Greetings from Washington! I’ve been so busy throughout the
last few days. I’ve had to stay up late with the senators so I could get ready
for our senate sessions and practice our skits and musical numbers for talent
night. Did you know that koalas sleep between 18 and 22 hours a day? I think
I’ve been awake for that many hours each day during my time at ALA Girls Nation.
It has been a true honor to spend my week with these amazing senators from all
over the United States. I think I might have to do some more traveling before I
head back to my family in Australia. I have so many friends now that live in so
many interesting places that I can go explore. I will try my best to keep you
posted. Before I go catch up on my sleep I thought I would give you an overview
of some of my favorite moments from my week here at ALA Girls Nation.
I was able to follow the ALA Girls Nation senators on their tour
of the monuments at the National Mall. They sang a variety of patriotic songs
on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and it was beautiful. There are so many
wonderful tributes in our history. Did you know you could stand in the same
spot that Martin Luther King, Jr. stood to deliver his speech “I Have a Dream”?
There is a special tile there that people like to stand on and look out from
where he stood. It was pretty cool to put myself in his shoes and pretend to
give a speech to the American people. I took a picture of some senators by the
engraved inscription and think that I will see if I can find more books about
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He sounds like a very interesting man that wanted
everyone to get along.Hanging out in party meetings was exciting. The senators taught me cheers for the party rally. Not only are these girls articulate in their public speaking, but their decorating skills are impeccable. I learned that campaigning is an important part of the election process. Did you know that politicians make signs and have a team of people that help distribute them? Since I helped the senators make their signs, some of them made me my very own sign, and let me pretend to be the Majority Whip! I learned that sometimes it is just as rewarding to help people get elected from behind-the-scenes as it is to be the person elected. I want to give a shout out to all my new friends (Nationalists and Federalists) that helped people get elected this week. It’s a tough job, but without the people behind the scenes the candidates can’t do as well as they do. Good politicians know that it takes a team of people to get elected. I wasn’t allowed to actually vote in the presidential and vice presidential elections, but it was fun to pretend. Did you know that there are rules about voting? Each country has its own rules and I learned that ALA Girls Nation is no different! I am not old enough to vote yet, but you better believe that when I am that I will make sure I exercise my civic responsibility and do so.
Thursday was a very exciting day for all of us. Thanks to
some great people at the American Legion’s D.C. office, a White House visit was
arranged. What an honor to stand in a place where so many powerful leaders have
stood. President Obama told the senators that he was confident in their
abilities to become great future leaders. He was a pretty funny man and I think
if he had stopped to talk to me like he did with each of the ALA Girls Nation
senators and staff, I would have told him a joke. He told the Girls Nation
senators that they were probably more productive in their senate this week than
the real life senators in the United States! Can you believe that? He then told
them that when they meet with their senators that the girls should try to
“knock some sense into them!”
It was also really cool to see the different rooms in the
East Wing of the White House. Did you know that the girls in the program got to
wander around the rooms without being blocked off by ropes. I can’t believe
they trust them not to break anything! I was nervous, but the girls were
excited to explore and take pictures. I will say that meeting the president of
a country is a pretty cool thing. The girls told me that regardless of what
political party you belong to that meeting the president is an awesome
experience. I think it was cool to hear one of the staff members say that you
should “respect the office” and that makes so much sense! It truly was an honor
that not many people get to do and that made me feel very special.
My adventures at ALA Girls Nation have come to an end. Votes
have been cast, officials have been inaugurated, pictures have been shared, and
this adventure is complete. Now let’s all start our new adventure!
~Wally
