Desiree Nguyen – Palo Verde City
In record time, the AZ Girls State zoom meeting was filled with over 100 excited delegates as today was the day we all long awaited for: the Gubernatorial State elections for Governor and Secretary of State. Whoever are the determined girls elected to these positions will find themselves in the grandeur campus of University of Arizona in Tucson leading another session of Girls State in-person!
The bright, beaming faces of Ms. Ocampo, the Nationalist candidate, and Ms. Bayazed, the Federalist candidate, greeted over 100 citizens as each gave a passionate 1-minute speech of their platform. Ms. Bayazed passionately shared her aspirations to create a carbon negative and green state for the girls of tomorrow while Ms. Ocampo warmly spoke of her ambition to promote equal opportunity of education to low income and under-represented minorities. Although both hailed from different ends of the aisle, each was united in their promise to not only represent, but to amplify the powerful voice each citizen of Girls State possessed.
I, alongside 5 of my other fellow reporters, had the honor of interviewing the Governor candidates in a live panel. When I asked Ms. Bayazed about her thoughts on how much a role technology should play in our education, she enthusiastically praised the widespread use of technology in our education as the digitalization of our curriculum would lead to lower rates of deforestation and would better prepare children for future careers. When Reporter Aloisi from Kaibab county inquired Ms. Ocampo of her plans to ensure higher-level education to young scholars, Ms. Ocampo stressed the essential partnership between the government and educational organizations would produce vast accessibility to grants and scholarships for low-income students. Despite the daunting obstacle of the 3 minute time limit for each interview, both candidates excelled in expressing their positions in a clear and concise manner.
I held my breath as Governor Steenhard began announcing the winners of, first, the county elections before proclaiming the Governor for next year’s Girls State: Jadyn Ocampo! Congratulations to Ms. Ocampo and may her kind-hearted spirit lead us prospective young girls into the future!
During the Senate meeting, I had the pleasure to speak briefly to fellow Senator Kateylin Kim representing Supai County as well, who will be serving as President of the Senate with me as her Secretary of Senate by her side. After her outstanding explanation of her bill about Education during the Girls Nation election, I knew I had to ask how she was feeling at the moment. “I felt nervous having to present my bill even though it was all virtual. However, I’m glad I was able to have the opportunity to show why this bill is important to me and can prove to help our educational system further,” Senator Kim said.
Thank you to each candidate I interviewed for their time as their insight into certain issues will help guide the future leaders of tomorrow. Let their confidence and ambitions inspire you to pursue a path of greatness at home, school, or even in a next meeting of Girl State!