John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68
Leland, NC

(Even though Post 68 does not have an American Legion Auxiliary, we are still a sponsor.)

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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.”

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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.

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Candidates should be keenly interested in government and current events, and show strong leadership abilities. Because the structure of state and local government varies, ALA Girls State programs may vary in content and method of procedure, but each adheres to the same basic core values.

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About North Carolina Tar Heel Girls State

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American Legion Auxiliary Tar Heel Girls State originated in 1940 to provide an opportunity to study and practice citizenship. For over 85 years, this program has served several thousand young leaders by deepening their sense of responsibilities as citizens and serving as a practical source of instruction in the structure and operation of state and local governments.
 

Tar Heel Girls State is the longest continuously running Girls State program in the country.
 

Rising seniors from across the state spend a week creating city government, political parties, and a state government. They elect officials, write and debate bills, create working governments and attend various workshops to prepare them for their senior year and college. 

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Eligibility

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1.  Must be a junior in high school at the time of her selection.

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2.  Must be between the ages of 16 and 18 years.

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3.  Must be ranked in the top 1/3 of her class academically or have at least an unweighted GPA of

     3.0.

 

4.  Must be residents of North Carolina for a minimum of 1 year prior to their selection for the

     program and be attending high school in North Carolina.

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5.  Must be a U.S. Citizen or a legal resident of the United States.

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6.  Must be mature individuals capable of setting priorities and be in good physical condition to

     withstand the week's intense activities and demanding schedule. If there are concerns, please       contact alathgs@gmail.com 

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7.  Preference will be given to children of veterans of the U.S. Military.
 

8.  If selected, citizen must attend a virtual orientation session to be held in May 2026.

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Selection Process

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ALA Girls State delegates are a diverse group of young women with a shared desire to learn and lead. ALA Girls State “citizens” come together from small towns, big cities, and rural areas to hold ALA Girls State elections, and their varied backgrounds set the stage for a week of spirited, experiential learning.

American Legion Auxiliary units work with local high school educators to identify girls who have demonstrated leadership qualities. Eligible female students are then recommended and selected by sponsoring American Legion Auxiliary units. Each ALA Girls State program and/or ALA unit determines the process they will use to select the delegates for their state. The number of ALA Girls State citizens varies by state and is determined by each state’s American Legion Auxiliary resources.

Female high school juniors interested in applying to attend ALA Girls State are encouraged to contact either their school counselor, their local American Legion Auxiliary unit or visit your ALA Girls State programs website regarding the application process and deadline.

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Cost

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The costs of ALA Girls State programs are underwritten by each state-level American Legion Auxiliary. ALA Girls State delegates’ registration fees are paid for by the sponsoring local American Legion Auxiliary unit with additional support and funding sometimes coming from various civic and nonprofit organizations. Participating young women may incur nominal expenses for transportation, site-specific fees, or contribution to an optional service project.

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Our current Post 68 coordinator of Girls State is Jim McAvoy.​

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