REGIONAL GIRLS ATTEND WEEKLONG GIRLS STATE PROGRAM

Local girls were among 750 young ladies from Missouri to participate in the week-long Girls State program held at Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg.

The 58th session of Missouri Girls State is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

Girls State gives participants a hands-on view of the democratic process. They formed their own city, county and state governments. Classes and seminars provided information including college planning, personal safety, parliamentary procedures, women in power, communication, media and law.

Attending from Cape Girardeau were:

Jennifer Erin Goncher of Cape Central High School is involved in singing for school, church and community events. She is on the swim team, the cross country team and the varsity pom pon squad that recently took second at state competition. She is the daughter of David and Jan Goncher. She was sponsored by American Legion Unit 63 of Cape Girardeau. At Girls State, she was elected by her fellow delegates as Price County Associate Circuit Judge.

Elizabeth Anne Meyr of Cape Central High School is a member of the Beta Club, the French Club and the Renaissance program. She has participated in cross country and track and last year was a state qualifier for the cross country team. She is also a member of the Girardot yearbook staff. She participated in the French and Latin class trip to England, France, Italy and Greece. She is a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel and is a member of its youth group. She is also employed as a lifeguard at Central and Capaha pools. Exchange Club sponsored her attendance. She is the daughter of H.W. and Dianne Meyr.

Beth Bishop of Cape Central High School is a member of National Honor Society, captain of the pom pon squad, a member of the Lady Tiger tennis team, a member of Student Senate, president of Red Dagger, vice-president of Thespians, a member of Beta Club, a member of Chamber Choir and a member of Chamber Madrigal Singers. She also is active in Young Life. She attends St. Vincent de Paul Church where she is involved in youth ministry. She is the daughter of Bill and Cathy Bishop. She was sponsored by Cape West Rotary. She was elected a state senator at Girls State.

Whitney McCann of Notre Dame High School has been involved in the choral department for the past three years. She was selected to participate in the 1998 All-District Choir and has been selected for the spring musical. She also is a cheerleader and a member of Spirit Club. She was chosen to be on the varsity squad for the 1999-2000 year. She also has been named to Who's Who Among High School Students for two years. She is a member of St. Mary Cathedral parish and is the daughter of Pat and Deborah McCann. She was sponsored by the Noon Optimist Club. She was elected chief justice of the Supreme Court at Girls State.

Veronica Marquart of Notre Dame High School is active in SADD, PSI and Hi-STEP programs at the high school. She is the daughter of Eric and Karla Marquart and was sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Kiwanis Club.

Dionna Webb of Cape Central High is an A-honor roll student and in the top 10 percent of her class. She is a member of National Honor Society and was named to Who's Who Among America's High School Students. She is a member of the softball, basketball and track teams. In softball, she received honorable-mention, all-conference recognition. In basketball she was named to the first team all-district, and in track she made all-conference, all-district and all-state in the 100m, 200m, and the long jump. She holds school records in the 200 and long jump and was state champion in the long jump. She is active in her church, Sunday School and sings in the youth choir. She is the daughter of Harold and Linda Webb and was sponsored by the Evening Optimist Club.

Also attending from the region:

Annie LeFebvre of Jackson is the daughter of Bob and Kathy LeFebvre and attends Jackson High School. She is a member of the band and varsity tennis team and is an honor roll student. She attends new McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson

Michelle Stover of Jackson is the daughter of Rob and Carol Stover and attends Jackson High School. She is a member of National Honor Society, treasurer of Future Businesses of America, and was named to Who's Who Among America's High School Students. She is a scholastic honor roll student and belongs to the Spanish Club. She attends First Baptist Church in Jackson, where she is a soloist in the choir and active in the youth group.

Abby Grossheider of Advance is the daughter of Don Grossheider and Donna Kielhofner and attends Jackson High School.

Erin Raines of Scott City is the daughter of Mark and Teresa Raines and attends Scott City High School.

Lisa Sanders of Scott City is the daughter of Deborah Cox and Don Sanders and attends Scott City High School.