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Aisis Hernandez Cedar City The girls at ALA continue to amaze and really inspire me. Today we were separated into our parties and it was absolutely fantastic to be able to finally collaborate with a larger variety of girls. They all had such impactful, original ideas that they felt strongly about. And although hectic and stressful at times we were able to come together as the federalist party and ultimately lift each other up and figure everything out together, something we were proud of, and all more or less agreed on. I was especially in love with our platform. It was fairly easy to decide our main concerns. Education was at the top of the list for most of the delegates, and that was easily transferable to our Platform Committee. The platform committee was by far my favorite part of the day, the girls I worked with in that committee were beyond bright, and so well spoken.   Even more importantly they were passionate in such a way that the energy and vibe of the committee was almost electrifying. We were all very knowledgeable about everything we discussed; the ideas were solid and easily backed up it was another amazing opportunity to be reminded of all the real potential and exceedingly awesome minds we so often forget that belong to New Mexico. Our decisions for our party platform are truly amazing ideas that would significantly honor and improve the state we all care so much for, because it is our home and always will be. One of the girls mentioned that our youth was only approximately 38% of our population, but 100% of our future; and if there are even a few more kids in this state like the ones I have gotten the privilege to work closely with all day, I am extremely excited for the future.

Aisis Hernandez Cedar City Report Today was a wonderfully long day and, not over for many of us. A lot of us will be up late tonight campaigning and writing speeches for tomorrow's elections. Including myself! I will probably be up writing this article and then a speech after this! I was moved to tears very early in the morning listening to the meaning of the flag and its importance to our country and the people who have sacrificed everything for it. I have always had a huge appreciation for our flag and a love for those stars and stripes. I was overwhelmed by emotions and pride was again during the Poppy presentation. I was just so honored to be in this country and have people who will and have fought with everything to protect my rights and freedoms.

As an AFJROTC cadet, I have great respect for our fallen servicemen and current servicemen. The Poppy Presentation gave me a deeper meaning of what exactly these young men went through during World War 1, World War 2, and The Vietnam War. My favorite city ordinance that I heard within my city was having a non-citizen of Pine City hop on one foot and shut one eye as they hang their campaigns. I believe ordinances are important because it brings it the personality of the city as a whole and it’s also a memory to remember in the near future. The most interesting topic I learned about the American Flag was the meaning between each fold. Community Forum was my FAVORITE part of the day, hearing different sides of why a bill should be passed or not. 3 College Credit Hours from ENMU is a GREAT opportunity. We basically get 3 college hours for having a GREAT time at Girl’s State! ALA Girl’s Nation seems like a very great opportunity to advance into the next level of government and understand how our nation works. I wonder who the two beautiful young women will be!! Today, we voted for our City Offcials and it was an interesting experience, the importance is to support the people who will put great effort to help out the city and with no votes, how will the job be done? “Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” - John Maxwell Melissa Reyna Pine City Reporter

Kacie Morelos They don’t lie when they say this week is going to be intensive. Today felt like 2, no 3 days all rolled into one. So many activities, so many goals and things to do. Starting with the “For God and Country” Ceremony, we put our teamwork to the test and cheered as loudly as we could, but it clearly wasn’t loud enough, we got last place. This, however, only encouraged us to try even harder next time. After breakfast we took part in the Smartie Trivia Competition. You wouldn’t believe how handy random facts and knowledge are when you’re all fighting for candy. And, by some miracle, we actually won! Yay! Are you proud mom? Anyway, after that whole lesson about not giving up and triumph, we moved on to our presentations. Presentations in the Ball Room are truly moving. They really reach the heart and make you tear up, which is really saying something because I only have ever cried during animal death scenes. One particular presentation that really taught me a lot and got me all teary eyed was the Poppy Presentation, overall it was amazing and gave the history about the symbolism behind the popular flower, the Poppy. Did you know the poppy represents and Hope, renewal, and sacrifice? Yeah, I didn’t either, at least not until this moving presentation showed me so much I didn’t know about war and the beautiful terror behind it. Another one of the presentations was the American Flag History presentation. There’s so much thought and detail that went into the American Flag, and clearly so much history. There’s even a special way to fold said flag, theres 13 steps and each stands for a value or a symbol. Before this, patriotism wasn’t really a big subject that was really mentioned or mattered much in my life, but already this program and series of presentations have changed my outlook and perception of the sacrifice that is given by people that fight for our freedom daily. Theres honestly so much we did today, from speech giving, to voting and city ordinances. We did it all, in only one day.  This week has already been worth it.

The morning began with the city candidates giving their speeches. We started work and planning for the mayor's conference after. We went to a group meeting in the Cub. In this meeting we were told about the poppies of Flander's Fields. My impression of this ceremony was astonished and felt a sense of connection with the poppies. As the big group meeting they also explained ALA Girls Nation peaking the interest of a few girls wanting to participate. Then at the end of the meeting they announced city election results. After the results we were split back into our separate cities where we talked about ordinances. We brainstormed ideas about what we would have as ours that applied to other cities campaigning. After that we had our nightly city meeting. Then some of us prepared for their speeches for the next day. Samantha Davis, Cactus City

Samantha Davis and Brooke Fleming Cactus City My first day was full of anxiety and new faces that I guarantee that I will remember forever. I came to ALA Girls State expecting a good experience when in fact I got something much more. I had gotten growth. I had stepped out of my comfort zone completely and I do not regret it. The experience of jumping into a shark tank, and learning something completely new is something that words cannot explain the importance of this growth. Sunday afternoon was an overall kickstart from nervousness and anxiety to excitement. I will go to bed with great expectations.

Surprisingly, this week has started off pretty well. Even though it’s still only the first day, I already care about others around me. People in my city, Spruce City that is, are extremely likable and caring. We’re all new to this, so we find comfort in one another and that makes a bond that is almost unbreakable. I truthfully expected stuck up, rude and obnoxious girls to roam these halls. That was the main reason why I almost decided not to come here. Boy am I glad I gave this place a chance. I expect for us to grow and learn with one another through the week, even if its something as simple as learning each other’s names and faces. The amazing opportunities here are almost limitless. Theres something to make everyone happy here; art projects, socializing, and even ice cream! I hope to find other ways to find happiness. Being a very shy person, I’m not the easiest to hold conversation with. I hope to finally burst free of my own limitations, and actually talk to others, maybe even make a lifelong friend. The other girls here are all very sweet and understanding. At tonight’s nightly reflections, one of my fellow citizens expressed her happiness in one of the nicest ways possible, she said she loved all of us. After just one day! And I truthfully believe this wasn’t an exaggeration. Even our Junior Counselors are amazingly sweet and extremely helpful and understanding. They truthfully care for us and notice when some of us are kind of out of it, or just don’t feel very engaged. They help us and encourage us to step up, and make our voice heard. I’m most excited to see who wins the first voting campaign tomorrow, I’d never think I’d do this, but I'm running in this one, as a candidate for a position among the City Counsel Women. This first day has been great, an already life changing experience that has encouraged me to be like a dog at a park, leaving their mark everywhere they go. Signing off for today, Kacie Morelos

First Day of ALANMGS My expectations for the week is getting a better understanding of how the state government works. I was nervous when I arrived, but the program has many great reviews that the nervousness turned into excitement. I hope to build myself as a better person by becoming more confident and standing for what I believe in. What I’m most excited to learn this week is how bills/resolutions/memorial projects are passed, I wonder what great idea will be the winner! Meeting new people from my city and others was a great experience, everyone is so friendly, maybe because the sweetest and greatest people are the future leaders of not only New Mexico, but the whole world! Pine City’s scenario is Health Advisory ; Quarantine In Effect! which means our water supply is unsafe to drink. Pine City plans to resolve our problem are to find the source of the contamination and offer many ways to supply the city with safe drinkable water. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, You Are A Leader!” - John Quincy Adams Melissa Reyna Pine City Reporter

Cedar City – Thursday – Reporter: Unknown Thursday was a day of reflection for Cedar City. We started the day hearing from the Girls Nation candidates. Next we had the privilege of being taught Parli Pro by NM Reps. We participated in the Senate and House and marveled at the intelligence of our Girls State sisters. Finally we needed the day with a banquet honoring the ALA and those who have served.

Cedar City – Wednesday – Reporter: Unknown Wednesday was all about spirit! We participated in our city and party rallies. City slayed everyone with our awesomeness. We supported our Girls Nation sisters and elected our county and state officers. ________________________________________________ Cactus City – Wednesday – Reporter: Morgan McHose Cactus was split up today, but that only strengthened our bond. Our parties could be uncompromising, and our counties misinterpreted one another. We were frustrated and sleep-deprived by recreation time, but no one slept. We had a newfound appreciation for each other and our city – and we shared it with impromptu speeches and plenty of volume. We made our counselors proud today not by winning, but by bonding, sharing, befriending and cheering. We cheered ourselves hoarse at the talent show and shared lots of laughs. Our inside jokes seem to grow at an exponential rate. After a thunderstorm delayed our meeting, we gathered and discussed with poise and efficiency. I have never been more proud of my city! ________________________________________________ Cactus City – Wednesday – Reporter: Danika Fuselier We got up and did the flag ceremony. Went to breakfast after that went to the ballroom, voted, then the whistle walk. We went to the ballroom we went over who won and did the city skits.

Cedar City – Tuesday – Reporter: Unknown Tuesday we met in our parties and counties and learned about two party system. We elected our party candidates, created a platform and ended the night with some talent show fun! ________________________________________________ Cactus City – Tuesday – Reporter: Danika Fuselier We got to get up a bit later today and meet up for city meeting then left for breakfast. The met as Federalists and Nationalist. We decided on positions then voted on primaries. Then the parties platform committee left to discuss the issues. When we returned we broke up into several different committees. At dinner we sat with our communities and discussed what bills should be passed and what shouldn’t be passed. After lunch we broke back into our cities.

Pine City – Day 1 at Girls State – Reporter: Sydney Olivas Today during our city meetings we appointed people to their jobs. We came up with rules for our city. We started working on our flag, seal and our song. We also voted on a mayor and everyone who wanted to run for state or city positions. ________________________________________________ Cactus City – Monday at Girls State – Reporter: Giovanna Saucedo Today Cactus City elected their city mayor, Councilwoman, city Clerk, and Treasurer. We learned about the significance of the poppy flower to the Veterans and their families. We also learned about the importance of each fold of the American Flag. The Council appointed the other appointed officials, and held our first official city council meeting. ________________________________________________ Cedar City – Monday – Reporter: Unknown Cedar City held its city meetings. We created what Cedar City is actually about in its core. We elected officials and created our ordinances. ________________________________________________ Cactus City – Monday – Reporter: Danika Fuselier Everything moved so fast. Early morning, late nights and stressful days. We were given a quick briefing on everything for that day along with the schedule for the next day. I applied for city clerk I had or was recommended to write a speech. I got it done and went to bed on time. As a city we had a city meeting and did a game to get to know everyone’s name. Then went over rules. Then we decorated the sign as an Olympic torch. Then we walked to the cub for breakfast. After that we broke into our cities and got explained about the city elected officials. Then went to lunch. After that we met as a city then went to dorms.