New Students Appointed to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council
We are excited to announce the selection of the 2019–2021 cohort of members of the Washington Legislative Youth Advisory Council (WALYAC).
From a number of exceptional applications from across the state, selected students displayed passion for positively impacting their communities, interest in the legislative process, and represent a range of diverse perspectives and experiences. We believe that in their capacity as members, the new members of WALYAC will both grow as leaders themselves and be exceptional servants to the youth of Washington state.
If you are interested in engaging with the 2019–2020 council through becoming an ambassador or in registering a youth-centric group to become an ambassador group, a short form is available here.
(via the Office of the Lieutenant Governor)
OLYMPIA — This week, Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib appointed 11 new members to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC).
Codified by the Washington State Legislature in 2005, the Council consists of 22 students ranging in age from 14 to 18 who serve as the official voice of Washington youth to the State Legislature. LYAC students develop a deep understanding of public policy issues and legislative strategy by personally lobbying legislators, testifying before the Legislature, organizing civic engagement events for their peers throughout the state, and more. The program is fully youth-led with oversight from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Each year, 11 new students are selected for a 2-year commitment to serve on the Council. To be eligible for the program, applicants must be from 14 to 18 years of age and be in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade. The 11 new members were chosen from an applicant pool of over 130 in a competitive process that involved the submission of several essay question responses, an interview, and a thorough review by the current Council and the Lt. Governor’s office.
The students selected to join LYAC represent a great diversity of skills, perspectives, and backgrounds, including a nationally recognized numismatist, a student representative of the Auburn City Council, a volunteer with the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, and many others working to promote civic engagement in their communities.
Legislative Youth Advisory Council Members
Ailani Baldwin — Vancouver — Henrietta Lacks Health and Bio Science High School
Matthew Gardner — Normandy Park — Raisbeck Aviation High School
Kellen Hoard — Kirkland — Inglemoor High School
Baeza Lakew — Kent — Kentlake High School
Yubi Mamiya — Shoreline — Shorewood High School
Lily Medway — Bellevue — Issaquah High School
Jonathan Mulenga — Auburn — Mt. Baker Middle School
Jaelyn Sotelo — Vancouver — Skyview High School
Lucash Uniack — Seattle — St. Alphonsus Parish School
Lily June Villa — Grandview — Mabton High School
Isaac Yi — Mill Creek — Jackson High School
