Story by Kelsey Sternad
Delegates at Girls State are both divided and united in several ways. Fictional political parties split the citizens in two through friendly competition, while eight separate cities provide citizens with a community environment where delegates can boast to one another with pride. Another division at Girls State is between the two counties: Jefford, which includes floors two through five, and Skillman, comprised of floors six through nine. Skillman County contains four cities. Tyler occupies the sixth floor, Polk the seventh, Taylor the eighth and Fillmore the ninth.
The environment between the four cities under Skillman County is described by citizens as relaxed and friendly. According to Olivia Bures, a resident of Taylor, the relationship between her city and the surrounding cities is a strong one.
"We had a dance party with some girls from the ninth floor the other night, it was pretty fun," Bures said.
Each individual floor also contains a small, tightknit community. Taylor Kool, a resident of the ninth floor which holds the city of Fillmore, said that, "We're like a family, it's great. I love our floor." Kool also noted that at the beginning of the week everyone was quiet and reserved, but now they are all comfortable with one another.
Skillman County also has many of its own elected representatives. Some positions include County Treasurer, a role fulfilled by Jacqueline Perriot, a citizen of Polk, and County Attorney, a spot received by Emily Cumming, a citizen of Tyler. The Skillman County Board of Regents is made up of Holly Berkey, Mercedes Isaacson, Caitlyn Moore and Nicole Placek. The first two board members are citizens of Tyler and Taylor respectively, while Moore and Placek are both from the city of Fillmore.
Skillman County is made up of four distinct cities and includes over 200 unique citizens, but it has thrived as an enjoyable community environment because of the passion for Girls State that they all share.
No comments:
Post a Comment