The 63rd session of Volunteer Girls State

Sunday, May 24 - Saturday, May 30, 2009

Girls State features a non-stop schedule of activities and events. If you are a citizen for this year's session, please visit the citizen information and FAQ pages. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Speakers for 2009

Many highlights of previous Girls States came from the exciting speakers who shared their experiences and thoughts with the delegates. Several of the speakers are gifted members of the ALA VGS staff and counselor team.

The speakers for 2008 ALA VGS included Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, Senator Lamar Alexander, former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, former Major Kathy Isaacson and Amy Piper.

Directions to ALA VGS at MTSU

From Nashville

1. Take I-24E to Murfreesboro exit 76.
2. Turn left onto Medical Center Parkway and proceed for 4 miles to Memorial Blvd.
3. Turn left on Memorial and go .5 miles to Clark Blvd.
4. Turn right on E. Clark and drive for 1.1 miles. (Street name changes to Middle Tenn. Blvd.)
5. Proceed 1.1 miles past Faulkinberry Dr. and turn right onto Bell Street.
6. Turn immediately left into the MTSU parking lot.

ALTERNATE DIRECTIONS FROM NASHVILLE

1. Take I-24E to Murfreesboro exit 78B.
2. Merge onto Old Fort Parkway (Hwy 96E) and drive 2.1 miles.
3. Turn right onto Broad Street (US-41S/70S).
4. Drive 0.4 miles and turn left onto West Main Street.
5. Proceed through the town square to E. Main Street.
6. Proceed 1.4 miles on E. Main Street and turn left onto Middle Tennessee Blvd.
7. Go two blocks (approx 0.4 miles) until you reach the intersection with Bell Street.
8. Turn left onto Bell Street, and immediately left into the MTSU parking lot.

From Knoxville

1. Take I-40W to Nashville/Lebanon and exit onto 840W.
2. Take Murfreesboro/Smyrna (US-41S/ 70S) exit 55A.
3. Merge onto US-41S/ 70S (Broad Street).
4. Drive 4.5 miles and turn left onto W. Main Street, proceed through town square to E. Main St.
5. Proceed 1.4 miles on E. Main Street and turn left onto Middle Tennessee Blvd.
6. Go two blocks (approx 0.4 miles) until you reach the intersection with Bell Street.
7. Turn left onto Bell Street, and immediately left into the MTSU parking lot.

From Chattanooga

1. Take I-24W toward Nashville.
2. Take Murfreesboro exit 81.
3. At the red light, turn right onto Church Street (US-231N).
4. Drive 0.9 miles and turn right onto Tennessee Blvd.
5. Drive 1.9 miles and cross E. Main St. The street name will change to Middle Tenn. Blvd.
6. Proceed 0.4 miles and turn left onto Bell Street.
7. Turn immediately left into the MTSU parking lot.

From Columbia

1. Take I-65N to TN 840E exit 59.
2. Take exit 53A onto I-24E towards Chattanooga.
3. Take either exit 76 or exit 78B and follow the directions from Nashville above.

From Memphis

1. Take I-40E to Nashville and then I-440 to I-24E.
2. Continue using directions from Nashville above to Murfreesboro and MTSU.