Saturday, May 31, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Thursday, May 29th
Today was a great day at Oklahoma Girls State! Our elected State Officials woke up extra early to go visit their counterparts at the State Capitol. The other ladies stayed back to enjoy a class taught by Representative Lisa Billy on rights and responsibilities and heard Ms. Diane Hartley from the Oklahoma Women's Coalition discuss various ways the girls could get involved and partner with nonprofits in their hometowns.
Next we heard from The Honorable George Nigh, former Oklahoma Governor. He told his famous story of how he got the state song changed to what it is today in his very early years. Nigh also encouraged the ladies. Just because you come from small towns, does not mean you don't have the capabilities of achieving your dreams. Work hard, and you will find yourself in some pretty amazing places. We then were able to watch a flag disposal.This evening we held our annual Girls State Olympics. Team building was the goal as the ladies worked together to win.
We ended the day with the Sojourners, who did a flag building ceremony, describing the history of Old Glory and portraying the various designs she held.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Wednesday, May 28th
Next the delegates headed to state conventions where members from the Boomer and Sooner parties were elected to either represent the party at the state level or continue on to the final run offs. Congrats to all of the ladies who had the courage to step out of their comfort zones and run for these prestigious positions. We are very proud of you!
After speeches were made, the campaigning began! Girls were going all over their state to speak to the young women who they were vying to represent. Signs covered every inch of the dorm walls. The halls were busy and bustling with ladies eager to let their voice be heard. Candidates for Lieutenant Governor and Governor were asked a series of questions in the forum. Our delegates answered these challenging questions with great poise.
This evening we held our annual Girls State talent show as votes were being tallied. It is a great way to ease some nerves and let loose a little to have some fun. We had many great acts this year. Not only are Girls State girls smart, they are very talented, as well!Finally, the moment we have all been waiting for.....election results were announced! Great job to all of the delegates who got elected! Results will be published in The Girls Stater.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Tuesday, May 27th 2014
After the delegates heard from Maughan, they headed to their county conventions. Here they elected several ladies to various positions including: Associate District Judge, Court Clerk, County Clerk, County Sheriff, County Treasurer, County Assessor, Commissioner No. 1, Commissioner No. 2, Commissioner No.3, State Representatives, and State Senators. Results for these elections will be published later this week in The Girls Stater. Congrats to all the ladies who got elected!
Next we welcomed Lt Governor Todd Lamb and his daughter, Lauren Lamb, to Girls State with a big OOOOOOOOklahoma! Lamb elaborated on the uniqueness of our great state and exactly why we are so fortunate to be residents of the best state in the entire world. We discussed the various ways in which our state was inhabited: by the Indigenous Plains Indians, through The Trail of Tears, and seven land runs that brought all types of people with different backgrounds from around the world. Lamb boasted with pride as he talked about Oklahoma. The way he described his love for the state was contagious. He pleaded with the young ladies to stay, they are the best and brightest, after all. Stay in Oklahoma. Go to school here, but if you leave to go to college out of state, hurry back! Oklahoma needs YOU!
This evening we had the honor of hearing from former Girls State Delegate, Girls Nation Senator, and Attorney, Sarah Hummel. Ms. Hummel taught a class on etiquette. She offered practical tips and helpful hints on ways to blow interviewers out of the water. The ladies asked many questions and gained a great amount of knowledge.
Finally we ended the night with a Girls Nation report from the 2013 Senators, Adiba Khan and Blair Kloeppel. They explained in detail exactly what Girls Nation is and all of the exciting activities the Senators get to take part in. Nominees for the 2014 session of Girls Nation will be announced and interviewed on Thursday. Good luck to the ladies who will be chosen. We are all anxious to see who will be representing us this year!
Monday, May 26, 2014
Monday, May 26th 2014
Day 2 of Oklahoma Girls State began with our group picture. As director Betty McElderry would say, the ladies moved “brightly, quietly, and spritely”, which made directing 440 ladies quite easy. Next the girls went on to city elections. These positions include: mayor, council members, city manager, city judge, city attorney, city clerk, city treasurer, police chief, fire chief, planning and zoning commissioner, street commissioner, emergency management director, and city reporter. Results from these elections can be found in the Monday edition of The Girls Stater, Oklahoma Girls State’s phenomenal newspaper!
After lunch, the girls moved on to filing for district and state offices and attended their district’s party mixers. Here, for the first time, candidates from both the Boomer and Sooner parties introduced themselves and gave speeches. Bravo to the young women who are stepping out of their comfort zones and running for these prestigious positions! After all of the competitors had a chance to speak, the fun began. Each of the parties came up with party chants and cheers to enhance the spirit of the group. Following the mixers, delegates who were elected as city officials took the oath of office led by former Oklahoma Girls State Lt. Governor, Macie Snowden.
Next Representative Emily Virgin paid a visit to our state. She is a true inspiration. Emily was first elected to office at the age of 23. She encouraged the ladies not to be held back because they are young and spoke of the various ways women bring different characteristics to politics than men. Emily bashed the stereotype that men can do politics better than women. Women, and young women at that, are just as smart, just as qualified, and just as motivated as the men around them who dominate the field. She rallied the girls together and told them to dream big, and one day soon they, too, very well might find themselves in the same position she currently holds today.
We wrapped this Memorial Day up with our annual Poppy Ceremony. Senior Counselor, Emily Thompson, began with her own story. She told the girls what it is like to face adversity and powerful ways to overcome it with poise and grace. Not only is she a military officer herself, she is married to a man in the armed forces who was deployed four short months after their wedding. Emily knows firsthand what true sacrifice and dedication to one’s country means. We are so grateful and blessed to have her on our staff. To conclude the ceremony, past department president, Cindy Hamilton, read to the ladies the story behind the poppy. The girls were then able to each take a poppy and place it on a wreath, symbolizing their appreciation for the men and women who laid down their lives for our country.
From all of the staff and young women here at Oklahoma Girls State, we want to give a HUGE thank you to both our veterans and active men and women across the nation. We truly appreciate all that you do!
Next Representative Emily Virgin paid a visit to our state. She is a true inspiration. Emily was first elected to office at the age of 23. She encouraged the ladies not to be held back because they are young and spoke of the various ways women bring different characteristics to politics than men. Emily bashed the stereotype that men can do politics better than women. Women, and young women at that, are just as smart, just as qualified, and just as motivated as the men around them who dominate the field. She rallied the girls together and told them to dream big, and one day soon they, too, very well might find themselves in the same position she currently holds today.
We wrapped this Memorial Day up with our annual Poppy Ceremony. Senior Counselor, Emily Thompson, began with her own story. She told the girls what it is like to face adversity and powerful ways to overcome it with poise and grace. Not only is she a military officer herself, she is married to a man in the armed forces who was deployed four short months after their wedding. Emily knows firsthand what true sacrifice and dedication to one’s country means. We are so grateful and blessed to have her on our staff. To conclude the ceremony, past department president, Cindy Hamilton, read to the ladies the story behind the poppy. The girls were then able to each take a poppy and place it on a wreath, symbolizing their appreciation for the men and women who laid down their lives for our country.
From all of the staff and young women here at Oklahoma Girls State, we want to give a HUGE thank you to both our veterans and active men and women across the nation. We truly appreciate all that you do!
Sunday, May25th 2014
Today marked the beginning of the 72nd session of Oklahoma Girls State! We are thrilled to have 440 of Oklahoma's best and brightest young ladies here at the University of Oklahoma with us this week. The girls began checking in at noon. As they headed up the stairs they were met by eager counselors who are so excited to be able to spend this week mentoring and making memories. Friendships that will last a lifetime have already began to take shape.
The remainder of the evening was spent learning lots of fun songs and playing games to get to know one another. We welcomed both our department president, Mrs. Debra Densmore, as well as our first keynote speaker, Rev. Lori Walke. These gracious women spoke of ways to get involved and encouraged the girls to push pass labels in order to accomplish great things.
Tomorrow we look forward to hearing from Representative Emily Virgin, the Poppy Story, and our first elections!
Sunday, May 25, 2014
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