From left in back row: Rachel Schoener and Brooke Tuftie from Flanagan-Cornell High School; Jacqueline Walters and Ashlyn Gramm from Normal-Bloomington High School; Kacey Short and Heidi Maier from Prairie Central High School, Fairbury. Front row: Katelyn Feldkamp and Kadie King from Tri-Point High School, Cullom; Jacquiline Martincic from Lincoln High School; Cassidy Brucker, GCMS High School, Gibson City; and Paige Schwarz and Karli Eastin from Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School, Paxton.

American Legion 17th District Auxiliary hosts Illini Girls State tea [May 30, 2013]  FORREST -- The American Legion 17th District Auxiliary hosted an annual tea for Illini Girls State candidates on May 19 at the J.A. Fowell Post 174 in Forrest. Beth Rieger, 17th District Illini Girls State chair, welcomed the Girls State candidates, parents and guests. She introduced two from the Illini Girls State board: Sara Wycoff, dean of education, and Carolee Smith, assistant director. They spoke to the girls on what Girls State is about and what to expect when attending.

Illini Girls State is a simulation patterned after the state of Illinois; it follows Illinois governmental procedure as closely as possible. It is a practical application of Americanism and good citizenship that attempts to teach and inculcate in our youth a love of America and a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. It is a powerful, intense learning experience. Girls State this year will be held June 16-22 on the Eastern Illinois University campus, Charleston. Girls who have just finished their junior year in high school come from all over the state of Illinois for this program. They are sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary units.

Attending the afternoon tea were Jacquiline Martincic, sponsored by Logan Unit 263, Lincoln; Rachel Schoener and Brooke Tuftie, sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary 456, Flanagan; Jacqueline Walters and Ashlyn Gramm, sponsored by Carl S. Martin Auxiliary Unit 635, Normal; Kacey Short and Heidi Maier, sponsored by J.A. Fowell Unit 174, Forrest; Katelyn Feldkamp and Kadie King, sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary of Skinner Trost Unit 122 of Cullom; Cassidy Brucker, sponsored by Martin H. Sunthken Unit 244, Sibley; and Paige Schwarz and Karli Eastin, sponsored by Wagner-Dao's Auxiliary Unit 641, Roberts.