What's Happening in the Cities & Counties?
"Girls State was simply amazing. I cannot describe to you how big of an effect this program had on me, everyone I met was so friendly and sweet and I learned so much, an experience I owe all to you. I would have never met those wonderful girls or had any of the governmental knowledge I have now if it was not for you and the other members of the Auxiliary. This is definitely something that I will never forget, I am looking forward to spreading the news of how amazing it was around my community! So thank you so much for everything and I hope this great program continues, it teaches girls how to have confidence and be themselves while still learning about politics. It was truly an astounding experience and I look forward to going back as a counselor when I get older!" - Marian Eskander
Leaving from Ontario Airpot
Girls State Senate 2012
Crocker-diles
The girls from the beautiful city of Crocker are enjoying the incredible talent of last night's talent show including one of our own, Marissa Barragan and Jessica Waite.
Bidwell County Action
Filing - The four county clerk offices were open for the State filing process
Talent Show Participants
Emma Phillips
Breanne Padilla
Haleigh Bowers
Adrianna Martin
Ceylon Dugas
Grace Ng
Marissa Barragan
Zilde Sanchez
Danielle Preston
Arantxa Ortiz
Gilda Gallardo
Nicole McEntee
Outstanding City Citizens 2012
These young women were choosen by their city as the Outstanding Citizen - cooperative, supportive, and encouraging.
Cabrillo = Sara Perry
Lassen = Marina Elmore
Marshall = Megan Leonard
Sutter = Samantha Strong
Fremont = Ceylon Dugas
Muir = Karishma Kodia
Portola = Samantha Hall
Serra = Emma Phillips
Balboa = Tylen Kelley
Carson = Amanda Aljish
Crocker = Devin Redor
DeAnza = Whitney Standal
Burbank = Brianne Logasa
Burnett = Gilda Gallardo
Harte = Gaby Lunich
Vallejo = Jynae Jones
Lassen Olympians Race to the State Offices!
Our city officials have been hard at work creating city ordinances and adopting a city budget. The Bidwell County Board of Education will be presenting their policies and final budget to the county Board of Supervisors. Legislative bills are moving between the Assembly and the Senate. And we have the General Election for State Offices today!
The lovely ladies of Lassen would like to congratulate their city sister's Marina E. and Alyssa V. who are on the ballot this morning for Tory Party State Controller and Justice of the Supreme Court. We are all so proud of them! Good Luck!
Cabrillo Unicorns
Boy, does Cabrillo got the funk!? Our city could not have more pride in its citizens. Our city is decked out with more businesses than any uni- unicorn could ever imagine. The local lounge, known as “The Horn,” is always bumpin’ with acoustic tunes and sing-a-longs. Crystal A., of the “Unicorn Beauty Salon,” makes sure our unicorns look their best with the most fabulous hairstyles around. However, having fun and looking good is not the only thing we can do; elected offices for our county of Bidwell consist of multiple unicorns as well. We have:
- Supervisor #2- Olivia W.
- Clerk- Amanda N.
- Superintendent of Schools- Miriam D.
- Public Administrator/Defender- Maddelyn B.
- Board of Education #1- Julia T.
We also have two citizens of Cabrillo still in the running for a state office. For Superintendent of Instruction, we have Rebecca D. For Justice of the Supreme Court, we have Emily P. Not only does our city have high-powered Unicorns, it also has talented ones! Arantxa O. had the Ducey Gym wild after performing a song with her guitar to “Payphone” by Maroon 5. With only a couple days left to come, the Governor’s cup sits not too far from our reach! The competition is fierce, but the city of Cabrillo has the heart and soul that only a true Unicorn can!! — Amanda Nelson, Cabrillo City Blogger
20% of Girls Staff from Unit 472
This e-Unit sprang from Girls State 2005. It sponsored four delegates to GS 2012. (Delegates in front row.)
More from Serra
Inspiration - a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon mind and soul. Inspiration is a treasure found all across the Claremont Campus. We as Girls Staters are all unique and beautiful young women with a passion in our hearts. This passion serves to inspire. It inspires each of us to stand for our beliefs not only this week, but in our home towns. Both inspiration and passion were found in the empowering speech given by Shannon Geaney. Shannon Geaney is a phenomenal woman who has dedicated much of her life to forensic science, the Los Angeles Police Department, and her work to arrest sex offenders and solve homicides. Geaney stressed that life is an adventure and gave us some quick tips to success in future endeavors:
1. Falling down is only an opportunity to get back up and possibly travel a different direction.
2. When leading take care of the workers who can do wonders to support you.
3. Maturity and respect in speech are needed in order to explain to others what you feel strongly about.
Geaney inspired girls with a variety of different views and backgrounds to reach for their goals and to use their intelligence and self righteousness to gain strength in the work place. Personally, Shannon Geaney’s speech was my favorite part of Girls State thus far. I am so very appreciative for the time that she took to speak to all of us and the volunteer work she does for veterans through Ride to Recovery. —Davina Rose Myers
Counselors are awesome!
Tri SERRA Tops - Head above the others!
The TriSERRAtops have had a very successful day. Results for the county of Kelsey were announced and as a city Serra was well represented. Harlie Merten, supervisor, Cara Carucci, assessor, and Jennifer Reily, Board of Education are sure to make us proud. In addition the city of Serra has successfully amended their code of conduct and gathered affirming signatures. Senator Alex Dotterweich and Assembly women Robin Park and Astrid Burgos have proposed bills concerning fracking, teacher tenure, funding school programs, and waste separation. Several dedicated members of the city are working together to decorate the city in a prehistoric manner. It is safe to say that all members of the city are learning new things, making new friends, and creating glorious memories. —Davina Rose Myers
Kelsey County Update
The ladies of Kelsey county that have just been elected being sworn into office.
The HARTE of Rock & Roll is Still Beating!
The city of Harte is off to a rockin' start. The Harte Rockers have begun to work on making their city the most music-filled place in all of California Girls State. Our Fab Five (city council) is led by band leader, Hannah, and includes Katie, Dani, Kelsey, and Megan. Band manager (clerk) Paola, and producer (treasurer) Allison, round out our city team. Representing the Rockers are Shao Jia, Chloe, and Sydney. As we move into our musical tour, there are more opportunities for our Harte Rockers to run for offices, debate issues, and just have some head banging fun!
Rock on!
Crocker-diles Bulletin Board
Remarks by Michele Jackman at the Opening Session of Girls State 2012
Thank you for your very enthusiastic response to my opening remarks at your official swearing in as Girls State Citizens joining the thousands of women who came before, and still connected.
As you heard, my life course was altered by Girls’ State which did not change my purpose, passion or call, but opened avenues of opportunities and connections I never imagined before about my future choices. Like you, I was launched surrounded by young women like myself in a full state of “yearning” “learning” and “leaning” toward a desired future. I am still rising to the occasion with the energy of this year’s Girls’ State.
Girls’ State connected me with lots of new and supportive ideas:
- It introduced me to real lasting friendship and support
- It provided hope for my own ideas and future, and helped me shape those
- It was a true expression of Love.
As you heard, my careers were composed of Leadership and change in various clinical, business innovation, and Social Policy arenas, internationally, and with great success
The seeds were sown in 1961, a time of great change. I have received many awards and rewards, and still blooming.
I am still fortunate to be sharing my Leadership ideas and Strategies as a consultant, and Instructor at UCD Extension to various companies and State Departments sharing insights integrated after over 40 years of teaching. However, my true call is to promote motivation in others that will lead them to their dreams, aspirations, goals and overcome their worries, obstacles, and excuses. These constitute their WOEs. Once described and known, yes, they can be overcome. Refuse to ever see yourself as a “victim” or you become a “woebot” or worse a “negaholic”. Become the heroine in your own struggles.
The ratio of WHOOPEE! to WOE or WOW5 came to me in a dream where I questioned as I went to sleep--why is is so hard to get people to work together and build consensus. The answer was: To lead another person toward a HOPEFUL course of action rather than a hopeless one, you have to acknowledge all their woes with respect, and lead them with a WHOOPEE! attitude of “okay” I get it. But how?
The WOW5 is the model I have developed, is working to lead people, and grow new leaders. You will need a STAR team to do it. A team that can make stressful efforts fun and exciting. Study groups are like that. Mentors create that feeling. Girl’s State cities do that! A Star team tells you the winning strategy, and helps you escape from your own head and ego that could get in your way as you seek success. A WHOOPEE! approach covers and includes these five core intentions in all people:
1) Get things done- thumbs up! (Coordinate)
2) Also, Get things right, and right things right the right way. (Comply, conform)
3) Once there, Get Along well (Focus on Cooperating through Understanding)
4) Then, Give and Get Acknowledged for your Skills, Talents, Strengths and use those of others (Collaboration) Do not try to be or do everything on your own. Show respect.
5) Finally, that “pinky finger”--Make all this FUN! Positive for all involved. (Celebration)
Now when you think you have problems you can “”put your finger on it” an old expression.
ZZZZZZZZZ-- Thanks to researcher Jean Houston, this bioenergetic exercise turns out to give us renewed focus and energy when we need it to offset a state of WOE, or just fatigue. This ZZZZ approach can also convert a “woebot” with a smile and renewed energy. If some friend (boy or girl) insults you, go to higher ground with some ZZZZ, silently or publicly. Yes, and saying the word “Interesting” suspends judgment.
Other points I made and I will simply summarize: Any “great ideas” you have must be thought through. The Ratio of Whoopee! to Woe equals Hope, but only if you are taking hopeful courses of action. Think though your ideas with many lenses. That was the CARE model we practiced to learn errors in thinking about policy or change. Turns out some are better than others at each stage: So, CREATE ideas, use others to flesh them out and ADVANCE them to build support, REFINE them (Get it right! finder), and then EXECUTE your ideas with clarity and detail.
You are surrounded by 500 girls now, and thousands who came before you, in addition to Counselors (listen to them), City Moms (Let them feed you care about you), and accept the messages meant for you as Citizens of this great country and this struggling State. (Bless the ALA women all over the Country, join them if you can) for they created this program so young women could continue to see all the possibilities for their lives no matter what their past, race or creed.
Your energy now is pushing you in many directions and now you feel the surge of people just like you, and those of us older, wiser, and laughing alongside you as you conquer fear and challenges. Pursue your path with Vision, align with people who share it and can help, and persist until you get there!
Finally, my own faith teaches me this--Be who you are, see what you already have, and do what matters most to your value systems, or to God.
Go home ready to succeed-- visualizing all of us who came before, invisible and in support. - Michele Jackman GS61 Print Out
BIDWELL COUNTY UPDATE:
The County Clerk's office is open and busy with many Bidwell County citizens filing papers to run for various County Offices. Good Luck to all the ladies running from Cabrillo, Lassen, Marshall, and Sutter!
Cabrillo Unicorns
We, Cabrillo Unicorns of the county of Bidwell, are surely spirited! We have taken our creativity to a whole new level and created a land of magical, mystical Unicorns of all kinds! Our city would not be what it is without the wonderful citizens, but most importantly, not without our city leaders. Voting to elect state officials were held on June 26, 2012 from the time 2 to 3:45PM. These were our results:
Council-
Vanessa D.
Alejandra C.
Natalie S.
Kim M.
Taylor C.
Clerk-
Sara P.
Treasurer-
Brooklin S.
Written by: Amanda Nelson, Cabrillo City Blogger
Lassen Olympians
These wonderful ladies of Lassen have chosen "The Olympics" to be their city theme. Our wonderful hat committee and city theme committee made torch hats and toga jerseys for everyone in our city to wear to dinner.
The Lovely Lassen Ladies are ready for the General Assembly to start and kick off their week at Girls State!
Arriving at Girls State
