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21 June 2005 59th annual Virginia Girls State Convenes at Longwood
In keeping with tradition, Governor Mark Warner addressed Girls State. In addition to the Governor, former Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine, former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, and Senator H. Russell Potts Jr., (27th District) also visited the campus to address the young women. The participants learn about parliamentary procedure and municipal government after breaking up into 14 "cities" and two political parties, and eventually they elect a governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. Jasmine Major of Richmond was elected governor last year and presided over Girls State until her predecessor; Jessica Guthrie of Fredericksburg was elected on Wednesday evening. Also elected were, Molly Turner of Alexandria as Lieutenant Governor and Ali Deich of Arlington as Attorney General.
American Legion Auxiliary volunteers Jerry D. Woodson from Amherst and Bonnie Crews from Lynchburg were this year's event co-directors. "Government and policies always has an aura of secrecy and mystery surrounding it," said Bonnie Crews. "Our aim is to show these young women that anyone can and should participate in making the laws and policies that govern the way we live." Girls State is coordinated on-campus by Longwood's Office of Conferences, Scheduling and Special Events. Girls State is held simultaneously with Boys State, at Liberty University in Lynchburg. |
Some 616 rising high school seniors from across the Commonwealth of Virginia gathered at Longwood University the week of June 20 - 24 for the 59th Virginia Girls State. The citizenship seminar is directed and sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, with the cooperation of many civic clubs and school groups. It has been held annually on the Longwood campus since 1974. 