Peninsula Daily News
Photo: Evan Cael, Peninsula Daily News interviews Claire Turner, Luke Turner and Mary Turner in the Jefferson County 4-H office.
OLYMPIA (November 13, 2006) – Gov. Christine Gregoire is used to being asked hard-hitting questions by veteran journalists, but usually the reporters aren't quite so young.
Eight-year-old Claire Turner of Port Townsend interviewed the governor in Olympia on Nov. 6 for 4-H Network News.
"Are you excited about having the Capitol Christmas tree from Washington state this year?" she asked.
"Claire, I think this is just great," said Gregoire.
"We are going to share with the entire country one of the finest trees we have in Washington state so they can see just how gorgeous Washington state is . . ."
The third grader is one of about 15 Jefferson County young people involved in the youth-run Port-Hadlock-based news station.
Claire has been reporting for the club – at http://4-hnews.blogspot.com – since May.
"People really give access to Claire where maybe they wouldn't have normally," said her mother, who helps with the production of the news spots. "She's gotten into interviews where others haven't."
According to Claire, "I'm part of this, so I must be good at it – and I'm also cute."
Turner's interview with Gregoire was set up by 4-H volunteer Jack Olmsted in connection with the Capitol Christmas tree's state tour that began last week.
The 65-foot-tall Pacific silver fir cut in the Olympic National Forest is the first tree from this state to make a trek to the other Washington – Washington, D.C. - to act as the nation's Capitol Christmas tree.
4-H Network News is planning coverage of the tree's journey, from chainsaw to being decorated with 10,000 lights and ornaments made by the state's school children.
The club is enlisting the help of other 4-H clubs across the county.
Pamela Roberts, 4-H coordinator, said the Capitol Christmas tree is a perfect symbol for what 4-H stands for, in addition to what the four H's actually stand for – head, heart, hands and health.
She said for the past 100 years, 4-H has been teaching young people about forestry education.
"The tree is a symbol of that," said Roberts.
"Claire interviewed the governor as a representative of 4-H forestry programs across the state.
"It's incredible when you think of an 8-year-old in that position."
Claire recalls waking up at 5:30 a.m. Nov. 6 to make it to the state Capitol building in Olympia in time for the interview.
She said the Capitol building and the room where she interviewed Gregoire impressed her.
"I thought the Capitol building was really cool because it was pretty huge and mostly made of marble," Claire said.
"I interviewed the governor in the meeting center and the chairs in there were huge."
To watch a video of Claire's interview, visit the 4-H Network News Web site devoted to covering the Capitol Christmas Tree's journey at http://capitolchristmastree2006.blogspot.com.
Those interested in joining the club can phone Roberts at 360-379-5610, Ext. 207.
Reporter Evan Cael can be reached at 360-385-2335 or evan.cael@peninsuladailynews.com.
