Three of our students have been selected to go to a conference in Washington D.C. where they will meet state senators, house representatives and possibly the president.

On March 5-9 junior Zarah Hashmat and seniors Nicole Bintliff and Marie Piatski are flying to D.C. with other students from different high schools in Oregon. The three students will be with 150 to 200 other youth representing each state at the conferences and seminars.

The trip is made possible by the Tigard Youth Advisory Council and the City of Tigard. The girls had to go through an entry process where they wrote a 1,500 word essay that the Tigard Youth Advisory Council and City Hall judged. After the essays were judged, the most qualified students were chosen. Three students were able to go this year because of extra funding, whereas last year only two could attend. Last year senior Zack Dean and junior Adam Lafountain represented Tigard.

In D.C. the girls saw some of the national monuments, visited museums, ate amazing food, and met students from all around the nation as well as senators and house representatives.  They did not get to meet President Obama, though he prepared a special video for them.

Junior Zahra Hashmat was excited about what she would learn before she left. “Even though I am going as a tourist, I’m going there with a busy schedule and a purpose to learn,” said Zahra Hashmat. She looked forward to broadening her skill sets in communication and leadership.

LaFountain thought of the trip as a great opportunity to try and connect with people across the nation and see how they run their advisory council and how the youth help the city.

LaFountain used the words, “iconic D.C. tour” and “eye opening” to describe the trip as a whole.