Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Girls State exciting, educational for quartet

In July four girls set out on a journey they were all a little reluctant about.

"I was afraid I wouldn't make any friends the whole week," said Bonnie Ferguson, a senior at Gurdon High School.

Ferguson, along with Lacey Jester, Kelli Runyan and Andi Finley, attended Girls State at Harding University.

"When I was first chosen to go to Girls State, I was nervous and excited all at the same time. I was afraid I wouldn't know anyone there," said Ferguson.

After her mom and dad helped her move into her dorm room on Sunday, Ferguson learned she was going to make friends and have a fantastic week.

"We were divided up into cities with seven other girls we had never met before.

We had to wear hats so people would know if we were nationalists or a federalist.

I was elected to the office of City Clerk. I really enjoyed it," Ferguson stated.

She also said they were given the opportunity to pick an occupation while there. Ferguson chose a career in the medical field. She said she was impressed with the seminars she was able to attend related to medicine.

Jester said it was hard for her not to run into friends she had met while cheering or at different camps throughout the years.

"I made a friend from Spring Hill who I still talk to and was supposed to visit with at last week's game, but didn't get to," said Jester.

Jester said she felt like going to Girls State had shown her what it was going to be like when she leaves to attend college.

"It was a lot of fun and a lot of hard work," said Jester.

While at Girls State, Jester was elected as a city alderman and county clerk.

"One of my favorite parts of Girls State was listening to gubernatorial candidate, Jimmie Lou Fisher, speak," said Jester. Fisher is also the Arkansas State Treasurer.

Jester said she was thankful for the opportunity to attend the program and it made her proud to be an American and an Arkansan.

Finley said she was also worried about making friends and being alone all week.

However, she made a friend from Jonesboro, who she is still in touch with, says they are inseparable.

Finley also enjoyed Fisher and was thankful for the opportunity to attend such a program and be a part of something so positive.

Runyan said she was tired when she came home from Girls State due to all the late nights she spent with her group making posters for the state rally and coming up with chants and cheers.

"We stayed up late a lot of nights and we always had to get up early," said Runyan.

Runyan said she was from the city of Compton where she enjoyed going to town meetings and holding elections.

"I enjoyed listening to Governor Mike Huckabee and Fisher. Fisher wore really big hats and was funny," said Runyan.

Gurdon High School Principal, Leonard Gills said he was glad to showcase such a wonderful group of students and was glad they had such a positive experience.