The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 175
Girls State Program
What is Girls State?
Girls State is first and foremost an exercise in citizenship and leadership. In order for any government to function, it must have the active participation of its citizens. Your daughter will have an active role in creating a city and state government. The delegates will be grouped into 14 cities. Each city will be responsible for making its own laws, drawing up a budget, creating a city charter, electing officials, and carrying out its governance. In addition, the fourteen cities will group together and form a state government. They will nominate candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General within their two party conventions and then vote as a state on the three young ladies who will lead them.
Eligibility Requirements
Students must have completed their junior year of high school and have at least one semester of high school remaining to be eligible to participate. Candidates for Virginia Girls State are chosen through an interview process conducted by the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 175. Candidates are evaluated based on their leadership abilities, interest in government, service to others, and academics.
Homeschooled students are also eligible to attend Virginia Girls State. The teaching parent must be educating under the Commonwealth of Virginia Guidelines for homeschooling.
Program application is HERE.
Citizenship Form is HERE
For complete program information, please visit the Virginia Girls State web page.
Additional information is available on The American Legion Auxiliary (National) web page.