An everlasting memory to lace us together

Oh, the joys of the first day! I can just imagine each girl walking down the Baltimore airport with the same thoughts in mind as I had: what will these girls be like? Where are the Girls Nation women?! What am I going to say to Obama?! Upon arrival, however, all of our fears settled as we each exchanged names and states of origin. I looked around and embraced the kindness and openness of all the girls. Some of the political junkies were already chatting about policies and the election; others were sharing their abundant knowledge on body piercings. The immense amount of diversity here is comforting. I imagine some girls are in a state of culture shock- where else do you get to meet girls from all over the country (except Hawaii)? Soon after arriving, we headed to dinner and sat with our communities. We discovered the treasure that is the dessert table; others found themselves immersed in a soda heaven. Some were busy starting their pin collections! After an appetizing and satisfying meal, we went to the opening ceremony, in which each girl and Girls Nation staff member placed a poppy on the wreath that will be placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Soon thereafter, the room was jumping with the voices of all the girls learning songs and our oh-so-very precise choreography. We all came to love singing “Yankee Doodle” (because we have a dance and bandanas to twirl) and the song learning was a success! The night was topped off with community meetings that went over rules in general and more ice-breaker games. The week has commenced and ladies, may I say, we have a lot of work to do. We have governments to create, political careers to launch, and dear friendships to create and learn from. I expect nothing less than days full of enjoyment and passion, late night bonding sessions with roommates, and lastly, an everlasting memory that will lace us together after our week-long journey here ends.

Susie Mirabedini, Senator
Spring Valley
North Carolina