The American Legion Auxiliary provides scholarships for girls who will be completing their junior year of high school, including home schooled girls, to attend the Wyoming Girls State program each year. The girls apply for these scholarships, the auxiliary then interviews the youth and selects the delegates and alternates who will be eligible to attend.

The Wyoming Girls State program for 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result, the program for this year is open to both junior and senior girls. The Powell Auxiliary sponsors girls from Meeteetse, Cody, Powell, Rocky Mountain High School and Lovell.

What is Girls State, you may ask? In Wyoming for 2021, the sessions are held on the Laramie County Community College campus in Cheyenne from June 6-12. The girls selected to attend will learn about city, county and state government as well as learning patriotism, leadership and social skills. They mix with other girls from around Wyoming and “run” a fictitious city, county and state government positions for the week, under the guidance of volunteer staffers, volunteer senators, representatives and attorneys.  

The girls write bills to be considered by their Girls State legislature and the ones that pass through the Girls State legislature are sent on to the “real” legislators for their consideration. The girls are separated into the House, Senate and courts and become much more well-rounded citizens, event organizers say. College credit and college scholarships are generally available as well.

The auxiliary pays for room, board and sessions. There is a registration fee of $30 and those who attend are responsible for transportation to and from Cheyenne.

Do you know of a junior or senior girl who may be interested in attending Girls State? Have them contact their school counselor or Susan Sironen, local Girls State chairman, at 307-250-6060. Applications are due by Monday, Feb. 15.