Spencer Wareing – Ocotillo City Reporter
Hello Girls State and the Internet Beyond,
Emma Hartley once said, “Time is a construct. Love is a force…” and this especially rings true at Girls State. While my laptop calendar may read Thursday the 9th, I’d honestly swear at least two weeks have passed; a blur of dorm rooms, lecture halls, and elevator waiting lines. But, truth be told, it’s great. The love and camaraderie felt by the delegates encircles the State Courthouse, Global Center, and U of A campus sidewalks.
Yesterday, I traveled up and down the cafeteria tables, polling and laughing with some of the most talented young women I’ve had the honor of meeting. The question of the day: Would you rather speak all languages fluently or speak to all animals?
Nearly two hundred girls strong and ready to take on the world as rising Seniors; the majority jumped at the possibility of understanding each language our Earth has to offer.
Next, I used my spare minutes of leisure to explore the decorated hallways of the dorms. And, oh my gosh, the creativity I witnessed in each city astounded me — from the Octopus named Herbert and his sand-crab friend who call the Palo Verde Pirates his home, Juniper’s star-lit hallways, the Coraline Button-Store with an enticing tunnel entrance in Cholla, Sycamore’s Sentential theme that honored women from our nation’s history, the Yucca Yucky Duckies’ shops selling Starducks Coffee and all sorts of ducks, and so much more. And, of course, back at home, the friendships, stories, and aspirations I’ve shared with my fellow Ocotillins. I don’t know how many of you are reading, but you all mean so much to me.
Our week is nearly up and, as our 2021 Secretary of State so eloquently put it, we are about to start our year of lasts. Seventy-five thousand, six hundred minutes of opportunities. I can’t promise that we will change the world. That’s something that only time will tell — but, honestly, after meeting Arizona’s next generation of leaders, my hopes are high.
The love that I’ve felt here is a force to be reckoned with; Emma Hartley’s certainly right in that respect. Sue me, I’m feeling sappy. Thank you, staff, and thank you, delegates.
Signing off,
Spencer Wareing
