Spirit Girls
"As we continue to grow the Spirit of Women program, we feel it is important to reach today's young ladies so that they will mature into healthy young women," said Millie Swan, Vice President at Forrest General. "The Spirit Girls program allows young ladies to give back to the community, participate in fun, hip events and at the same time, along with their mothers, focus on education and important issues facing today's teenagers."
Who we are:
The Spirit Girls program is made up of young women, grades 7-12, residing in Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Wayne or Walthall County.
What we do:
- Spirit girls participate in community events.
- Attend quarterly meetings that focus on community service or educational topics.
- Earn community service hours- Every Spirit Girl must complete their required hours of community service per semester.
Who we serve:
Spirit Girls are privileged to participate in various community service projects for organizations such as the American Heart Association, ARC, the Hattiesburg Zoo and many more!
What we believe in:
We want young ladies to develop healthy lifestyles so that they can grow into strong, successful women. We believe this program is a great way for girls to not only learn about health issues they may face but also to help develop confidence, poise, and a passion for giving back to the community. In the process, we hope to create an environment that allows girls to uplift one another, inspire each other and build lasting friendships.
Have questions? We have your answers!
What will the Spirit Girls do once they are selected?
The Spirit Girls participate in community events such as Zoo Boo, Miss Hospitality, and parades. They also attend educational programs on various topics ranging from fashion and beauty to health topics facing today’s teens.
Earn community services hours. Spirit Girl’s hours decrease by grade due to involvement of other activities by the girls. Hours required by grade per semester are as follows:
7th Grade: 12 hours per semester / 24 hours for the year
8th Grade: 10 hours per semester / 20 hours for the year
9th Grade: 8 hours per semester / 16 hours for the year
10th Grade: 6 hours per semester / 12 hours for the year
11th Grade: 4 hours per semester / 8 hours for the year
12th Grade: 2 hours for the fall semester/seniors graduate in the fall
Any Spirit Girl that completes 30 volunteer hours will automatically become a Spirit Girl next year and is opted out of the interview process.
How can I become a Spirit Girl?
Girls entering grades 7-12 who reside in Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Wayne, or Walthall County are eligible to apply. If you are entering grade 12 and have not been a Spirit Girl previously, unfortunately, you are ineligible to apply.
How many Spirit Girls will be chosen?
There is not a set number of Spirit Girls that will be accepted. The number selected depends upon the number of qualified candidates.
Applications will be limited.
Are there any rules or requirements that Spirit Girls have to follow?
Spirit Girls must attend and participate in more than 50% of all events (quarterly meetings, community service events, educational programs, etc.). Spirit Girls are required to complete the appropriate amount of volunteer hours for their grade through Spirit Girl activities between August to May. Spirit Girls should participate in as many activities as possible to fully benefit from being a member. Before you apply, please make sure you will be able to be an active participant in this program. All Spirit Girls are required to sign a Participation Agreement when applying, which includes important information such as a code of conduct.
How will I be notified if selected to be a Spirit Girl?
Following the interviews, all applicants will be notified by May 31, 2026, stating if you have been selected or not. If selected, you will be given additional information about an upcoming orientation.
What to do next: APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN APRIL 10th
Fill out the application which will include short essay questions and a picture of your choosing. You will NOT be able to submit the application until all fields are filled out accordingly.
For your headshot, please upload an appropriate picture for your application. No selfies are allowed. The image you choose represents you. Judges will review every part of the application process. Please be detailed and follow the instructions above. We look forward to meeting you!
Volunteer Requests
Are you interested in having Spirit Girls volunteer for your organization or service? We invite organizations to submit requests for assistance of the Spirit Girls by filling out the Spirit Girls Assistance Request form at the link below. Requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance.
All details of the event must be written on the form and will be discussed before the event is approved.
To obtain further assistance and/or more information about Spirit Girls and their involvement within the community, please call Lesley Sanders-Wood at 601-288-1319 or email
SpiritGirls@forrestgeneral.com
