By Jeff Murphy,
June 17, 2021
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 Continuing a tradition that has taken place on the University of
Central Missouri campus since 1998, high school girls from across the state will converge
on UCM the week beginning Sunday, June 20, to participate in the .
This event at UCM was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. It annually includes about
800 young women who have completed their junior year of high school. They are chosen
to participate by both their schools and the ALA members who work with schools to
select participants who display good leadership characteristics.
During the weeklong interactive leadership program, participants will learn more about
how government and representative democracy works on three levels. They will actually
create a simulated government, and will elect Girls State members to serve as public
officials for local, county and state offices. The experience includes learning about
the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government.
Also during the week, there will be a number of guest speakers who will share insights
into government and other issues that will help enhance the overall Girls State learning
experience. Sessions with scheduled speakers will be limited to Girls State participants,
and will include:
- Col. Michele Hovland, U.S. Army (Retired), 7:45 p.m. Sunday, June 20
- Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway, 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 21
- Missouri Governor Mike Parson, 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 22
- Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, June 23
- Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, 10:40 a.m. Thursday, June 24
Throughout the week, ALA Missouri Girls State participants will be immersed in the
creation of political parties, including platforms; in the development and the responsibility
of running a city, county and state government; in the creation of an economy as entrepreneurs;
and in the responsibility of reporting the news as members of the press.
At the city level, the participants will create and enforce ordinances, and create
and manage a city budget. County officials will be responsible for creating and managing
a county budget, and will be tasked with developing and executing a state fair. State
officials will include an elected bicameral legislature and an elected executive branch,
both modeling Missouri state government. The participants will also create a court
system that models Missouri's judicial branch, with trial judges being elected and
the seven-member Supreme Court being selected using a modified version of the Nonpartisan
Court Plan, commonly known across the country as the Missouri Plan. Other events in
the week include a recreation night and talent show.
Learn more by visiting .