My First Meeting with my Cabinet!

Hey everyone!

We had our first cabinet meeting this week and it was so much fun! The Kid Governor Cabinet includes the six other finalists from the Statewide Election back in November. The members of the cabinet are Eva, Hayden, Jason, Madison, Melody, and Reilly. They are all such nice people and it is an honor to be able to work with them.

At the meeting, we got to know each other a bit more by completing a scavenger hunt that was set all over Connecticut's Old State House. We had to solve clues to bring us to our next location and then take selfies with an iPad to prove that we had solved the clue! One of the clues brought us to the downstairs costume room and we all had to dress up in fun costumes. I dressed up as a 90s rock star, Eva was a lion, Jason was a basketball player, and Melody and Reilly were circus performers! We all had a great time.

After the scavenger hunt, we shared a pizza dinner together and then it was time to get down to business. We held our meeting in the Kid Governor's Office (which was once the Grown Up Governor's office). The first thing we discussed was how we were all doing with working on our own individual platforms. I updated the Cabinet on my progress with the guide I am writing to start GSAs in schools, the teacher webinar that I am working on to train educators on LGBTQ issues, and the poster contest I'd like to run to help advocate for foster homes for LGBTQ youth.

Eva mentioned how she had run a toiletry drive at her school to help get needed supplies for families who may not be able to afford them. Reilly did a blanket and pillow collection at her school to donate to local foster homes. Melody has been organizing food drives at her school to benefit local food pantries. Jason is building a Little Library in his community. Hayden is running a screen-free week with a screen-free pledge. We all brainstormed ideas about what we can do to help each other achieve the goals we set during our campaigns. We then went into a Facebook Live video where we answered questions from our constituents. If you go to the CT's Kid Governor Facebook page, you can watch the video!

Overall, it was an amazing experience to get to know and work with such a passionate group of students who obviously care a lot about their causes. I can't wait until our next meeting!

How can we all show love today? You can work hard in school to always be a role model for others by being kind not only to other students but also the adults in the building. Your teachers love you, make sure to show your love back!

Love you all!

Your Kid Governor,

A message from your friends at the Connecticut Democracy Center...

Stay tuned for upcoming guest blog posts from the six cabinet members to learn all about the incredible work that they are each doing in their communities!

True Colors Conference

Last month was really exciting! On Friday, March 22, I went to the True Colors Conference at the University of Connecticut. True Colors is the "largest LGBT youth conference in the country" and has been happening every year since 1994! Every year, thousands of LGBTQ youth and their allies attend this amazing event. I was lucky enough to be asked to be a part of the opening ceremony. I was able to speak to over 2,500 students, teachers, and others about my Pride-Hope-Love platform and my focus on LGBTQ youth safety.

My good friends from the state government, Representative Jeff Currey and State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, also spoke at the opening ceremony. I also got to meet Representative Themis Klarides, leader in the House of Representatives.  Afterwards, I was able to attend several workshops that highlighted the LGBTQ youth experience. There were many different choices but my sister Riley and I decided to go to one where you could decorate a drawstring bag to show how you are unique and diverse. I chose a blue drawstring bag and put rainbows and hearts all over it.

During lunch, my family and I got to eat in a special room with the rest of the speakers. I had two pieces of pizza and a soda. Then it was time for the second workshop of the day. Riley and I both chose something called Genderbread. We decorated gingerbread cookies any way we wanted to to show that gender expression is an individual thing. I made mine with a smiley face, bow tie, and pants. At the end we got to eat them. Mine tasted so good!

At the end of the day we went to one more workshop. My sister and I both went to a dancing workshop. We learned how to salsa dance. Usually in partner dancing, the man gets to take the lead but the focus for the day was teaching everyone how to lead the dance, regardless of gender. It was so much fun and so funny!

The True Colors Conference was truly amazing! I highly recommend that you try to go next year, I know I'll be there!

How can you show love today?
Stand up for someone who you can tell is getting picked on. When you're getting bullied, it's always nice to have a friend.

Love you all!

Your Kid Governor,

Two Inaugurations and my first public appearances!

Good Morning everyone!

It has been a busy couple of weeks! About a week before my own inauguration, I was invited to Governor Ned Lamont’s inauguration by State Comptroller Kevin Lembo. It was a lot of fun! I got to meet so many amazing people and a beautiful chorus sang as well. I also got to attend the very special "joint session" of the House of Representatives and Senate. That was where Governor Lamont gave his first speech to legislators about his goals as governor.

Me with Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, Mr. Charles Frey, Comptroller Kevin Lembo, Treasurer Shawn Wooden, Attorney General William Tong, and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz right after they were sworn into office. 

Me with former Governor Dan Malloy. 

Then it was time for my own inauguration! It was an exciting but busy day. At my inauguration I got to meet so many amazing people. Some of these people included Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. I was also honored to meet the other six finalists for the 2018 Statewide Election. The seven of us will work together during the next year, not only to help my platform of LGBTQ+ youth safety, but also to work a bit on their platforms as well! I am so excited to get to know them, see their smiling faces, and make the world a better place.

Me meeting Congresswoman Jahana Hayes before my Inauguration! 

All of the state constitutional officers for Connecticut joined me and the final candidates for Inauguration Day. 

I'm so excited to get to work with the members of my Kid Governor's Cabinet-- Reilly, Madison, Eva, Melody, Hayden, and Jason.

The day after my inauguration, I was honored to attend the “Together We Rise” women's march at Two Wrasslin’ Cats, in East Haddam, CT. I had the opportunity to speak about my platform in front of a crowd, and I even enjoyed a free cinnamon bun! I was excited to meet so many interesting people and hear their stories. 

I was also honored to have NPR (National Public Radio) interview and film me this past week. They were so kind and helpful, and they seemed to really care about me and the things I am trying to accomplish.

Now that I've been sworn in as CTKG, I have my first challenge for my readers: how can you show respect today?

Wave or say, “Good Morning” to a someone you don’t normally speak to. You never know what little actions can make a person's whole day.

Email me and share how you made someone's day, at Ella@CT.KidGovernor.org.


Love you all!

Ella

Hi, I'm Ella!

Hi! My name is Ella Briggs, and I am the 2019 Connecticut's Kid Governor. I live with my mom, my dad, my sister Riley, my two huge dogs (Newfoundland- St. Bernard mixes!) Ace and Sammy, and my cat Otis in East Hampton, CT. I love to dance, sing, and play the drums. I also love to hang out with my friends and spend time cuddling my dogs and my cat. I like traveling, and my favorite place that I have traveled so far is Budapest, Hungary. I love this awesome playground for kids in Budapest called Tarzan Park, and I love the water slides on Margaret Island.

Me with my dogs, Ace and Sammy! 

This year, I am looking to accomplish my Pride-Hope-Love platform. First I am going to make a step-by-step book on how to start a gay-straight alliance (GSA) at your school so kids can feel PRIDE in who they are. Next I am going to spread the word for more foster families so kids who don't have a safe home for being themselves can feel HOPE that they will find safe and loving homes. Finally I am going to do teacher training so if kids have been getting bullied, teachers know exactly what to do and say so kids can feel LOVE from their teachers and fellow students.

I am going to use this blog to tell all of you about my experiences as Connecticut's Kid Governor. I will also sometimes give ideas of how you can show respect to everyone. Join me through my journey by checking in every once and awhile. Also email me any questions or things you would like to share with me at Ella@CT.KidGovernor.org I would love to here anything you have to say!

Love You All!

Ella