Merlin D’souza – City of Saguaro
Day 5 was fun and informative. I learned so much about the judicial system from Hilary Weinberg and Kate Loudenslagel. I didn’t know Miranda rights originated from a court case filed in Arizona, which passed all the way to the Supreme Court (Arizona v Miranda).
Today we had elections for the governor position and secretary of state. Each candidate did an amazing job in representing their county and standing up for what they believed in! I loved their responses and I am excited to see who will represent us as governor and secretary of state tomorrow.
We also had one of the most entertaining talent shows ever, from baking, martial arts, painting, and science demonstrations to singing, piano, and guitar playing. I was proud to see my fellow citizens showing their talents in this virtual environment.
Today will be my last blog in Girls State, so I would like to impart some advice. Even in this virtual session I learned so much, so needless to say there will be more learned in a normal session. If you come into this session embarrassed and hesitant to put yourself out there, you will miss out on the chance to speak your mind and be supported by your fellow citizens. You must ask questions and be willing to open your ears and eyes to what the experts in our government are discussing. Girls State will make you a more informed citizen, but it will also allow you to go beyond that if you so choose. Never limit yourself, because Girls State has showed me there is no one way to become a leader in my community.
As young adults our vision will shape how our nation will be and using what Girls State has taught me, I will go out and share my vision. I will leave you with a quote that Mother Teresa of Calcutta gave, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”