Contact:
Tom Evenson
(608) 266-2839

OSHKOSH – Governor Scott Walker will address young women from across the state this evening at the 74th Annual Badger Girls State Inauguration Ceremony. Every year during Badger Girls State, students selected to attend are grouped into cities and counties to form a “51st state,” where they have the ability to elect their own representatives and learn what it takes to run their city, county, and state. 

“One of our top priorities right now is preparing our next generation of leaders with the practical skills they need as they transition from high school, to higher education, to a career, and to life,” Governor Walker said. “Opportunities like Badger Girls State give young women in Wisconsin with hands-on state government experience that allows them to take concepts they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to real-life situations.”

First held in 1937, Badger Girls State is a program of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Wisconsin. This year, more than 725 Badger Girl delegates attended Girls State, which is held at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. 

To attend, students must be between their junior and senior years of high school. Candidates are selected by American Legion Auxiliary Units and local high school teachers, who evaluate candidates based on several factors, including their academic record, character, participation in extra-curricular activities, and interest in government. All participants must also rank in the upper half of their classes.

Governor Walker has proclaimed the week of June 18 – June 23, 2017 as American Legion Auxiliary Badger Girls State Week. A copy of the proclamation can be found here.

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