A chance to be heard

EVERETT – It was like an old-fashioned town hall session – with a few differences.

The people doing the speaking were calm, collected and thoughtful. The people listening weren’t allowed to comment or respond.

Topics included everything from abortion to school testing, from stem-cell research to what the kids can eat for lunch, and then some.

The people speaking were high school seniors, and those listening were elected officials and candidates.

Sunday’s 10th annual Washington State Student Forum brought to Cascade High School 23 officials and candidates, about 200 onlookers and at least 100 high school seniors ready to speak their minds.

“Do we really have to trade beauty for ugly?” said Chris Stechen, an 18-year-old Archbishop Thomas Murphy High School senior, referring to urban sprawl. The question was rhetorical, since the students weren’t allowed to ask questions, only make comments.

The forum is a chance for high school seniors, many of whom are of voting age, to let their opinions be known to elected officials, said student organizer Christina Radecki of Snohomish High School.

This event is the largest of its kind in the state, she said, based on the number of officials who show up. Elected officials all the way up to presidential candidates were invited, she said. Most of those who attended Sunday were elected officials in Snohomish County or challengers for state legislative positions.

“The whole thing is organized by students, they make the contacts, they set it up,” said Cascade government teacher Mike Therrell.

The first few students to speak were selected ahead of the event by teachers to provide some balance between liberal and conservative statements, Therrell said. After that, the microphone was open.

Each student had one minute to say his or her piece. They lined up behind microphones on either side of the school’s auditoriumlike activity center.

Ashley Jimenez, 17, of Cascade, said her grandfather has cancer and she wanted him to live to see her graduate from college – and that stem-cell research was the way to help him do it.

Peter Sharp of Cascade said one of the objections to gay marriage is “why should you be allowed to marry your cat or your car or 42 people. I don’t see anyone here married to their cat or their car.”

The Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL), was a hot topic, with most opposing it, saying it wasn’t a true measure of learning. Traffic and road problems in particular places were another popular subject. Many spoke on both sides of Initiative 892, which would legalize electronic slot machines in certain areas. Stricter drunken-driving laws was an oft-repeated plea.

The students’ comments were thoughtful, and in most cases, “they’ve done their research,” said Kathy Purviance, whose daughter Elizabeth of Snohomish High helped organize the event.

Several students objected to having only “healthy” choices available in school cafeterias and vending machines. Among them was Mallory Fisher of Cascade.

“I believe we should have the right to choose what we eat at lunch because nobody here looks obese to me.”

Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen gives his State of the City address on Thursday, March 20 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor talks budget at 2025 State of the City

Mayor Mike Rosen discussed the city’s deficit and highlights from his first year in office.

Public’s help needed to find missing Arlington man

The 21-year-old left the house Sunday night without his shoes, cell phone or a jacket, and was reported missing the following morning.

The Marysville Tulalip Campus on the Tulalip Reservation, where Legacy High School is located. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Marysville board votes to keep Legacy High at current location

The move rolls back a decision the school board made in January to move the alternative high school at the start of next school year.

The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
City of Marysville, school board amend property exchange

The city will relocate its public works facility to the district’s current headquarters, which will move to the former City Hall.

Snohomish County Elections employees Alice Salcido, left and Joseph Rzeckowski, right, pull full bins of ballots from the Snohomish County Campus ballot drop box on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County to mail ballots for Edmonds, Brier elections

Registered voters should receive their ballots by April 9 for the April 22 special election.

A stormwater diversion structure which has been given a notice for repairs along a section of the Perrinville Creek north of Stamm Overlook Park that flows into Browns Bay in Edmonds, Washington on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Edmonds Hearing Examiner decides on Perrinville Creek saga

The examiner revoked the city’s Determination of Non-Significance, forcing Edmonds to address infrastructure issues on the creek

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Our Lady of Hope Fr. Joseph Altenhofen outside of his parish’s building that will be the new home of Hope ‘N Wellness on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Hope ‘N Wellness location to open Wednesday in Everett

Our Lady of Hope Church will host the social service organization at 2617 Cedar St. in Everett.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 to Portland departs from Everett Station on Saturday, Sep. 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Limited train service to resume on Amtrak Cascades

Trains will have less capacity for now, but service is expected to resume for some routes as early as Tuesday.

Marysville
Police: 66-year-old Marysville man dead from fatal stabbing

A neighbor found the man unconscious on the sidewalk as the result of an apparent stabbing. Police said they are looking for suspects.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Driver, suspected of DUI, hits WSP vehicle on I-5 near Everett

The trooper was blocking the HOV lane for a previous collision when his vehicle was struck Saturday morning.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.