4-H KYG delegates from Jefferson and Clallam Counties l. to r: Emily Kunz, Sara Pierce, Angelina Pace, Representative Lynn Kessler, Chloe Robocker, JoAnn Beard, Soren Cassella-Blackburn, Jodi Chamberlin and Sarah Hogoboom.Eight North Olympic Peninsula (Jefferson and Clallam Counties) participants were among nearly 300 attendees at the annual Washington State University Extension 4-H Know Your Government (KYG) Conference. This year’s conference featured the theme, “Decision 2008.”
Twenty-one teen delegates from across the state vied for the position of KYG Governor and came to Olympia prepared to discuss issues including transportation, energy, immigration, and health care. During the four-day event, youth created a Know Your Government platform that took stands on topics, including education, the economy, the environment, and safety. Before the actual convention, county delegations presented their candidates and platform planks at a Statewide Virtual Community Caucus through video streaming connections at 18 WSU Learning Center sites, including the WSU Learning Center in Port Hadlock.
Chloe Robocker ran for KYG Governor, representing Jefferson County. She gave a speech to the convention and energetically worked with her team to hand out frog pins with blinking lights and the theme, “Hop to it – vote for Chloe!” You can see Chloe’s speech and others at http://4hkyg.blogspot.com/.
Sue Hay, advisor, stated, “We took individuals from various clubs in Jefferson County, some who were meeting each other for the first time, and the result was a diverse and dynamic team that really stepped up to the plate on their platform development and political campaign.” Caleb Klein from Lincoln County eventually won the election, inspiring the convention with rousing speeches and debate and a stated commitment to the 4-H focus on leadership and community service.
Advisors and chaperones were Sue Hay and Marianne Walters. They wish to thank the many service organizations that helped finance this wonderful experience for local youth. The 4-H Know Your Government conference is an annual event that serves all interested youth in grades 9-12 to strengthen their connection to political and governmental process through hands-on educational experiences. If interested, you can call Sue Hay, Jefferson County at 385-4614.