BANGOR – Dirigo Girls State will be holding its 58th session at Husson College from June 20-25. This year, nearly 380 delegates have registered.

All delegates are selected from girls who have completed their junior years in high school. They will role-play in mock government sessions to learn more about how town, county and state governments are designed to operate in the state of Maine.

The opening night speaker is Sen. Susan Collins, coming to Girls State for her eighth year. She greets the delegates in the first evening assembly and brings insights from her work in Washington, D.C. She will be followed by U.S. Judge Magistrate Margaret Kravchuk from Bangor who will discuss the naturalization process and make each girl an honorary citizen of the state of Dirigo.

On Monday evening, the speaker is Dr. Bill Manning from Arizona who will present a program on self-esteem.

Gov. John Baldacci will also speak to the delegates on Wednesday.

At this time, the girls are actively campaigning for state offices. Their primary elections will be Wednesday morning and their state elections on Thursday will decide who will be elected governor of Dirigo Girls State.

There will be panels to represent lobbyists and legislators. Wednesday afternoon, Tim Wilson from Seeds of Peace will discuss his program prior to preparations for the big rally on Wednesday night.

The week will culminate on Friday with an afternoon inauguration and reception. On Friday evening the graduation and awards program will be held. Two delegates who have been selected to attend Girls Nation in Washington, D.C., will then be announced.

Please contact Nora Thombs at 778-2215 or [email protected] for more information. The public is welcome to visit and attend any session.