June 2017

By Keanah Lampkin Many Girls State delegates knew what the Special Weapons and Tactics Team was, but Officer Brad Parker and Sergeant Javier Murguia told them what the job really entails on Friday in Aalfs Auditorium Slagle Hall. During the SWAT presentation, the team kept the girls enticed by drawing them in with interaction and […]

By Kenli Carlson Michael Burgeson of the Yankton Police Department wants to educate people about what to do when coming in contact with a shooter. Burgeson will give an active shooter presentation today at 9 a.m. to Girls State delegates in Aalfs Auditorium Slagle Hall. “I want the public to walk away with the fact […]

By Chrystina Anderson Sexual assault happens to one in four women and one in six men in their lifetime. More than half of all rapes happen to females under the age of 18. Bridget Diamond-Welch, a University of South Dakota criminal justice professor, informed delegates using these facts during a presentation Friday afternoon. Sexual assault […]

By Chrystina Anderson Being engaged in communities might be one of the best things delegates can do for themself and others, according to Ed Gerrish. On Friday, delegates attended an informational and interactive class about how to help engage in communities. Gerrish, a professor at the University of South Dakota, spoke to delegates about why […]

By Haleigh Bebbington While young women from all over the state felt excitement and nervous during the South Dakota ALA Girls State session this week, a few staffers had the drills down pat. Auxiliary member Teresa Huntimer and senior counselor Laura Alexander both received their five-year pins this year, and America Legion Auxiliary member Shirley […]

As delegates gained more knowledge about government, learned about their ability to lead their peers and how involved they were, they also learned who they are when it comes to meeting new people in new environments — whether they realize it yet or not. “(I learned) the government is more complicated than I thought,” said […]

By Lucy Dekkenga Girls State erupted as Ruhama Tereda was announced the 2017 governor, bringing two parties together in unity to celebrate the election of their new governor. A smile across her face, Tereda’s face gleamed with excitement and honor when she walked on stage to join her state officers, presented to the delegates for […]

By Haleigh Bebbington South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard received a standing ovation from a pumped-up crowd of Girls State delegates before his speech even began on Friday morning in Aalfs Auditorium Slagle Hall. Daugaard spoke with the delegates about what it means to find grit and the importance of staying in South Dakota government. “Girls […]

By Chrystina Anderson When canine Reno took to the stage in Aalfs Auditorium Slage Hall Thursday morning, the Girls State audience couldn’t help but “awe.” Reno is a normal, happy and fun dog, said his handler Kyler Pekarek. He and Reno often play together when at home. But during the day, Reno works in the […]

By Mollie Schmidt Part of the Girls State experience, although not always positive, is failure. Addressing that potential failure, University of South Dakota S.J.D. Criminal Justice Professor Michael Roche asked delegates or not they had run for offices this week and lost some elections. About one third of delegates raised their hands during the Thursday […]