San Juan County 4H teen delegates head to Olympia

March 4, 2024 1:30 am
Contributed photo. Back row, left to right: Sylvia Johnson, Wren Ontjes-DeGroot, Betty Burt, Solianna Halabisky, Mira Johnson and Emillio Bayas. Front row, left to right: Elian Bayas, Will Stephens and Moose Kinsey.
Contributed photo. Back row, left to right: Sylvia Johnson, Wren Ontjes-DeGroot, Betty Burt, Solianna Halabisky, Mira Johnson and Emillio Bayas. Front row, left to right: Elian Bayas, Will Stephens and Moose Kinsey.

Submitted by San Juan County 4H.

San Juan County 4H teen delegates spent Presidents’ Day Holiday weekend Feb. 17-19 in Olympia at the 4H Know Your Government Conference.

Know Your Government is a civic education program with a four-year rotating topic: The Legislative System, The Judicial System, Elections and Party Platforms, and Politics and the Media. This year’s conference focused on Elections and Party Platforms.

The San Juan Delegation consisted of nine teens: Elian Bayas and Emillio Bayas from San Juan Island, Betty Burt from Lopez Island, Solianna Halabisky, Moose Kinsey, Sylvia Johnson, Wren Ontjes-DeGroot, Mira Johnson and Will Stephens from Orcas Island.

The annual 4H sponsored Conference brings together teens from across the state to learn about Government. This year each participating county delegation selected a candidate to run for 4H Governor. Our delegates chose Moose Kinsey with a party platform that focused on the Environment, Transportation and Agriculture. Out of 12 candidates, Moose Kinsey was selected 4H Governor for the conference. Other candidate platforms focused on Education, underage vaping, shop-lifting, teen work restrictions, healthcare, disabilities, equality and of course, agriculture.

Highlights of the trip for our delegation included Moose’s win, discussing important issues in a safe environment, touring the Capitol, meeting Rep. Debra Lekanoff and meeting Governor Jay Inslee and his wife Trudy

Next year’s conference will focus on the Judicial system and mock trials. Interested teens grade 9-12 can contact WSU extension for more information.

Our delegates would like to thank San Juan County Leaders Council, Orcas Island Community Foundation and donors, Banner Bank, WaFed bank and our chaperones Kristina Bayas, Kathy Morris and Dana Kinsey for their outstanding support.