Decorah teen takes part in Iowa Girls State

(Left to right): 2017 Girls State attendee Vita Domnenko, the daugther of Lilia and Alex Domnenko, and 2016 Girls State attendee Marissa Weis, the daughter of Nancy and Beaver Weis

A Decorah resident, Kay Hanson, was one of five founders in 1947 of the Iowa Girls State program, one of the major programs operated by the American Legion in Iowa.

Now another Decorah resident--Vita Domnenko--has attended Iowa Girls State and got elected as Treasurer of the convention.

Girls State encourages young women to get involved in the political process by teaching them how it works.  Girls from across the state gather together to operate a model non-partisan city government, electing mayors and city councils, passing ordinances and working on a city project.

Domnenko says Girls State was "an experience of a lifetime for me."  She said she made good friends at the week-long event and "gained so much appreciation and knowledge about our government."

Domnenko is 17 years old and will be a senior this fall at Decorah High School.  She is a member of the choir, orchestra, speech and drama programs, girls swim team and girls tennis team.  She is the daughter of Lilia and Alex Domnenko of Decorah.

The Bernatz-Symonds Legion Auxiliary of Decorah sponsored her participation at Iowa Girls State.