The 70th session of Badger Girls State was held at UW–Oshkosh in June, with 736 of the best and the brightest young women in the state of Wisconsin in attendance.
Three Platteville High School students were sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Post 42 and the Platteville Optimist Club — Carla Hoppe, Sumaia Masoom, and Hannah VanNatta.
Badger Girls State is a program that allows students to learn about state government by doing it. The girls reside in cities and elect officials and create laws within the city. Two cities form a county, and a similar process of electing officials and adopting laws occurs.
Girls also have an active role in writing party platforms for which the constitutional officers stand.
“Since attending Badger Girls State myself in 2006, I have had the privilege of going back as a counselor for the last seven years,” said PHS English teacher Bethany Fredericks, who served as a counselor for the city of Sycamore.
Hoppe, a resident of Elm City, was elected City Clerk. As clerk, Hoppe was responsible for keeping the minutes of city meetings accurate and organized.
“Every day I would see Carla, she was excited to be there and had an all around great attitude,” said Fredericks.
Sumaia Masoom, a resident of Sycamore city, was elected Secretary of State, a state constitutional office position. This position is in charge of publishing all new constitutional amendments, storing all official state records, registering lobbyists, and filing of financial disclosure statements of public officials.
Masoom was also selected by the citizens of the state of Badger, as well as the counselors and committee of BGS, as one of two delegates (out of the 736) to attend Girls Nation, an extension of Badger Girls State on the national level. Masoom’s trip to Washington will include a scheduled meeting with President Barack Obama.
Hannah VanNatta, a resident of Hickory city, was elected alderman. As alderman, VanNatta represented her ward within the city of Hickory, and to bring up any petitions, ordinances, and resolutions to the citizens to be adopted into law. She was also the voice of her ward when it came to voting on said petitions, ordinances, and resolutions.
“Being elected to a city, county, or state position is not an easy endeavor,” said Fredericks. “It takes effective campaigning and clear and articulate speaking skills to earn their positions.”
