Stockport?s Canaday attending American Legion Auxiliary Girls State

Drew Canaday of Stockport has been chosen by Elvin E. Cecil No. 147 of Stockport to attend the annual session of the Iowa American Legion Auxiliary Girls State June 17-22 on the Iowa State University campus in Ames.

Canaday, the daughter of Michael and Teresa Canaday, attends Van Buren High School, where she is a junior class officer and is involved in National Honor Society, Rachel?s Challenge and band.

Canaday is one of approximately 300 young women attending Iowa Girls State who have completed their junior year of high school and will study city, county and state government processes. Iowa Girls State citizens set up their own city, county and state governments and administer them according to the laws of Iowa. The girls also participate in legislative sessions, campaigning, party rallies, debating and voting along with learning deeper knowledge of parliamentary procedure.

In addition to the political activities, the girls hear several motivational speakers, along with local and state government officials. The culmination of the week on June 22 is the inauguration of the newly elected state officials in ISU?s Stephens Auditorium. The inauguration is open to the public.

Canaday was chosen to attend Iowa Girls State on the basis of interest, leadership and scholastic qualities. Iowa Girls State is sponsored by the Department of Iowa American Legion Auxiliary and is staffed by auxiliary members and former Iowa Girls State citizens who volunteer their time.

Across the nation, more than 20,000 young women attend Girls State each summer.