Several area high school junior girls have been selected to attend Girls State, a program of American Legion Auxiliary.

The event will be held May 24-30 in Thurman J. White Forum building on the campus of University of Oklahoma.

Girls State is an event that has been held in Oklahoma since 1940 with the exception of two years during World War II.

Girls State participants learn about the duties of citizenship by becoming part of a “mythical state” during their time in Norman. The girls will learn through their created state about government and its processes.

To be chosen to participate in Girls State, a girl must have high moral character, leadership, honesty, scholarship and an interest in government. Two girls from Oklahoma will be chosen during the event to represent Oklahoma at Girls Nation.

The following girls will attend the 2009 Girls State event:

Libby Nicholas is a junior at Enid High School and is the daughter of Buddy and Jan Nicholas. She serves as junior class president, Young Republicans vice president, junior editor of the school newspaper and is the public relations representative for Community Service Club. She participates on the cross country team, is a member of National Honor Society and Emmanuel Baptist Church and works for Wheatland Animal Clinic. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in hotel and restaurant management.

Taylor McElroy is a junior at Waukomis High School and is the daughter of Eddie and Linda McElroy. She is involved in student council, FCCLA, FCA and varsity basketball. She is the vice president of the junior class, basketball team captain and made all-conference basketball this year. She is part of Oklahoma Honor Society and is on the superintendent’s honor roll. She plans to take concurrent classes at Northern Oklahoma College next year and hopes to pursue a career in the medical field.

Chrystal Gafford is a junior at Enid High School. She is involved with the drama team, where she is an officer, and participates in the school choir and Spanish club. She is active in her church and plans on attending college and becoming a neonatal nurse.

Courtney Goodwin is a junior at Enid High School.

Dayna Heitfeld is a junior at Garber High School and is the daughter of Larry and April Heitfeld. She is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She is a drum majorette of “That Garber Band,” an honor roll student, a member of FFA and student council. She is quiz bowl captain and plays slow-pitch softball.

Katie Shelton is a junior at Covington-Douglas High School and is the daughter of Terry and Kathy Golay of Covington and Rickey and Chasity Shelton of Austin, Texas. She is junior class president, a member of National Honor Society and plays both fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball. She is a member of First Baptist Church, Covington, where she is active in the youth group. She is studying health careers at Autry Technology Center and works at United Supermarket.

Madison Howard is a junior at Pioneer High School and is the daughter of Curtis and Trecca Howard. She is involved in softball, basketball, golf, FCCLA and BETA. She also teaches Sunday School for 4- and 5-year-olds at First United Methodist Church. She plans to go college and work in a career that will allow her to make a difference in the lives of children.

Nallely Aguilar is a junior at Cimarron High School and is the daughter of Jose and Dolores Aguilar. She participates in basketball, cheerleading and student council.

Brittney Batcho is a junior at Enid High School and is the daughter of Mark and Treva Batcho. She participates in Community Service Club, mock trial and National Honor Society. She plans to attend law school and participate in the Peace Corps.

Kaci Kliewer is a junior at Ringwood High School and is the daughter of David and Betty Kliewer. She is involved in basketball, FFA, FCA, FCCLA, yearbook, student council and is junior class reporter. She works for Sears Portrait Studio and plans to go to college and eventually have her own photography studio.

Rylee Mack is a junior at Waukomis High School and is the daughter of Roy Mack and Sheila and Scott Coontz. She is involved in Waukomis student council and FCA. She is FFA reporter, junior class president and on the superintendent’s honor roll. She participates in basketball, softball and cheerleading. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in education or psychology.

Katie Houston is a junior at Covington-Douglas High School and is the daughter of Danny and Tommie Houston. She is member of National Honor Society and is an academic athlete. She participates in softball, basketball and track. She is an active member of First Baptist Church, Covington. She plans to attend Southern Nazarene University to major in child psychology.

April Williams is a junior at Kremlin-Hillsdale High School and is the daughter of Alan and Diana Williams. She participates in slow-pitch softball, fast-pitch softball, cheerleading, National Honor Society, FFA, FCA and drama club. She is junior class vice president and FFA reporter. She currently attends Autry Technology Center, where she is studying medical assisting. She hopes to become a radiologist.

Mallory Atchley is a junior at Chisholm High School and is the daughter of Michael and Lisa Atchley. She participates is Willow View United Methodist Church youth group, National Honor Society, student council, softball and is on the principal’s honor roll. She plans to attend college to pursue an accounting degree.

Chloe Fuksa is a junior at Chisholm High School. She participates in National Honor Society, student council, varsity basketball, track and cross country. She is a member of FCA and St. Gregory’s Catholic Church. She is on the superintendent’s honor roll and has served as a page for Sen. Patrick Anderson. She has been selected to attend Rotary Club Youth Leadership Awards in June.

Molly Stam is a junior at Oklahoma Bible Academy.

Marie Rempe is a junior at Oklahoma Bible Academy.