Director, Dr. Rosemary Thomas
Our Director, Dr. Rosemary Thomas, is a native of Fairmont. She has been involved with RGS since attending as a citizen in 1985. Through the years, Rosemary has served as a junior counselor, instructor, recreation director, and assistant director prior to being elected director.
Dr. Thomas is a second-generation Girls State girl, and a third-generation member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She and her mother, Mary Jo Thomas (RGS ’62), remain very engaged and supportive of the program throughout the state and beyond. She believes RGS is among the finest programs available for young women to learn about our government, grow as leaders and engaged citizens and enhance their understanding of the appreciation we must have for our Veterans.
Assistant Director, Kate Garlick
Our assistant director, Kate Garlick, is a native of Burton. She has been involved with RGS since attending as a citizen in 2003. Kate has served as junior counselor, senior counselor, and nationalist party consultant before being elected to assistant director in 2020.
Ms. Garlick is a first-generation Girls State girl and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Garlick is responsible for staffing and instruction coordination and oversees the elections process throughout the week. She is passionate about the program and firmly believes RGS is among the most exemplary programs available for young women to grow as leaders while enhancing their understanding of government and how important it is to support and appreciate our Veterans.
Registrar, Ann C. Buchanan
Our Registrar is Ann C. Buchanan and she is the citizens’ first and direct connection to the program. Ann has served as a volunteer at Girls State since 1996 and started as our Registrar in 2001. For Ann it is a pleasure to work with the girls, their parents/guardians, their school counselors, principals and unit volunteers. The program is one of the priority programs for the Auxiliary.
Ann joined the Auxiliary more than 30 years ago and is eligible through her husband, Fred, who is a Navy Veteran. In addition to her work at Rhododendron Girls State, Ann has served her local Auxiliary Unit in every leadership position, as well as moved through the ranks of the State Department serving as President in 2006-2007. Ann also serves the ALA on the national level as a member of the Nation Executive Committee and Central Division Girls State and she’s even attended Girls Nation as a volunteer.
All three of the ladies work year-round to ensure a successful and awesome experience for our Girls State citizens.
Volunteers
During the week, there are nearly 30 other volunteers involved as counselors, party leaders, instructors, office crew and country store workers.