Alyssa Rae Gortney, Cromwell, daughter of Chris and Pam Gortney, was chosen by the Pierceton American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 258 to attend the 2007 session of the American Legion Auxiliary's Indiana Girls State program.
Girls State was June 17-23 on the campus of Indiana State University, Terre Haute. The American Legion Auxiliary's Girls State program is a week-long training experience in the practical processes of self government and good citizenship as practiced in a democratic society. Each summer, approximately 20,000 young women participate in Girls State sessions in 49 states across the nation.
Gortney, a Wawasee High School student, joined other young women who are also high school juniors from across Indiana for this government program designed to educate leaders of tomorrow in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of citizenship. This session of government and practical politics is non-partisan and non-political.
Citizens begin their week-long adventure by registering to vote, where they receive an assignment to a mythical political party which at registration time has no political organization or party beliefs/platform - all are established by the delegates within three days into the session.
Delegates must also file for an elected office on the city, county or state level. Each delegate then conducts her political campaign complete with speeches and campaign materials. Once elected to office, delegates are sworn in and perform the duties as described for that position. Non-elected delegates are given appointments as well as encouraged to visit the offices of those elected to communicate their needs as citizens.
For more information about Girls State, contact Yvonne Lent, Girls State chairman for the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 258, Menzie-Reece Post, Pierceton.
