OLYMPIA, Wash. — Over 200 Washington state youth will become candidates, election managers and political consultants at the annual Washington State University Extension 4-H Know Your Government Conference in Olympia, Feb. 18 – 21 at the Red Lion Hotel. Participants will explore different political parties, the nomination process and develop resolutions to produce a party platform. At the conclusion, a Know Your Government Governor will be elected from a field of nominees from around the state.
“Our youth will learn how campaigns impact the political process, public perception and how creating platforms drives party decisions,” said Jan Klein, WSU Extension 4-H Adolescent Leadership Specialist.
On Feb. 18, Representative Mike Hope will address the delegates at 5:30 P.M. regarding his bipartisan, statewide 100 Best Ideas for Washington’s Future initiative. Other lawmakers will join the teen delegates at a legislative dinner at 5:30 p.m., Feb. 20. Mike Egan, Director of Government Affairs for the Microsoft Corporation, will speak on the importance of youth activism. Egan previously served on the staffs of U.S. Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Norm Dicks before joining Microsoft.
The 4-H Know Your Government Conference, started in 1978, is a hands-on educational opportunity for youth in grades 9 – 12. Over 90,000 youth participate in 4-H programs statewide in areas in areas including science, leadership, service learning, the arts, and technology. Learn more at http://4h.wsu.edu/conferences/KYG/.
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Note to media: Participants will becoming from the following Washington counties: Asotin, Benton, Cowlitz, Ferry, Grant, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whitman and Yakima.