By Maggie Sterning - Chief Editor
MARCH 3 2024- SPRINGFIELD IL- Welcome to this special Sunday morning edition of the MIG Journal. I hope everyone has enjoyed their time and had tons of fun. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Maggie Sterning and I was your chief editor this year. If you've seen a person walking around with a camera, that's me! Attorney General Womack, the other journalists, and I have been working very hard to get the journal up and running again this year. My first year at MIG has been unforgettable and I am so grateful for this opportunity and experience. Without further ado, I am honored to introduce your 2024 Executive Board.
Governor Joel Lemmert.
Governor Joel Lemmert attends University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) and will be receiving his Master’s in Public Administration this spring. He’s been a part of MIG for 6 years and loves everything the organization does. He ran for Governor because he wanted to make sure everyone has a fun weekend. Governor Lemmert says he spent months worrying about the event being perfect but seeing everyone happy and smiling makes it all worth it. His favorite part of the weekend is Sunday because people are more relaxed and the debates end up being more fun.
Fast Facts!
House or Senate?
“House”
How many holes does a straw have?
“1”
If you could have dinner with any two famous people, dead or alive, who would you choose?
“Lincoln just to see and hear him and Eugene V. Debs”
If you could read minds, would you want to and how would you use the ability?
“No because I wouldn't want to know what people are thinking about me”
Lt. Governor Alannis Muñoz.
Lt. Governor Alannis Muñoz is currently getting her Master’s in public administration with an emphasis in leadership and government from Northeastern Illinois University. This is her 3rd year at MIG and she’s held numerous leadership positions within the organization before but this is her first E board position. The Lt. Governor oversees all the lobbyists and Munoz can confidently say she’s never see so many lobbyists in previous years and never seen so many speak like they have this year. She said that the most rewarding part of the weekend has been seeing her lobbyists build confidence and see growth within their public speaking. Adding that seeing their faces light up when their bill is passed is rewarding because she was able to help them. Overall, she is extremely proud with all the work they have done.
Fast Facts!
Fun fact!
“My siblings and I were all born in different countries and i'm the first one born in the US”
House or senate?
“Senate”
If you could have any talent, what would you choose?
“Be super athletic”
What is your favorite subject in school
“Algebra”
What color is the dress? Iykyk
“Blue and black but I've seen both combinations at the same time”
Attorney General Jillian Womack.
Attorney General Jillian Womack is currently a communications major with her minor in psychology and a specialization in public relations at Southern Illinois University. This is her 3rd year at MIG and she ran for Attorney General because she’s already won outstanding senate member and outstanding house member so this was a “victory lap” for Womack. The most rewarding part of MIG has been seeing the journal updated in the morning after a long and crazy day. She hopes everyone remembers it's all about having fun and not taking things too seriously.
Fast Facts!
Fun fact-
She has a cat named kodak black and a turtle named Chief Keef
House or senate?
“House”
If it turned out that your entire life was is only a dream, would you want to know?
“No, Ignorance is bliss”
How would a dog wear pants?
“Over the back two legs seems like the only reasonable way.”
Song on repeat right now”
Put Your Records On - Ritt Momney
Secretary of State Gino Hernandez.
Secretary of State Gino Hernandez was born in San Diego, CA but is currently a resident of Plainfield IL. He attends Northern Illinois University (NIU) and is a senior pursuing his major in political science and his minor in English and theatre. This is Hernandez’s 2nd year in MIG and he decided to run for Secretary of State because he wanted to make a change and a better open line of communication between the E board and students. This is something Hernandez is extremely passionate about noting that the most rewarding part of this whole process has been seeing the students he’s helped get excited. He says that even if a student is nervous, he encourages them to run for any position and even if they don’t end up winning they come out happy that they tried and proud of themselves. Hernandez expresses that his favorite part of the weekend is being there for students and checking in on them when needed. This is a long stressful weekend but he wants to let people know that in the end, we're all here to have fun!
Fast Facts!
Fun fact-
“When my sister was being born my dad took me to blockbuster and I was watching Spider-Man in the other room while my mom was giving birth”
House or senate?-
“Senate”
Are there more doors or wheels on earth?-
“Wheels”
You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant?-
“Name him Dumbo”
If you could live anywhere right now where would it be?-
“San Diego, UK, or Asia”
Treasurer Eryn Nelken.
Treasurer Eryn Nelken is a junior at NIU where she is majoring in philosophy. This is her second year at MIG and she wanted to be a part of the E board to encourage new people to meet each other outside of their own delegations. Nelkin said she loves seeing people flourish and become more confident as the weekend goes on. She loves watching a new debate. The hardest part for her has been sleeping, adding that she has “never fallen asleep so hard for such little time”.
Fast Facts!
Fun fact!
She folds origami cranes out of receipts when bored
House or senate?
House
You can have any type of pet you want, with no limit on size or expense. What type of animal would you choose and why?
“Just a really big dog I can ride into battle because they are just so happy to be there.”
Who is your biggest fan”
“My dad because he’s very supportive of everything even if it's absolutely insane.”
Staying in or going out?
“Staying in”
Comptroller Marquis Parks.
Comptroller Marquis Parks is a senior at GSU and is earning his major in theater and performing arts with a minor in business administration. This is his second year at
MIG and wanted to be comptroller because he likes to be a leader and wanted to have a more active role in the whole process. Seeing the simulation come together on the first day after all of the hard work has been the most rewarding part of the process for him. Watching people on the first day come in scared but get more comfortable and confident as the simulation goes on is his favorite part adding that watching the transformation of delegates and watching them blossom is a memorable experience.
Fast Facts!
Fun fact!
“I’m related to Rosa Parks.”
House or senate?
Senate all the way
Is cereal a soup?
“No, because it doesn't have broth.”
What song always gets you out on the dance floor?
“I’ll dance to anything but any line dance like the Cha Cha Slide.”
If all of a sudden, all animals could talk, would you still eat meat?
“Yeah… I love burgers.”
President of the Senate Imani Jackson.
Madam President Imani Jackson is a 2 year member of MIG. She is a junior at GSU and studies American history. She wanted to run for President of the Senate because she felt like there was too much pressure on delegates last year and wanted to make it an open environment where people could ask questions and feel comfortable. Madam President says that she loved hearing praises from people she respects and has clear evidence that they are extremely educated so it means so much more to her.
Her main philosophy has been “standing on business”. She appreciates that this is an environment where people feel comfortable speaking on their political beliefs. “It's been an honor and pleasure being President of the Senate”.
Fast Facts!
Fun fact!
Madam President is ambidextrous
House or senate
“Senate girl every time”
If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs—such as food and water—were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
“Unlimited supply of tomato bisque soup from “ain't she sweet” in Chicago and my phone.”
Go-to karaoke song
“Itty bitty piggy” by Nicki Minaj
What would you do if you won a million dollars
“Completely renovate my mom’s house and live a very modest life”
Do you think Professor Schott (our advisor) is really that tall?
“Never thought about how tall he was until he said he was 6 something. But no, that man is tall. Beanstalk tall.”
Speaker of the House Alexander Rankin.
Speaker of the House Alexander Rankin is in his senior year at UIS and is a political science and legal studies major. This is his 3rd year in MIG and he wanted to be speaker because he’s very familiar with parliamentary procedure and it’s a good way to end his MIG career. Watching the whole thing come together and seeing all his work on the bills being debated has been the most rewarding part of his experience. His favorite part of the weekend is the last session because all the awards are already decided so everyone lets loose and has a good time on the floor.
Fast Facts!
Fun fact!
Rankin has done archery for 15 years
House or senate?
House
What would you choose if you had to choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life?
“Chicken parm and a salad.”
You can have a free chip put in your brain so that you would know all basic knowledge, such as multiplication tables, history facts, and automatically be able to speak and understand other languages. Would you do so? Why or why not?
“It’s very tempting… Yes, because I like knowing things.”
If you could put wings on any wingless animal, which one would you choose?
“Going with the basic answer of pig just so people can say “when pigs fly” anymore.”
Chief Justice Alex O’Daniel.
Chief Justice Alex O’Daniel is currently a senior at EIU and is a political science major with a minor in pre-law. He worked as the Chief of staff for the Chief justice last year and thought it was something he wanted and could do. He said that he loves the buzz of the opening day and meeting all the students and future attorneys. O’Daniel says meeting all the judges and Illinois supreme court judges has been an amazing part of MIG. He urges everyone to try out MOOT court and bring a team next year.
Fast Facts!
Fun Fact!
He works as a truck driver.
House or senate?
“House.”
Do you think you would survive a zombie apocalypse?
“Yeah. Oh yeah.”
What would you do if you found out the world was ending?
“Make the most of it.”
If time machines existed, what would be the first thing you would do?
“Go back and shake George Washington’s hand.”
Secretariat Dana Hooven.
This is Secretariat Dana Hooven’s 10th year at MIG. She said that MIG has opened doors for her and gave her opportunities she wouldn't have gotten elsewhere. She said that the most challenging part of MIG is understanding pieces of legislation enough to communicate them effectively. Her favorite part of MIG is getting to the “meat and potatoes” of it all and watching heated debates. Hooven loves that the organization is 46 years old and hopes it stays around for many more.
Fast Facts!
Fun Fact-!
She loves 90s gangster rap
House or senate?
Senate
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
Invisibility
Is a hotdog a sandwich?
Can be, depends on the bread
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