History of RGS
The Rhododendron Girls State program was started in 1941 under the sponsorship and direction of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of West Virginia. The WV American Legion had started Mountaineer Boys State two years earlier. The program and organization were incorporated under the laws of West Virginia. A Board of incorporators and a Board of Directors establishes policies and supervises its direction and promotes its continuance. More than 26,000 West Virginia students have benefited from its training and the annual participants have grown from156 to 375 in 2005.
Since 1997, Mrs. lrene Weber from Berkeley Springs has been Director and Rosemary Thomas from Fairmont serves as Assistant Director. The all volunteer staff is comprised of American Legion Auxiliary members, former Girls State citizens, instructional and support personnel.
