2024 – 77th Session – Find the Magic Within

From the diary of Director Emily Gregory

2024 has been great for American Legion Auxiliary Virginia Girls State! We have been making the news all over the place!

A 2023 ALA VA Girls State delegate, Loor Elbedour, was highlighted in the February issue of the American Legion Auxiliary magazine. Two memorable quotes from Loor include:

Marvelous and unforgettable. These are the two adjectives I would use to describe the singular week I spent at ALA Virginia Girls State.

As a refugee, I dreamed of becoming part of a community so welcoming and enriching. I went from being a 7-year-old girl who couldn’t speak English to becoming an elected lawyer who argued a case in front of a packed auditorium at ALA Girls State. The amount of gratitude I feel for being able to participate in a program like this is infinitely abundant. This opportunity is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience I believe every high school junior should strive to receive.

Loor fully embraced the Girls State experience and had the week that I wish for every delegate who attends.

On June 20, our program was also highlighted on the Longwood University Facebook page. As
a Longwood alumni myself, I never thought I would make the Longwood Facebook page so it
was especially meaningful to me to share about our amazing program on this platform.

Just this week, Mallory Showalter Churning was highlighted on the American Legion Auxiliary blog! Mallory attended ALA VA Girls State in 2003 and also served as a counselor. She credits VA Girls State as an experience that would lead her to military service and a career assisting veterans. My favorite quote from Mallory is:

I would not be where I am at today if it wasn’t for ALA Virginia Girls State, both personally and professionally. The support and prayers I received from all the Auxiliary members I volunteered with gave me the confidence to take chances. While the days are oh so long for your week at ALA Virginia Girls State, the week is short, and the impact lasts a lifetime.

The impact lasts a lifetime – we can never truly put a price on this amazing experience.
We were also invited to attend a reception at The Governor’s Mansion in honor of Women’s
History Month. Cheryl Shine and I were honored to attend along with 2023 ALA VA Girls State Lt. Governor Laiba Babar and 2023 Attorney General Jamie Tran.

And now for what you are all waiting for, the recap of the 77th session of ALA VA Girls State!

The 77th session of the American Legion Auxiliary Virginia Girls State program was held on the Longwood University campus from June 16, 2024, to June 22, 2024.

After arrival and city meetings, Director Emily Gregory provided a welcome and program
orientation before dinner. With both the 2023 Elected Governor and Lt. Governor unable to
serve, the presiding Officer and Master of Ceremonies for our 2024 program was Jamie Tran
from Fairfax, Virginia, the 2023 Elected Attorney General of ALA VA Girls State.

After dinner, Dr. Larissa Smith, Provost of Longwood University, provided greetings from
Longwood including sharing her own ALA VA Girls State story. Assistant Director Cheryl Shine shared the poppy story with the delegates. We were honored to have Honorary Junior President Addie Brady join us to share greetings, encouragement, and her ALA VA State experience. Beloved 2018 ALA VA Girls State Governor Candice Mulinda returned to share inspirational words with the 2024 delegates.

Monday morning, the delegates went right to work setting up offices and working to elect
officials to govern the cities. Sergeant Sarah Gregory, along with a fellow trooper and detective shared about women in law enforcement.

On Monday afternoon, we were addressed by Levar Stoney, Mayor of Richmond, Virginia. ALA
member and Girls State staff member Edythe Kellehar presented on public speaking for our
afternoon assembly. Party conventions led to late nights on Monday electing Party Clerk and Chairman.

Tuesday morning started off busy! Pam Elam-Lipscombe worked tirelessly on our Legislative
Day. Thirteen members of the General Assembly from various parts of Virginia met with Girls State cities to discuss issues of Legislation and field questions from the ALA VA Girls State delegates.

After lunch, Jay Pearson zoomed in to share “How a Bill Becomes a Law” and First Lady
Suzanne Youngkin also joined us by Zoom to speak to the delegates. The delegates began
creating their government led by their newly elected mayors and The Virginia Girls State
Legislature was in session. Party conventions on Tuesday night elected candidates for Virginia Girls State Gov, Lt. Governor and Attorney General.

Wednesday morning started with cities in session and legislature meeting. Kelly Gee, Secretary of the Commonwealth, joined us Wednesday morning to share her own story as a woman in government. She was also joined by 4 additional women who shared their own stories in break-out groups with the delegates.

Wednesday afternoon, we were joined by Sheree Atkins of The Moton Museum who provided
an interactive presentation encouraging the delegates to find their magic within like Barbara Johns did 73 years ago. We were also joined by Draco and Smoke–two of Virginia State Police’s explosive sniffing dogs. Counselor Camellia Genovese shared resume and job
interview tips with the delegates.

That evening, the Girls Nation candidates and Party selected Governor, Lt, Governor and
Attorney General candidates gave their platform speeches.

Thursday voting for statewide office was held, the Legislature completed their bill writing activities, and girls attended the College Fair. Kacey Cunningham, founder of Kazelle and Co in Danville, VA, spoke to the delegates on Thursday morning about ways to make changes in their own communities.

Thursday afternoon was special as Vietnam Veterans from American Legion Post 16 out of
Lynchburg, VA came as part of our Oral History program. Thursday evening, we were excited to have the return of our ALA VA Girls State Band and Chorus concerts. Band was directed by T Parker, a community volunteer from the Farmville area. Chorus was directed by Hope Swindler with the assistance of Christy Swindler, both ALA members and ALA VA Girls State volunteers. We also held our POW/MIA ceremony in honor of those Prisoners of War and Missing in Action in the Vietnam era.

Friday, the Supreme Court of Virginia Moot Court was in session. The delegates also heard from Erika Evans, Department Americanism chair. As well as counselor Miranda Haggerman about post-high school options.

The afternoon Inaugural Ceremony took place installing the 77th Governor of Virginia Girls
State – Eleanor Schmitt.

Emily R.H. Gregory, 2024 Director
American Legion Auxiliary Virginia Girls State