- Our recently created chant goes as follows: You know it! What?! You know the story! What?! You tell the whole darn world this is Mason territory!! MMMMMMMASON!!!!
- Our counselor Emily and junior counselor Andy are pure genius (they bribed us to say that).
- We assigned town jobs last night; this blog post is courtesy of Health Board members, a Select Board member, the town lifeguard, and Ms. Mason.
- Our prompt and punctual arrivals, our enthusiastic and energetic attitudes, and our orderly and organized areas are putting us in a prime position to win Model Town.
- We have residents running for every position, so we're proud to say that we're really taking advantage of the opportunities given to us.
Zumba is calling, so ta-ta for now!!
~ Mason Members
Welcome to the town of Coutts! In our lovely second-floor jungle, you may see some creatures like a toucan, a white tiger, an elephant, or even a penguin or peacock. Well, you wouldn’t actually see these animals. Each member of our town chose an animal in our jungle theme that they felt represented them. But anyway, almost all of our members are In the Federalist party, and Coutts dominated the party convention! The Chair, the Secretary, and all three members of the platform committee were represented by Coutts residents. Go Coutts! We in Coutts are looking forward to finding out the results of the primary election today. Hopefully our town is well represented in the general election.Today, all the towns listened to Katie Lavasseur, Miss Vermont of 2011, speak about her role and accomplishments in amending the Vermont constitution. This amendment allows seventeen-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they will be eighteen by the general election. Katie inspired us all to want to be leaders, and to stand up for what we are passionate about. Miss Vermont 2010, Caroline Bright, is our co-director of GMGS this year, and she has been really fun and enthusiastic in all of our meetings. Thanks Caroline!
Here at Girls’ State, each member is grouped into one of four towns: Berrio, Coutts, Denis-Fleurant, and Mason. All the girls in each town room in the same hall, have town meetings, and eat meals together. The towns help each member to form a strong sense of community. At the end of the week, one town is chosen to be “Model Town” by earning the most points. Points can be gained for timeliness, spirit, and election success. As members of Berrio and Coutts, we thought it would be interesting to compare the different elements and dynamic of each town. Berrio is a very motivated and spirited group of twenty-two girls. They manage to stay serious about politics while still being able to crack jokes and have fun. Town meetings are held in a classroom in the basement of the dorm. In the town meetings, they strategize how to gain more town spirit points, plan the town skit, and discuss the election. Each town member has been elected to a certain role ranging from clerk and mayor to cow operator and energizer bunny. This helps to build the sense of community as everyone is given the opportunity to participate in their own way. Coutts is a very diverse group, including twenty-four girls with many different strengths and interests. Six girls ran for offices and many were involved in running for party positions. Most of the group is in the Federalist Party, with three others in the Nationalist Party. They have been planning their town skit, ideas for decorations, and pranks in town meetings – which are held in “the dungeon”, also known as the smelly rec room. Every girl holds a town position, including mayor, clerk, shower police, town mom, and town Barbie – just to name a few. Our town activities have helped build a strong bond between each girl. Overall, the towns share similar aspects, but they are each different in their own way.
