MD Girls State — A week that shapes a lifetime.

June 15–20, 2025

Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD

Political and community engagement

Shaping the leaders of tomorrow

Volunteer-led

Proudly giving a week of our time

6,000+

Students served

Maryland Girls State has served generations of students.

6

Days of learning

Our weeklong program teaches life skills that last a lifetime.

Maryland Girls State

A backstory and snapshot of our program

At Maryland Girls State, participants are taught the responsibilities of citizenship and the ideals of Americanism. Girls State has been a program of The American Legion Auxiliary since 1937 when it was organized as a one- or two-day leadership development opportunity for young women. Approximately 20,000 young women enroll in the program nationally. In 2025, Maryland Girls State will have served our future lady leaders for 78 sessions.

Activities include legislative sessions, elections, court proceedings, presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs. Rising high school seniors are selected by local American Legion Auxiliary units throughout Maryland to attend the program. In most cases, expenses associated with attending this program are fully paid by a sponsoring Maryland-based American Legion post, a local business or other community-focused organization.

Maryland Girls State is conducted annually, typically running Father's Day through the following Friday. To be eligible for our program, a youth must be a female who has successfully completed their junior year of high school by the beginning of the current year's session. Any girl who has previously attended a Girls State program is not eligible.

Program RUNDOWN

Teaching Americanism, civic education, patriotism, leadership development and future preparedness.

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01. Sunday

Registration; floor meetings; ice breaker exercises and cheers; introduction of staff and greetings; director's ordinances; outdoor team building; breakout activities

02. Monday

Break into cities; public hearings; election and inauguration of city officials; county government guest speaker; county precinct caucuses; legislative program introduction; legislative committees; breakout activities

03. Tuesday

Color guard; county general election speeches and voting; inauguration of county officials; legislative session; guest speaker lobbyists; committee debates; senatorial Q&A and primary elections; state government introduction; talent night presentation

04. Wednesday

Career guest speaker; state government caucuses; graduation rehearsal; bill resolutions, voting and results; whistle stops and city skits; meet the candidates keynote speakers; breakout activities

05. Thursday

Color guard; state general election speeches and voting; Auxiliary Day presentation; career guest speaker; Salisbury University tour; senatorial speeches and elections; graduation rehearsal; talent night and penny war winners announced; tax collection

06. Friday

Gubernatorial appointments; mock trial; Maryland Girls State survey; room checks; graduation; governor inauguration; special presentations; Samsung American Legion Scholarship

Eligibility and application timeline for 2025 session

Female 2024-2025 high school junior

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Arrive for Girls State June 15, 2025

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Apply Nov. 15, 2024 – May 1, 2025

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No participation in other Girls States

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≥1 semester remaining in senior year

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Staff

Meet our leadership

Our administrative and student staff consists of American Legion Auxiliary members who volunteer their time each year because they truly believe in the power and importance of this program.

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Roxanne Berry

Director
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Jennifer Murray

Vice Director
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Robin Anzulis

Jr. Director
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Brianna Jackson

Committee Member
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Resources

Provided are various resources for interested, applying and accepted students, Girls State graduate scholarship opportunities and more.

Scholarships

Maryland Girls State and McDaniel College have formed a partnership to offer college credit and scholarship aid for Girls Staters who are admitted to study at their institution.

Electronics leader Samsung endowed a scholarship fund of $5 million to be administered by The American Legion in 1996. Meant to show appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea's aid during its struggle against communist forces during the Korean War, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship has awarded more than $7.2 million in college scholarships to 2,422 recipients since its inception.

2025 Orientation Dates

An introduction and in-depth overview of all aspects of the Maryland Girls State program.

2024 Program Schedule

View the participant program from last session for information on daily events and guest speakers.

Follow @ALAMDGS

Stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and Threads for updates and information regarding each session of Maryland Girls State.

School Counselor Flyer

Information to consider sending to school social science department staff, SGA, NHS, JROTC and others interested in leadership.

Salisbury University Map

Our program takes place at various points around the Salisbury University campus throughout the week.

Packing List

A list of common items you will need to bring if planning to participate in our program.

ALA Unit Toolkit

Helpful information for use by Maryland ALA Units to recruit, interview and sponsor participants for the Maryland Girls State program.

Questions? Ask us.

Helpful information on our program for your sons or students
Learn more about this nationwide Legion Americanism program