Indiana State University Newsroom

Alex Doctor, a Munster High School student, and Mackenzie Theobald, a Bloomington North High School student, were elected to the highest positions of governor and lieutenant governor during the 68th Hoosier Girls State on Thursday (June 25) at Indiana State University.

"I was shocked and excited, very pleasantly surprised," said Doctor, who is a member of the Nationalist Party. "These women have worked so hard to win."

"The people we were running against are such qualified individuals," said Theobald, who ran with Doctor on the Nationalist ticket.

Hoosier Girls State is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary of Indiana as a way of educating a select group of young women on the duties, rights, privileges and responsibilities of citizenship.

Approximately 650 high school girls from throughout Indiana formed a 51st state during their week (June 21-27) on the campus of Indiana State University. Through the creation of a fictitious 51st state, delegates take part in a government exercise that educates them on the structure of politics and government, including running for office from the Nationalist and Federalist political parties.

Doctor, the daughter of Ken and Laura Doctor of Munster, and Theobald, the daughter of Neil Theobald and Sheona Mackenzie of Bloomington, said they had not heard of Girls State until their school counselors discussed it with them.

"It sounded like an amazing camp and introduction to government, which I'll be taking next year," Doctor said.

When she arrived at Indiana State for the week, Doctor knew that she wanted to be involved.

"Government seemed like a good fit with public speaking, which is much a part of who I am," she said.

Theobald said she originally wanted to be a senator as she is interested in the creation of laws.

"Everybody was so nice that I thought I would run for something bigger than I originally thought of," she said.

Doctor, Theobald, and the other candidates campaigned from floor to floor to convenience Girls State members to vote for them.

"It was intimidating," Doctor said. "They ask you about real Indiana issues and they expect you to be well informed."

Theobald said while they learn about national politics that she "never knew the intricacies of Indiana politics."

"We will be voters soon," she said. "This will help us be much more educated voters."

Also elected to positions are:
- Secretary of State Sara Mathes, daughter of Steve and Beth Mathes of Versailles, is a student at South Ripley High School and a member of the Nationalist Party.
- Auditor Maggie Reuter, daughter of Mark and Laura Reuter of Noblesville, is a student at Hamilton Heights High School and a member of the Nationalist Party.
- Treasurer Krista Short, daughter of Nicole Valle and Erin Short of Fremont, is a student of Fremont High School and a member of the Nationalist Party.
- Attorney General Margo Lorraine Tucker, daughter of Terrence and Karen Tucker of Indianapolis, is a student of Lawrence Central High School and a member of the Federalist Party.
- Superintendent of Public Instruction Michelle Hu, daughter of Charlie Hu of Carmel, is a student at Carmel High School, and a member of the Federalist Party.

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Contact: Vickie Koutz, Indiana Girls State director, at 812-237-7890 or 812-237-6472.

Jennifer Sicking, Indiana State University, assistant director of media relations, at 812-237-7972 or jsicking@indstate.edu

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/photos/573987273_9LHUb-D.jpg

Cutline: Mackenzie Theobald and Alex Doctor react to their election of lieutenant governor and governor of the 68th Hoosier Girls State. ISU Photo/Tony Campbell

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/photos/573982687_WqraW-D.jpg

Cutline: Elected officials of the 68th Hoosier Girls State (l-r): Michelle Hu, superintendent of public instruction; Margo Lorraine Tucker, attorney general; Mackenzie Theobald, lieutenant governor; Alex Doctor, governor; Sara Mathes, secretary of state; Maggie Reuter, auditor; Krista Short, treasurer. ISU Photo/Tony Campbell.