What is Girls Nation?
Everyone here at Girls State is here for a reason. They are all hard working young ladies that have a passion for learning and expanding their relationships with others. However, not many of these young ladies know that there is a next step: Girls Nation. “I had never heard of Girls Nation before I came here”, exclaimed one of these young women. Girls Nation, much like Girls State is ran and sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.
One of this year’s counselors named Katie Koonz, attended Girls Nation last summer and was able to tell me a little bit about what Girls Nation program is like. She mentioned that Girls Nation focuses on the federal government level and the rules are “scaled up”. There are different experiences and activities, most of which include walking around Washington D.C and doing more “tourist-like” activities. The girls get the opportunity to see a new place since the majority of the girls are not from around the area.
When asked which part of the experience Katie got the most out of, she responded that she enjoyed having her own opinion and learning to be “comfortable with being uncomfortable”. Which is something that you have to do at Girls Nation to succeed. Katie also enjoyed meeting others that share the same interest and drive as she does.
The only way to apply for Girls Nation is to write an essay before you arrive, that you then hand in when you check into Girls State. The only way that girls knew about the existence of Girls Nation is by a little blurb on your packet that you receive very far in advance to the actual event.
Because so many girls did not hear of this opportunity, I talked to Kristen Trevino (Counselor) about possibly solving the issue regarding the lack of information. She too, only received this little blurb of an essay writing topic in her packet and agreed that it is an issue. Kristen said that they will work to make a change for this in the future.
~Rhiana Carr (The Town of Jones)
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