ITD hosts Girls State participant Mahogany Hull            

On June 15, Ramón Hobdey-Sánchez and Beth Schiller welcomed Mahogany Hull (pictured above) to the world of ITD as part of the Idaho Girls State program. Hull, from Rockland, will be entering her senior year of high school this fall. 

American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is a nonpartisan program that teaches young women responsible citizenship. Since the inception of the Girls State program in 1937, high school girls who have completed their junior year spend an intensive week of study, working together as self-governing citizens, and have the opportunity to learn first-hand how their state and local government works.

The day began on the front steps of the Idaho Capitol Building. From there, she went to the Division of Aeronautics, where Mike Pape, Melissa Kaplan and Derra Kolar were more than gracious hosts.

"Melissa definitely took the lead and did a fantastic job of really connecting with Mahogany on a very real and personal level," Hobdey-Sánchez reported. "Pape suggested that Melissa take Mahogany up for a quick flight over Boise; and off they went.  Mahogany’s quick tour of the Boise sky was followed by Derra providing a wonderful, spur of the moment lunch (gotta love those ACE Academy Goodwood BBQ leftovers!!)." 

Pictured at right: Schiller, Hull and Hobdey-Sánchez enjoy a moment with Big Mike in front of the ITD Headquarters building.

The next stop was the East Boise POE, where they were hosted by Scott Conrad.

"What was really cool about this stop is that neither Beth nor I had ever been, so it was a great learning experience for us all," Ramón said. "Scott did a fantastic job getting into the detail of exactly what our front line employees at the Ports do on a daily basis. He also went in to the history of the East Boise POE, and I was able to add some oh-so-interesting details about 129K trucks and the fascinating political/business angles of big trucks in Idaho. 

"But, Scott and I were most likely out-done by the grand tunnel that goes under I-84 and connects the Ports on each side of the freeway together.  It was definitely a great experience and very cool to see first-hand," he added.

"With not much time left in the day, we made a bee-line back to HQ, where Mark Hall was waiting in the front lobby, camera in hand, as Mahogany walked through the front doors," Hobdey-Sánchez said. "The visual that this act created was absolutely amazing. We proceeded up to the 2nd floor, where not only did she get to meet staff, but also got to get some sweet pics sitting behind the Director’s desk. I also thought it was pretty cool that while we were doing introductions, we learned that our very own Brenda Williams and Tracy Schwartz are Girls State alums, respectively; which added some special connections to close out our day.

"This was my third year participating in hosting the Girls State representative, and it is truly a great opportunity to bring the real world and academics together. Being part of educating our youth and maybe even inspiring some is a wonderful thing to be part of. So, kudos to all who helped make this a very impressionable and unforgettable day!"

Published 06-30-17