Girls State Committee Chairperson: Carly Diel cadiel13s@gmail.com
Committee Members: Ashley Bouckaert , Claire Downey
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 20,000 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 as “Federalists” and “Nationalists” to become mayors and county and state officials of their ALA Girls State.
The program is a weeklong immersive learning experience held on a college campus where girls live in “cities” within the dormitory. The learning, experience, memories, and friendships last a lifetime.
Eligibility Criteria
Delegates to ALA Missouri Girls State are chosen by an interview and application procedure. Information about 2021 ALA Missouri Girls State was made available on our website after January 1st due to ongoing decisions for the combined junior/senior 2021 session.
ALA MGS delegates are girls who attend high school in Missouri and have just completed their junior year. Candidates are evaluated on their leadership abilities, interest in government, service to others, and academics. Speech and debate experiences are also beneficial, but not necessary.
For more information contact your high school counselor or the local American Legion Auxiliary Unit.
If you have additional questions regarding American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girls State, please call Linda Schaap, Director of Admissions at (816) 358-4541, or e-mail the director at director@missourigirlsstate.org.
Selection Process
As there are 200+ American Legion Auxiliary units throughout Missouri and approximately 750 girls are chosen to attend MGS, the selection methods vary based on logistics, circumstances and established local procedures. Some selected delegates are long-standing Junior Members of an Auxiliary Unit (female members under age of 18) who meet the qualifications, while others are chosen by school personnel with names forwarded to local units. Some potential delegates' names are forwarded by schools to local units who then interview the list and make the selection based on the interviews. Any girl interested in attending ALA Missouri Girls State should begin by contacting their school counselor.
For more information on Missouri Girls State :