that range in topic from personal to political interests. Campaigns are held to elect party officials, a vice president and the ALA Girls Nation president.

In addition to their legislative forums, the senators hear distinguished guest speakers and visit the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, the White House and various memorials in the Washington, D.C. area. Their visit to Capitol Hill includes meetings with their respective senators and representatives, and the opportunity to meet the president of the United States.

“The ALA Girls Nation experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these young women across our nation,” said Lisa McCarley, ALA Department of Delaware Girls State chair. “After attending our local ALA Delaware Girls State and ALA Girls Nation, they come back filled with drive to help their communities and the know-how to do it. This is our ultimate goal – to help the next generation help themselves by becoming the leaders we need.”

Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary is the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization. For nearly a century, the ALA has been serving, helping, and meeting the needs of the nation’s veterans, military and their families.