OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington is in good political hands – in the future at least.
Three Bellingham high school juniors won top state offices as students learned how to run state government in a mock legislative session in Olympia sponsored by the YMCA.
Bellingham High School’s Maddie Ellis has been elected the new Governor of Washington, while Sehome’s Tom Cassella is Secretary of State and Caden Stoane of Squalicum is the new Speaker of the House.
All three say the Y’s Youth and Government program and its weekly meetings have been a great opportunity to learn about politics and government in a hands-on, positive way.
About a dozen local students were among 350 statewide who took part in the event in the state capitol.
For more photos from this year’s event, visit the Bellingham Public Schools website.