First Impressions Proved To Be Wrong

When I filled out my application to attend Girls State earlier this spring, I had no clue what it was I was applying for.

I just knew that at my former high school in California, only one girl was picked out of the entire junior class, so it had to be a big honor.

I met with a board of women from the American Legion Auxiliary. The interview went well, and I was one of the three juniors selected to represent Timberlake High School.

I was given about two months to prepare. We were going there to campaign and run for offices, and I was supposed to learn something called parliamentary procedure. We were given a book telling us about this concept, but this was the type of material that could put any normal person to sleep.

When it was time to leave for Nampa, the two other girls had done nothing to prepare.

After a long and difficult bus ride, we arrived late. My “city meeting” already had started. I walked into the room in my sweat pants with my hair in complete disarray after being on a bus for 12 hours. I rushed to my room and changed into a dress, mandatory, and joined my meeting.

I had no clue that I would be up until midnight. I had horrible back pains from the bus ride, during which I did not sleep.

So far, I hated Girls State. I could tell it was going to be a long week. To keep myself going, I drank coffee at each meal. I had no idea that all I would be doing is sitting in meetings all day long.

During the week, people ran for offices on various levels. For example, I ran for City Council and lost. There also were district and state positions. We formed two different parties and there were offices for each party. Toward the end of the week, we were broken up into the House of Representatives and the Senate.

At first I thought the campaigning thing was great. It was neat to compete and run for something. I quickly became discouraged when I did not win because my opponent had a better song or talent than my well-written speech discussing why I would be good for that position.

I probably ran for more offices than most girls there. I finally got elected to the Minority Party Assistant Leader for the House of Representatives. I didn’t feel it was much of an honor - until I got to know a little more about the position.

When the House and Senate convened, we debated and passed bills that some of the girls wrote themselves. I found out that my position was rather important. I was given final debate for each bill, where I had the opportunity to persuade the other girls toward my opinion on the bill. This situation was especially neat when we got to go to the Capitol building.

The Girls State House and Senate actually got the chance to convene in the real Idaho state House and Senate chambers. This was an awesome experience. We got to sit in the chairs where the real legislators were debating and making decisions.

I figured out that the only way I was going to enjoy the week was by keeping a positive attitude and by participating.

So, I did everything I could to participate and the week overall turned out to be a great experience. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot of new things.

Girls State did not turn out to be as bad as it started. I got the opportunity to do something that very few other girls in the state get to do.

I also learned why it is so important to be patriotic. At Girls State, the leaders and members in the American Legion Auxiliary pay the utmost respect to the flag.

At first, I did not understand why this was, but through the week I gained a better knowledge of the significance of that red, white and blue piece of cloth.

I realize, now, how meaningful that flag is to so many American soldiers and veterans and now I will always give it all of my respect and adoration.