Ernest Represents Dalton at Girls State

DALTON—Megan Ernest of Dalton has been selected to attend American Legion Auxiliary Cornhusker Girls State by the Mintken Davison ALA Unit 301. As part of the premier ALA program, Ernest will study local, county, and state government process during the seven day nonpartisan political learning experience.

Ernest, a junior at Leyton High School, was selected to attend ALA Cornhusker Girls State based on her application, scholastics, and community activities.

ALA Girls State attendees, known as “citizens,” receive special instruction in parliamentary procedure and organize themselves into two mock olitical 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.

Dot Hall, Girls State chairman for Mintken Davison Unit 301 and ALA volunteer leaders at the conference, encourage the young citizens to continue their community service by becoming members of the American Legion Auxiliary, as well as leaders in their communities and local governments. Ernest is already a member of Mintken Davison Unit 301 Junior ALA in Dalton.

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, visit http://www.ALAfor Veterans.org.