Youth and Government students spent week in Olympia

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg students from the YMCA Youth and Government program participated in its annual non-partisan, civic engagement program in Olympia on April 30 through May 2.

Youth Legislature students work throughout the school year to learn parliamentary procedure and write legislation to be presented during a state-wide conference.

"Youth and Government in Olympia was great this week and was a great opportunity for the kids. For most of our students, this was their first year, but we did have a few returners; everyone had new roles and did phenomenal," said advisor Westin Wallace.

Graycen Teal's bill, concerning businesses disclosing AI use, was so impressive that the Youth Governor made a special endorsement of the bill, and the Governor's cabinet spoke in favor of it not once but twice.

Olivia Duncan was appointed as a special Governor lobbyist and spoke on multiple bills. Ellie Teal also spoke on multiple bills.

Chloe McCaw's article "Why Y&G?" was published in the Youth and Government newspaper.

The kids had a great time seeing how the democratic process works in Washington and hearing different perspectives from across the state.  

"Super proud of the kids, and I enjoyed witnessing the fun they had, the memories they made, the people they met, and the civic engagement they undertook this week with hundreds of other kids from around the state," said Wallace.

Seniors Jarod Hankins, Teegan Kenney, Graycen Teal, and Victor Whitmore will receive an honors graduation cord from Youth and Government at graduation.