American Legion Auxiliary Unit #70 in Troy has selected three representatives from local high schools to attend the 2018 Girls State Convention at the University of Alabama in June.

Katie Hale, Auxiliary president, said being selected to Girls’ State is a great honor and she proud to have three outstanding young women represent American Legion Auxiliary Unit #70 at Alabama Girls State 2018.

“These high school juniors were selected from a very qualified group of applicants,” Hale said. “We know they will represent our unit and all of Pike County extremely well.”

The Girl’s State representatives are Monica Bland, Pike County High School; Lydia Harrison, Goshen High School; and Emily Paige Stevens, Pike Liberal Arts School.

Monica, a member of the Business & Finance Academy at PCHS, said graduation from the academy will give her a head start on college and the career she plans as a physical therapist.

“By graduating with an associate degree from Enterprise State Community College, I’ll almost have two years behind me,” she said. “I want to be a physical therapist and I know it will take a lot of hard work, but I’m willing to do what it takes.”

At PCHS, Monica is a member of the SGA and the volleyball team.  She is a volunteer with the school’s sports programs and is a Junior Ambassador with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

She is active in the community and believes in “putting yourself out there.”

“Baking pies for Turkeys from Heaven is one of the most rewarding things I have done,” she said.

Monica plans to attend either Troy University or the University of Alabama.

Lydia makes the school bus ride from Goshen High School to the Business and Finance Academy at PCHS each school day for two reasons.

“I like working with numbers and there are many opportunities in business and finance,” Lydia said. “I’m not sure yet what I want to do. Marketing is especially interesting to me.  And, too, I’ll graduate with an associate degree and that will really help with college expenses.  The academy is helping me prepare for the future.”

At Goshen, Lydia is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and the National Honor Society. She volunteers with the Parents Expo and is involved with local and foreign missions, including mission trips to Costa Rica and Maine.

Her college plans are to attend either Troy or Auburn. Although, corporate work is of interest to her, she doesn’t want to go too far from home.

“I’d like to venture out but I’ll always want to come back close to home,” Lydia said.

Emily’s interest is also in the area of marketing. However, her interest is in developing her own line of cosmetics for the market.

“When I was in the Miss Alabama Teen USA pageant, I met a makeup artist from Texas,” Emily said. “I was really interested in her work. That’s when I started thinking that was something I might like to do.”

At PLAS, Emily is a member of the 350 Club, Excel Club, Twilighters and is also a Dugout Doll. She is a Junior Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and has participated in the Youth Leadership Conference.

Emily is very involved in community service. She assists with Vacation Bible School at her church, Turkeys from Heaven at Thanksgiving and makes Christmas baskets for kids.

Emily likes to travel and experience new things.

“I would like to go to the Bahamas and swim with the wild pigs,” she said, with a smile.

Emily plans to attend the University of Alabama where she will include chemistry along with her business courses in preparation for her expressed career choice.

The Girl State honorees expressed appreciation to American Legion Auxiliary Unit #70 for the opportunity to participate in Girls’ State, an honor they will always cherish. Each said she will represent the Auxiliary to the best of her abilities and will be willing to share her experiences when invited.