Rising McIntosh High School senior Hannah Mason was elected governor of the American Legion Auxiliary Georgia Girls State June 14 at the Georgia Southern University campus in Statesboro.
Mason was sponsored for the event by the auxiliary unit of Fayette County American Legion Post 105. A top student at McIntosh, Mason is involved in numerous extra-curricular activities. She is captain of the lacrosse and swim teams and also the marching band while serving as president of the Beta Club, PTSO, Spanish and English Honor Societies, the National Honor Society and the Junior Rotary (Interact).
Mason is the daughter of Fritz and Linda Mason of Peachtree City. In college she plans to pursue a degree in medicine.
Girls State is a national program of the American Legion Auxiliary about the fundamental principles of city, county and state government under the American and Georgia systems. It trains girls in the processes of democratic self-government and good citizenship.
The Girls State “citizens” learn about government by doing. Delegates set up their own miniature city, county and state governments and administer them according to Georgia laws. They are divided into two mock political parties, and vote to fill city, county, and state positions. Curriculum includes legislative sessions, parliamentary procedure, campaigning, party rallies, debating and voting.
The objectives of Girls State are to develop leadership and pride in American citizens, to educate citizens about our system of government, to instill a greater understanding of American traditions, and to stimulate a desire to maintain our democratic government processes.
Girls and Boys State is for rising seniors only. Applications are taken at high school counselors’ offices around January each year. If qualified and selected, “citizens” are sponsored by the American Legion (boys) and The American Legion Auxiliary (girls) to attend the week, usually the second full week each June.
