Ms President US Hamden Continues her Journey

Participants of Ms. President US joined again at the Ridgefield Library on January 31 to learn even more leadership skills and strategies to become female leaders. Gopika Sheth, last year’s Ms. President US Hamden who ran on a Transportation Access platform, came to speak to the girls about how to go about picking a topic for your campaign. She advised anyone that is running to “pick something that you are passionate about” since that will make their campaign much better.

This is Gopika’s second year as part of the Ms President US program which is open to girls in 4th thru 8th grade and focuses on civic engagement and leadership skills. Last year at this time, Ms. Sheth was a 4th grader at the Foote School, and had been commuting to the Ridgefield Library to participate in the Ms President US program. During the year, she met with exemplary local, state, and federal female leaders and learned about public speaking, diplomacy, and listening skills.

In front of over 300 audience members at the Ridgefield Playhouse, Gopika wowed the crowd with her campaign on transportation access. “My father spends far more time in the car commuting than he would if there were better bus and train schedules. That is what motivated me to research this topic and make it the focus of my campaign.” Her clear platform won her the title of Ms President US Hamden in 2019, and she hopes to win again this March 29th when the next election takes place. After winning, Gopika traveled to Hartford to meet with her elected officials and received an official citation (photo above).

What will her platform be this year? Come find out - the Campaign and Elections will be held Sunday, March 29th from 2-4pm at the Ridgefield Playhouse. It’s free and open to the public. For questions or more information, please contact info@mspresidentus.org.