The GirlsStater
It's Not How Much Time You Have, It's What You Do With It!!
Have you ever had that time in your life where you felt like you had to be a different person in front of your peers? I definitely have. Before I heard Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety
Tricia L. Everest I didn’t think anyone else felt this This story made me want to go up and give her a hug. No one should ever have to accept people making fun of them and should always stand up for themselves,
and it took her a long time to notice this and make a change. She found her place and what she was passionate about, and then started to not care about what others thought because she was happy and had her own opinion. I really appreciated her opening up because some people miss out on so many opportunities because they care too much about what other people think. So it’s not about how much time we have, it’s about what you do with it. Rather than letting other people bring you down, do something strong and empowering that will make a difference.
-Berklee Gossen, Demke City
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY OKLAHOMA GIRLS STATE May 2023 Vol 79 Issue 4
What Is Leadership?
What is leadership? Leadership is something that can be interpreted in many ways. Though I think sometimes people think being a leader is someone who takes charge of a room. Someone who is very loud about their opinion and what they think they should do, which isn’t always a bad thing. Taking charge of situations can be great, but it can become bad when you ' re not listening to what other people have to say and not compromising with others to find a real solution.
Leaders should always lead by example. Leading by example is very important to the young ladies that look up to us. If we do not act as leaders, the women following won’t have a clear picture of a leader. As a leader, if all we do is talk about what we think others should do or what we want to do and never do it, are we really leaders?
So what is a leader? What type of leader are you? What type of leader do you want to be? You can be any type of leader you want to be. Just encourage others and be the best leader you can be.
- Hannah Fitzgerald, Bonham City
2023 Governor Gillian Pickering & Lt. Governor Victoria Nwankwo
“Every day, you have “Every day, you have the power to choose the power to choose our better history— our better history— by opening your by opening your hearts and minds, by hearts and minds, by speaking up for what speaking up for what you know is right.” you know is right.”
-Michelle obama -Michelle obama
STATE ELECTION RESULTS
Governor: Gillian Pickering
Lt. Governor: Victoria Nwankwo
Attorney General: Katie Moore
Corporation Commissioner #1:
Abby Kate
Corporation Commissioner #2:
Carlee Reeves
Corporation Commissioner #3:
Carrington Kline
State Treasurer: McKenna
Hopkins
Auditor and Inspection: Elliot
Geer
Supt. of Public Instruction: Lacey
Laymon
State Insurance Commissioner:
Rayne Edwards
Commissioner of Labor: Gracelyn
Tramba
District I
District Attorney: Faith Spangler
District Judge: Bellamy Knight
Court of Appeals Judge #1: Lillian
Spalding
Court of Appeals Judge #2: Arlety
Rodriguez
Court of Appeals Judge #3: Zaeda
Stoddard
Court of Appeals Judge #4: Tilly Wyrick
Court of Appeals Judge #5: Karlee Tolle
Court of Appeals Judge #6: Adelaide
Haack
District II
District Attorney: Carley Kihega
District Judge: Morgandee Sawatzsky
Court of Appeals Judge #1: Emelie
Trentham
Girls State Show and Sing
Girls State had a fun night of skits, singing, and dancing and the Girls State Show and Sing. The night started with Akin City doing an Alice in Wonderland-inspired skit in which Alice and the Queen of Hearts had a show off in the “court”, which ended with the Queen exclaiming her iconic line “Off with their heads!”. Next up, Blosch City did their rendition of the opening scene in the movie Pitch Perfect, in which they sang and danced to the song “Since You’ve Been Gone”. Bonham City did another court-style skit where a news reporter investigates a mayor convicted of stealing the town’s money. Chinn City’s theme this year is Legally Blonde, so their skit was different scenes from the hit movie.
Then, Chisolm City recreated scenes with singing and dancing using music from High School Musical. Demke City, though not prepared with a skit, freestyle danced to the song “Man, I Feel Like A Woman” and even came out to the audience to dance as well. “Come on Harvey, Let’s go party” has been the Harvey City slogan all week, so it made sense that they did a choreographed dance to “I’m A Barbie Girl”. Keister City had a hilarious skit, with the city’s delegates posing as celebrities in a “pageant” on the Jimmy Fallon Show, with guest appearances by delegates posing as Kanye West and Jack Sparrow. O’Leary City performed what they called a “low-budget Little Mermaid”, taking popular scenes from the movie and performing them in their own satirical way. The lights dimmed as Parker City got onstage decked out in “glow stick wear” and sang and danced to 80’s songs and Girls State songs. Reed City had an extremely well-choreographed mashup of song covers featured in Pitch Perfect. The night ended joyously with the announcement of the candidates voted as the state elected officials.
-Hattie Eaton, O’Leary City
A Word with Rebecca Snyder A Word with Rebecca Snyder
On Wednesday afternoon, the entire Girls State delegation had the pleasure of hearing Rebecca Snyder Ph.D. speak about her experiences as an animal behavior specialist. Dr. Snyder currently holds the position of Senior Director of Conservation, Education, and Science at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens. In her talk, she discussed things that drove her to where she is today, such as her love of animals as a child due to growing up on an Iowa farm, her introduction to the subject of animal behavior while in college, her 3-year expedition in Asia to study pandas, and her 20-year experience at the Atlanta Zoo. I personally asked her the question of “Why is conservation so important to you?”. Dr. Snyder answered, “Conservation is important to keeping our planet healthy”. Through the words of Rebecca Snyder, the Girls State delegation learned how you should pursue what you ’ re truly passionate about so that you can make a real difference in our world.
- Hattie Eaton, O’Leary City
Akin In Wonderland
From karaoke nights, to poster parties, and card games, Akin City is a very close knit community. Akin City members often find themselves all congregated in someone ’ s room. There are always people sitting all around on the floor and beds laughing. The girls have gotten very close in a short time, starting to feel like a family. After Tuesday night's skit rehearsal everyone gathered around to make costumes. One thing I really admire about our city is the web of support it provides. When campaigning city members all went together to cheer and help one another. The girls are also there for one another when it comes to reading speeches or listening to personal stories. All in all the city of strangers has now blossomed into a beautiful community all thanks to Girls State.
-Alaina Clifton, Akin City
Tricia Everest came and spoke to Girls State this morning, which was an amazing opportunity to have. Tricia is the Secretary of Public Safety, and she said she is very passionate about her job because how can she stand by knowing there is a problem and not be part of the solution.
One of Everest's main focuses from the beginning was prisons, especially women ' s prisons. She has been a part of the Remerge program, which works on getting women out of prison and back on their feet for their children. She said that her north star for that program was, what happens to the kids Tricia is right, what they have lowered but because of the e did that because
Everest talked about something that I think really helped us understand her message When she was in college her brother got diagnosed with cancer at 17. He was told that he was terminal and that he had six months left to live, so he decided he was going to make a difference before he left this earth So he and his parents designed a hospital with colors, light, and positivity He unfortunately died before he could see his accomplishment, but he made a
difference. That motivated Everest a lot to make a difference, so she did. She has found something in everything that she is involved in to keep her going, to keep her fighting, and most importantly keep her passionate about what she is doing. If you see a problem be a part of the solution, find passion in what you are doing and find your north star.
–Hannah Fitzgerald Bonham City
FindYourNorthStar FindYourNorthStar FindYourNorthStar
Today was the state elections. It was a very exciting time, especially because Keister City had not one but two delegates in the running! All the Girl State delegates got to actually get a taste of voting in a voting booth so, it was a really great experience. Both girls won from, not to brag, my city…Keister city!! We are all so proud of every girl that ran, they all did so great. Victoria Nwankwo won Lieutenant Governor and Elliot Geer won State Auditor and Inspector. I asked the two elected officials the following questions.
How'd you feel when you were elected to your state office? Victoria answered, “I honestly felt very overwhelmed with excitement. Before Girls State, I’ve never experienced such a collaborative community of women who were also very supportive of someone who was initially afraid to run in the first place.” My first impression of Victoria was a shy, drawn back young woman. As the days went on she started talking more and showing us her personality. She is a very funny, passionate, kind, and soft spoken young woman. Personally her speech touched me, she was so kind and I could tell she meant every word she said. If I could experience her speech for the first time again, I would take it!
GoKeister Women!
How difficult was it to campaign and speak in front of your peers?
Elliot answered, “It was not difficult at all to speak locally in the dorms (going door to door) BUT I do not have much experience in speaking to large groups of people, so that was very nerve racking and I was shaking in my legs the whole time, haha.” My first impression of Elliot was a very nice, bubbly, cool girl. We bonded over being an athlete so we got close on the first couple of days. Although I didn’t get to witness her speeches, I know she did amazing as she did get elected. She is always smiling and ready to talk. She is truly an amazing young woman.
Both these girls did so amazing and I’m so proud of them for getting up in front of their peers, no matter if they were nervous and told us their truths. They touched the girls in a very positive way and it shows. Congratulations Victoria and Elliot and all the girls who ran!
-Serenity Golightly, Keister City
