SENATE RESOLUTION
8620
By Senator Ramos
WHEREAS, The students of the Tahoma High School enrolled in the "We the People: The Citizen and Constitution" program consistently showcase superior knowledge of the Constitution of the United States and the lessons instilled by our Founding Fathers; and
WHEREAS, On Saturday, January 18, 2025, the team from Tahoma High School won the state We the People competition, the school's 16th consecutive state championship, and its 27th state championship in the last 29 years; and
WHEREAS, These students will represent Washington state this spring at the 38th annual We the People finals in Washington, D.C., where they aspire to go beyond their outstanding top five finish in the national competition last year; and
WHEREAS, The Tahoma High School We the People team is coached by Gretchen Wulfing, the distinguished educator whom was honored in 2011 with Washington's Civic Educator of the Year award, and honored again in 2016 as one of Washington's Civic Educators of the Year, adding to the honors of her 18 year academic coaching career, wherein she diligently expands her students' knowledge of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, ensuring important principles and foundational ideas are passed on with fervor and intellectual poise to the next generation; and
WHEREAS, Studies show that students who participate in the We the People program demonstrate the ideals of democracy and civic engagement, register to vote at a higher rate than their high school counterparts, perform better in examinations on civic knowledge, and lead through community involvement, tolerant political engagement, and respect for the due process of law; and
WHEREAS, The Tahoma High School We the People team, led by the inspiring passion of their coach, continues to exemplify excellence in civic education, of which their distinguished record at the national level, placing Top 10 in the Nation for 9 out of the past 11 years, is an undeniable testament to their commitment and repeated success;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate honor Nathan Andualem, Vritika Bhuva, Alicia Cantu, Lucas Chabaud, John Chamberlain, Requin Drier, Reid Gardner, Shravya Gupta, Sirin Khan, Ryan Kim, Samuel Lindell, Timothy McNey, Carly Menchaca, Esmeralda Murillo-Reyes, Diya Nampy, Oakley Palmer, Ruby Santos, Pranaav Sund, Elena Warner, Nathan Wengreen, Yeabesira Wesenyeleh, Gunnar Wheaton, Macy Whitt, Allison Zappe, and Sumaiyya Zunairah as "Warriors of the Constitution"; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the members of Tahoma High School's We the People team, team advisor Gretchen Wulfing, and Tahoma High School Principal Judy Beliveau to convey the respect of this body for excellence in civic education.
I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate,