August 1, 2002
<bt>Not only did Westfield High senior Richael Faithful of Centreville attend Virginia Girls State, June 16-22, at Longwood College in Farmville, but she was one of two girls representing Virginia at Girls Nation, July 20-27, in Chevy Chase, Md.
The daughter of Robert and Margo Faithful, she was sponsored at Girls State by the American Legion Auxiliary 177 in Fairfax. She was among 96 girls from 48 states at the 56th annual Girls Nation, a youth citizenship program, and was delighted to be chosen for it.
"I was ecstatic," said Faithful, 17. "Everyone at Girls State was qualified to compete, so I felt truly honored."
At Girls State, the girls were divided into 14 cities of about 50 girls each, and Girls Nation participants were selected according to how well they answered particular questions. First, Faithful told her opinion of American flag desecration, in front of the other 49 girls in her city.
Then, before all 600 girls, she had to give her opinion on oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A panel of judges chose the winners. Before the second question, the girls were given 14 topics to research, and Faithful said her school debating experience paid off.
"I memorized one fact for each question," she said. "And I used a quote at the beginning of my presentation." Then at Girls Nation, she participated in a "senate," drew up mock legislation and debated various topics.
"The real neat thing was that we got to submit all the legislation we passed, to President Bush, and he's going to review it," said Faithful. "At least, he'll know what the youth of the nation are concerned about." She said everyone favored alternate fuel sources — especially in light of the war on terrorism.
Bush spoke to the girls, Friday, and Faithful shook his hand, but she said her highlight was getting to see the Washington tourist sites — particularly the changing of the guards at Arlington National Cemetery.
She was chosen for Girls State because of her interest in government, her scholastic achievements and leadership skills. At Westfield, her activities included forensics, Model UN, Gay-Straight Alliance, Dead Philosophers Society lacrosse and power lifting. After graduation, she hopes to go into the Peace Corps.
<tgl>— Bonnie Hobbs