Lynnwood University graduates 42 with education in local civics

LYNNWOOD — It isn’t often that a mother and daughter graduate on the same evening, but that is exactly what happened at the Lynnwood University graduation ceremony Thursday, Nov. 20.

Faith White and her daughter Laura, 15, were students in the eight-week course offered to citizens to teach them about city functions, such as police and fire, courts, public works, parks and recreation, laws and the budget.

What might be equally interesting about the mother-daughter duo, in addition to their matching graduation certificates, is the fact that Laura White was the youngest member of the entire class.

The 15-year-old said the most interesting topic she learned about was the water system. She also said learning more about the city “is cool.”

“It never occurred to me that there was a 15-year old in the class,” said Mayor Mike McKinnon, who presided over the classes.

Faith White, the mother of six, homeschools four of her children who still live at home. She decided to attend the classes, along with her daughter, so she could share what she learns with her children during their at-home classes. She has been impressed by this learning opportunity offered by the community.

“I saw it as an opportunity to enhance my children’s education and my own,” White said.

White shares the highlights of each weekly session with her children and Laura even writes a summary of what she learned at each class.

White said it has been good having one-on-one time with her daughter, which is often hard to do with so many children. She also said she is considering joining the Citizens’ Academy with her daughter, which is a 16-week program for Lynnwood residents that teaches all phases of law enforcement.

Lynnwood University was attended by 42 residents this year, and new classes will begin again in the fall. McKinnon said the program has been really positive, and he was impressed that so many people stayed with it for the entire eight weeks.

“It turned out to be a fun thing for the citizens and the staff,” McKinnon said.