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ALA Girls State 2026 Article and Pictures
- mtalacandice
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Ladies of the Auxiliary; It has been an honor and pleasure to serve the Montana Girls State program. I worked with the most capable and selfless staff during our 2026 program in Helena. Our Director, Jennifer Dalrymple provided the delegates with a demanding and precise agenda that challenged time management, promptness, preparedness and decisive actions from the delegates. It makes me proud of the quality of people the Montana American Legion Auxiliary provides to guide, encourage, and challenge our youth to attain their full potential.
The Montana Girls State delegates came out of their comfort zones, pursuing achievements they had not considered even a week before this civics program for the mock Treasure State. From Alzada to Plentywood, Two Dot to Augusta, Clancy to Savage and the larger towns between, Treasure State was represented from all walks of life with a definite agricultural emphasis. The delegates were quick to take the lessons learned and coalitions they had formed regarding their bid for an office and apply that towards a new goal. The Montana Lt Governor, Kristen Juras, a Girls State alumni, had insightful words of wisdom for the delegates. When one door seems to close, it perhaps opens other doors that exceed your expectations. Attack life with vigor, honor and compassion.
Delegates chosen as election judges for each city were trained and subsequently operated polling sites for their precinct. All of the delegates experienced the voting procedures to include absentee ballots, spoiled ballots, security of ballots and tally of ballots. Delegates that will reach the age of 18 prior to the next Montana November election were offered the opportunity to register to vote in their first actual election. This program was offered by the League of Women Voters.
Speakers throughout the session provided information to the delegates regarding careers, scholarships and legislative insight to name a few. Community Activities challenged the delegates to work in various groups and break out of their comfort zones trying something new and cross-pollinating talents. Opportunities to excel and participate on the committees for Talent Show, Choir, Newscast/media, Banquet and self defense were embraced by the delegates and may I say, “They slayed their projects”. These delegates adapted and outperformed beyond any and all expectations.
I commend the delegates for the well-researched and written bills. It had a profound effect on me; bolstering my faith in our next generation of voters. These 61 ladies were thoughtful in their decisions and actions.
The bills covered a spectrum of issues; AI data center noise pollution and water and energy requirements were debated in depth. Development of a data base in Montana that establishes one source to query offenders’ status statewide regarding restraining orders for abuse center staffs and courts to manage offenders versus calling hundreds of individual courts in the state for that information. Limiting screen time in the class room for kindergarten through third grade. Time, as it is in the actual legislative process occasionally, killed bills that had passed one chamber but not yet the other or were bills that had passed both chambers but not yet signed by the Governor. 13 of 84 bills presented were signed into law by the delegates of the mock Treasure State. Current or former legislative members of the Montana legislature guided discussions and procedures within each committee room and on the floor of each chamber. Their service to our youth throughout this program is invaluable.
The Moot Trial lawyers prepared for countless hours in an effort to effectively argue their points in the case. The Treasure State Supreme Court Justices considered the case and arguments carefully. The defense team pulled out a win with some amazing arguments based on the state constitution. Montana Supreme Court clerks guided and assisted the delegates who were amazed at the resources and capabilities of our courts and their staff. The robing ceremony, conducted by Supreme Court Justice Beth Baker, a Washington Girls State alumni, with retired robes gifted from women of our Montana Supreme Court, was breathtaking and emotional. The delegates transformed before our eyes.
In every setting the delegates were exposed to challenges for both citizen and leader. Every aspect of the program emphasized responsibility for one’s actions or inactions with focus on citizenship, duty, honor and respect.
New life-long friendships and networks developed during this demanding program. Through the process, these friendships were cemented among the delegates enhancing and adding another color to their lives. This applied to the staff as well. As they encounter other past Girls State delegates, they can reflect on their metamorphosis to the beautiful young adults they have become.
To capture the essence of the program, I asked the girls to submit testimonies about their week with Girls State.
My counselor is one of a kind. I’ve never met a more strong woman who is for women. She made everyone feel loved and cared for. I want to go into the medical field, so I would have never thought I would enjoy Girls State. I loved my time here and I will cherish the friendships I’ve made here. Truly, this place is worth every minute spent preparing. We got to go to the Capitol and have real court procedures and process bills. This entire trip has been a blessing and everyone should try it. (Asa, Big Timber)
My experience at Girls State is truly unforgettable. At the start of the week, I was very quiet and didn’t participate very much. By the end of the week, I opened up and made everlasting connections. This experience provided me with friendships, knowledge, wisdom and joy. The people I met here were so passionate and educated, everyone truly had their own special personalities. Truly, everyone was so sweet and inclusive. I would recommend this to everyone since it taught me so much. (Taylor, Outlook)
I’m so glad I got over my fear of traveling to come to Girls State. I came out of my clamshell, made new friends, learned how to properly honor our flag, and even got to debate an issue against my religious beliefs. I was proud to stand up for the agricultural community, getting over my fear over not being worthy to represent it. I’m so glad I came. It made me resilient and confident. I’ll be telling everyone about it! (Hazel, Alzada)
During my time at Girls State, I was Vice Mayor for our city. Prior to coming to Girls State, I joked and cried and had already formed an opinion of hate towards Girls State. All I knew was I was missing a week of swim. I had to stay with a random girl and knew absolutely nothing about politics or the government. I was soon to find out that within an hour that I was going to actually have a great week. Girls State totally changed my perspective on trying new things, putting myself out there and not knocking something before trying it. I met so many friends who I plan to stay in touch with. I’ve heard stories from the men and women who made this possible. I genuinely wish there was a way to relive that week but nothing could ever bring back the happiness I felt throughout the week. My counselors truly made me have the best experience they are the reason I ran for positions I could have never foreseen myself in. The guest speakers gave not only political and government speeches but advice you could use in all areas of life. This program offers so much and I hope one day all juniors across Montana can become more aware of it and take advantage of it. As a Girls Stater, I hope to be able to change and help the lives of youth like my counselors did for me. I seriously wouldn’t have had as much fun as I did. (Emily, Choteau)
These transformations, the growth, the maturity, the ownership of their futures is why the staff is so passionate about Girls State. These testimonies are the most valuable paycheck I could every receive from this program.
Respectfully and at your service
Gwen Marshall (GS-79)
Montana Girls State Chairman
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