Three interviews with Arizona Girls State Citizens on their perceptions of the Girls State Store
By Eleanor Ackley
Ocotillo City Reporter
During the day on June 3rd, Arizona Girls State Citizens were allowed to visit and purchase items from the Girls State Store. The store had a large amount of products to choose from.
On the morning of June 4th, 2024, I interviewed several students on their experiences at the Girls State Store. I interviewed Emma Lindsay, Avery Jackson, and Brooklyn Finney. They explain the supplies that they need and what they purchased.
Hi, thank you so much for agreeing to talk with me today. Please state your name, what city you live in, and what high school you go to.
“My name is Emma Lindsay and I live in Tucson, Arizona and I go to Catalina Foothills High School.”
What city are you in at Arizona Girls State?
“Ocotillo.”
Are you enjoying your time in your city?
“I’m having a lot of fun in my city, actually.”
In your opinion, what supplies are absolutely necessary for Arizona Girls State?
“What supplies? I think comfortable walking shoes…lots of water. I was at the store yesterday and that ice drink hit the spot. So, those are my…picks.”
How did you use these necessary supplies?
“Just to stay comfortable while I was here at Girls State and to make my time more comfortable, so.”
Are there any supplies that you didn’t bring that you wish you had?
“That’s a good question. I wish I brought more sunscreen because I’m almost out, but it’s okay.”
Did you buy any items at the Arizona Girls State Store? If you did, what items did you purchase?
“I bought an ice drink and I bought some Girls State merch. So, I bought like the…AZ Girls State makeup bag and two of the stickers.”
Have you used these items?
“…I drank the drink yesterday.”
Finally, will you be bringing these items to Arizona Girls State next year? Are you considering coming back to Girls State next year as a Junior Counselor or the Governor?
“Well, okay, so I’m Mayor, so I’m not able to run for Governor or Secretary of State. But, if I am possibly selected for Girls Nation, then I will definitely be back next year.”
Hi, thank you so much for agreeing to talk with me today. Please state your name, what city you live in, and what high school you go to.
“I’m Avery Jackson. I’m in Piñon City and I go to Higley High School in Gilbert.”
What city are you in at Arizona Girls State?
“I’m in Piñon”
Are you enjoying your time in your city?
“Yes.”
In your opinion, what supplies are absolutely necessary for Arizona Girls State?
“Snacks.”
How did you use these necessary supplies?
“I ate them.”
Are there any supplies that you didn’t bring that you wish you had?
“I forgot a washcloth and, so, maybe having that next time around would ne nice because I forgot that.”
Did you buy any items at the Arizona Girls State Store? If you did, what items did you purchase?
“I bought a lot. I bought a charm, I bought the graduation sash, the water bottle, and the stickers. I bought three snacks and probably some other stuff that I’m forgetting about.”
Have you used these items?
“Yes.”
Finally, will you be bringing these items to Arizona Girls State next year? Are you considering coming back to Girls State next year as a Junior Counselor or the Governor?
“Undecided. And if I did come back, I would hope to bring my stuff back, yes.”
Hi, thank you so much for agreeing to talk with me today. Please state your name, what city you live in, and what high school you go to.
“My name is Brooklyn Finney…I go to Buckeye and I go to Buckeye Union High School.”
What city are you in at Arizona Girls State?
“Piñon.”
Are you enjoying your time in your city?
“Yes, I am.”
In your opinion, what supplies are absolutely necessary for Arizona Girls State?
“I would say…well, I guess, this isn’t like a physical supply, but having a lot of compassion for the people around you, as well as patience because a lot of people, y’know, they’re here for the same reason as you. Y’know, they wanna be able to have a fun experience, but you have to have that patience and also the drive to do it or else you won’t have a fun time.”
How did you use these necessary supplies?
“…I was able to use these by being able to communicate with my teammates…and being able to, like, expressing just my voice so we can get further with…whatever we’re doing.”
Are there any supplies that you didn’t bring that you wish you had?
“…Bring lots of construction paper. Luckily, we had some given to us, but make sure you do that. Also, scissors. And if you see like a lot of the girls are decorating their doors, so, maybe, like fun little…pieces of paper.”
Did you buy any items at the Arizona Girls State Store? If you did, what items did you purchase?
“Yes, they’re kind of miscellaneous. I got…lip balm because there’s like so many different flavors, so that was cool. I got like a bracelet…a chain. And then, also, I got a stoll, but that’s coming in the mail, so.”
Have you used these items?
“Not yet…I just don’t use items for a while to, like, appreciate them, I guess.”
Finally, will you be bringing these items to Arizona Girls State next year? Are you considering coming back to Girls State next year as a Junior Counselor or the Governor?
“…Yes, I definitely have that in mind. I feel like it’s such a great opportunity to not only help staff because they already have so much going on, but as well as the students, like Girls who are interested in it, just to see. Let’s just see.”