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