NEWS RELEASE                                   August 2, 2007     

Lt. Governor Owen appoints 13 to
Legislative Youth Advisory Council

Lt. Governor Owen with Alex Jonlin

OLYMPIA –  Lt. Gov. Brad Owen has appointed 13 Washington youth to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC), including a Seattle teen who proposed the organization when he was 11 but then was too young to apply. 

The council of 14 to 18-year-olds was established to give the legislature advice on critical issues related to education, health and fitness, test reform, school safety and other topics related to youth.

Lt. Governor Owen, left, with Phil Gardner, the new chair of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council and Kate Berry, past chair, and Jim Zimmerman.  Gardner is a junior at the Charles Wright Academy at University Place.

Alex Jonlin, now 14, proposed the creation of the advisory council in to the legislature in 2005.   Jonlin came back to the legislature in 2006 to try to get the age lowered. When that legislation did not pass,  Washington Middle School student went on to serve on the LYAC in an honorary capacity and was further honored by a Senate resolution in 2007. He is now a student at Seattle’s Garfield High School. 

The 13 appointees were chosen from a pool of 100 applicants statewide, representing 37 of the 49 legislative districts.  A review committee from the council screened the applicants and made their recommendations to the lieutenant governor.

Owen said members of LYAC “have an important voice in speaking for Washington youth and at the same time get a great education about civic involvement.”

LYAC consists of twenty-two members who serve two-year terms and if eligible, may be reappointed for subsequent two-year terms. They can meet up to six times a year. 

Besides Jonlin, the new members include: 

• Andrew Beckmann, 16, of Colfax. Andrew is a student at St. John-Endicott High School and is involved with the United States Naval Sea Cadets.
• Tucker Davis Cholvin, 14, of Snohomish. Cholvin, a student at Skyview Junior High, is interested in youth activism and engagement.
• Zoe Hamilton, 16, of Seattle, is a junior at Seattle Prep. She has been a mock trial lawyer and was selected because of his ability to “articulately express passion for civic engagement.”
• Greg Heinicke, 17, of East Wenatchee, is a senior at Eastmont High School. He says he wants to represent his rural community and encourage community service.
• Melissa Marie Karapostoles, 15, of Sequim, is a sophomore at Sequim High. She is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and helped establish a student position on the Sequim City Council.
• Ryan Katz, 17, of Seattle is a senior at Lakeside School. He did an internship for the Washington Democrats Latino Vote Project.
• Megan Elyse Kinney, 15, of Yakima, is a sophomore at Eisenhower High. She is interested in eliminating gangs and increasing school security.
• Sara Klegin, 14, of Liberty Lake, is in grade 9 at Greenacres Middle School. She is on the Liberty Lake Youth Commission and is a member of the High 5 Core Group that plans alcohol and tobacco free events for school.
• Desirae Martin, 15, of Lacey is a sophomore at River Ridge High. She has a background in technical education.
• Naomi Meyer, 16, of University Place is a junior at the Tacoma School for the Arts, an alternative, arts-based high school. She has a strong interest in the legislative system.
• Michelle Stanley, 17, of SeaTac, is a senior at Mt. Rainier High and also attends Highline Community College. She is interested in primary education and multicultural issues.
• Stephanie Erin Vis, 16, of Lynden is a junior at Lynden High School. She teaches English to Spanish-speaking adults and wants to help Washington’s Latino community.

The next meeting of the advisory council is Aug. 16 in the state Capitol.

More information about the Council can be found on the lieutenant governor's Web site at http://www.ltgov.wa.gov or by sending an email to lyac@leg.wa.gov

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For more information contact:
                                   

Judi Best, Senate Civic Education Coordinator, (360) 786-7451 or Phil Gardner, chair of LYAC at  lyac@leg.wa.gov

Office of the Lt. Governor: Brian Dirks (360) 786-7707 or dirks.brian@leg.wa.gov