Manson looks back on her year as governor

By Abigail Beeson

One year ago, Ally Monson didn’t expect to be the South Dakota Girls State Governor.

Monson wasn’t even expecting to run for governor.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do,” Monson said.

Now, Monson advocates for Girls State and encourages other delegates to run for an office.

“Last year, running for governor was very exciting, but it wasn’t so much the election,” she said. “I really just enjoyed getting to know my party.”

Monson believes Girls State has created many new friendships for everyone who has participated.

“The first day (the delegates) come in the door and I’m registering them, I can see they’re nervous,” Monson said. “When they leave here they’re hugging and sobbing.

“These are connections that you watch — growth of individuals in my Girls State year. I’m already seeing it now in the third day. That is what I love about Girls State — you tap into something, an unknown talent, an unknown part about yourself.”

Tiffany Newman, Monson’s senior counselor last year, has seen the same growth in Monson.

“Last year at Girls State was a turning point,” Newman said. “I’ve seen her step out of her comfort zone. I’ve seen her gain many interpersonal skills that have led her to other successes in her senior year of high school.”

Monson has been involved in oral interpretation, one-act play, all-school play and football cheerleading in high school.

Monson’s leadership helped her as a member of National Honor Society, as the boy’s basketball head statistician and as the National Vice President of FCCLA.

“She is a very good speaker and very organized. She has the perfect qualities of a governor,” said Jade Gallagher, St. Lewis.

Monson is currently attending South Dakota State University and plans to double major in economics and political science. She plans to attend law school and hopefully Georgetown.