North Dakota Girl's State - 2002

Meredith attended Girl's State at Grand Forks, North Dakota for a week in early June.  More than 400 young women who will be high school seniors next year traveled from dozens of communities across the state to the University of North Dakota.  They became deeply immersed in government leadership activities.  The event has been sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary for the last 54 years.  Meredith's Mom attended in 1968.

Meredith with friend Jackie on the UND campus

At Girls State, delegates are elected or appointed to executive, judicial, and legislative positions.  The two girls shown above were campaigning, one for the Supreme Court, the other for State Treasurer.  "Carly, the Counting Cow" won her election as did Stef Haarsager, the Supreme Court Justice.  Meredith was elected a District Judge and also a State Representative.  She said as a legislator, she debated several bills, mostly about agriculture.  She sponsored one of the few resolutions which passed both chambers and was signed by the Governor:  a bill requiring motorists over 62 years of age to have periodic eye exams in order to continue to drive.

Meredith and friends from Shortridge (City #9) pause for a photo op.

Closing ceremony in the Chester Fritz Auditorium

catching up on some sleep