SOLON – The 2025 session of the Iowa American Legion Auxiliary Iowa Girls State will be held June 15-20 on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines.
The Solon American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #460, is pleased to announce this year’s Girls State selections. Participants from Solon will be Mackenzie Craig, the daughter of Ray and Beth Craig. Mackenzie is involved in the Octagon Club, Secretary of FBLA, is a Student Council representative, a peer leader and has participated in volleyball, softball and archery. She is very involved in many community activities including 4-H and is on the Johnson County 4-H council. She has been an International Exchange delegate to Norway. Some of her community service has included care bags for homeless veterans, Salvation Army bell ringer, Adopt-an-Angel, volunteer at Holiday Lights at the Lake, and has donated her hair to Locks of Love.
Mackenzie finds time to work at the Solon Retirement Village as a dietary aid. After graduation, she plans to attend a 4-year college to obtain her bachelors degree. She is exited to be attending Girls State and connect with other active youth and mentors across Iowa. She’s excited to learn more about the Iowa government and legislative processes.
Also attending will be Adlie Miller, who is the daughter of Kevin and Claudia Miller of Solon. Adlie is involved in NHS, Peer Leaders, School Leadership, Concert Choir, Color Guard, Yearbook Club, Lead Sound Director for all musicals and plays, football cheer, track & field, and women’s wrestling. Outside of her many school activities, Adlie is involved in helping with concessions and works at Heyn’s Ice Cream in North Liberty. She is planning on attending college and majoring in Criminal Justice. By attending Girls State, Adlie is hoping to gain a learning experience and to meet new, amazing people.
ELY – The Ely American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #555, is excited to announce their two Girls State representatives. Madison Singbeil from Solon is the daughter of Jordan Singbeil, Stephanie Schwake & Andrew Hodge. While at Solon High School, Madison is involved as a Peer Leader, on the Executive Council, Solon School Board Student Representative, Varsity Cheerleader, Best Buddies, 4-H, and FFA. Madison is very active in the community with volunteering at the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center, volunteering at St. Mary’s Church and in the school district. Her working activities include the Solon Learning Academy, North Liberty Pet Clinic as a Vet Assistant and Bobbers Grill. Madison plans to attend Buena Vista University in Storm Lake majoring in the pre-vet track and then applying for vet school at Iowa State University to become a large animal veterinarian. She is excited for Girls State to learn more about city and state government and to learn how agriculture can play an important role in city and state government.
Also, being sponsored by the Ely Auxiliary is Emma Mahoney, who attends Prairie High School, and is the daughter of Kelly and Greg Mahoney of Ely. While in High School, Emma has been involved in the National Honor Society, Youth Leadership for five seasons (LFS), National Council on Youth Leadership (NCYL), FFA, cross country, and as the wrestling manager. She is also a volunteer at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Her work activities include working at the Prairie Early Childhood Center. Her plans after graduation will be to pursue a bachelor degree in nursing. Emma is excited to be attending Girls State to build on her knowledge of government, meet new people around the state of Iowa, and strengthen her leadership skills.
About Iowa Girls State
Iowa Girls State is one of the premier programs sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary and was all started by a dream of four women over 75 years ago in hopes of teaching young women about the political process. Girls State is a “learning by doing” program which takes the girls through the entire political process.
The girls will join approximately 300 young women attending Iowa Girls State who have completed their junior year of high school and will study City, County and State government processes. Iowa Girls State citizens set up their own City, County and State governments and administer them according to the laws of Iowa. The girls also participate in legislative sessions, campaigning, party rallies, debating and voting along with learning deeper knowledge of parliamentary procedure. In addition to their political activities, the girls hear several motivational speakers along with local and State government officials.
On Friday evening, June 20th, the inauguration will be held which includes the closing of the final joint session of the House and Senate, the installation of the governor and her officials, many scholarships are awarded and the Girls Nation Senators are announced. The Inauguration will be held immediately following the flag lowering at 5:15 p.m. outside the Olmsted Building at Drake University, Des Moines, IA. The public is invited to attend.