The Gazette was invited to the Robert Kennington Post of the American Legion at 6440 Westfield Boulevard, on October 19, 2004, by Shirley Rainey of the Auxiliary to hear about the experiences of the girls they sent to Hoosier Girls State last summer. A casual dinner of hot dogs and chili was served, and around 40 people attended.

Boys and Girls State was started by the American Legion in 1941 as a way to help young people to understand democracy, appreciate patriotism, build leadership skills, and exhibit high moral standards. Nearly all states hold a session and it is an honor to be selected to attend.

Hoosier Girls State is held at Indiana State College in Terre Haute for one week during the summer. This year 783 high school juniors from all over Indiana attended. The Kennington Post Auxiliary sent a total of 12 girls from Cathedral and Chatard. The Broad Ripple Legion Post #3 sponsors applicants from Broad Ripple High School, Park Tudor, and North Central. Students must have completed their junior year, be in the top 10% of their class, be interested in current events or politics, and possess leadership skills. Since the Post raises funds to pay for room, board, and any associated fees, there is no cost to the student.

The program features a mock state government with six counties and 24 cities, all named for past presidents of the Auxiliary. All participants are expected to run for office, however, less than half are elected.

Stef Krevda ran for Attorney General. She said, "The thing I really got from Girls State is the importance of patriotism in our society." Her father attended Boys State in 1973.

Chatard's Laura Sahm, "got to write for the newspaper. That's what I'm interested in."

Julie Izzo thought that "the best part of Girls State was meeting girls from all over the state. You meet people from so many different backgrounds."

All the girls thanked the women of the Auxiliary for their hard work to sponsor them and for their support. Some of the women were counselors at Girls State in past years, and are very dedicated to the program.

Other girls who attended this year are Julie Izzo, Bree Haler, Allison Ihre, Kelly O'Connor, Melissa Van Westrum, Sarah Blanchard, Amy Sasin, Erica Shermershin, and Anne Therese Stroude.