Delegates traveled to Topeka to the State Capitol and Shawnee County Courthouse. Some SGS elected officials were able to meet with their elected counterparts if available. The SGS House of Representatives was able to work and debate legislation in the Kansas House Chambers. The Senate Chambers was unavailable for our use so the Senate met in the Kansas Supreme Court room.
State Board of Education
Register of Deeds
House of Representatives
Delegates had the opportunity to tour the Capitol and see the new mural that commemorates the landmark United State Supreme Court Case, Brown v Board Education in which the court declared state laws establishing separate schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. When Senator Elaine Bowers visited with us earlier in the week she discussed her involvement with the mural coming to life at the capitol.
Brown v Board of Education Mural, Kansas State Capitol
Governor Katie reporting on legislation.
During joint legislative session Governor Katie gave a report about the legislation that she signed or vetoed. Over the years SGS Legislatures have passed legislation about Girls State or current Kansas issues. The political party mascots were adopted after it was passed by the legislature and signed. On Friday Governor Katie signed a bill limiting access to vape pens and other nicotine alternative devices. She also signed a bill that added a "Snack Mistress" to city positions.
After visiting Topeka, and after a bus broke down on the way home, we met for our final assembly of the session. Here we announced the All State City, award winners, and more. See those and their photos here:
Of course there are some hiccups along the way but we had an amazing week and we will soon begin preparations for next year. Thank you again to our special guests and speakers, each delegate that chose to spend their week with us, and the sponsoring units and parents who are behind them. Our program couldn't exist without all of you.