Media Contact: Leslie Trundy (734) 355-3823 | ltrundy@rsu1.org
Bath, ME – Morse High School senior, Grace Tetreault, will represent Maine as one of two delegates next week in Washington D.C. at the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation July 22-29, 2023.
American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young women. This weeklong event gives participants a firsthand experience with practical insight into how the federal government works. More than 7,000 young women have participated in ALA Girls Nation since it was founded in 1947. Two participants are chosen from each ALA Girls State program and attend as “senators" and actively engage in a mock legislature. They are responsible for submitting bills and resolutions, attending senate sessions, and electing officials such as the president and vice president.
Participants leave ALA Girls Nation with leadership lessons for life and an understanding of the fundamentals of the U.S. government, along with the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of citizens. This seven-day experience has laid the foundation for thousands of bright futures in public service and other careers. Some notable industries include government, military, law, education, and media.
ALA Girls Nation connects participants with their peers from across the country, allowing the young women a unique opportunity to spend time with others who share common interests and those who have different perspectives from their own. The girls leave Washington, D.C. with a deeper understanding of government, a renewed sense of patriotism, and an appreciation for veterans. While in D.C., the senators visit Capitol Hill and meet with their state senators and representatives, providing each girl an opportunity to discuss local issues and share bills they have written as part of ALA Girls Nation. The girls also participate in field trips to see the historical Washington monuments, Arlington National Cemetery, and the White House. The ALA Girls State and ALA Girls Nation programs are privately funded and presented by members of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Grace and Tess Straw of Cape Elizabeth were selected to represent Maine from the 80 delegates in attendance at Dirigo State held at Colby College this past June. Grace serves as the Secretary for the School Community Liasion Council and is an intern this summer at the Maine Maritime Museum. She is the captain of her team with Maine Coast Junior Rowing and active with the Morse Women’s Empowerment Club. She is a member of the National Honor Society and an alum of the Cohen Leadership Institute. An AP Scholar with distinction, Grace earned the AP Capstone Diploma as well as the Biliteracy Seal in Spanish.
Grace is believed to be the second Morse student selected in the 76-year history of the program. Tamara Gallant (Morse 1979) shared, “I was fortunate to represent Maine at Girls Nation in 1978. It was an outstanding opportunity to actively learn about our democratic process. Other highlights included meeting First Lady Rosalyn Carter and Senator Edmund Muskie and visiting the Voice of America office at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which influenced my later Peace Corps service and Public Health career. But the most important part of Girls Nation, for me, was getting to know and respect girls from all over America who had very different accents, perspectives, and ideas, and who cared deeply about our country. I’m excited for Grace and know she will gain a lot and make Maine, and Morse, very proud.”
Pictured left to right are Grace Tetreault and Tamara Gallant
Photos by Leslie Trundy