Hoosier Girls State

What is ALA Girls State?

The American Legion Auxiliary’s marquee Girls State program, first presented in 1937, is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States.

The program epitomizes the ALA’s mission to honor those who have brought us our freedom through our enduring commitment to develop young women as future leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. The young women become knowledgeable of the democratic process and how our republic form of government works at the state and national levels.

Each summer, approximately 16,000 young women participate in weeklong ALA Girls State programs across the nation. Every American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program operates with the same patriotic values through a nonpartisan curriculum where students assume the roles of government leaders, campaigning in mock parties (often called “Federalists” and “Nationalists”) to become mayors and county and state officials of their ALA Girls State. The program is a weeklong immersive learning experience, often held on a college campus where girls live in “cities” within a dormitory-like setting. The learning, experience, memories, and friendships last a lifetime.

Selection Process

ALA Girls State delegates are a diverse group of young women with a shared desire to learn and lead. ALA Girls State “citizens” come together from small towns, big cities, and rural areas to hold ALA Girls State elections, and their varied backgrounds set the stage for a week of spirited, experiential learning.

American Legion Auxiliary units work with local high school educators to identify girls who have demonstrated leadership qualities. Eligible female students are then recommended and selected by sponsoring American Legion Auxiliary units. Female delegates to ALA Girls State programs 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 their junior year in high school and have at least one semester remaining. Each ALA Girls State program and/or ALA unit determines the process they will use to select the delegates for their state, and those decisions are final. The number of ALA Girls State citizens varies by state and is determined by each state’s American Legion Auxiliary resources.

Female high school juniors interested in applying to attend ALA Girls State are encouraged to contact their school counselor or their local American Legion Auxiliary units regarding the application process and deadline.

Selection Criteria

To be eligible, young women must:

• Be a legal inhabitant of the United States. Participants must provide a copy of their U.S. birth certificate or their U.S. government-issued documentation verifying they are in the United States legally, e.g. green card or visa.
• Have completed their junior year in high school and have at least one more semester remaining before graduation.
• Be keenly interested in government and current events.
• Have high moral character.
• Show strong leadership abilities.
• Demonstrate above-average scholastic achievement.

Cost

The costs of ALA Girls State programs are underwritten by each state-level American Legion Auxiliary. ALA Girls State delegates’ registration fees are paid for by the sponsoring local American Legion Auxiliary unit with additional support and funding sometimes coming from various civic and nonprofit organizations. There will be a $35 non-refundable application fee which must be submitted with the application. The application fee includes a picture, DVD of the week and your party t-shirt.

Deadline: March 1, 2019