|
|
|
| Post 372, Martin Ave. at Marlboro, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 (856)665-3889 | |
GIRLS STATE REPORT 2009
June 2009 - CONGRATULATIONS TO
JASMINE WALKER GIRLS STATE REPORT AUGUST 2008
It was a rainy night in
April, and excitement filled the air at the home of Dot
Wahl. It was the night of interviews for 2008 Jersey
Girls State and candidates from Camden Catholic, Bishop
Eustace and Cherry Hill East and West were everywhere.
Thirty two girls were scattered in the living room, den,
kitchen and downstairs. The girls chatted and laughed
with each other, listened attentively as the Girls State
experience was presented by June Fitzgerald along with
the history and purpose of the American Legion
Auxiliary. They curiously asked pertinent questions and
talked about the experiences that past Girls State
delegates had shared with them. ..The candidates then
divided up for their individual interviews with the
ladies from the Auxiliary. We were so fortunate this
year to have so many ladies involved in the selection
process. Carol Doyle, Annette Romano, Edna Gallagher,
Mary Walker, Dot Wahl, Mary Ellen Murray, Sue Quinn ,
Thelma Dougherty and June Fitzgerald were all on hand to
meet with the girls. It was a daunting job as every
candidate there was qualified and had the interest. It
was a matter of choosing the most deserving and
sometimes the girls that would benefit the most from
this wonderful experience.
“I want to thank you for
presenting me with the opportunity to attend Girls’
State. I enjoyed my stay at Georgian Court University
where I met wonderful young women from all over New
Jersey. Learning about the programs that some of these
girls are involved in at home really inspired me to do
more volunteering. I have learned from my new friends
that giving back to the community can be a fulfilling
experience. Since I have been home I have started
applying to hospitals to be a volunteer. I have been
thinking about doing this service because I plan to be a
nurse, and being around these girls really encouraged me
to take action. NO REPORT for 2007 Post 372 GIRLS STATE Report 2006 Once again, another successful Jersey Girls State Program has opened and closed. The setting for this year’s exciting week was Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ and took place June 18th thru the 23rd. Unit #372 sponsored 15 delegates to participate from Cherry Hill East and West High Schools, Camden Catholic and Bishop Eustace Preparatory. This year’s Girls State Committee spent several nights interviewing 40 candidates for available delegate positions. It was a tough job to narrow it down to only 15 delegates but the ladies worked hard to make the selection. The delegates that attended were Brittany Wambach, Kaitlin Bukowski, Jessica Webster, Stephanie Scaramella, Kim Chiarelli, Raisa Avila, Sheelagh Pousatis, Maureen O’Neill, Kimberly Howard, Rebecca Friedman, Theresa Cattuna, Carolyn Desrochers, Sarah Kline, Laura Matusow, and Samantha Seigel. Among the delegates representing our Auxiliary Unit this year we are very proud to announce that there were many girls that ran and were elected to office. The offices represented were Ward Leaders, Council Women, Mayor, Freeholder, Senator and special mention to Stephanie Scaramella who won the Federalist Party Primary for Governor. It was reported by Girls State Staff that although she was not elected as Governor, “ Stephanie ran a great campaign and it was a very close finish. “ Our unit chairman, June Fitzgerald attended the closing ceremonies on Friday where she had the pleasure of talking to many of the girls. Even though all of the girls were exhausted after their week of late nights, whistle-stop campaigning and running meetings, their enthusiasm wa s contagious. It was truly amazing to see 410 girls hugging, crying and cheering for their cities. The ceremony closed with a rousing rendition of “We’re Girls State USA” To quote a thank you note already received from one of the girls, “The whole objective of Girls State was to educate young minds about our government and help exercise our leadership skills. The program did accomplish these goals, but I feel that it was my surrounding peers that taught me so much more. In less than a week, I developed friendships with girls from every corner of our state – girls so powerful, talented and diverse. I met people so passionate about certain issues regarding our state: for instance, I listened to a speech by a girl who survived cancer and strongly wanted to help those who struggle with medical expenses. I greatly thank the American Legion Auxiliary for allowing young women like this to meet and come together to share our ideas a nd beliefs. Every delegate at Girls State was a leader. We were all intimidated at first and sometimes our ideas would clash at a meeting, but we all strived for the same thing. We all wanted to have strong cities and a strong state. These girls have given me such a powerful sense of confidence for the future, because after all….the future is us. Thanks again for sponsoring me”…..…..Sincerely Raisa Avila. During the interview process all of the girls are told that the purpose of Girls State is to promote Americanism and Citizenship. We encourage the girls to come home and try to make a difference in their community and state. Girls State gives them the tools to do this and we feel that it is one of our most valuable and important programs. If you know of a young lady who will be a junior in high school next year, please encourage her to take an interest in this wonderful opportunity. CHERRY HILL AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT # 372 PROUDLY SALUTES AND CONGRATULATES ALL 15 OF OUR DELEGATES FOR ATTENDING AND FULLY PARTICIPATING IN 2006 JERSEY GIRLS STATE !! |
|
  To contact American Legion Post 372 email Don McDonough at donmac0412@yahoo.com. Print This Page / Email this site to a friend / Message Board Website Design and Hosting by DesirePC Corporation. Email sales@desirepc.com. http://www.desirepc.com . 2005 Copyright |
|
