The annual session of Dirigo Girls State was held during the week of June 17-22 at Husson University in Bangor. More than 200 delegates registered on June 17 for a week-long program to teach government and citizenship skills at the local, county and state levels using a simulation model.

After Town Meetings were underway nomination papers were circulated for county and state positions. Primary elections were held on Wednesday and general elections on Thursday morning.

The delegate from Poland Regional High School, Johanna Moody from the Federalist Party, had the winning vote for governor. She successfully defeated Leah Bilodeau from Greenville, a Nationalist Party candidate, and Caroline Colan from Readfield of the Populist Party.

During the Legislative sessions which followed Deidre Ball, also of Poland Regional High School, was elected as Speaker of the House. The President of the Senate was Rachel Dow from Presque Isle.

In addition to Moody, the second Girls Nation delegate selected is Caroline Colan.

Girls Nation is designed to provide practical insight into the working of government, to instill a sense of pride and loyalty in America and to create friendships and memories that last a lifetime.

New this year, the senators will host a Wounded Warrior Barbecue at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Md. The young women will provide dinner, company and entertainment for the wounded soldiers staying at the medical center.

A key component of the ALA Girls Nation program involves mock senate sessions complete with caucusing and debating of bills that range in topic from personal to political interests. Campaigns are held to elect party officials and a Girls Nation president and vice president.

In addition to their legislative forums, the senators hear distinguished guest speakers and visit the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, the White House and other memorials in the area.

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