Pflug honors Tahoma High School "We The People" debate team

February 24, 2009

OLYMPIA…Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley, introduced a Senate resolution yesterday honoring the Tahoma High School We The People, The Citizen and Constitution debate team, which won first runner up in this year’s state competition.  

“We The People is a competition between schools on their knowledge of the writings of the Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Law and the U.S. Constitution,” Pflug said. “If you watch this competition, you will be deeply inspired and amazed at the masters’ level knowledge these high school students possess. As a legislator, and as an alumnus of Tahoma High School, I am incredibly proud of these young people.” 

Under the leadership of teacher Gretchen Wulfing, the team captured the 2009 first runner up title. In 2008, the Tahoma High School team took home its 13th state winning trophy in 14 years. In 2000, the team was fourth in the nation; in 2002, it won the Western Regional Award; and in 2003 the team won the top Unit Two in the Nation Award.    

“The students who participate in We The People are getting an extraordinary lesson in how our democracy works,” Pflug said. “This detailed knowledge of our constitution will prepare them to fully participate in the kind of government American men and women have fought and died to preserve. Statistics show that 80 percent of the seniors in this program have registered to vote compared to only 37 percent of students in nonparticipating schools. America needs its young people to be eager for civic participation. Who knows? One of these students could be a future legislator, governor, member of Congress or even a future President.” 

Members of Tahoma High School's award-winning We The People team are Danny Bauer, Orie Bayer, Rachael Bowers, Tony Buhr, Jayson Clem, Matthew Cookman, Jimmy Creek, Erin Day, Sophie DiDonato, Jordan Heintz, Sydney Hobson, Riana Hull, Ann Layman, Kelly Lehigh, Richard Myers, Sean Peerenboom, Kyla Potter, Jeanny Rhee, Kelton Sears, Taylor Shiroma, Brenna Stroup, Hannah Stumpp, Nishanth Sukasi, Charles Tilander, Hanna Vander Woude, Kayla Warr, Haley Williams, and Kyle Zemek. 

Sen. Pflug represents the 5th Legislative District, which includes North Bend, Maple Valley, Issaquah, Sammamish, Fall City, Snoqualmie and
parts of rural King County.

For more information contact Pat Albright
at (360) 786-7519 or albright.pat@leg.wa.gov^.