June 26 thru July 2, 2011

What is Keystone Girls State (KGS)?

A week long, in-house conference held at Shippensburg University

A mythical state within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

An opportunity to live as self-governing citizens of KGS

Who is Keystone Girls State for?

Have completed their Junior year in high schoolA strong desire to learnHave a high moral characterPossess strong leadership abilitiesHave an interest in government, politics, and/or current eventsAgree to comply with the rules and regulationsU.S. Citizenship

A training process in:

Governmental processesPoliticsCampaigningElectionsPatriotismAmerican Legion Auxiliary Programs

How is KGS designed:

KGS and the dorm are the “State”

Each floor is a county: Red, White, Blue and if needed Gold

Each floor is divided into 3 to 4 cities, named after their Senior Counselor

About the citizens?Citizens are assigned to a fictional party- either Federalists or Nationalists

Each room has a Nat and a Fed

Parties are balanced as much as possible

Randomly placed into cities – trying to separate Unit’s multiple sponsorship to encourage a new experience for the girls

Schedule of Elections:

Sunday - City Primary & General elections

Monday – County Primary & General Elections

Tuesday – State Primary Elections

Thursday – State General Elections

City Government:Headed by elected Mayor and 3 CouncilwomenAppointments of the following committees or positions:

City ClerkCity TreasurerBoard of Health & Health CommissionerEmergency ManagementChief of PoliceCity ProsecutorCity Public DefenderFire ChiefPublic Relations DirectorCity MagistrateMail CarrierSuperintendent of ParksNewspaper EditorCity Council Resolution Committee

County Government:Elected Positions:

3 county CommissionersSheriffCounty TreasurerDistrict AttorneyDistrict Judge

Appointments of the following positions (possible):

3 Deputies – Commission, Circuit Court & County JailorAssistant County ProsecutorMagistrate JudgeClerk magistrate

State Government:Elected Positions

GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralTreasurerAuditor GeneralSuperior Court JudgeSupreme Court Justice

State Party Chairman 5 Senators from each CityAll other citizens are Representatives

ALA Programs incorporated into KGS:Americanism

Children & YouthCommunity ServiceEducationGirls StateJuniorsLeadership & ParliamentaryLegislativeNational SecurityPoppyPresident’s ProjectVA & R

Americanism:Saluting of FlagFolding of FlagAdvancement & retirement of ColorsFlag raising and loweringPOW/PIA tableFlag history & protocolAmerican & State historyProper Flag retirement ceremony

Children & Youth:Promoting the “Good” in children

Reinforce positively for the week

Be future references for attendees

Provide entertainment:City Song ContestTalent ShowRefreshments and games with Keystone Boys State

Community Service

By preparing them to be active citizens once they reach “adulthood”

Promote involvement in their schools and communities

Education:Education pertaining to the governmental process

ROTC and Armed Forces – financial aid for post-secondary education

Awareness of scholarships available to them

Available college credits for attending KGS and requirements

Juniors:

Addressed by past or present ALA Honorary Junior President

Information on involvement with the American Legion Auxiliary

Leadership & Parliamentary:

Through elections and appointments, citizens build upon leadership and team-work skills

Parliamentary procedure:City meetingsMock Legislation Session run by newly-elected Lieutenant GovernorDebates

Legislative:Proper way to hold an election through County Election Boards

Proper voting & requirements

Writing of KGS Resolutions

Understanding of governmental positions and professions

National Security:

Awareness of need for support of the Armed Forces and their families

Awareness of crime prevention through guest speakers

Stress involvement in community organizations

Poppy:

Presentation of Poppy history and story

Awareness of ALA Poppy & disabled veterans

Present each participant with a Poppy

President’s Project:

Awareness of President’s Project

Operation Military Kids- Hero Backpacks

VA& R:

Awareness of being a Volun-teen

Presentations by veterans of different eras and branches of the Armed Forces

ROTC seminar from Shippensburg University

Example of a Session day Schedule:

Monday:6:30-7:15 Rise and Shine7:30-8:15 Breakfast8:20 Flag Raising8:40 Opening Exercises

~Remarks – KGS Chairman~Americanism Program~Announcements~Introductions of City Officials~Voting Instructions~County Party Caucus~Girls Nation Speaker

10:15-10:45 Campaign for County Primary Elections12:00-12:45 Lunch1:00 Resume in Memorial Auditorium

~Superior Court Judge, Cheryl Allen

Example Schedule con’t: Monday:

2:00 County primary Elections – Naugle HallIntroduction of County Primary OfficersCampaign for County General elections

4:00 Work on City Song & Poster/Chorus Practice4:45 Flag Lowering5:00-5:45 Dinner6:00 County General Elections7:10 Return to Memorial Auditorium

~Remarks by KGS Chairman~Closing Exercises

7:30 Joint Abraham Lincoln Presentation9:00 City Meeting10:00 Reflection on the day10:30 Citizens prepare for Tuesday in their rooms11:00 Lights out

Extra-curricular Activities:Visit and tour of State Capital and political officersClean County Awards (treats)Trivia Question of the Day (treats)City Song ContestCity Poster ContestRefreshments & games with Keystone Boys StateTalent ShowGraduation & Banquet ceremony

Possibilities:Samsung Scholarship

KGS State Officer’s Scholarship

Girls Nation participation (2) in Washington D.C.

Potential possibilities of future and professions

Making memories and friends that will last a lifetime

Past KGS Guest Speakers:MayorsCounty CommissionersElection Board membersSheriffTreasurersDistrict AttorneysSuperior Court JudgeMembers of Attorney General’s OfficeROTC OfficersVietnam VeteranAbe Lincoln impersonatorALA Department PresidentLegion Department CommanderLegion Department Adjutant

Past Girls State Participants:Jane Pauley – NBC Broadcast JournalistAnn Richards – Former Texas GovernorJessica Mitchell – VP of Design/Director of Appeal

for Liz CalborneCaptain Michelle Johnson – first woman to serve as

Wing Commander, US Air Force AcademyKate Shindle – Miss America 1998Ericka Dunlap – Miss America 2004Lynne Cheney – Wife of past Vice Pres. Dick CheneyJennifer Dunn – US Representative of WashingtonConstance A Morella – former US Representative of MarylandBarbara Cubin – US Representative of Wyoming

New to Keystone Girls State:65th Anniversary – Sapphire & Silver

KGS Hoodie

Keystone Girls State Facebook page-Keystone Girls State - American Legion Auxiliary, Dept of PA

Girls State webpage on Department website (http://ala.pa-legion.com) applications and forms will be posted

Students page (scholarships & programs) on Department website

Cost for Attending:

$0.00Contact your local

American Legion Auxiliary Unit

Hope to see you at the next session of Keystone Girls State!!!