Buckeye Girls State was a weeklong event hosted at Mount Union University with about 1,000 girls from schools around Ohio. The purpose of this event was to set up a mock state government where each girl could run for different positions in office, and if elected, perform the tasks of that position at the end of the week. There were two parties, the Nationalists and the Federalists, and multiple cities residing in 4 different counties. For a whole week, participants were expected to campaign for their positions, give “elevator speeches” to their respective party, and vote for their choices. Entering the week with no prior knowledge about the happenings for the upcoming week, I was concerned about my performance in front of strangers. I’ve been told that when I was younger I was very outgoing, and as I grew up those around me noticed how my attitude towards meeting new people changed as my anxiety grew. I never expected to excel in an event where I’d have to talk about myself or sell my ideas in a way to make people vote for me. However, elections weren’t possible without first getting your name and purpose out to the voters. Eventually, I found myself minutes away from presenting my “elevator speech” in a room full of girls I did not know other than those in my city who I met only a day before. While waiting for my turn to speak for the position I’d chosen to run for, I found myself scanning over my speech trying to memorize it. Before it was my turn, a position opened up that only had one girl running. When the room was asked if anyone else wanted to run, I jokingly mentioned myself to my friend sitting next to me. Her, apparently liking the idea, decided to volunteer me. As all eyes turned to face my direction and cheer me on, I felt pressured to stand and walk to the front of the room. While I stood in front of the other candidate my mind went blank from my speech that I previously tried to memorize, and instead a brand new “elevator speech” spilled out. The minute passed, and it was over. I don’t remember what I said, but I remember the feeling after I realized what I’d accomplished. Although I didn’t get the position, I had girls coming up to me after complimenting me on my speech, and as my confidence grew, my sense of accomplishment grew with it. From that point on, I couldn’t help but feel a change in the way I spoke to others. I made eye contact and I didn’t worry about the opinions of others. As the week went on, I continued to put myself in new situations that challenged me to feel uncomfortable.  And as I returned home, I realized how important it was for me to continue to be outgoing and talk to new people.

It was the summer before senior year, the most important year of high school, and it was time that I learned how to leave my comfort zone. Buckeye Girls State actually made such an  impact on me, that when asked to make a “thank you” speech to the group of people who funded our week at Buckeye Girls State, the first thing I thanked them for was my new ability to call and order pizza instead of asking my mom to do it. While this comment received laughs from the crowd, I meant it with sincerity. I could now stand up and talk in front of large crowds, without needing to rehearse it a thousand times in the mirror beforehand. I could properly introduce myself to others and make a good impression during an interview. During my senior year, I spoke at Baccalaureate as the class representative, I spoke at the National Beta Convention in Columbus as President of my Senior Beta Club,  I spoke at a National Honor Society event as the Vice President, and I spoke at graduation, my biggest crowd yet, as secretary of the class. Each time, thinking about how difficult it would’ve been before Buckeye Girls State to stand in front of a group of people and not stumble over my speech. I had a new confidence. Currently at college, I have been jumping at the opportunity to meet new people, and join different groups. I don’t feel anxious anymore and I couldn’t think of an experience that has impacted my academic career more. Buckeye Girls State taught me something I couldn’t learn for myself without jumping out of my comfort zone and trying.