American Legion Auxiliary - East Palo Alto Unit #472


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Girls State Alumnae Page :: In Memory Of

American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State are the premier programs for teaching how government works while developing leadership skills & an appreciation for your rights as a citizen. As a participant in the program you, will run for office, learn public speaking, create and enforce laws and actively participate in all phases of creating and running a working government in this exciting and fun summer program.

Girls State
California Girls State
Fresno
July2-8,2006
California Girls State 2006

If you are an alumna of California Girls State, check out this Web site.

Check out the Girls Nation website

Hello all,

I wasn't able to see a description of Sarah's role there, but I wanted to take this opportunity to brag about our 1st VP a little bit. Every Senator to Girls Nation had to prepare a piece of legislation in advance, and Sarah was responsible for proofing the documents to ensure that they dealt with federal issues, and that the proposed legislation wasn't already a law. As you can imagine, her job required quite a bit of research! I don't know exactly her role while at GN, but I imagine she's busy consulting with the Senate officers or something of the sort.

It is an honor to be selected as part of the Girls Nation staff, and also a challenging job. Sarah attended CA Girls State in 1997 and has been a very dedicated counselor to the Girls State/Girls Nation program ever since.

Another member of our Unit, Sandra Rice, also worked with Girls Nation to secure speakers for the program, and even was a guest speaker in 1994 and 1996. She was the CA GS Governor in 1972 (and proudly the first African American Governor), and has been a counselor at Girls State for 15 years. She spent five of those years as the Chief Counselor before Valerie Hardy succeeded her in 2005.

Thank you all for serving these programs so well for so long. We are all proud of you!

Kerry

In Memory Of

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning . . . to the end.

He noted that first came the date for her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all of the time
that she spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

excerpt from The Dash by Linda Ellis

January 12, 2008

City Grandma Jackie Lay

Cards and Letters may be sent to:
Tracy Cox and Hollie Ferreira
10104 Sir Lancelot
Santee, CA 92071-1172

In Memory of Jackie Lay
Like many in our unit, I had the privilege of knowing Jackie Lay through CA Girls State. Jackie had a deep passion for the patriotic citizenship training program, and wanted as many girls as possible to be able to experience the inspiring, and often life-changing, week of learning and fun. And Jackie always did her part to ensure everyone around her was having fun, especially the girls.

She was usually doing something goofy, wearing something crazy, making silly faces, passing out candy, or cheering someone who was homesick or just lost an election with a smile and a hug. She served many years as a City Grandma, and I think she truly loved every one of her city girls over the years like a granddaughter of her own. She had fun while at Girls State, but she worked hard behind the scenes to make the week happen successfully as well. She served as a Girls State Chairman in her district and for the Department, and also mentored the district chairman that succeeded her. She loved the program, and wanted to do everything she could to make it the best it could be, reach as many girls as possible, and ensure she passed on her knowledge about the program so her fellow ALA members could continue the tradition.

I will fondly remember Jackie as a warm, dedicated, hard-working, and fun-loving volunteer, and will truly miss her at Girls State this year. I’m sure she’ll still be present, but I’ll miss getting my annual hug. In honor of Jackie, let’s not forget to Pass It On.
Respectfully,
Kerry Finley

Jackie was a wonderful woman who I will always remember as having a big smile on her face. She loved the ALA and she loved being a part
of Girls State. As a former Girls Stater living in San Diego I had
contacted her because I had wanted to attend the Girls State tea held
for the San Diego area. Jackie invited me to attend and had me speak
to the girls about my experience and I thought it was so sweet that
Jackie let me attend.

I am deeply saddened by this news and will keep her family in my
prayers. California Girls State will not be the same without "Grandma
Jackie"...

Raylene Merino
Girls State 2000

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