ELKINS — The 82nd annual American Legion Auxiliary West Virginia Rhododendron Girls State will get underway Sunday on the campus of Davis & Elkins College.

More than 200 rising high school seniors will be in attendance for the session, which will run from 1 p.m. Sunday to June 14.

The event, which hosts soon-to-be high school seniors from all corners of the Mountain State, was first hosted at D&E in 2018. Girls State was originally held at Jackson’s Mill in Lewis County in 1941, before moving to Wheeling Jesuit University in 1997. 

The summer event will feature keynote speeches from officials and distinguished guests, including Gov. Patrick Morrisey; Sen. Shelley Moore Capito; West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner; State Treasurer Larry Pack; West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey; retired Fire Chief Jan Radar; Warrior Project Pearl founder Jay Trickett; WV First Foundation Executive Director,Jonathan Board; and Old Brick Playhouse Executive Director Missy Armentrout McCollam.

“The American Legion Auxiliary West Virginia Rhododendron Girls State program is a powerful opportunity for rising seniors,” said Kate Garlick, Davis & Elkins College Dean of Students and Assistant Director of Girls State. “It’s more than just a summer camp — it’s a chance to step into leadership, build confidence, and truly understand what it means to be an engaged citizen.

“From learning how government works to honoring our veterans to forming lifelong friendships with girls from across West Virginia, it’s an unforgettable experience that shapes future leaders, inspires civic pride, and delivers a whole lot of fun along the way.”

The students, who will become “citizens” of Girls State, will be immersed in educational sessions, focusing on government and participating in party caucuses. By forming a mock government, those in attendance will also learn about election processes, allowing for opportunities to file for office, campaign, attend candidate speeches, vote and participate in inauguration ceremony.

Candidacy for citizenship of Rhododendron Girls State is recommended by students’ respective high schools, based on their interest in government, leadership, character and honesty, scholarship, community participation and knowledge of parliamentary procedures.

“Davis & Elkins College is honored to be hosting Rhododendron Girls State (RGS) for another year,” said D&E President Chris A. Wood. “This high-quality immersive program, sponsored through the American Legion Auxiliary, teaches civics, and promotes leadership among some of the best and brightest rising female high school seniors in West Virginia.

“Learning to become active participants in our democratic process is crucial for young people today, and D&E is pleased to be a partner with the leadership of RGS to prepare our next generation of leaders in West Virginia.”

Girls State was created as a national Americanism activity and is a practical application of leadership, citizenship and patriotism. The program is a nonpartisan, non-political attempt to teach and inculcate in the youth of America a love of God and country.

Established in 1941 under the sponsorship and direction of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of West Virginia, Rhododendron Girls State is a premier experiential hands-on program that focuses on citizenship and patriotism, develops leadership and pride in American citizens, educates citizens about government and stimulates a desire to maintain democratic processes within our republic.