Town Profiles: Huseman

Eleanor Reilly

The town of Huseman has a population of 17 creative, enthusiastic, and dedicated girls. At their time at ALA Girls State, they have focused primarily on unity and being as inclusive as possible of everyone in their town and in general, of all the girls attending. To ensure these core values are met, they have written ordinances declaring that they will sit in unity and never separate tables during breakfast or dinner. Instead, at every meal, they create one long table so no one is left out. The girls are proud to have been the first town to do this, with others following in their footsteps.

Five girls from Huseman won their primary elections and the Huseman town is extremely supportive of every one of their members who ran for a position. Throughout the campaign process, they have encouraged every one of their fellow Huseman residents by helping candidates’ campaigning and speeches.

One of their ongoing endeavors has been the decoration of their town. The Huseman girls have chosen to decorate their town as if it were a house because the girls think of themselves as one large family. For example, they decorated the interior of their “mud room” by hanging paintings crafted by various girls in the town, celebrating their artwork as a real family would. Next to the “mud room” is the “living room,” which is equipped with a TV and a couch. The town also has a mascot, a cat named Chester. He lives within the “house,” (above the exit sign) and has taken it upon himself to decorate the Huseman house with toilet paper streamers. This is a reminder that sometimes making a mess can be a blast and everyone makes mistakes.

            The Huseman girls have grown much closer throughout their time spent at ALA Girls State and by focusing on unity and inclusiveness, each girl in their town has had the opportunity to let her own personality shine in the best possible light.