Kamryn Sannicks wins Governor election

By: Samantha O'Neal

The ballots for Girls State Governor were turned in on Wednesday, June 3rd. All eight floors participated in the general election which included county and the remaining state offices. The candidates for the position of Governor were Kamryn Sannicks and Macie Clawson.  The delegates chose which candidate to vote for after the Gubernatorial debate and the rapid fire whistle stop campaigns earlier in the morning.

At 1:00 p.m. in the Union Ballroom on Wednesday, the winner of the election was announced. The Federalist party candidate, Sannicks won the election. Sannicks is from floor nine, the city of Fillmore. She could be seen lifting both of her hands up in celebration as the rest of the delegates cheered her on. Sannicks even had a standing ovation.

At 2:00 p.m. in the Rotunda at the state capitol building on Thursday, Sannicks was officially sworn in as the Governor of Girls State. The ceremony was performed in front of the four hundred delegates of Cornhusker Girls State. Sannicks gave her inaugural address after being sworn in.  She congratulated the citizens that won their elections; Sannicks stated that it would be an honor to work alongside them. She also thanked the capital for allowing the inaugural ceremony to take place within the Rotunda. As the Governor, Sannicks announced that she would do to her utmost ability to represent Girls State well.

Sannicks was born in Las Vegas and moved to Nebraska when she was three. She came to Lincoln at the age of five. Sannicks is the oldest of four children. She is on the golf team, debate team, National Honors Society and the head editor of her school newspaper. In her community she holds leadership positions in the Nebraska Young Democrats and Lincoln Northstar Young Democrats chapter.

Sannicks had a personal hand in politics before running for Governor.  Sannicks worked on campaigns within her community. Her interest came from her family members who were very involved in politics.  She either “voted” for her own parents, or she worked on various campaigns with them which gave her the start she needed to work within her community.  Sannicks has the makings of a great leader, and she is an inspiration to other Girls State delegates.

And the winner is...

Wednesday has come and gone in a flash, and it is difficult to believe that the citizens are getting closer and closer to graduation day. The looks on the citizens' faces and their contagious laughter are always present, and the knowledge theses citizens are gathering is helping them to become better real-world citizens.

Wednesday began with the final whistle stop campaign. Winners of the county and state primary elections filled the floors of Mari Sandoz Hall once more to compete for their fellow citizens' votes. Throughout the week, delegates have been costuming, carrying large posters and shouting slogans to make their mark on the Cornhusker Girls State voters.

Once whistle stops were complete, those delegates who won the primary election for a state office prepared for the rapid fire whistle stop campaign. Each state office candidate was paired with a staff member who escorted her to each floor. While each individual candidate was on the floor, the citizens that resided there had three minutes to ask that candidate any question. Questions included, "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" and "What can you do to help small-town farming communities?" The candidates took the questions with grace and poise and thought very carefully on how they responded to the citizens of CGS. After the last candidate had left their floor the citizens casted their vote for the ones who impressed them the most.

After the close of all things elections, the citizens were split up into different discussion groups. These groups were assigned randomly and each group met on a specific floor. The counselors on the floors led the group discussion by asking delegates the questions that were provided to them. On floor nine, the delegates who gathered exchanged views on the VA health system, Memorial Day and family members in the military. This activity gave citizens the chance to explore further and think broader about their experience at Girls State. Delegates were able to apply what they have learned so far throughout the week and even talked about what they have taken from CGS thus far.

Following lunch the citizens trudged their way back to the union for afternoon session. The first item of business was a presentation by Anne Greff and Sarah Smith, the 2014 Girls Nation Senators from Nebraska. Each discussed their favorite part of attending Girls Nation and gave a detailed summary of the events that took place at the session held last July in Washington D.C. Both Greff and Smith explained to the citizens that the benefits of attending Girls Nation are innumerable, and they both took away many attributes from the experience. Then all current CGS citizens who were interested in applying for Girls Nation came to the front of the ballroom and announced their name and floor. Next they had their picture taken which is currently on display on all floors in order to prepare for the upcoming vote for Nebraska's Senators.

The Girls Nation candidates quickly rushed back to prepare for the most anticipated announcement of the week: election results. The citizens sat on pins and needles anxiously awaiting what name would be called next. For every office called the Nebraska Union Ballroom exploded with cheers and excitement. All the delegates jumped to their feet as Kamryn Sannicks, citizen of Fillmore, was announced as the 2015 CGS Governor.

Afternoon session continued on as the senators from each floor worked with Vicki Buck to write bills that they hope to pass tomorrow at the Nebraska State Capitol. Prior to the start of afternoon activities, the citizens had quite a large amount of time to burn. CGS staff and delegates used their creativity and began a Girls State-wide game of movie charades. Floors came together to act out scenes from their favorite movies which included "Pitch Perfect" and "Finding Nemo".

Evening session was a joyous time as the citizens were reunited with Cornhusker Boys State. Both met at Kimball Hall for the address by the Honorable Pete Rickets, Governor of the State of Nebraska. After speaking with the delegates Gov. Rickets opened the floor to answer questions from the citizens. The evening continued with performances by the Girls and Boys State band and choir. However, there was an additional performance no citizen saw coming. As the doors of the Kimball Hall auditorium opened, the CBS counselors strutted down the aisle decked in sunglasses. As the counselors took the stage they began to hum that oh-so familiar tune any "Top Gun" fan would know. The counselors began to serenade the citizens of Girls State with "You've Lost that Lovin' feeling" complete with dance moves. (To think that the Girls State citizens thought their excitement had peaked when they walked into the auditorium that night.) One special Girls State citizen was even pulled up on stage to sit on a Boys State counselor's knee during the song.

Before the citizens left Kimball hall, they first had to travel through the tunnel of high-fives formed by the Boys State counselors. As they shouted, "Girls! Girls! Girls! Girls!" all the citizens, and even some staff members, made their way through the line high-fiving each counselor. (Girls State Gazette is happy to report that no Girl State citizen fainted at the conclusion of the high-five tunnel.) When the delegates returned to Sandoz it was then up to their floors for nightly town meetings.

Visit the Girls State Gazette Online tomorrow for coverage of the Innaguartion, Nebraska State Capitol and visit to the National Guard Base.

Floor nine counselor profiles

Story by Tessa Stevens

Nicole Forbes

As delegates first arrived at the city of Fillmore, they were greeted with a cheerful smile by Middle Counselor Nicole Forbes.  Nicole choose to become a counselor to continue the legacy of great counselors since she had when she came to Girls State. She confessed to being super excited when she was accepted as a counselor and had so much fun the first time that she came back for a second year.  

Forbes attended Girls State in 2013.  While at Girls State, she was elected Mayor of her floor.  At Girls State that year, all of the Mayors participated in scavenger hunts on their floors where they had to find crazy stuff such as a pink shirt or a boa.  The best part was the Mayors had to wear all of it, then they met downstairs where there was a vote on the best dressed Mayor.  Additionally, her floor did not have many of the clothing items, so they made them out of paper, including purple paper pants that Forbes had to wear.

Out of all the cereals, Forbes felt she would probably be Lucky Charms. She said that she sometimes feels average, but then she “has a marshmallow day”, where something special or fun randomly happens. Furthermore, if she could choose any animal species to be able to talk to, she would choose ducks. She says she is obsessed with ducks and thinks they are cute. Forbes even has a collection of about 30 stuffed ducks.  In fact, for one of her Senior pictures she was photographed lying in a big pile of ducks.

Forbes is currently a rising junior at UNL. Prior to attending UNL, she attended Southern Valley High School, a combined high school, and lived in Beaver City.  Forbes chose to attend UNL after being able to test drive the dorms and dining hall during Girls State. After graduating from UNL, she plans on receiving a Speech Pathology degree. Since that degree requires two years of graduate school, she currently plans on attending the University of Nebraska at Kearney for graduate school.UNK is closer to Forbes’ home and will increase her chances of receiving a job closer to home.  Forbes plans on remaining in Nebraska and being a Speech Pathologist/Therapist in Nebraska schools.  Lastly, Forbes’ favorite quote is, “live life to the fullest!”   

Sarah Ann Prewett

Counselor Sarah Ann Prewett is no rookie to serving as a counselor. Prewett is currently the Senior Counselor for Fillmore and is serving in her fourth year as a counselor. She is the ideal candidate to serve as a counselor and surrogate mother to the delegates. Ironically enough, Prewett actually is a mother to a one-year-old son named Ryan Jay. Prewett agreed to become a counselor because she feels that the week at Girls State is really important to learn about government and is a lot of fun.  

In 2008, Prewett was a delegate at Girls State where she served on the judicial branch. While Prewett was attending Girls State there was a tornado drill during the band and choir concert (instead of a gas leak evacuation).  As a result, they were never able to finish the concert.  However, her favorite memory at Girls State was as a counselor. During the last night of Girls State the delegates had a talent show which they were super enthusiastic about. They made comedy routines, sang and danced. According to Prewett the talent show was very entertaining and just so much fun.

If Prewett were any cereal, she would want to be Mini Wheats since it is her favorite cereal. Prewett claims that it is healthy for you, but it is also sweet. Additionally, when asked which animal species she would most like to talk to, Prewett was torn between two animals: elephants and cats. She would want to talk to elephants since they are her favorite animal. If she were ever able to touch an elephant she confessed she would sob tears of happiness.  However, she would also like to talk to cats, but she is not sure they would want to talk to humans since cats see them do the craziest things.

Prewett graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a Social Studies teaching degree for high school students. Before that, she attended Oakland-Craig High School, located in Oakland. Currently, she is busy saving lives working for the police department. She answers 911 calls, but she spends most of her time running a radio channel for the officers. Prewett normally checks the backgrounds of people who have been pulled over or are involved in a disturbance. However, her dream job would have to be a ghost hunter so she could visit houses with ghosts and try to talk the spirits into coming out.  Lastly, her favorite quote is “life goes on”, no matter what happens, time will continue and things will get better with time.

Carlin Daharsh

Charismatic and witty counselor Carlin Daharsh easily lives up to her namesake, George Carlin, a famous American comedian. Furthermore, she is easily recognizable as the counselor with a certain sparkle to her smile. Daharsh hails from Gothenburg High School, located in, you guessed it, Gothenburg. She is currently working as a Junior Counselor for the city of Fillmore and is very excited about her first year as a counselor. Daharsh grew so much as a delegate and felt that was the best way that she could give back to the American Legion Auxiliary was to be a counselor.

Daharsh attended Girls State as a delegate in 2013. She was elected as the Secretary of State at Girls State and then went on to become a Senator at Girls Nation. Her favorite memory from Girls State was everything to do with campaigning. She even had a “posse” that would stay up with her until 3:00 a.m. every night working on posters. The delegates in the “posse” were able to devote all of their free time to working on posters and stickers since they had previously ran for city offices.

Daharsh admitted that if she were a cereal she would likely be Frosted Mini Wheats because she is always prepared and ready to start the day. Furthermore, if she could talk to any animal species, she would choose to talk to dogs. That way she could learn how to be as forgiving and loyal and compassionate as dogs are because cats are not. Although, she confessed she is totally a cat person.

Daharsh is currently a rising Sophomore at Nebraska Wesleyan.  She is planning on majoring in Spanish and Political Communications with minors in Gender Studies and French.  She would “love to be a Press Secretary for a President or their Speech Writer as a Communications Director”.  Lastly, Daharsh’s favorite quote is “it’s a bad day, not a bad life”.  Pursuing one’s dream job can be extremely difficult and “there’s going to be bad days”, but it is important to remember that a single day does not decide the rest of one’s life.

Floor nine sketch

By: Kamryn Sannicks

Welcome to Floor Nine! The town of Fillmore would love to have you visit. The floor is full of energetic, enthusiastic and ecstatic girls who are eager to expand their knowledge of the government.

The floor has been decorated by the counselors as a fruit theme. Each of the doors have a different fruit with the girls’ names on them. Right as you get off the elevator or come off the stairs the floor is lively and inviting. As soon as campaigns kicked off the walls became covered in posters. Next came the doors to each of the rooms. All with their respective creative slogans. It was clear from the start each of the girls would have their work cut out for them.

Within the first few hours it was clear the girls would have no issues making friends. Each of the 49 citizens have their own personality yet, there have been no problems bonding. They have been helpful in campaigning not only for themselves but other people on the floor. The girls on the floor have been productive in solving the floor problems as well as listening to everyone when they have an opinion. “We get along and we are open to everyone’s ideas. We have really just created our own family. We are the Fillmore family,” said Katelyn Cronin, of Fillmore.

All in all Floor nine is a wonderful place to have spent the week at Girls State. The girls were all welcoming and helpful to others on the floor. The floor decorations brought the week together. So long and farewell from those on Floor Nine!

Mon-row: floor nine floor sketch

Floor nine otherwise called “Monroe” was known for their main cheer '1,2,3,4.' Not only are they “One and a Minion”, but the floor will be remembered for their energy and great friendships.

Monroe’s counselors were senior counselor Michelle, middle counselor Jordanna and junior counselor Kelsey. According to the girls, the counselors were really into Girls State and make it a fun experience. The life-long friendships on Monroe started as soon as the elevator doors opened. 

“The first night everyone really got along. We realized that we all have diversities, but we really understand each other and come together as not only a floor, but really good friends,” Madison Schlake said. 

Delegate Rebecca Brenner also had positive things to say about Monroe. “We all have really good roommates, we all hang out together and laugh.” 

Brenner said that she also enjoyed campaigning and all of the leadership that took place in Monroe.

Monroe is full of learning, leadership, and the beginning of friendships that will last a life time. 

By: Sadie Petersen