Citizenship

Irene Weber is a woman who uses the word "commitment" a lot. It peppers her conversation on a variety of topics. It's a principle she lives by and one she measures in others.

For 41 years, the Morgan County resident's commitment to civic values and young people has driven her to volunteer at the annual Rhododendron Girls State, a program run by the American Legion Auxiliary. At Girls State, rising high school seniors learn how their government works and what is required of them as responsible citizens.

For the last 12 years, Weber has been the program's director. For 17 years before that, she was assistant director.

"There isn't anything in this program I haven't done," Weber said.

Directing the program, which takes place in mid-June, requires year-round planning, coordinating site details at Wheeling Jesuit University, recruiting student participants and adult counselors, and arranging materials.

Weber also seeks the help of public officials from around West Virginia to make the weeklong civics lesson meaningful and fun for more than 350 young women.

Most of all, the job demands a belief in the abilities and talents of young women, which Weber certainly has.

"I'm committed to our youth — I love working with them," she said.

"Our youth has to have every opportunity to take hold and lead this country," said Weber.

A state within a state

Young women who go to Rhododendron Girls State create and run an alternative government all week. They are sworn in as citizens of the state, and then jump in to become candidates for elected positions at the town, county and state levels.

Parties are formed, campaigns are launched and elections are held before the governing process begins. Young women draft laws and try to usher them through the legislature. The simulation gives the girls a deep and hands-on understanding of their local and state government.

The girls take classes in all levels of government, in journalism, college preparation and public speaking. They can participate in a College Fair, and put on talent shows each night.

Participants might meet West Virginia's elected officials, including county clerks, circuit judges, the Secretary of State and even the Governor during their time in Wheeling.

The program's aims include developing civic leadership and an interest in the study of government, spreading an understanding of American traditions and instilling a determination to maintain America's democratic system.

All rising seniors with a 2.75 GPA and an interest in government are eligible to apply for the program each year.

Days start early and run late, but the exhausting schedule seems to breed real dedication, said Weber.

"When they come, they cry to go home, and at the end of the week, they're crying because they don't want to leave their new friends," she said.

Dedicated to veterans

Weber has stuck with the project for four decades because of her commitment to the American Legion Auxiliary, which she joined in 1963.

That group has been an outlet for her to express her appreciation for veterans, her nation and the freedoms that define America.

Her father and stepfather were veterans, her late husband George Weber was a World War II veteran, her three sons have all served in the military and she has a nephew who just left for a third tour of duty in Iraq.

"I so much appreciate living in a free country," she said.

Volunteering since 1968

Weber was first recruited to be a counselor at Girls State in 1967. At that time, the program was held at Jackson's Mill, its home for 50 years before it moved to Wheeling.

When Weber was first called, she declined because she had four young children at home. The next year, Weber arranged for a babysitter to take care of the children while she helped at Jackson's Mill.

Since then, the second week in June has always meant going to Girls State.

Weber said one long-time volunteer presenter at Girls State, a Circuit Judge from Ohio County, was shocked recently to find out that Weber doesn't get a cent for her work with the program.

She's not the only one.

A staff of 40 helps Weber during the June program and throughout the year, all as volunteers. This year, Debbie Fox of Morgan County was one of the many counselors.

A long tradition

Many of those young women have come back through the program as volunteers. Weber's Assistant Director, Rosemary Thomas, was a citizen of Girls State in 1985 under Weber's leadership.

"Irene is one of those people you meet along the way who leaves footprints on your heart," said Thomas.

Weber's own daughter, Michelle, attended Girls State, as have all three of her granddaughters.

Morgan County student Carrie Boone was one of the local young women to attend Girls State this June. The other young woman from Morgan County was Renee Weber, Irene Weber's youngest granddaughter.

Boone said she would definitely recommend the program to other young woman,

"It made me understand what our county government really does," she said.

Boone ran for and won a County Clerk's position at Girls State, no small feat for someone who described herself as shy.

"It really helped me come out of my shell," she said.

"I met a lot of girls from around the state and made some new friends," Boone said.

Boone hopes to go to Marshall University to study medicine after graduating from Berkeley Springs High School. She also hopes to return to Girls State as a junior counselor next year.

With this year's program barely over, Weber admits that she wants to hand the director's job to someone else in the near future.

At 68, there are other things she'd like to do with her time and energy. But her commitment to Girls State is a powerful force, and one she won't give up lightly.

"If the program can touch one lady's life, it's all worth the work, " Weber said.