Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Four From GHS To Attend Girls State

When Arkansas Girls State Convenes at Harding University in Searcy on June 4 for its 58th session, four Gurdon High School juniors will represent Gurdon.

Gurdon's delegates for Girls State are Ebonee Crow, Emily Thomas, Cassie Ross and Jodie Purifoy.

The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors Girls State.

Delegates are selected on the basis of scholarship, leadership, character and honesty.

Contributors who are lending their financial support are CD&E Club, Rotary Club, First State Bank, and Mr. and Mrs. Austin Capps.

"Girls State is an educational experience in state government," Louise Davies, Girls State chairman and president of the Gurdon American Legion Auxiliary, said. "It teaches them the duties, privileges and responsibilities of state government and how it functions."

The Girl State delegates will live in mythical cities, elect their own officials and spend one day at the state capitol in Little Rock.

Purifoy, 17, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Danny Purifoy.

She is the president of the junior class and has been a Gurdon cheerleader for five years. Purifoy is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gurdon. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Senior Beta Club and Student Council. She currently has a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) and has been recognized by Who's Who Among American High School Students and All-American Scholars.

Purifoy recently attended Close-Up 2000 in Washington, D.C., and she "feels it is a great honor to be selected as a Girl State delegate."

Ross, 17, is the daughter of Robert and Bonnie Ross.

She is a member of Beech Street Baptist Church. Ross serves as vice president of the junior class, is a member of Beta Club and she is a member of the National Honors Society.

In February, Ross participated in Close-Up.

Ross has been a CHAMPS leader for the past two years. She is also a cheerleader on the state champion GHS squad, and she has been a cheerleader for four years.

Ross "feels honored to be selected as a Girls State delegate, she said.

Thomas, 17, is the daughter of John and Martha Thomas.

She is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and the Student Council, serving as a representative. Thomas is a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she is active in the youth group.

Thomas is a member of the GHS choir and enjoys playing on the softball team and running track.

She recently attended the Close-Up program and is proud to be a delegate for Girls State.

Crow, 16, is the daughter of Joe and Carolyn Crow.

She attends the Carrie Street Church of God, where she loves to sing.

Crow has been a cheerleader for the Gurdon Go-Devils for five years. She is a member of Beta Club and whe has been recognized by Who's Who Among American High School Students.