June 2016
Stevens urges delegates to research parties
By Adeline Smidt South Dakota Representative Mike Stevens advised Girls State delegates to research political parties and to become involved in whichever best represents their views Tuesday morning. Stevens, who represents District 18 and serves as Majority Whip in the South Dakota House of Representatives, told delegates that political parties aren’t everything. He then shared three ways a person’s political views can be shaped. Birth, or factors […]
Sutton empowers women attending South Dakota Girls State
South Dakota Sen. Billie Sutton believes women are underrepresented in politics. Sutton said women make up only about 20 percent of the government, while they make up around 52 percent of the nation’s population. Additionally, South Dakota has never had a female governor, and the United States has never had a female president. Sutton encouraged delegates to get involved politically. He told the girls it was […]
A welcome to Girls state: Emily Firman Pieper
By Adeline Smidt Emily Firman Pieper got the 2016 Girls State session off to an exciting start at the first general assembly Monday night. Firman Pieper, a resident of Flandreau, attended South Dakota Girls State in 1994 and was elected governor that year. Today, she stays busy raising three children and running a nonprofit […]
Girls State delegates practice safe tactics during demonstration
By Lauren Svatos To conclude the first full day at Girl’s State, South Dakota Army National Guard 2nd Chief Warrant Officer Shane Toupal taught a seminar based on self-defense. Toupal started the assembly by saying, “Everyone is a leader.” He explained the three stages of assault: sexual assault, assault prevention and the aftermath. Simple […]
Flag etiquette covered for South Dakota Girls State delegates
By Samantha Simonsen For Kate Katterhagen, Philadelphia, “The United States flag represents all the people who fought for freedom “And it also represents my symbol of patriotic pride,” she said. The flag is a respected symbol in the United States, and with this status comes flag etiquette. Flag code formalizes and unifies the traditional […]
Dustin Johnson advises Girls State delegates to be successful, work hard
By Anna Eggers Dustin Johnson hoped to encourage Girls State delegates to aim high for success Tuesday. Johnson spoke at the morning session of the general assembly. He is the former Public Utilities Commissioner and Chief of Staff for Governor Dennis Daugaard and currently the Vice President of Vantage Point Solutions. Johnson said “speaking […]
Column: A week in the life of a journalist
By Nadine Moore This week, there are some ladies weaving in and out of meetings, classes and so on. These girls are part of Journalism City, and we do much more than just cut in line for every meal. Maybe this column will help spare us the glares. To be honest, coming into this week, […]
Question and answer: Senator Mike Rounds
By Nadine Moore Nadine Moore: What’s the most influential piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Mike Rounds: Don’t sell yourself short. And remember, you should leave this place better than you’ve found it. I think they both go hand-in-hand. You have to have the confidence to do the job. With that confidence, you […]
Senator John Thune encourages excellence, character and service at Girls State assembly
By Lexis Sherron In his speech Tuesday morning to Girls State delegates, Sen. John Thune told his own story of participation as a New York delegate at Boys State in 1978. John Thune represents South Dakota as one of two members in the United States Senate. Winning election for the House of Representatives in […]
Vietnam veteran Kerwin Douthit speaks to Girls State delegates
By Abigail Beeson Kerwin Douthit gave a powerful speech to delegates Monday night. Girls State ended its first general assembly with a speech from the U.S. Retired Air Force Veteran, who goes by “Peewee.” “Memorial Day brings good memories and some very bad memories,” Douthit said. “Being a Vietnam Veteran, Memorial Day brings back […]