DELAWARE’S GIRLS
STATE 
The American
Legion Auxiliary Delaware Girls State Program is a marquee program that has been
training high school girls for leadership roles since 1942. Throughout this week
long “simulated government” experience, these girls assume the roles of the future
leaders – they run for,and hold offices that mirror our state’s elected offices from
Governor to State Auditor. They learn the fundamentals of the legislative
process, the three branches of government and parliamentary procedures. Each girl
must write her own bill and defend it in hopes of making it a Girls State
law.
Activities
include:
- A one day
session for each county provided by each of the County Governments - Question
and answer sessions with both elected, appointed, county officials and
professional staff - The
students elect their own state officials who then get to shadow their
counterparts for a day before actually
performing the duties of that office - Four
mornings of a mock legislative session in the Delaware State House and Delaware
State Senate Chambers - Four
afternoons of classroom sessions of different aspects of state government given
by those that actually perform those duties
Application
Process
All applicants
must be recommended by one of the following:
- An Delaware
American Legion Post, American Legion Auxiliary Unit or the Sons of the American
Legion - Student’s
High School - A Military
recruiter for one of the US Academies
All
applicants must meet the following requirements:
- High School
Junior girls must be in the upper third of their class - Demonstrated
leadership abilities - Real
interest in learning about government through practical application - Able to
attend the entire session from Sunday to Friday - Able to
stay in the dorm at college campus for the entire program.
There is
a $100.00 dollar non-refundable program registration fee.
(Needs based
assistance is available)
Students who
have received one of the above recommendations and meet the listed requirements will
be considered for the program. If accepted you will be notified by the Girl’s State
Program Director; the enrollment
package will be available on this site, distributed by the program director
or your school representative.
Got
questions, please contact the Girls State Director at DEGS1919@gmail.com
The
mailing address is:
American Legion
Auxiliary
Richard C.
DuPont Unit 0018
PO Box 63,
Claymont, DE 19703
Girls
Nation
Two of the Girl State delegates and alternates are
selected to attend the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation in Washington
D.C. Girl Nation senators campaign for political offices, debate
legislation and meet their real-life counterparts on Capitol Hill.
Learn more about Girls
Nation
Samsung American Legion
Scholarship
Worldwide electronics leader Samsung endowed a
scholarship fund administered by The American Legion, the program is in
appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea’s aid during its struggle
against communist forces in the Korean War. Restricted to high school
juniors who attend the current session of either The American Legion Boys State
or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program and are a direct descendant of
a wartime U.S. military veteran who served on active duty during at least one of
the periods of war officially designated as eligibility dates for American
Legion membership. See the eligibility and other requirements on the
American Legion’s website
IMPORTANT! You must submit your
Samsung American Legion Scholarship application online. Once submitted online,
please print and bring a copy with you to the Girls State registration. No new
applications will be accepted on site . . . only copies of applications
submitted online.
The Samsung American Legion Scholarship ONLINE
application Scholarship
Application Link
How To Draft
Bills
How to write a bill – the
basics.pptx
House of Representatives Draft
Bill.pdf
Program
Funding
Girls
State program is funded through donations from Delaware’s American Legion Auxiliary
Units, The American Legion Posts, Sons of the American Legion Squadrons, individuals
and grants.
Participating
young women may incur nominal expenses for transportation to the site, personal
supplies, or a contribution to an optional service project
You
can make a tax-deductible donation to help cover the program cost for accommodations
and meals, transportation for day trips, other operating office expenses.
Sponsor the $100.00 registration fee or a donation of $550.00 covers the
cost for one young woman! Click here to make a
donation
Program
Counselors and Participants
The all-volunteer staff comes from
American Legion Auxiliary units and former Girls State citizens. Counselors,
state and local government officials and speakers participate and provide
guidance in their fields of expertise. Background checks are required for
all counselors involved with the Girls State program, if you would like to
participate contact the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Delaware Girl
State Program Director at DEGS1919@gmail.com
Girl
State Program Positions
- Choir
Director – responsibilities include developing the choir - Counselors –
each counselor is responsible for supervising approximately 30, 16-17 year old
girls - Junior
Counselor – provides support to the counselor - Media
Director – ability to work with a team - Nurses
– basic on-site medical care - Photographer –
digital pictures of program activities - Speaker
Panel Coordinator – obtaining speakers who will donate their
time, work with director to coordinate schedule
Delaware Girls State
Alumni! If you have attended a previous session of Delaware Girls
State, we would love to hear from you! Please contact the program director at
DEGS1919@gmail.com
include your maiden name, current occupation, year you attended and Girl
State Office held.