October 6, 1999
Students benefit from Girls State
Legion auxiliary honors three teens that attended Girls State this summer
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Providing an opportunity for leadership and participation plus a chance to learn about the inner workings of government and politics, Girls State is open to girls all over Michigan after their junior year of high school. The three local girls who participated in the 1999 session in June at Michigan State University got a taste of the real world and the chance to make friends with other ambitious, high-achieving students from around the state.
"I met so many wonderful girls, so many smart girls from all over the state," said Shantel Harms, now a senior at Traverse City West High School. "I learned that women can do anything and about the different doors I can open. Girls State will help me with college and with my career."
The week-long Girls State allows attendees the chance to run for office, manage a political campaign, direct city, county and state politics and run a judicial system. The participants are divided into 'cities' and they must elect a mayor, city council and all other positions to run the city. Later in the week, elections for the 'state' government are held where leaders from the cities strive to achieve additional leadership positions. Professionals in the social sciences and government mentor the students during the week.
"I thought it would be a challenge and it was," said Carolyn Schilling of St. Francis High School. "It was such a learning experience. I was the city attorney, on the bar association and participated in a mock trial. Going to Girls State just gave me a greater sense of how our country worked."
Becky Witkop of Central High School also attended this year's session with Harms and Schilling. The three were sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Post 35, which last spring interviewed 15 girls from the three schools before choosing one to represent each school. American Legion posts statewide sponsor Girls State and this year more than 400 girls from around the state attended.
Students who want to attend Girls State fill out an application form listing their achievements, interests and school activities. In the spring, a short interview helps American Legion Auxiliary officials choose participants who they believe will get the most benefit from the program, while at the same time making a contribution to others.
"We base our choices on interviews and the forms they fill out," said Sandy Krause, president of the local American Legion Auxiliary and chair of the Girls State committee. "I also ask them what they want to get out of it and any questions they have. I tell them our conditions, which are respect for the flag and our country."
Harms applied on the day of the interviews at West High School, not knowing much at all about Girls State. The little she heard about the leadership opportunities intrigued her and she quickly filled out an application. With just minutes until her interview, she told her Honors American Lit teacher of her intentions and he immediately wrote a full-page recommendation letter for her.
"I am normally analytical and plan everything out," said Harms, who plans to study business and marketing at college next year. "I can't even go through a drive-through because I take so much time deciding, but this just felt right."
Unlike Harms, Schilling was acquainted with previous Girls State attendees and knew the value the opportunity would provide on her college applications and in her life. She easily decided to apply and was thrilled with the practical experience and the confidence she gained from completing the program.
"You have to give speeches every day and I learned on-the-spot confidence," said Schilling, who is contemplating a career in the sciences, musical theater or the law. "I learned I can use my theater skills in the courtroom and people listened to me. One of the coaches was a lawyer and he said to me, 'See you in the courtroom.'"