Day Two Events
History
It is a tradition at ALA Sunflower Girls State to distribute Blue Star Service Banners to delegates who have immediate family actively serving in the armed forces. Karen Hasting, ALA Department of Kansas President, helped hand out the banners and delegates were encouraged to hang these on their doors. It’s an American tradition to display a Blue Star Service Banner in the window of a home when a loved one is proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Blue Star Service Banners were widely used during both world wars, but were not embraced during the Korean or Vietnam wars with the same enthusiasm. The American Legion rekindled that spirit of pride in our military following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by providing banners to military families across the nation.
Happenings
Brooks was named City of the Day and were given the spirit stick!
In previous years delegates were chosen as broadcast journalists and presented news, weather, and sports on stage during morning assembly. A recent change to our program has delegates filming a news broadcast to be played on a screen. Today THE BUZZ named for the Kansas state insect, the honey bee, played for the first time during morning assembly. You can watch the Monday broadcast with Alexis and Alyssa from Cimmaron County here.
Sarah Brown spoke with the girls about etiquette in professional settings. Sarah is the Policy Analyst for the Sac and Fox Nation, has served as a municipal judge since 2013, and in 2015 was appointed to serve on the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women. In addition she is a volunteer attorney for Tulsa Lawyers for Children and is a certified life coach. Sarah attended Oklahoma Girls State and Girls Nation and has served on staff for Sunflower Girls State in previous years. She gave tips on how to put your best foot forward in participating in interviews, building your resume, and good information about how to carry yourself. Sarah is a dynamic speaker that we love to have visit us each year.
We welcomed a Legislative Career Panel to talk to the girls about their duties and roles within the Kansas Legislative Branch.
Legislative Career Panel. From left to right: Susan Estes, Precinct Committeewoman and State Chairwoman. Representative Brandon Woodard, Kansas House District #30. Barbara Conant, Lobbiest at Kansas Advocates for Better Care. Catherine Gunsalus Assistant Kansas Secretary of State.
In the afternoon we heard from Kansas Secretary of State, Scott Schwab. Secretary Schwab talked about his duties as a public servant and what business is carried out by his office. He shared an important lesson about respect and noted that we will not always agree but we can honor and respect those across the aisle. Schwab also spoke out against negative rhetoric and how it can lead to distrust of the system. He shared information about voting, elections, the electoral college, and peaceful protest. The delegates were engaged and he took multiple questions from the audience.
Lawyers’ Oath
The Bar Exam is a test administered in each state to assess whether or not a candidate is competent to practice law in that jurisdiction. At ALA Sunflower Girls State all citizens take the Bar Exam. Citizens who wish to be elected to certain offices require that they pass the exam. These include: County Attorney, District Judge, Attorney General, and the Justices of the Supreme Court. This year at SGS all citizens passed the Bar Exam! Presiding Governor Katie led them in the lawyers’ oath.
A candidate seeking a political party nomination in Kansas files a petition. The numbers of signatures varies according to the office being sought. At girls state we also file petitions for candidacy. This afternoon each political party came together to sign and file petitions.
We are so glad to be here for another week and thrilled that this group of girls is showing us passion, pride, and enthusiasm.