ELKINS, W.Va. – The 77thsession of the American Legion Auxiliary Rhododendron Girls State will take place on the Davis & Elkins College campus in Elkins, June 9-14. A total of 350 rising high school seniors from throughout the Mountain State will participate.
For Planning Purposes:
Sunday, June 9
Opening Assembly will serve as the official start of the week.
When:6:30 p.m.
Where:Myles Center for the Arts, Harper-McNeeley Auditorium
What:Davis & Elkins College First Lady and Elkins Randolph County Chamber Executive Director Lisa Wood, a Girls State alumna, will be the special guest speaker. Remarks also will be delivered by D&E President Chris A. Wood, Girls State Director Michelle Sirbaugh, Girls State Governor Nataya Bartlett, American Legion Auxiliary Department President Rhonda Best, American Legion Department Commander Bill Combs and Girls State Assistant Director and D&E Vice President for Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement Dr. Rosemary Thomas.
Monday, June 10
Guest speaker West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner.
When:12:15 p.m.
Where: The McDonnell Center
What:West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner will address the Girls State citizens, highlighting the 100thanniversary of the 19th Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote.
Tuesday, June 11
Guest speaker West Virginia State Treasurer John Perdue.
When:12:15 p.m.
Where: The McDonnell Center
What:West Virginia State Treasurer John Perdue will address the Girls State citizens.
Special honoree presentation.
When:6:30 p.m.
Where:Myles Center for the Arts, Harper-McNeeley Auditorium
What: Girls State citizens will pay special tribute to Davis & Elkins College Admission Event Coordinator and U.S. Air Force veteran Angie Goodwin-Corbitt.
Wednesday, June 12
Party Parade.
When:10:45 a.m.
Where:Myles Center for the Arts, outdoor plaza
What: Girls State citizens, representing Federalists and Nationalists, will stage a parade prior to voting in the general election later that afternoon.
Guest speaker Adam Ouelette, a Davis & Elkins College Trustee, author, speaker and trainer.
When:12:15 p.m.
Where:The McDonnell Center
What:Adam Ouelette will address Girls State citizens, discussing the empowerment of women.
Thursday, June 13
Inauguration.
When:3:45 p.m.
Where:Myles Center for the Arts, Harper-McNeeley Auditorium
What: Citizens will process into the auditorium for the official inauguration of those voted into public office.
Friday, June 14
Guest speaker U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.
When:8:30 a.m.
Where:The McDonnell Center
What: Captio will address the Girls State citizens.
Awards presentation and guest speaker U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin.
When:9:30 a.m.
Where:Myles Center for the Arts, Harper-McNeeley Auditorium
What: Girls State citizens will receive Outstanding Citizens Awards and scholarships. Girls Nation Senators will be announced. Manchin will address the citizens.
Related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, 2 hours east of
Charleston, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Washington, D.C. For more information,
please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.
