Girls take charge

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

New Mexico Girls State participants show spirit reciting and dancing to Girls State chants.

Eastern New Mexico University's Campus Union Ballroom was filled with young women Wednesday excitedly waiting to hear gubernatorial election results.

The rising high school seniors exercised their right to vote, a privilege that won't be granted to most of them for about another year. But this week was their week to run the state of New Mexico as participants of New Mexico's 65th Girls State, a summer leadership program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

The 118 participants got to experience a hands-on approach learning about government by building one. The girls were required to form cities and counties and hold elections for offices all while forming the state of New Mexico.

Many of these young women have declared their future aspirations in politics but director of Girls State, Alisha Jones, says this conference also builds confidence and leadership skills.

"They're developing into strong young women right before my eyes," said Jones, a former 1999 New Mexico Girls State participant. "I see them as really coming into their own."

Jones, a graphic designer, has volunteered with Girls State for 13 years. She sees it as the best way for students to learn about government as well as an opportunity to network with other future leaders.

"It gives them the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and become leaders," Jones said.

She noted this particular group of girls has excellent public speaking skills and a high level of respect for one another.

"They're so supporting of each other," Jones said of this year's participants. "I've seen the girls expand in confidence."

What they're saying

Here is what some of the Girls State participants had to say:

• Brittany Baca of Springer High School.

"My favorite part of Girls State is getting to debate and the party rallies," said Baca, a member of the Federalist party at Girls State. "We've debated on different subjects. Internet privacy is one thing I was passionate about fighting for because everyone deserves privacy on the Internet."

Baca hopes that New Mexico will adopt more Internet privacy laws.

• Harley Kennedy of Reserve High School.

"I ran for city clerk of Cactus City but I lost to a great opponent," Kennedy said. She went on to be elected to the House of Representatives.

"I wrote a bill, the Animal Safe Haven Act. Animals are mistreated and I want to give them the right to have food and water and a safe place to stay," Kennedy said.

• Damani Hoffman of Alamogordo High School.

Hoffman was a district judge in Girls State. She ran for governor in the primary under the Nationalist party and lost, but she has plans to run for political office in a small town.

"(Girls State) is really fun. I like to meet new people and get to know them. It was a learning experience," Hoffman said.

• Ayana Cole-Fletcher of Bataan Military Academy in Albuquerque

Cole-Fletcher was mayor of Spruce City in Girls State. She enjoyed the political process and running for office.

"Girls State is cool. We had to make speeches, create a symbol for our city along with a song and a motto. As mayor, I had to take care of my people. We experienced a vandalism scenario and the city created rules and ordinances to prevent it from happening again."