Floor Eight is Great

Story by Kenna Gottschalk 

“Exciting, friendly, and outgoing.” These were words used by City Council Member Shanna Utecht and Floor Secretary Josie Ference to describe floor eight.  

Ference said she feels as if the girls are all one, and she is so thankful that the girls on floor eight get along so well. She also said that she has already created long-lasting memories with her new best friends. 

Paytra TeBrink is thankful for her counselors, because she said they gave her a newfound passion for government. TeBrink also said that the topics discussed throughout Girls State have become more interesting because she learned by interacting with other girls on floor eight. 

Utecht proudly said, “The fact that we all bonded so quickly and so easily helps set us aside from the other floors.”  Utecht also said that her favorite part of Girls State so far has been becoming so close with the girls on her floor so soon.

The girls of floor eight didn’t only bond with their floormates but their counselors as well.  Ference said that her experience at Girls State was impacted by her counselors because they inspired her to be more outgoing and to participate in more government-related activities. 

Ference said she couldn’t help but smile during the first town meeting, because she was overwhelmed with happiness seeing every girl on floor eight work together. She said, “It was amazing that after only such a short time of knowing each other, we were able to come together to help solve an issue.” 

Junior Counselor Kirsten Wagner said that her favorite part of being a floor eight counselor was being able to watch girls make long lasting friendships. She also said that her goal as a counselor was to inspire girls to experience all the opportunities at Girls State and make the best of it. 

Middle Counselor Kelsey Gretch said that she has been proud of the fact that the girls on floor eight know when to focus and be respectful, but also are able to enjoy each other. Gretch described Floor Eight as energetic, silly, and passionate. Overall, floor eight is great.