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ALA SD Girls State
  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Why Apply?
    • The Experience >
      • Delegate Resources
    • Patriotism
    • Scholarship
    • ALA SD Girls State Officers and Honors
    • Delegate Information
    • Commonly Asked Questions
  • Journalism City
  • Contact
  • Informational Videos
  • 2023 Videos
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Our Story

Back in the depression ridden days of the early 30s, the American Legion grew concerned over public statements to the effect that Democracy was "on the skids." How, it wondered, could America train its young people in the processes of self government as effectively as Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany seemed to be training their youth in the totalitarian forms of government. Deciding the best way to learn was by practicing it, American Legionnaires began, in 1935, gathering teenage representatives together for a few days each summer in a citizenship training program on the processes of city, county and state Government. They called it "Boys State." As the program succeeded and spread throughout the United States, the American Legion Auxiliary began a similar program for girls. Thus "Girls State" was authorized in 1937-38, and is now established in 50 Departments in our Nation.
 
American Legion Auxiliary South Dakota Girls State was founded at Mitchell in 1947. It met regularly each year on the campus of Dakota Wesleyan University until 1985, when it was moved to the campus of South Dakota State University, Brookings. In 2002, the program was moved to the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. It is under the sponsorship of South Dakota Department of the American Legion Auxiliary. From an enrollment of 117 girls in 1947, ALA SD Girls State has grown to its present enrollment of over 400 girls.
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Greetings from the ALA South Dakota
​Department President

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Welcome to South Dakota American Legion Auxiliary Girls State 2023
 
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is a unique and exciting government-in-action learning program helping young women become knowledgeable stewards of freedom, democracy, and patriotic citizens.

On behalf of the members of the Department of South Dakota American Legion Auxiliary, I welcome you to 2023 Girls State. Congratulations to each of you, you were chosen by your local Auxiliary, School and Community to be a representative. As a delegate, you are part of an outstanding program that addresses all areas of Government, city state and national.

This week you may be asked to step outside of your comfort zone and be involved in the many aspects of government. Please take the many opportunities available to you this week, not many get this chance. Tiffany French, the counselors and volunteers have put hours and energy into making this program the success it is.
This week you will first take the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Oath and thus become a member of the ALA South Dakota Girls State. During this week you will meet girls as nervous as you are, there will those girls who are outgoing and comfortable meeting other people. Which ever you are be bold surprise yourself, call it networking, just face to face not on a computer or phone.

Each year, The ALA Department of South Dakota elects a President and for the year 2022-2023 I was elected to serve,
You young ladies have so many opportunities to choose from. Remembering back to when I was your ages and thinking of the courses, I needed to study for my career choice does not even come close to the options and choices you have, our phones hung on the wall, and computers were great bulky things that read punch cards. We had class advisers not counselors.

The American Legion Auxiliary was and still support our Military men and Women, and we are strong supporter of Girls State. The benefits of Girls State are many including Scholarships, looking good on a Resume or job Application.

You who participate in Girls State encompass the best of the best because of the leadership skills and confidence in yourselves you will find during this week. The Units that sponsor you, your parents, and all of us here are proud of you. Once again, on behalf of all the members of the Department of South Dakota, I congratulate you, have a week filed with education, laughter, and a deepening love for God and Country.

 
Joyce Smith
South Dakota American Legion Auxiliary President 2022

T H E   T E A M

Our Staff
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Tiffany French 
ALA SD Girls State
​Director/Chairman
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Meghan Grassel 
ALA SD Girls State
​Assistant Director
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​Amber Turner 
ALA SD Girls State
Dean of Counselors
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​​
​Emily De Beer 
​ ALA SD Girls State
Dean of Junior Counselors

Meet the Governor...

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Nyapal Chuol - ALA Girls State Governor 2022

Hello 2023 ALA South Dakota Girls State Citizens,

Congratulations! I am thrilled to welcome you to this year's ALA South Dakota Girls State delegation. Your selection as a delegate is a testament to your hard work and dedication to excellence. During Girls State, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the “behind the scenes” of local, county, and state government, while also meeting tons of new people and creating lasting bonds. In the time span of six days, you will have the opportunity to chat with, laugh with, and create with hundreds of other people in the exact same boat as you. As you embark on this exciting journey, I want to remind you that being a leader in your community requires not only great responsibility, but also empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Throughout the week, it is important to practice empathy as you interact with your fellow delegates, who come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

As you set out on this transformative journey to Girls State, it may seem like a world of unknowns, but Elsa made the journey, so I have full confidence in you to do the same. It may seem terrifying at first; trust me, I understand! My number one piece of advice is to embrace that fear and do it anyway. Everyone is doing the exact same thing you are, thinking the same scary thoughts, and feeling the same scared way, so you already have something in common! What you should do is channel those feelings and go talk to someone new! The knowledge you gain and the relationships you build are worth more than any title you’ll receive at Girls State.

As I realize that the information I have just shared with you may seem overwhelming, I have some more advice for each of you: get involved! Run for office, make posters, and attend your vespers! If you're stuck somewhere for a week, you might as well make the most out of it and make some mems along the way! Finally, don't be afraid to reach out to your counselors, the ALA ladies, and your super-duper helpful governor for help, we are here for your support and only want to see you succeed. Please, don’t let anything hold you back, make the most of Girls State and be the best version of yourself.


Nyapal Chuol
2022 ALA South Dakota Girls State Governor
American Legion Auxiliary Staff
ALA Department President
Joyce Smith

ALA Department Secretary
Regina Whipple

ALA Department Treasurer 
Carol Edwards


ALA Girls State Registrar/Registration
Irene Hovorka

Store Manager
Teresa Huntimer

Office Manager
Melissa Hessman

First Aid 
Susie Clyde

Craft Manager
Kathy Geraets

Chorus Director
Chris Larson
Senior Counselors
New York
Mya DeJong

Chicago
Abbey Allen

Philadelphia
Ashley Gustafson

Detroit
Jerica Muzik

Los Angeles
Kaytlyn Hilligas

Cleveland
Taylor Schroeder

Baltimore
Erika Schenk

St. Louis
​Lily Schaefers

Washington
Morgan Fuller

Boston
Eva Studt

Miami
Mikennah Oleson

Seattle
Sara Thyen

Minneapolis
Kara Meisenhoelder

St. Paul
Lucy Farley

Journalism City
Emerson McClure

Junior Counselors
Minnehaha
Tayah McGergor

Brown
Harlee Heim

Beadle
Alyssa Feather

Pennington
Chloe Flahaven

Codington
Keegan Baker

Hughes
Julia Hemelstrand

Brookings
Gretta Larson

Journalism City
​​Olivia Hunhoff
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  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Why Apply?
    • The Experience >
      • Delegate Resources
    • Patriotism
    • Scholarship
    • ALA SD Girls State Officers and Honors
    • Delegate Information
    • Commonly Asked Questions
  • Journalism City
  • Contact
  • Informational Videos
  • 2023 Videos