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Americanism Chairman of Illinois Girls State, Pat Williamson, takes down the American Flag Sunday afternoon in the Quad. (Submitted by Amir Prellberg)

Girls State helps build leadership

By: Kayleigh Zyskowski/Online Editor

Posted: 6/16/09

At approximately 5:15 Sunday evening, 458 high school girls from all over the state began to pour out from Lawson, Thomas and Taylor halls into the South Quad. They gathered into groups around the flagpole and chatted while the rain began to slowly drip down. At 5:30, the girls fell silent.

This time women, all wearing purple polos, lined up and began to march from the steps of Taylor hall to the flagpole. A lone bugle player began "Taps," and one woman unraveled the ropes and lowered the flag.

The girls, with hands over their hearts, stood in complete silence as the flag was folded and carried off, and the only sound that could be heard after the bugle player finished was that of the rain drops coming down.

And so began Illinois Girls State of 2009.

Since 1984, Eastern has been the location for Illinois Girls State sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. It was previously held at McMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois.

Girls entering their senior year of high school from all over the state of Illinois commute to Charleston to stay for a week of learning about patriotism and leadership, said Allison Martin, assistant director of Illinois Girls State.

Sixty-one people make up the staff for Illinois Girls State and everyone is a volunteer.

"Girls State is a leadership program where we emphasize the importance of patriotism, civic involvement, responsibility and proper flag etiquette," Assistant Director Allison Martin said. Martin participated in Illinois Girls State in 1998, when she was elected as governor, and has been involved with the program for 12 years.

"The girls are exposed to a lot of dynamic speakers. We also have elections where we stress the importance of the whole election process," Martin said.

The girls are divided into cities consisting of 23 to 24 girls, where they elect city officials; such as a mayor and a city clerk, Martin said.

Then, within the cities, a county government is elected.

Ultimately, all 458 girls participate in the mythical state of Illinois Girls State. The girls, or "citizens," are divided into two parties, the Federalist Party and the Nationalist Party.

Finally, a governor and state officials are voted upon along with an executive branch and judicial branch of government.

The girls must petition to become elected by making posters and talking with each other about why they should be elected.

The inauguration of the state government officials will be on Thursday evening in Dvorak Concert Hall in Doudna Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.

"It isn't just about the election process though, we have a lot of opportunities for the girls," Marin said. "We have a Girls State Chorus, we also have a talent show they can try out for."

Throughout the week, the girls will also listen to different speakers talk about the importance of patriotism and leadership.

Monday night was the first time the Illinois Girls State has held a patriotic ceremony.

Six members from the armed forces spoke about the importance of being involved with the army and what the girls can do to help.

"We definitely stress the importance of supporting our veterans and we take that stance as does the Auxiliary," Martin said. "The girls also learn about responsibility and what it is like to leave home for the first time."

Circuit Court Judge Mark Drummond from Quincy, gave a lecture titled "Seven Reasons to Leave the Party" on Tuesday night.

"He talks about and focuses on the fact that it is OK to make the right choice, and you don't always have to fall into peer pressure," Martin said. "All of the participants are going to be seniors in high school and that really is a hard age."

Friday night will be a banquet where a lot of the past department presidents from the American Legion Auxiliary will come as special guests.

"This has been a great way to get to know girls from our 'cities' and even a great thing to put on a college resume," said El Paso High School senior Paige DeVary, who is a participant in the program.

For many girls, this is their first experience with being away from home and the girls are able to realize not everyone is like them, Martin said.

"Overall, the girls take home a lot of knowledge about the way the election process is run, leadership skills and they network and make friendships that will last a lifetime," said Martin.

Editor in Chief Sarah Jean Bresnahan contributed to this report.

Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7943 or at dennews.com@gmail.com.