Girls State attendees take advantage of counselor wisdom, look to future

By Morgan Fischer

Jodi Hoiten of Boston has been a counselor at Girls State for six years. She spent one year as a junior counselor and five years as a senior counselor.

Hoiten came as a Girls State delegate not knowing what to expect, but when the time came to go home, she realized how much she had loved it. She was nominated for Girls Nation, which became one of her favorite memories from her time through Girls State. In college, her roommate was a girl from her city she met as a delegate. Some of her best friends today are women that she has met while attending Girls State.

“I think it is one of the few times in our state when all of these girls of such a high caliber can really come together and see that there are girls like her all over the state,” she said.

Kyle Siemers of Chicago said she appreciates how supportive the counselors are of all the girls and how willing they are to help.

“They really want to see us do well,” Siemers said.

Taylor Lewin and Kathryn Paulson from the city of New York agreed that if they were to become counselors, they would play names games on the first day to help the delegates get to know each other.

“You have to put yourself out there and maybe step outside of your comfort zone. Then you bond with your city and county,” said Lewin.

The girls also believed that it is important to ask questions.

“No question is a stupid question; other people in your group are probably trying to find out the same thing, so don’t be afraid to ask,” Paulson said.

Jodi Hoiten said the delegates inspire her every year. She believes it is important to see what other girls are doing to help their communities and bring that information home with them and spread what they learned with others.

She said she enjoys how girls can come with a blank slate and be who they want to be.

It is important for delegates to keep their enthusi

asm strong after they return home. They can get other people excited in their homes and communities, she said.

Most schools have government classes for seniors, and Hoiten believes that Girls State will really help delegates prepare for taking

them.

“This is really where I broke out of my shell, where I realized that I am interested in public service and to serve my community, my state, and even my country.”

(Photo: Senior counselors teach delegates the Girls State Song Monday night. / Sacajawea Scroll)