Hartselle students chosen to attend Girls State

By Staff Reports  

Two Hartselle students will represent the school at Troy University this summer at the 82nd American Legion Auxiliary Girls State.  

Mary Frances Itsede and Katie Sloan, both rising seniors at Hartselle High School, will participate in the week-long, fun-filled, hands-on learning opportunity for some of the best and brightest young women in the State of Alabama.  

Mary Frances Itsede, left, and Katie Sloan have been chosen to participate in Girls State this summer at Troy University.

Girls State is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) and is a premier youth leadership program which offers a one-of-a-kind experience to its delegates.

The 2024 Session of ALA Alabama Girls State will take place June 2-7 at Troy.  

During the American Legion Auxiliary Alabama Girls State program, delegates will have the opportunity to learn about local and state government through a variety of speakers, workshops and sessions.  

High school students who have completed their junior year are competitively selected and sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary units for this program, where they learn about the political process by electing officials for all levels of state government and actively running a mock government. The participants are assigned to mock cities and either the “Federalist Party” or “Nationalist Party.” 

Assistance from dedicated ALA volunteers ensures the program’s nonpartisan governmental, patriotic and civic objectives are carried out through interactive learning. Though the week is filled with many learning opportunities, there is always time for fun and the formation of long-term friendships.