Local students chosen for Illini Girls State program
Submitted by Arlene Lolley/Mundelein American Legion Auxiliary
Thirty-eight students advancing from their junior year of high school were chosen to attend the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program at Eastern Illinois University.
They were selected by the Auxiliary units and Post representatives as high achievers with great leadership characteristics.
The Illini Girls State program will mentor the girls to increase their knowledge of how local and state government works and will guide them into the political and leadership arena, while adding to their hands-on experiences of campaigning, public speaking, elections, voting and the job duties of our elected officials.
The girls will write articles for the Girls State newspaper, perform in the talent show, sing in the choir and play in sports events.
One girl will be elected as a Party Leader and another as Lt. Governor, along with a Speaker of the House and many senators, as well as a multitude of other positions.
The guest speakers at the Girls State May orientation for the girls selected to attend the program were Sabrina DiMaso and Tajari Lester.
Lester said, “I was given the honor of attending the 2011 Girls State session in Illinois. This was the 71st year of Illini Girls State. It was one of the best experiences of my life.
“Before attending IGS, I had very little knowledge of how government actually worked. I spent the week with about 400 other girls immersed in a program that ran a type of mock government, held elections, and chose leaders to fill offices and carry out specific duties,” she said.
“I learned so much in that short time and now have a great interest in government and have sent a resume to a local congressman to possibly intern in his office.”
Program supporters include the Lake Bluff Post 510, Grayslake Post 659, the Grayslake Village Council and Exchange Club, the Lake Region Riders 703, the North Shore Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Kiwanis Club.
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