Local students bound for Girls State

PRIEST RIVER — Natalie Randolph, Adrie Minish, Kara Slater, and Alaina Guevarra of Priest River, have been selected to attend American Legion Auxiliary Idaho, Syringa Girls State in June. As part of the premier ALA program, Randolph, Minish, Slater, and Guevarra will study local, county, and state government processes during a week of nonpartisan political learning experience.

Randolph, Minish, Slater, and Guevarra who are juniors at Priest River Lamanna High School, were selected to attend ALA Idaho Syringa Girls State based on recommendations by the high school staff and selection interviews by the Auxiliary Girl State selection panel. Selection criteria for the Girl State delegates included engagement in school and community activities, academic proficiency and leadership skills.

ALA Girls State attendees, known as “citizens,” receive special instruction in parliamentary procedure and organize themselves into two mock political parties. The young women then campaign, hold rallies, debate, and ultimately vote to elect city, county, and state officials. Once elected to office, delegates are sworn in and perform their prescribed duties. Attendees not elected to office are given appointments and visit the offices of those elected to share their viewpoints as citizens.

Every spring, approximately 25,000 young women across the country are selected to attend ALA Girls State programs in their respective states. Two outstanding citizens from each of the 50 ALA Girls State programs are then chosen to represent their state as “senators” at ALA Girls Nation held in Washington, D.C., in July.

About the American Legion Auxiliary: Members of the ALA have dedicated themselves for nearly a century to meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans, military, and their families both here and abroad. They volunteer millions of hours yearly, with a value averaging $2 billion each year. As part of the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization, ALA volunteers across the country also step up to honor veterans and military through annual scholarships and with ALA Girls State programs, teaching high school juniors to be leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. To learn more about the ALA’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join contact Barbara Cooper at 208-448-4183.

The ALA Unit No. 155 appreciated the support of the Priest River Lamanna High School principal Kren; counselor, Estes; history teacher, Humphrey; leadership counselor, Colombini; 21st Century Grant coordinator, Coldwell; and House of the Lord Christian Academy Principal Williams. Without their involvement the success of the local Girl State selection process would have been significantly reduced. The delegates will attend Girl State due to the wonderful donations of the Girl State sponsors: Priest River Ace Hardware, Susan Crossland, Janeen Davis, Arly Sue Hagman, Patricia Sudick, Selkirk Ace Hardware, Newport/Priest River Rotary, Kaniksu Lions Club, Priest River Lioness and North Idaho Federation of Republican Women.