On Saturday, May 18, seventh-grade Quest students from Susan Jackson and Nicole Kesler’s classes at Evergreen Middle School (EMS) received two big awards at the Project Citizen showcase in Olympia, Wash. Both projects received Superior rankings. One project called "Save Lives, Immunize"  took best oral presentation and "Don't Dread Filter Lead" received best portfolio. The team behind the "Don't Dread Filter Lead" project has been invited to participate as the Washington state representative at the national competition in Calabasas, Calif. July 30-31. A team from Kamiakin Middle School also competed in this year’s competition. They earned an Exceptional rating in the oral hearings category. 

EMS was one of 14 schools in the state that participated in the event at the Capitol. Students identify a problem in their community, research alternatives, propose a policy solution and develop an action plan. The event is organized by Washington State Legislature Civic Education. Volunteer judges include attorneys, sitting judges, journalists and council members.

Kathy Hand, the state coordinator of Washington state’s civic education program, said Project Citizen teaches students how to effectively change policy when they identify problems in their communities. She said judges appreciate the dialogue they have with students to help them make their portfolios better. “That’s what keeps the judges coming back,” she said.