GMC News

Bridges Elected as One of Two Senators to Represent Georgia Girls State at Girls Nation in DC

Local Student Elected As One of Two Senators To Represent Georgia Girls State at American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation in Washington, DC, and earns Samsung Scholarship Statesboro, Georgia – Analese Bridges attended Georgia Girls State at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, the week of June 8 – 13, 2014. She was selected to attend based on her scholastic ranking and her interest in learning more about our American systems of local and state government. She was sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 6 in Milledgeville, Georgia. Bridges is the daughter of Barbara Bundrage, of Gray, Georgia, and is a High School Junior at Georgia Military College Prep School in Milledgeville. At the session of Georgia Girls State, Bridges was named one of two State Senators to represent Georgia Girls State at the 68th Annual American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation Session to be held in Washington, D.C. the week of July 19 – 26, 2014. Bridges also was awarded the Samsung Scholarship, which is awarded each year to one outstanding citizen of Girls State, who is a direct descendant of a wartime veteran. Her Grandfather, Wilbert Bundrage, is a Korean War Veteran. She is a finalist in the scholarship program and could be awarded up to $20,000. At the state level, the girls focus on responsible citizenship and study local, county and state government processes. Two outstanding citizens are then chosen to represent their state at Girls Nation in Washington, D.C. where the focus moves to the federal government. Participants are known as “senators” and are selected from the 49 Girls State Sessions held across the country. For 68 years, the American Legion Auxiliary has provided young women with a citizenship training program that is second to none —ALA Girls Nation. This unique experience, held every summer in the nation’s capital, is designed to provide practical insight into how the federal government works, to instill a sense of pride and loyalty to America and create friendships and memories that last a lifetime. A key component of the Girls Nation program involves mock senate sessions complete with caucusing and debating of bills. Topics ranging from personal to political interests ensure that the debates are lively and passionate. Campaigns are held to elect party officials, a Girls Nation President and Vice President. The Girls Nation President is invited to attend and speak at the American Legion Auxiliary National Convention later in the summer. In addition to their legislative forums, the senators hear distinguished guest speakers and visit the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, the White House and memorials in the Washington DC area. Their visit to Capitol Hill includes meetings with their state senators and representatives. A highlight of the week is the opportunity to meet the President of the United States. Since 1947, more than 6,000 politically astute young women have attended Girls Nation. For many, the experience is the beginning of a lifetime of government service. For all, it is an experience that allows them to gain a firsthand perspective on democracy, develop leadership skills, and create the foundation for responsible citizenship. For more information on the programs of the American Legion Auxiliary, contact Carrol Griffin, President, Morris-Little American Legion Auxiliary Unit 6 Milledgeville, at 478-453-0295, or visit the National website at www.ALAforVeterans.org.

Analese Bridges was named Georgia Girls State Senator.

Analese Bridges accepts Samsung Scholarship, presented by Nini Lynch, Past President of Department of Georgia American Legion Auxiliary and Assistant Director of Georgia Girls State