More than Three Letters

On Day 1 of Girls State, I quickly realized that this experience came with learning a new language. PC, CC, PPC, CCW; the random arrangements of letters overwhelmed me. However, as the week progressed, I found a love for these random letters, and found my place in all the chaos. 

Becoming Campaign Committeewoman (CCW) for Atchafalaya Nationalist Party was such an honor. However, this was not the plan I intended to pursue. I did not come into this experience knowing, “Yes, I wanna be a CCW”. In fact, I decided to run in the middle of nominations with no speech, no preparation, and no idea of what the position would fully involve. Despite the uncertainty, I managed to piece together the right words, speak from my heart, and earn the spot to serve my party.

This role was presented to all the LAGS citizens as essentially the “hype woman” for candidates. I quickly learned it was much more than a simple role. It was not just a title, but rather a platform used to elevate others. Screaming cheers for my candidate, easing the stress of my Parish Party Chairwoman (PPC), and being the smile to lift up others became my place at Louisiana Girls State.

This role taught me that leaders are not just the ones behind the podium, but can also be the ones screaming from the crowd. Leadership can be behind the scenes, encouraging others, and providing energy. Leadership is not simply the person on the poster, but rather the person who made it. Girls State has taught me that the most necessary roles are not always the most visible. It does not always embody the voice being heard, but also the one helping others find their voice.

Becoming the CCW was the best decision I made here at Louisiana Girls State. It was not a mistake that I randomly chose to run. It was not by chance that my peers chose me to fill this position. It was not an accident that I found my place. It was finding a part of myself that had been there all along.

Leaving Girls State, I do not remember the letters that once overwhelmed me. I leave reflecting on the lessons I have learned, friendships I made, and the tiny letters “CCW” engraved in my heart.