Case of the Mondays

The citizens of Cornhusker Girls State 2016 awoke early this morning to tackle their first full day of activities. They didn't waste any time getting to work and began city elections at 8:00 this morning. Candidates and citizens alike received ballots, voted and were left to anxiously await the results given at the afternoon assembly.  In the meantime, those running for state and county positions filed for office with the help of several American Legion Auxiliary members.

After everyone had successfully filed for office, the citizens of Pierce, Lincoln, Grant and Garfield hiked to the Nebraska State Capitol Building while the citizens of Buchanan, Johnson, Hayes and Arthur returned to their floors to take the annual current events quiz. This is the first year in which delegates have been able to visit the capitol for tours. Once there, they received an exclusive historical tour of the building and were able to freely visit the rotunda and observation deck to see the view from the tallest building in Lincoln. After the tours, the groups switched places and the citizens who were at the capitol were given an opportunity to take the quiz. The current events quiz consists of questions pulled from local news stations as well as several newspapers.

Lunchtime was anticipated by many CGS citizens after working up an appetite all morning and was a great mental break to continue meeting new people and campaigning. Before long, the delegates were at it again with our short afternoon assembly. The citizens of Pierce provided our opening and closing ceremonies which sandwiched our city election results. The elected officials beamed as their names were announced to the entire girls state! Following closing ceremonies, the citizens split into Nationalists and Federalists to attend their party conventions. The 2015 CGS representatives to Girls Nation Kamryn Sannicks and Kelsey Thomas led the meetings and helped facilitate discussion throughout. During party conventions, delegates elected party officers, voted on party platforms and drew artwork to represent the party.

Citizens spent another afternoon in their activities making music, going on scavenger hunts or writing newspaper articles before eating dinner. Anticipation was high in the air during this time as the delegates awaited their first joint session with Cornhusker Boys State! Dr. JoAnne Owens-Nauslar spoke for her fifth consecutive year for CGS and 21st consecutive year for CBS. She packed a punch of enthusiasm, information and her own personal charm as she led an interactive presentation with all the citizens. Dr. Jo received multiple standing ovations!

To end the evening, county and state candidates for office donned their best campaign tactics and, in some cases, costumes to convince others to give them a vote. The last event on the docket was town meetings led by the elected mayors on each floor. Mayors led open discussion with their fellow citizens, helped find a solution and voted on a town issue.  Even with a very busy day today, there is an equally thrilling day that awaits Girls State tomorrow!

City election results 2016

2016                         2 - CITY OF PIERCE       CITY ELECTION RESULTS MAYOR:

Georgia Chambers

CITY COUNCIL:

Ashtyn Decker

Haley Farr

Courtney Philips

Ciera Shaw

Ana-Alicia Stobbe

SCHOOL BOARD:

Olivia Heard

Sydney A. Lukasiewicz

Rebecca Meusch

Madison Mills

SENATOR:

Darienne Saint Blair

Regan Dierks

Jasmyn Gravitt

Briella Jones

Ragan Pohlmann

Ashley Sweet 2016                         3 - CITY OF BUCHANAN       CITY ELECTION RESULTS MAYOR: Hannah Plasencio   CITY COUNCIL: Logan Connot Emily Doremus Kaitlyn Gamble Kassidy Grosserode Kinzly Macke   SCHOOL BOARD: Skylar Halstead Morgan Harmon Josie Nolte Maria Ockinga   SENATOR: Mikayla Brady Makayla Brockhaus Brook Doke Kristin Meybrunn Shelby Rickett Haylee Sheffield 2016                         4 - CITY OF LINCOLN       CITY ELECTION RESULTS MAYOR: Hannah Donahue   CITY COUNCIL: Rileigh Heller Morgan Leefers Amberly Parker Vanessa Taylor Mackenna Walla   SCHOOL BOARD: Shelby Behnk Mickayla Blender Ashley Guenther Morganne Randles   SENATOR: Casey Frerichs Taylor Goedert Alexandra Larson Savannah Nelson Ashley Turner Alyssa Young 2016                         5 - CITY OF JOHNSON       CITY ELECTION RESULTS MAYOR: Gaby Montanez   CITY COUNCIL: Jordyn Childears Hannah DeStefano Kathy Fuller Amanda Jaixen Courtney Sandell   SCHOOL BOARD: Catherine Applegate Madison McCoy Cassidy Meysenburg Journey Reeves   SENATOR: Jenna Beller Kassidy Goertz Megan Henderson Maisie Kennicutt Sarah Stang Jenna Tederman 2016                         6 - CITY OF GRANT       CITY ELECTION RESULTS MAYOR: Kylie Turner   CITY COUNCIL: Whitney Gappa Bailey Gocke Lauren Steffen Madison Suckstorf Baylee Thiel   SCHOOL BOARD: Riley Boyd Kimberly Brown Mackenzi Edwards Miranda Raymond   SENATOR: Carson Cameron Megan Dormann Karmen Hake Erica Pokorney Brianna Sage Kendra Wollenburg 2016                         7 - CITY OF HAYES       CITY ELECTION RESULTS MAYOR: Makenzie Petersen   CITY COUNCIL: Victoria Gaona Sydney Hall Maggie Morris Elizabeth Selting McKenzie Stefka   SCHOOL BOARD: Katlin Bodlak Riley Nitsch Leslie Sommerhalder Caty Weber   SENATOR: Alyssa Bennett Molly Dane Sydney Havengar Morgan Lowery Kathleen Medill Alyssa Rood 2016                         8 - CITY OF GARFIELD       CITY ELECTION RESULTS MAYOR: Emma Good   CITY COUNCIL: Abigail Borgman Harlee Fischer Allison Hinrichs Hannah Keedy Evin Miller   SCHOOL BOARD: Katie Ellard Hope Hoyer Sidney Svehla McKenzie Wragge   SENATOR: Aly Bangert Ashley Benorden Shelby Essman Morgann Pospisil Shelby Roschewski Lauren Shackelford 2016                         9 - CITY OF ARTHUR       CITY ELECTION RESULTS MAYOR: Aubrey Grasz   CITY COUNCIL: Sarah Barfknecht Taylor Berner Abbie Ellermeier Alyssa Ludwig Joslyn Sharpe   SCHOOL BOARD: Ashley Briggs Ashley Colwell Katie Kleine Shelby Richards   SENATOR: Delia Burger Kelsey Cargill Ann Hunhoff Valerie Keim Rachel Mertz Hunter Pruess Sydney Tlustos

CITY ELECTION RESULTS

Election results are in order of floors two through nine.

FLOOR 2 - CITY OF Adams

MAYOR: Malinda Foster

CITY COUNCIL:

Bayley Holloway

Ana Meyerle

Alyssa Moreno

Lindsay Range

Murphy Sears

SCHOOL BOARD:

Abriana Campos

Hanna Cronk

Haley Hansmeier

Olivia Weiseler

SENATOR:

Ashley Anderson

Heather Bentley

Abbie Fahleson

Brayton Kahrs

Southern Timm

Shaelyn Voss FLOOR 3 - CITY OF Jackson MAYOR: Cheyenne Gerlach CITY COUNCIL: Kensie Burnside Natalie Dixon Madison Klingenberg Jenna Oberhauser Mirandah Schaben SCHOOL BOARD: Christina Berger Tessa Fox Kaitlyn Polk Tayma Sebek SENATOR: Kelsey Phillips Haley Pierce Adi Laisa S. Ratumaimuri Sophie Tonjes Eve Vanderneck Josie Weise FLOOR 4 - CITY OF Van Buren  MAYOR:Samantha Young CITY COUNCIL: Cameron Dixon Sara Gingerich Natalie Kreifels Brenna Schulte Noelle White SCHOOL BOARD:  Lauren Allen Natalie Cruise Sophie Gruwell Megan Jelden SENATOR:  Giselle Bergmeier Candice Brockhoff Casey DeBusk Rhiley Fiene Kincaid McMaster Alicia Pierce FLOOR 5 - CITY OF Harrison MAYOR: Tara Taylor CITY COUNCIL: Logan Cuba Emily Bergstrom Hayley Bogue Haley Huebert Whitney Walker Moore SCHOOL BOARD: Bryclin Alstrom Moriah Calfee Taylor Jensby Sidney Wood SENATOR: Fiona Lindsey Noemi Marin Cameo Rector Brandie Ross McKenna Schardt Claire Vanness FLOOR 6 - CITY OF Tyler MAYOR: Madison Schlachter CITY COUNCIL: Meredith Batten Abby Drieling Connie Livingston Haley E. Menke Madeline Roth SCHOOL BOARD: Hiliary Huss Emily Kemling Abbey Miller Tessa Triplette SENATOR: Allison Connor Molly Lambert Morgan Parr Sierra M. Rediger Haley Ringenberg Jenna Zeleny FLOOR 7 - CITY OF Polk MAYOR: Brooke Massa CITY COUNCIL: Eryn Husband Colleen Mentel Shelby Sullivan Reagan Uhlmann Grace Ward SCHOOL BOARD: Payton DeMers-Sahling Mercedes Hemmingsen Richelle Schmidt Amanda Scott SENATOR: Marissa Campbell Sidney Due Sheyenne Kiesel Katie L. Petersen Mary Ruda Claire Theisen FLOOR 8 - CITY OF Taylor MAYOR: Shelby Utech CITY COUNCIL: Jensyn Myers Jordan Osborn Katie Reed Veronica Sanchez Valyn Sterns SCHOOL BOARD: Jessica Deterding Ericka Junker Camille Koehn Kaela Myer SENATOR: Mariah Hintz Madison Parshall Amanda Pischel Jessica Roberts Chandra Smith Samantha Surber FLOOR 9 - CITY OF Fillmore MAYOR: Katelyn Cronin CITY COUNCIL: Shania Bozzetto Brooke L. Eddy Caitlen Evans Mikaela J. Hansen Kailin Nielsen SCHOOL BOARD: Courtney Anderson Makayla Damme Peyton Irish Taylor Parsons SENATOR: Kaylee Burke Grace Ford Taylor Kool Brook McCurdy Sophie Niemeier Allie Snow Tessa Stevens

Strong majority: floor two profile

 The city of Reagan has been in full swing since the new citizens of 2014 Cornhusker Girls State arrived. Monday floor two citizens were faced with their first town problem. The challenge Reagan faced together as a town dealt with the run-down, historic courthouse in Valentine and making it handicap accessible. Many ideas were tossed around and discussed among the group and by working together delegates found the best solution for Valentine's needs. 

 

            Tuesday in the Union ballroom, results were announced for county, non-partisan and state primary election. Citizens of Reagan were in full force, representing Brown-Park County. Thirteen delegates proudly represented floor two in county, non-partisan and state positions in the general election. Nine of those 13 girls won the general election Wednesday and proudly took their positions in state and county government. 

Sadie Vargas, a resident of Reagan, said, “Honestly I wasn’t surprised because we have great and outgoing girls on our floor with a huge support system behind them.” 

By: Claire Moore

Citizens who are heard: fourth floor profile

Many floors have been silent until they interacted with one another, like talking to their roommate or at their first town meeting. Floor Four of Clinton had no trouble at all. If one roommate arrived without the other the first would wait for them and greet them with big smiles. Delegates congregated in the lobby after everyone had unpacked. It started out with simple questions such as 'What’s your name?', 'Where are you from?' and 'What room are you?' These may seem like simple questions, but it did not stop there. Conversations delved into each others lives immediately. Citizens learned about all the members on their floor. Clinton is just one big, happy family and love to be heard cheering and laughing--whether or not the time is right.

The first round of whistle stop campaigns was a success on fourth floor. All city office candidates went door-to-door to state why they should be elected to the office of their choice. The citizens asked many questions and were ready and poised on their beds, waiting for the candidates. A frequently asked question was “What will you do for our community?”. Many of the delegates were indecisive, but after given time to think many said that they would offer help to their all unfortunate citizens and community improvements such as beautifying and community service. 

The citizens also used may different strategies when campaigning. Faith Johnson had a different look on her campaign strategies; she was on the run and stopped by each citizen’s room at least three times. Julie Schinder used the strategy of constant reminders. She put all kinds of reminders around the floor, from sticking signs on all the doors to putting large signs on walls surrounded by tiny signs with her name plastered all over them. Faith Johnson won the Mayor position and Julie Schinder won a spot on the city council.

Floor Four are the citizens to be heard. The delegates who ran for city offices were very well prepared,  even though they were short on time.

By: Sydney Boden

New mayor of Jefferson mediates problems

It was initially about ‘getting to know the girls’ for recently elected Jefferson mayor Ria Pedersen. Pedersen knew before arriving on the seventh floor town she would not pursue a position at the county or state level.

“I knew that I wanted to stay on the city level so that way I could get to know the girls a lot better on a personal level,” Pedersen said.

Pedersen’s reasoning was only exemplified in the way she campaigned. Instead of throwing candy in other citizens’ faces she had one-on-one talks, explained why she was running and made sure she answered any questions to make a good impression and then “go from there.”

“[I told them]…‘this is me—this is what I’m running for,’” she said.

Although, her hope to know her fellow citizens was a justifiable reason to apply for mayor everything was not smooth sailing. Two other girls applied for the position as well so the competition among the girls could have been anyone’s win for the taking.

Despite this, Pedersen kept her confidence level up.  She remembered she was involved in numerous activities at her high school which required leadership roles. Pedersen knew she could run meetings and was comfortable in doing the campaign.

“I’ve always been a bubbly, outgoing type of person,” said Pedersen. The difference to her, however, did come with how fast the process moved.

“It was—get on the floor, decide what to do, decide what you want to do. It was fast and furious, but at the same time really fun.”

After winning the campaign, Pedersen had to deal with the first issue for the city the night after being appointed.

For the exercise, a pond was filling with sediment and multiple solutions were presented. To resolve the problem Pedersen amended one of the proposed solutions.

“I thought it went pretty well,” said Pedersen. “It was a new experience for all of us.”

For the future, Pedersen talked about continuing to solve problems in an effective way and mediate between people.

More importantly Pedersen learned to use Parliamentary procedure to run meetings and to ‘get out there’ from the election

The campaign’s impact has reached beyond Cornhusker Girls State and influenced Pedersen to pursue politics.

“I’m still intimidated by big things,” she said laughing. But she said she could definitely see herself running for something like school board or county commissioner.   

Story by Jordan Young

And the winners are: City election results

Complete listing of all the titles and title holders voted in for city offices Monday, June 2, 2014.

City of Reagan

MAYOR: Raelyn Haubensak

CITY COUNCIL: Natalie Brodersen, Bailey Craig, Emily Locke, Lydia Nokels, Sara Trojan

SCHOOL BOARD: Madisyn Ayres, Mckenz Gorecki, Hannah King, Laura Peters

SENATORS: Jordan Burgener, Pamela Felix, Blair Hofstetter, Allison Johnson, Taylor Mclaughlin, Maekayla Ward

City of Bush

MAYOR: Isabel Safarik

CITY COUNCIL: Brenna Backemeyer, Hanna Hake, Samantha Husband, Kjia A. Meduna. Sheridan Wellnitz

SCHOOL BOARD: Madi Casper, Meri Hietbrink, Rebecca Still, Abby Walter

SENATORS: Madisen Clevenger, Jessica Moss, Kristin Rice, Naomi K. Schaub, Kaitlyn Stuhr, Nyla Witzel

City of Clinton

MAYOR: Faith Johnson

CITY COUNCIL: Jana Finke, Kennedy Garner, Shelby Hinrichs, Abbie Sanders, Julie Schindler

SCHOOL BOARD: Cassidy Chapman, Sadie Petersen, Lindsey Trotter, Emily Wells

SENATORS: Payton Baier, Justine Bauer, Rebekah Birch, Caylynn Cruse, Makaela Franzen, Jenna Widick

City of Washington

MAYOR: Molly Schiermeyer

CITY COUNCIL: Anna Hubbard, Hannah Price, Jordan Reeves, Jacklyn Sonnenfeld, Jerrica Tietz

SCHOOL BOARD: Lauren Bengston, Ashley Shaffer, Peyton Skiles, Abby Werkmeister

SENATORS: Madison Fitzgibbons, Christina Hamling, Reilly Jankins, Bekah Turnbull, Lindsay Weber, Michelle Xiao

City of Adams

MAYOR: Lauren Sprinkle

CITY COUNCIL: Rachael Cole, Amelia Hunt, Jenna Podany, Channah Schager, Hayley Wagner

SCHOOL BOARD: Ktherine Baker, Brittany Hanzlik, Jessa Johnston, Nicole Yablonski

SENATORS: Megan Canfield, Samantha Due, Baliey Graff, Jaysa Hoins, Whitney Ronso, Melanie Slama

City of Jefferson

MAYOR: Ria Pedersen

CITY COUNCIL: Sydney Dunn. Michaela Flick, Emily B. Houtby, Coutney Schellpeper, Rebecca Williams

SCHOOL BOARD: Sarah Book, Jennifer Knopik, Letishia Lindhorst, Mariah Miller

SENATORS: Kelsy Gansebom, Jenna Purdy, Ascha Schumm, Jessica Shonka, Kaitlin Strong, Brooklyn Westenburg

City of Madison

MAYOR: Baylee Barcel

CITY COUNCIL: Anna Flairty, Rebekah Hutchinson, Hannah Shimmel, Cassidy Walla, Tasha Ward

SCHOOL BOARD: Brianna Barker, Macenzie Christensen, Madison Johnson, Ashton Lindsay

SENATORS: Taylor Guest, Kendra Hoffert, Citlali Pena, Shantelle Roy, Mikayala Scafer, Cacey Vavra

City of Monroe

MAYOR: Madison Schlake

CITY COUNCIL: Sydney Glatter, Elsie Hermsmeier, Emma Loberg, Ashley Starr, Emilie Wilson

SCHOOL BOARD: Mackenzie Gydesen, Halee Keller, Malinda Short, Nicki Stolzer

SENATORS: Larissa Attema, Nicole Beed, Elisabeth Cope. Katie Ruth, Rachel Shackelford, Lauren White, Morgan Zabel