Michigan
Recruitment underway for Girls State program, held by Michigan chapter of American Legion Auxiliary
American Legion Auxiliary Michigan Girls State program now recruiting students
It is a simulation of representation. What would American democracy look like in the hands of teenaged girls? The new documentary, Girls State, takes us inside the experiment of building a government from the ground up. The program here in Michigan is currently recruiting girls wrapping up the 11th grade.
(FOX 2) – What would American democracy look like in the hands of teenage girls?
The question is both the subject of a documentary called “Girls State” and an annual competition run by the American Legion Auxiliary both in the chapter in Michigan and others across the country.
An experiment in how a demographic not represented in our current government might build up an infrastructure that could run a country, it gives young women the opportunity to test the waters in nation-building.
And according to those that have gone through the program, it’s one of the best experiences ever – and had vital lessons for all those who took part.
“I think the most important thing that I learned was just being able to share your ideas and opinions with people that are from all sorts of different backgrounds,” said Saanvi Jingilipalem. “You have girls from all across Michigan, like obviously people have different views on different policies.”
Jingilipalem is a senior at Salem High School. She was more than happy to capitalize on the melting pot of opportunity that awaited her. So was Gianna Roux, who attends Grosse Pointe North. After all, “what 16-year-old is writing bills and grants?” she asks.
“Just working with a bunch of girls my age that all had similar passions and are very dedicated to their work – it was really cool to see,” she said. “These girls are now like some of my best friends. I still talk to them to this day.”
The weeklong program has taken place since the 40s. Participants are split into one of two political parties and housed in mock cities and counties.
From there, they are given a packet of information that explains the state they live in and the issues they must remedy.
“We kind of had to work together to figure out a solution for that,” said Jingilipalem.
The women hold conventions, select their party’s platform, and their candidates for governor, secretary of state, supreme court, and more – giving a window into all three branches of government and beyond.
And what’s more, there’s a mock trial with prosecutors, judges, and a jury.
Those that take part also join an impressive network of great women, who include members of presidential cabinets, mayors, governors, and even U.S. senators like Debbie Stabenow.
The 83rd session of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Michigan, Girls State program is scheduled for June 23 to June 29, 2024, Michigan State University’s campus. The cost to send a student is $425, which is paid for by a sponsor.
If you’re interested in applying, go to michalaux.org and click on ALA Girls State.
(CBS DETROIT) – A Michigan lawmaker wants to ban bump stocks across the state. Senate Bill 942 was proposed less than two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on bump stocks.
Bump stocks are attachments that enable a semiautomatic rifle to fire faster. The ban was put in place by the Trump administration after a gunman used bump stocks during the 2017 deadly shooting at a Las Vegas music festival.
“We don’t want to make it easy for people to hurt our citizens,” said Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia).
Polehanki introduced the bill which would ban the purchase, possession, and manufacturing of bump stocks.
“These are small devices, easy to manufacture. They could even, unfortunately, be 3D printed,” she said.
Polehanki said she wants Michigan to join the other states that already have statewide bans on bump stocks in place.
“What’s the need for anyone to have a bump stock?” she asked.
Mac Mallah, a gun store associate at Tactical Edge Gun Shop in Dearborn, said he dislikes the question about why they are needed.
“Why do you need a fancy car? Why do you need a helicopter? Why do you need a soda? You know what I mean? It’s more something I’d like to have, to have fun with it.”
He said he is opposed to the proposed ban on bump stocks.
“I feel like Michigan has been passing all sorts of legislation that doesn’t really stop criminals from getting their hands on guns.”
Polehanki said she started drafting the bill minutes after the Supreme Court overturned the federal ban. She said she hopes to get bipartisan support. For now, the bill is being considered by the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety.
EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The city of Okemos could have two local winners when it’s all said and done at the 46th Michigan Girls Junior State Amateur.
Wednesday, both rising Okemos senior Alena Li and rising eighth-grader Saisha Patil won quarterfinal match play rounds to move into Thursday’s semifinal rounds in their respective divisions.
Li, also a match play semifinalist a year ago, is into the Final Four in the ‘Overall Division”.
Patil, who’s 15-years-old, is the semifinalist in the “15-and-under Division”.
Li bounced rising Grand Ledge senior Isabel Kelly in Wednesday morning’s Round of 16 with a 6-and-5 winning score.
She then went on to play just 10 holes in the quarterfinal round, in which she birdied six of the holes, to dispatch of Petoskey’s Rachel Fay with a dominant 10-and-8 final score.
Li will take on stroke play runner-up, Traverse City’s Grace Slocum in Thursday’s semifinal at 8:10 a.m.
Patil, which won 5-and-4 in the quarterfinals, will play Grand Blanc’s Madilyn Sheerin Thursday morning with a tee time yet to be announced.
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According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), residents of the state set a new recycling rate for 2023.
Michigan residents recycled almost 70,000 tons of materials in 2023, which sets a new record for the state. The number of materials increases the state’s recycling rate to 23%, up from 21%, recycling 82,000 tons more than the previous year.
“Recycling is not only the right thing to do but also the smart thing to do,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos.
“We know Michiganders want to recycle the right way, and through our ‘Know It Before You Throw It’ campaign and recycling infrastructure investments, we are providing them with the tools to do just that.”
According to EGLE, Michigan is on pace to achieve its goal of a 30% recycling rate by 2029.
Read the full article here.
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