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!!!