By Journalist Alexandria Willard (OSU)
This evening, the Oklahoma State Capitol was filled with college students, eager to compete in the 55th session of The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature.
The most commonly talked about topic tonight was not the nerves, but the excitement. Excitement for how many fresh faces there were in the capitol. Excitement for how many bills there are to be heard this week.
Speaking with Associate Justice, Seth Young (as seen in the first photo), the enthusiasm for this Fall’s competition was evident. When asked how he felt today, he responded with, “ I am so excited! We have never had this many Mooters, and I think this competition has so much room to grow”(Young).
He was most excited “to see who wins. At its base it is a competition to see who prepared the most, who knows their cases the best to show off and it will be nice to see who gets it!”(Young).
Sitting in on the joint-session, the energy was too high not to be felt. The fired up delegates, created an atmosphere like no other.
After the welcoming ceremony of the Governor, Evan Shaw, he gave a speech. Stating the whopping number of 193 bills this session. Although all 193 bills will not be heard, it means the delegates this year and nothing shy of ambitious. The Governor also informed the room of a pivotal point in OIL history. The students of this prestigious competition have committed to making OIL a class credit option at most of the universities in Oklahoma with an OIL team, soon to include Oklahoma State University.
These accomplishments are evidence that the students of OIL are not only in this organization to be competitors, but to make a difference in their communities, their state, and their country.
Then, Governor Shaw introduced a guest speaker, Oklahoma Vice-Chief Justice, Dustin P. Rowe.Rowe took office as city mayor of Tishomingo, Oklahoma in 1994-1999 when he was just 17 years old. Now serving on the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, the justice had some wise words for the delegates of this Fall’s session.
He began by stating a question for the delegates to reflect on this week, as they pass bills and compete in competition, “How can I make this state better for people who don’t have a voice?” (Rowe). It was clear, his audience began to think, and he began to expand on this question. He explained to the crowd how anyone can make a difference in the state of Oklahoma, whether they are the Governor or a Kindergarten teacher.
A few other points he made in his speech were empowering to the young people of tomorrow, such as, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your youth” (Rowe), reminding the delegates, although they are young, they can still change the world in whatever way they deem possible.
“Be a thinker and come to your own conclusions,” (Rowe), encouraging the delegates to vote as they would outside of this competition and to learn how to communicate with others and learn why they think how they think and vote how they vote.
”The most valuable thing any young person can do is learn how to communicate,” (Rowe), reminding the delegates the power of their own voice and inspiring them to not only speak up in this session, but in the real world, and saying, ”There will never be a replacement for a good communicator.” (Rowe).
After leaving with a standing ovation, it was undeniable that Justice Rowe’s words will be stuck in the heads of the delegates this weekend, reminding them why they are here and what they will make of themselves: not only in the competition, but in their lives after college.