MEDIA ADVISORY: Sunflower Girls State wraps up with state Capitol visit, awards ceremony today

LAWRENCE -- Sunflower Girls State will complete its 61st session at the University of Kansas today with a morning visit to the Kansas Capitol and an afternoon program.

Janet Murguia, KU executive vice chancellor for university relations, will address this year's nearly 500 participants during an awards ceremony beginning at 3 p.m. at the Lied Center of Kansas. Murguia was a Girls State delegate in 1977. Also speaking at the ceremony will be Laura Christensen, American Legion Auxilliary Department president; Becky Keller, Sunflower Girls Stare director; and Jaci Wilkening, 2003 Sunflower Girls State governor.

The program follows a morning trip to Topeka, where participants visited the Kansas Department of Education offices, the House and Senate chambers, the Kansas Judicial Center and the governor's office.

During the week, Girls State delegates conduct an election, which concludes on Wednesday. On Friday, the Girls State representatives travel to Topeka, where their newly elected officers will meet their counterparts in government.

Girls State delegates represent more than 225 high schools throughout Kansas. They are sponsored by local American Legion auxiliary units to participate in a week's study of government at all levels.

During this year's program, participants were addressed by Phill Kline, Kansas attorney general; Sabrina Wells, director of financial services for the Kansas insurance commissioner; Sharon Owen, Frankfort mayor; and Jeanne Haas, Gridley city council member.

Sunflower Girls State has been offered through the American Legion Auxilary since its inception in 1939. No sessions were held from 1943 to 1946 because of World War II.