Girls State delegates from Cedar Springs are Corey Willette (left) and Kayla Ovokaitys (center right). Also pictured are American Legion Auxiliary Past President Mary Goller Kilts (center left) and Mary Anne Yuncker (right), American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan first Vice President, both of Cedar Springs.

Girls State is held every June in Lansing, Michigan, on the campus of Michigan State University. The girls who attend are between their junior and senior year in high school. They are sponsored by our local Auxiliary and also by the Cedar Springs Women’s Club.

Girls State offers training in the practical processes of good citizenship, as practiced in a democratic society. The “citizens” study local, county and state governments. But it’s not all work and studying. The girls get to live on campus and experience dorm life; they spend a day at the State Capital; they have talent shows, sing, and make friendships to last a lifetime.

Scholarships are available and college credit is offered. Contact your American Legion Auxiliary if this interests you. Our own city manager, Christine Burns, addressed the girls this year. We are happy for her participation and support of this vital and worthy program.