SAAS Youth Legislature Delegation 2021-22

On May 4-7, Seattle Academy’s Youth Legislature team, accompanied by advisors Steve Retz and Will Hinman, traveled to the State Capitol Building in Olympia to take part in the YMCA Youth Legislature Event. YMCA Youth Legislature allows teens in grades 9-12 to explore the meaning of civics and democracy in our nation by assuming the role of various Washington State elected officials, researching and drafting creative policy solutions to community problems, and engaging in service-oriented activities.

“The passion for civics and participation in our democratic process of government ran strong in our SAAS delegation this year,” Steve says. “Much like the rest of our society, kids from across the state of Washington have very different views on many issues, and there was a lot of spirited debate as delegates worked on the skill of making their voices heard, while respectfully considering ideas that were different from their own. The slogan of the program is ‘Democracy must be learned by each generation’ and our kids got a great course in this process with their experiences as they do every year in Olympia.”

Students returned to an in-person event after a two year Zoom-haitus because of the pandemic. The energy was palpable. Over 200 kids from across the state and from 15 delegations were in attendance this year. Over the four days, a total of 100 or so total bills from across the state were proposed and roughly 60 made it out of committee and onto the Senate and House floors. Seventeen bills passed both chambers and were signed by the Governor. 

Students from the SAAS delegation saw four of their six bills pass out of committee; two bill were in the Senate and two were in the House. 

Bills Passed

The following Senate and House bills are those that passed in their houses of origination and those marked below with *** passed in both houses and were signed by the Youth Governor. 

1. Ally Pfau — Senate ***

Abolish the statute of limitations for crimes of sexual violence.

2. Charlotte Jennings — Senate ***

Legalization of drugs for adults, relating to addition.

3. Rahni Singh — House

Extending voting rights to lawful permanent residents (“green card” holders).

4. Dylan Koa — House ***

Allowing minors (13-17 years of age) to make decisions for themselves about vaccination.

SAAS Youth Legislature Delegation 2021-22 Roster

State Officers

Charlotte Jennings (President Pro-Term), Class of 2022

Senators

Ally Pfau, Class of 2022

Freddie Slade, Class of 2024

Representatives in House

Rahni Singh (Committee Chair), Class of 2023

Tyler Eng, Class of 2024

Dylan Koa, Class of 2024

Steve Reflects On the Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House Pro-Term 

Charlotte Jennings (’22) was elected a year ago in state-wide elections and served this spring as the Lt. Governor, presiding over the debate in the Senate. Her work in that role was an excellent real-world example of our school’s Culture of Performance as Charlotte blended her knowledge of parliamentary procedure with a calm and collected demeanor in her leadership of the Senate. 

Rahni Singh (’23) served as Committee Chair and was elected to serve next year as the Speaker of the House Pro-Tem, so she will have an opportunity next year to preside over the House of Representatives for parts of our debate sessions.

We are extremely proud of our school representatives and their proposed bills, and all of the hard work produced by our delegates and advisors this year. Great work to all of our Youth Legislature Delegates this year!