OK Girls Stater - Thursday edition

The Thursday edition of the 2013 OK Girls Stater is now available.  Click here to read it.

OK Girls Stater - Wednesday edition

The Wednesday edition of the 2013 OK Girls Stater is now available.  Click here to read it.

Day Five: Thursday

    

                         Thursday, May 30th, 2013

     Day five of Oklahoma Girls State began with the State Officials leaving bright and early for a trip to the Oklahoma State Capitol, where they were privileged to meet their counterpart in office. Later in the morning,  the newly elected Representatives and Senators met with Representative Joe Dorman and Ben Odom to debate bills that the delegates had prepared prior to Girls State. These bills, if passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, will be sent to the Oklahoma State Capitol for overview and possible introduction.
     While the Congresswomen were meeting to debate bills, the remainder of the delegates had two guest speakers. Representative Lisa Billy spoke first to the girls about rights and responsibilities. Afterwards, Diana Hartley, who is the Program Officer of the Sarkeys Foundation, spoke about how to make a difference.
      Next, many non-profit organizations visited with the delegates. The OU Sam Noble History Museum brought some examples of their pieces in the museum, including a stuffed raccoon. Another organization, New Leash on Life Therapy Dog Program, brought Jack, one of their therapy dogs. It was a great opportunity for the girls to find out how they can get involved in so many different ways within their communities.
     After lunch, the schedule took a slightly different course. Impending severe weather caused the case studies and courts in session to end early, and all of the delegates as well as staff were taken to Bizzell Library to seek shelter. For two and a half hours, the delegates were two floors below the ground coloring, talking, sleeping, but mainly bonding with their cities.
     The weather also caused two of our speakers for the day to be postponed as well as our Inaugural Ceremony. However, after we were given an "all-clear", the delegates and staff walked to the Oklahoma Memorial Union Ballroom to eat the already prepared Inaugural Dinner.With the remainder of the activities for the day cancelled, cities decided to throw get-togethers, in order to bond and enjoy one of their last evenings here at Girls State.
     Unfortunately, tomorrow is our last full day here at Oklahoma Girls State. But we have yet another exciting day, filled with speakers, such as Former Governor George Nigh, Moot Court, and the Girls State Olympics. Enjoy your last day here at Oklahoma Girls State delegates!

Reminder: Be sure to check out our Facebook page (Oklahoma Girls State), Instagram (@OKGirlsState), and our Twitter (@OKGirlsState) for more pictures and such of the delegates throughout the week.

                             Pictures from Thursday:

The Boutwells at The Inaugural Dinner

The delegates at The Inaugural Dinner

Representative Lisa Billy & members of the Staff

The Senate in session

Girls State Governor Sydney Hendricks with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin

Hare City celebrating Virginia Hare's 80th Birthday

OK Girls Stater - Tuesday edition

The Tuesday edition of the 2013 OK Girls Stater is now available.  Click here to read it.

Wednesday May 29, 2013

      Day 4 of Girls State was a very exciting day. First off the Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin, came to speak to the girls. Then we broke out into State Conventions. The convention narrowed down the candidates for state officials. There were such admirable speeches given during that time. Later after lunch, we got to have Q&A time with the candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Then we got to campaign again! Although, the most fun-filled part of the evening for the girls was getting to wear casual clothes and listen to the talent show. Before dinner all the girls voted with their cities to elect the new officers. Then afterwards, we all gathered in the forum to hear some amazing talents. While the Talent Show was taking place, the election results were being tallied. The acts in the Talent Show were truly astounding. Who knew that on top of being smart everyone was so talented; from dancing to singing to juggling, you name it someone can do it! Roughly halfway through the Talent Show, also known as Election Watch, the results were in. Sydney Hendricks was elected to the position of Oklahoma Girls State Governor and Macie Snowden was elected Lieutenant Governor.  Tomorrow, the inauguration of our state officials will be taking place as well as the meetings for the House and Senate. Another exciting day lies ahead.

 

2013 Oklahoma Girls State

B oomer Party Platform

 

The members of the Boomer Party of Oklahoma Girls State 2013 strive to create a smarter, safer, and healthier Oklahoma with the following goals:

 

Create a strong educational environment.

ü  Strengthen common education through reforms

ü  Establish higher standards for teachers with an appropriate accountability system

ü  Provide proper training for substitute instructors, including school safety measures

ü  Increase funding for education to allow for improved teacher pay and other reforms

ü  Make college education more accessible by allowing for adequate state aid for tuition

ü  Make graduation requirements the same across school districts in Oklahoma

 

Prepare our workforce for tomorrow.

ü  Provide greater opportunities for internships and hands-on learning experience

ü  Allow for exploration of career options through career-oriented curriculum

 

Provide a safer state for Oklahomans today and future generations.

ü  Build adequate storm shelters for students and provide safe places for those without shelter

ü  Increase funding for public safety officers and first responders across the state

ü  Penalize texting and driving to protect our roads and its passengers

ü  Encourage preventative measures to curb underage drinking

 

                          

2013 Oklahoma Girls State

Sooner Party Platform

We, the members of the great Sooner Party of Oklahoma Girls State 2013, are committed to leading the Great State of Oklahoma into our second century. We are dedicated to improving the lives of Oklahomans across the state, from our smallest towns to our large cities.  The following is our declaration of priorities and values that will serve as our guide as the Sooner Party focuses on Oklahoma’s future.

 

A More Responsible & Responsive Government for a Stronger State Economy

«  Oklahoma needs a strong economy to thrive.  Make responsible regulation and government activity that seeks good information on issues and government action a priority.

«  Reevaluate the state tax structure, including examining the Income Tax and Property Taxes, to ensure a fair and efficient tax structure for our state.

«  Evaluate the Minimum Wage in Oklahoma, balancing the needs of workers and small businesses.

«  Provide more responsible funding of programs by the Government.

 

A Safe, Healthy Oklahoma for all of our Citizens

«  Focus on the safety of our citizens when building new components of our state infrastructure, such as the consideration of new power lines being placed underground to minimize damage and injury during storms.

«  Reform the healthcare system in Oklahoma, especially for lower income citizens, providing care and accountability.

«  Reform the Foster Care system in Oklahoma, and adequately fund it, to give all children a safe place in which to live.

«  Promote responsible ownership and proper use of guns.

«  Promote responsible care and ownership of animals in our state.

«  Protect the rights of Individuals in Oklahoma.

 

Modern, Quality Education

«  Education is important and the key to our future.  Our state should emphasize a stronger focus on Education.  Working to improve the morale and motivation of students should be a top priority for our schools and state.

«  Ensure “End of Instruction Exam” policies are improved and realistic. 

«  Eliminate “Teaching to the Test” pressures currently harming our classroom instruction.

«  In order to eliminate the feelings of students that current electronic “End of Instruction Exams” are not reliable, restructure the “End of Instruction Exam” procedures to allow tests to be taken on paper rather than on computers.

«  Ensure “End of Instruction Exams” do not cut back on or affect normal class learning time.

«  Oklahoma’s schools are diverse and each area of our state has different concerns and needs.  Government should consider the needs of students and schools in both rural areas and in our cities, particularly in the area of consolidation of schools.

«  Balance Security Issues in our schools.  Keep our students safe, while respecting the student.

«  Fund storm shelters for Oklahoma schools to ensure that all schools and students have adequate storm shelters.

 

OK Girls Stater - Monday Edition

The Monday edition of the 2013 OK Girls Stater is now available.  Click here to read it.

Tuesday, May 28th

Day 3 of Girls State began bright and early with our guest, County Commissioner, Brian Maughn who spoke to the ladies about what he has done in office. After he concluded, the girls headed to their County Conventions where they utilized Robert's Rules of Order and began hearing speeches from various candidates. After County Conventions, Lt Governor Todd Lamb came to speak to the girls about how great Oklahoma is and the need for them to stay here in order for their state to continue to grow. Following Lt Governor Lamb was Distict Conventions. The ladies continued hearing speeches and voting for their favorite candidates. After all votes were cast, Michelle Tilley Johnson, Arnella Karges, Joe Hartmann, and Kate Thompson arrived on campus to advise both the Boomer and Sooner Platform Committees on writing their party platforms. To wrap up this great day at Girls State 2013, Sarah Hummel taught the ladies a class on business etiquette, which will be extremely helpful in the future. Following Hummel was the 2012 Oklahoma Girls Nation Senators, Sophie Gibson and Libby Wuller. They presented a phenomenal slideshow and presentation to the girls about their time spent in DC last year. The girls have been busy campaigning all day and will continue tomorrow!

District Mixers

City Mayors taking their Oath of Office

                   5/27/13

 Day 2 of 2013 Girls State was a very busy day! We started the day off by taking a huge group shot with everyone in it. It was a tight squeeze but it made for a great picture! Next the Girl Staters headed to their City Meetings to elect their City Officials. These elections took place all morning, and they gave the girls a chance to see how voting processes work. After lunch the girls met in their Districts to begin filing for State Offices and the City Officials took their oaths of office given to them by 2012 Oklahoma Girls State Lt. Governor Jade Rodriguez. Also, tonight at Girls State a very special story was told. The Poppy Story, told to the Girls Staters by past Department President Sue Heil. This story always has a humbling effect on our girls as it teaches us that freedom is not truly free. Thank you to all of our Armed Forces! We salute you! Tomorrow at Girls State we will have guest speakers County Commissioner Brian Maughan, Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb, and Tulsa City Council Aid Sarah Hummel. We look forward to some great speeches and hearing some great advice! 

Current Department President Irene Clingenpeel and Past Department President Sue Heil with the Poppy Wreath, that our Girls Staters helped put together.

May 26th, 2013

Girls State Education Staff

 The 71st Session of Girls State began today, and we are so happy to have all of the girls here at the University of Oklahoma! The Girls started their day off with check-ins, getting to know their Cities and learning Girls State songs in the Thurman J. White Forum Building. Girls State first Guest Speaker of the week, Rev. Lori Walke, spoke our Delegates about how as women we can make a difference in our communities and in our nation. The Junior Counselors put on a great Mike Time, showing the Delegates what is and what is not acceptable behavior at Girls State. Thanks for that awesome skit Junior Counselors! At the end of the day, Delegates met with their Cities to nominate their "soon to be" City Officials. Elections will take place tomorrow, and we wish good luck to all the candidates! Tomorrow Representative Emily Virgin will be coming to Girls State to speak our Delegates, also we will have the honor of having Sue Heil to tell our girls "The Poppy Story" in the evening. 

Garman City Meeting 

Rev. Lori Walker 

OK Girls Stater - Sunday edition

The first edition (Sunday) of the 2013 OK Girls Stater is now available.  Click here to read it.