Seeing dots and stars: citizens participate in mixed floor discussions

Girls State citizens are encouraged to meet new people from all over Nebraska. Wednesday, the delegates did just that. Every citizen had a specific marking on their name tag, a star or a dot,  which indicated the floor they were to go to. Each floor was comprised of delegates from different floors who normally did not interact with each other.

Each group discussed topics pertaining to local, state, national and international issues. Some discussions became heated and turned in to debates. Specific topics were illegal immigration, women in male dominated jobs, patriotism in schools and United States involvement in foreign affairs. These discussions offered the opinions of delegates from different parts of the state. Citizens were able to branch out and make new friends as well.

The counselors encouraged discussion within these special meetings by inputting their opinions. Citizens of Girls State were able to see opinions from the more experienced women who were running the seminar smoothly. The counselors acted as mediators during the discussions to make sure conversation did not stray far from the topic.

These discussions stimulated the delegates to expand their horizons and meet new people from across the state. Citizens walked away from these discussions with a new perspective and new friends.
 

by Arria Lakha, Tessa Boukal and Jasmine Phander