Buckeye Girls State delegates selected

Information submitted

Isaac Van Wert American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178 has selected 11 area young women as delegates to Buckeye Girls State, along with one alternate.

The 2013 session of Buckeye Girls State starts this Sunday, June 16.  All of the delegates have completed their junior year of high school.

The 1937 National American Legion Auxiliary Convention organized the Girls State program as a national Americanism activity. The first Girls State was held in Washington, D.C., in 1947. The program is a practical application of Americanism and good citizenship and is a non-partisan, non-political attempt to teach and inculcate in the youth of America a love of God and country.

The Girls State purpose is to provide citizenship training for girls of high school age in every department of the American Legion Auxiliary; afford them an opportunity to live together as self-governing citizens; and inform them about the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities of American citizenship in order that they may understand and participate in the function of their government.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178 is able to send the delegates with the assistance of service organizations and individuals who sponsor individual girls.  Sponsors this year are Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Laudick’s Jewelry, Convoy Lions Club, Hoffman Plumbing, Vantage Career Center, Straley Realty, Wetzel Motorcycle Club, 40 et 8 Voiture 154 in Van Wert, Amvets Post 698 Auxiliary in Middle Point, The Van Wert County Foundation, American Legion Post 178, Middle Point Lions Club, Venedocia Lions Club, and Van Wert Service Club. Donations are also accepted for this program and are to be used to help young women attend Buckeye Girls State.

This year’s delegates include the following girls:

Emily Adams, daughter of Tim and Sandy Adams, attends Crestview High School.  Her activities include being a junior varsity cheerleader for Kim Homan’s DanceWorks, Service Pack, Globally Active People, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, church youth group, and a mentor for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Her school functions include Beta Club, French Club, National Honor Society, the All-A Honor Roll, Gold Renaissance Card, being a class representative on Student Council, journalism staff, member of FCCLA, and newspaper editor-in-chief. She also works at Pizza Hut.

Meredith Arn, daughter of Rex and Patti Arn, attends Van Wert High School. Her activities in school include Beta Club, Service Pack, French Club, Prom Committee, Van Wert Swim and Dive Team, Van Wert band and academic and Renaissance programs.  Activities outside of school include Van Wert County 4-H, Van Wert County 4-H Bunny Hoppers, Van Wert County 4-H Camp Counselor, Pam’s School of Dance, where she also teaches, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church youth group and Vacation Bible School.

Macey Ashbaugh, daughter of Rick and Dianna Ashbaugh, attends Lincolnview High School. Her activities include FFA president 2012-13, class officer 2011-12, reporter 2011-12, 4-H treasurer 2011, softball, golf, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Junior Fair Board, and youth group.

Ann Louise Brake, daughter of George Brake and Kathy Brake, attends Lincolnview High School. Her activities include marching band 2010-13, piano lessons, Lyn’s Academy of Dance, HOBY Ohio West 2012, Beta Club, class president 2010-11, class secretary 2011-12, class prom advisor, National Honor Society, and marching band section leader 2011-13.

Harley Danylchuk, daughter of Craig Danylchuk and Mandi Dangler, attends Van Wert High School.  Harley is involved in band, Drama Club, and soccer.  In April 2013 she played “Dorothy” in the Van Wert Theatre Department’s presentation of The Wizard of Oz.

Emily Farr, daughter of Jim and Susan Farr, attends Vantage Career Center. Her home school is Paulding High School. Her activities include Interact Club, FFA, 4-H, volleyball, softball, and church youth group. She has also been on the honor roll.

Andrea Foster, daughter of Laura Foster and John Foster, attends Van Wert High School. She is active in cross country, swim team, track, band, and choir.

Rachel Gordon, daughter of Scott R. Gordon, attends Van Wert High School.  Her activities include track, National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Student Council, varsity soccer, Spanish Club secretary 2010-13, First United Methodist Youth Group, Beta Club, Service Pack, umpire in summer 2012, JV basketball 2010-12, Globally Active People, and Ray of Hope councilor in summer of 2011.

Chloe Lautzenheiser, daughter of Ty and Kim Lautzenheiser, attends Crestview High School.  Her freshman year activities included volleyball, basketball, secretary for Harrison Jolly Boosters 4-H, chorus, and being a junior curator for the Van Wert Historical Society. Sophomore year activities included FCCLA, Model UN, Scholastic Bowl, president of Harrison Jolly Boosters 4-H, and junior curators.  Her junior year activities include FCCLA, Model UN, Scholastic Bowl, president of Harrison Jolly Booster 4-H, secretary of junior class, “Knight Vision” Show Choir, National Honor Society, chorus, and junior curators.

Sophia Smith, daughter of Michael Smith and Carmen Smith, attends Crestview High School.  Her activities include band, FCCLA historian, First Church of God softball team, and Crestview track and field.

Olivia Sutton, daughter of Megan Sutton and Jason Dennis, attends Vantage Career Center.  Her home school is Wayne Trace.  Olivia works at an ice cream shop and also at a pizza parlor.  She participates in track and is currently the treasurer of the Junior Health Technology Lab at Vantage.  She is a member of Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks.