BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Eleven young women will represent six local schools at Buckeye Girls State this month.

Those students include:

∫ Roselyne Anderson and Kenadie Mcgee of Barnesville High School;

∫ Hailey Bable and Joelle Haslam of Beallsville High School;

∫ Olivia Takach and Faith Shoaf of Buckeye Local High School;

∫ Mercedez Cooper and Jaiden Pelegreen of Harrison Central High School;

∫ Elewyn Mack and Ambia Adams of St. Clairsville High School; and

∫ Macy Sustik of The Linsly School.

They will travel to Bowling Green State University, where this year’s session will be held June 8-14.

Buckeye Girls State is an annual summer program designed to educate Ohio’s young women in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of good citizenship, according to its website.

“By getting involved in the process, Delegates can learn more about City, County and State Government in one week than they will learn in an entire semester of high school,” the program states.

Sponsored by the Ohio American Legion Auxiliary for the past 77 years, The program has been honored by such organizations as Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Participants are chosen by local American Legion Auxiliary units with help from high school principals and guidance counselors. Together, they evaluate potential leadership qualities of young women to be interviewed for selection as delegates or alternates.

To be eligible, students must have completed their Junior year of high school, have an interest in government and current events, have high moral character, possess strong leadership abilities, have an above average scholastic standing and have a desire to learn.

The number of girls selected in each state is determined by the state auxiliary’s available resources.

The program aims to develop leadership and pride in American citizens while educating delegates about our system of government.

Program participants are separated into two mythical political “parties” that do not reflect the two major political parties in today’s system.

“Elections are held to fill city, county and state positions. Activities include government workshops, legislative sessions, campaigning, party rallies, debating, voting,” the site states. “The Citizens also receive instruction in Parliamentary Procedure. This ‘hands on’ method is unique and extremely effective. Girls State affords participants an opportunity to live together as self-governing citizens by informing them about the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship and hopefully encourages their participation in the democratic process as they progress into adulthood. Additional activities include: journalism, law enforcement, music, field trips, group devotions, and patriotic ceremonies.”

In addition to learning the mechanics of local and state government, participants can gain self-confidence, poise and character. Attendees become eligible for awards, honors and scholarships including Girls Nation, United States Senate Youth Program, the Samsung Scholarship and the Buckeye Girls State Endowment Scholarship.

Past participants have included former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, former Miss USA Terri Utley, newscaster Jane Pauley, country music performer Janie Fricke, television personality Leeza Gibbons, Brigadier Gen. Sharla Cook and Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn.