OLD TOWN – Girls Nation Sen. Erin St. Peter, a senior at Old Town High School and the daughter of John and Renee St. Peter, was elected vice president on July 23 of Girls Nation, American Legion Auxiliary’s weeklong youth government program in Washington.

St. Peter met with constituents in “whistle stop” meetings where she fielded questions concerning national and international issues as a candidate of the Nationalist Party. Her running mate, Barb Walkowiak of Lincoln, Neb., was elected Girls Nation president.

St. Peter was sworn into office on July 24 by Girls Nation Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Abigail Zadina of Omaha, Neb.

American Legion Auxiliary National President Jan Pulvermacher-Ryan swore in the nine Supreme Court justices.

Ninety-six teenage girls from 48 states attended the 62nd annual Girls Nation program at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Md. The event teaches democratic principles and federal government components.

The American Legion Auxiliary believes in the importance of educating and training young women in the ideals and objectives of American government by giving them the motivation and support for success.

These future leaders represent the voice of teenagers from across the country and bring with them the ideas and concerns of today’s youth as they look ahead to a world they will shape.

Throughout the week, delegates organized political parties, submitted bills and resolutions, and participated in senate sessions at the center. Other highlights included a tour of the Pentagon, a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unkowns, meeting President George W. Bush at the White House, and meeting with their senators on Capitol Hill.

Affiliated with the American Legion, the auxiliary is a veterans’ support organization with members in nearly 10,000 communities. The organization sponsors volunteer programs on the national and local levels serving veterans, their families and their communities.

For more information on Girls Nation, call Annisa Rainey at 317-569-4500 or e-mail arainey@legion-aux.org.