Merxbauer, Monson confident in gubernatorial platforms

By Anna Koeppe

Mary Lou Merxbauer is the aspirant chosen as the governor candidate representing the Nationalist party. In an interview, she passionately stated how excited she is about how her hard work has paid off, saying “To make it this far, it’s just been such an honor to know that I have girls backing me up.”

Mary’s main focus and passion shines through to everyone acquainted with her.

“I really want to give talks to girls, to help them know that they’re beautiful whether they wear makeup, whether they wear sweatpants, whether they are having a bad day or not,” she explained.

She believes that because we’re created by God, we have all been given a beautiful purpose to live for on earth. She spoke with devotion about her desire for each girl to fully realize and embrace her own beauty and true personality, stressing that being brave enough to let yourself be fully passionate about what you love is critical.

Jordan Roesch from Cleveland vouched for Merxbauer’s heart for her peers.

“She’s the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet,” Roesch said. “And she’s the right choice for governor. Go Mary Lou!”

Merxbauer chose Grace Jensen to be her lieutenant governor, who poured out compliments for Mary at the “Meet the Candidates” campaign, bringing Merxbauer to tears.

“I didn’t have to know her very long to see how beautiful she is, inside and out,” Jensen gushed.

Merxbauer said she has earned the ability to relate to girls who are struggling with building up confidence, because she has gone through the exact same feelings herself. Through the process of breaking out of her uncertainties, she’s learned lessons that will prove valuable in her plans of giving 2016 delegates self-confidence talks.

Growing personally through multiple experiences and activities has brilliant effects on character and values, she said.

Switching from a smaller school to Aberdeen Central impacted her greatly, as it taught her lessons about the reality of diversity.

“When I switched to Central, I learned so many new opinions…and it made me realize…that you’re not all the same, and (how) to come across with your beliefs without shoving it down someone’s throat,” she said.

Merxbauer is involved in many activities both in and outside of school that contribute to her personality and character, focusing on her interest in the fine arts. Participating in play performances, dancing in team competitions, being active in her church and religion, and singing in show choir fill her free time.

Merxbauer has invested herself into selfless organizations, one example being her volunteer work with Camp Dream-Makers, a camp for disabled children. She has grown personally through her experiences there, explaining.

“You realize that they’re just like other kids…and they’re just so amazing…they grow attached to you,” she said.

As for her future plans, she’s considered a range of warmhearted careers, including a pediatrician, vet and counselor.

This week at Girls State has made her aware of interesting government careers, though.

“Coming here this week has really opened my eyes to the government half (of careers), and how fun it can be,” she said.

She’s narrowed the colleges she’s interested in to three: two in state and one out of state.

With the slogan “May the beauty be ever in yourself,” Merxbauer is rallying votes from girls who believe in the cause she promotes and share the heart she possesses.

“You can instantly see the fire and passion in her heart,” Jensen said.

By Madison Rost

Allyson Monson from Seattle is the Federalist governor candidate, announced Thursday morning.

Monson considered running for governor during the car ride to Vermillion. Along with some positive reinforcement from senior counselor Tiffany, Monson decided to go for it. Many people have told her in the past that she is very good at public speaking and should look into a career in politics.

“When I really decided is when my city counselor, Tiffany — I knew her prior to Girls State — and we talked about it before,” Monson explained. “And she said ‘You know, I really think you can do this,’ and I said ‘There’s nothing I can lose, I can only gain from this opportunity, so why not?”

‘Find Your Voice’ is the Federalist Party platform for their campaign. Monson used the theme of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and a lip sync battle to introduce the platform.

“‘Find Your Voice’ is all about discovering yourself and taking that leadership position to fully be able to lead others because you understand yourself and you’ve recognized yourself,” Monson said. “Our platform is all about finding a passion that you have and loving it, speaking out as an advocate for what you believe in.”

Usually, both parties come up with some fun bills along with some serious bills that will help form the delegate’s decision on who to vote into office. In some years there have been bills that would make a pajama day or that Girls State must have a dance and have Boys State join.

The Federalist Party believes that an Expression Day would be a perfect idea for one of the bills for Girls State next year.

“I just think Expression Day would be awesome, we could be ourselves, we could find ourselves and who we are and accept each other, that’s the idea, and that’s the comradery that the Federalists are looking for,” Monson said during her speech Thursday night. “‘Why can’t we all be individuals striving to make ourselves better each and every day? That’s what all you girls are doing here, I’ve seen it, I’ve seen all of you, and I see the desire in your eye and your willingness to learn. We identify ourselves as ‘I am an individual with different thoughts and opinions and that’s ok.’ That’s what we believe in in the Federalist Party.”

It takes a lot of courage and confidence to be able to go up on stage and talk in front of 400 or more people, plus anyone who is watching on the live video coverage.

Rebekah Tuchscherer, representing St. Louis, is Monson’s choice for Lieutenant Governor.

“Definitely the number one (quality) is her confidence, that’s a huge thing in this election and she is a great speaker, great communicator which is very important because we have good ideas for our story and she’s definitely the one to convey them,” Tuchscherer said.

Earlier in the week, Federalist Keynote Speaker Morgan Fuller, from Detroit, was chosen to speak on Thursday night at the general assembly to tell more about Monson.

Fuller is very enthusiastic and excited to join Monson for the campaign.

“I’m doing whatever she needs, making sure all of our party is proactive, jazzed and ready to go,” Fuller said. “(I am) getting people excited for Allyson and for our party. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met and I’m not just saying that, she’s just fabulous.”