Andreya Aitchison and Spencer Wareing – Ocotillo City Reporters
Hello Girls State and the Internet Beyond,
The Ocotillo Associated Press has been hard at work polling, campaigning, and applauding as — over the course of the last 32 hours — our new State and County Government was elected. Yesterday at lunch and dinner, the tensions were high. The polls were in. Each candidate waited with bated breath for the ballots to arrive.
Ocotillo City Reporter, Spencer Wareing, took the opportunity to survey the masses; how were we feeling? Excited? Nervous? Indifferent?
Though Manzanita maintained they were feeling ‘baddy’, others were not so cheerful, a mixture of emotions as the leaders of our nation were soon to be announced.
In the blink of an eye, the Primaries were done. Our two party candidates, one from Federalists (“Clearly the superior party.” – Spencer) and one from Nationalists (“We can’t say that, that’s not true.” – Dreya) stood in front of their Girls State delegates, their friends, and poured their heart out over the loudspeaker microphone.
Again, we departed to our dorms. Again, the Marshall called for voting to begin. For the very last time, Arizona Girls State voted.
Our very own Ocotillo City Reporter, Dreya Aitchison, has taken it upon herself to walk the readers at home through the events of June 9th, 2022. Now, sit back and enjoy her play by play:
“Today, June 9th, 2022, at 10:00 am in the UofA Social Science building the fate of our mythical state was decided. The energy in the hall was pulsing with excitement and terror as the results of the General Elections were revealed at last.
“I could not contain my pride for the new office holders from my city and county, and I was suddenly aware of the intense sisterhood and solidarity I felt for these women who were only recently strangers. The thunderous applause was a testament to the unconditional support we feel for one another.”
The highly sought after roles of Governor and Secretary of State were soon filled by Esther Malish and Stella Lipson and then the former position holders, Jayden Ocampo (Governor) and Anneliese Traugutt (Secretary of State), delivered their parting remarks. These speeches, addressing the value of your time on earth and the dichotomy between fear and excitement for the future, were so tender and authentic that many in the crowd were moved to tears.
“The state members that I spoke to all expressed that this election cycle was one of the most gratifying experiences thus far at Girls State and all of them were more than ready to take on the mantles their positions presented before them. The newly sworn in candidates expressed extreme gratitude and the community seemed ecstatic to support them.”
Signing off,
Andreya Aitchison and Spencer Wareing, Ocotillo City Reporters