8 area girls attend Buckeye Girls State

Van Wert independent/Legion Auxiliary information

Isaac Van Wert American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178 announced that eight area high school girls are currently attending Buckeye Girls State. Girls State is currently held on the campus of the University of Mount Union in Alliance and the 2011 session began June 12.

The Girls State program was organized as a national Americanism activity at the 1937 American Legion Auxiliary national convention. The first Girls State was held in Washington, D.C.

The purpose of Girls State is to provide citizenship training for girls of high school age in every Department of the American Legion Auxiliary. The program affords delegates the opportunity to live together as self-governing citizens and provides information on the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, in order that they might understand and participate in the functions of their government.

Isaac Van Wert American Legion Auxiliary Unit 178 is able to sponsor delegates with the assistance of Hall’s Lumber, Vantage Career Center, Straley Realty, Braun Industries, Laudick’s Jewelry, Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Brookside Convenience Store, Elks Lodge 1197, Van Wert Service Club, Convoy Lions Club, Van Wert Optimist Club, Sons of the American Legion Chapter 178, Johnson Law Office, American Legion Post 178 and John and Gloria Ruddock.

The eight girl delegates selected this year include Alex Burchfield, Taylor Grooms, Sydney Riethman, Rachael Wilson, Elizabeth Smith, Erika Frey, Madelyn Jones, and Lauren Buchanan.

Alex Burchfield

Alex Burchfield is the daughter of Martin and Susan Burchfield of Van Wert. Alex attends Van Wert High School and her activities include volleyball, swim team, Drama Club, Student Council, class secretary (three years), Beta Club, Globally Active People, Service Pack, choir and journalism. She is a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert and a member of the Northwest Ohio Chrysalis/Emmaus Community, where she served on weekends as a leader in different areas.

Taylor Grooms

Taylor Grooms is the daughter of Doug and Sandra Grooms of Van Wert and attends Van Wert High School. She is active in swimming, volleyball, Beta Club, French Club, Scholastic Bowl, band and drama productions. She is also a volunteer for Special Olympics swimming and a volunteer for Van Wert Civic Theatre. Taylor is a member of 4-H and staff in training at Lutheran Memorial Camp.

Sydney Riethman

Sydney Riethman is the daughter of Duane and Renette Riethman of Van Wert and attends Van Wert High School. Her extracurricular activities include cross country, cheerleading, track and field, Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, journalism, teacher’s aide, Homecoming Float Committee, Cougar Mentor program and German Club. She is a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert and its youth group and is a volunteer altar server. She also belongs to Ridge Buckeyes 4-H Club, is a 4-H leader and a 4-H ambassador.

Rachael Wilson

Rachael Wilson is the daughter of Robert and Stacy Wilson of Convoy and attends Crestview High School. She is active in the school band program (marching, concert and pep), choir, SADD, Girls Scouts, color guard, National Honor Society and the Red and Blue Club.

Elizabeth Smith

Elizabeth Smith is the daughter of Paul Smith and Jennifer Smith of Paulding and attends Vantage Career Center. She has been active in Girl Scouts, softball and basketball.

Erika Frey

Erika Frey is the daughter of Steve Frey and Dr. Lori Frey of Van Wert and attends Crestview High School. She is active in her church youth group, football cheerleading, competition cheerleading, basketball cheerleading, Model United Nations, track, Knight-Vision show choir, and soccer and is also a junior curator for the Van Wert County Historical Society. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council at Crestview.

Madelyn Jones

Madelyn Jones is the daughter of Michael and Jeanette Jones of Van Wert and attends Lincolnview High School. Her extracurricular activities include band, track and field, French Club, Science Club, Beta Club, Drama Club and cross country.

Lauren Buchanan

Lauren Buchanan is the daughter of Louise Buchanan and attends Parkway High School. She is active in 4-H, Fort Recovery Christians in Action youth group, is a group leader/mentor, and in leadership training for Christ Consultant for Junior CIA members. Her Parkway activities include class reporter, Friends of Rachel group leader, track and field, basketball, Foreign Language Club, Science Club, Scholastic Bowl and band.