What Do You Mean "Girls State?"

What do you mean “Girls State?” Like what even is a girls state? Before I was nominated to attend the Louisiana Girls State, I had never even heard of it. When my school counselor asked if I wanted to go, I thought that meant that I was going to sit behind a desk to write bills while learning about all the boring jobs of the state government. Little did I know, there was so much more waiting for me. 

Before I left, I learned that my aunt, grandmother, and even school counselor had attended Girls State in the past, but nothing any of them said could prepare me for what I was getting into. In fact, none of them could really explain what Girls State was or how it worked. So even though I said yes to something I barely understood, I don’t regret my decision.

Nobody told me that I’d be meeting the greatest counselors a summer camp could have, who made sure we were alive, awake, alert and enthusiastic. Or that the government wasn’t just paperwork and angry politicians. And I was never, EVER, alone. The other delegates were just like me — high school almost-seniors who were also coming in blind. Not to mention how we became fast friends, not just for the week but for the rest of my life, even though we came from all corners of the state. While on campus, it felt like I had my own little family within my parish.

We learned a lot, but we played just as much. Everyone was willing to put themselves out there with positive attitudes and smiling faces. When running in elections, everyone was supportive of one another, even when they lost. And screaming chants for our candidates was lots of fun, even though we lost our voices cheering.

I guess the best way to describe Girls State is that it is truly beautiful.  It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. But to really understand Girls State, you’ll just have to experience it for yourself. If you ever get the chance to go to Girls State, whether as a delegate, counselor, or even a staff member, I highly suggest you do.