Girls Rock the House program inspires girls to lead

Girls Rock the House program inspires girls to lead
Tuesday evening, five area middle school students presented their mock legislative bills to a panel of judges as part of the "Girls Rock the House" program.

Girls Rock the House is a national initiative for 8th grade girls in political districts represented by women of the House of Representatives. Walla Walla is in the state's 5th District represented by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers.

Parents Katherine Southwick-Hess and Donna Wujek organized the effort after getting a call from McMorris-Rodgers encouraging them to get involved.

"At first I thought I can't possibly take on another project, but you just can't say no to the congresswoman," Southwick-Hess said. "It's been an amazing experience working with these girls and watching them gain confidence and skills."

The program offers students a six-week hands-on learning experience about the United States political system. One of the girls will advance to represent Walla Walla at the district competition and possibly win a trip to Washington DC. The Walla Walla representative will be named next week.

Area middle school students Allison Wujek (Assumption), Mary Crowley (Assumption), Elli Rassbach (Pioneer), Brelynn Hess (Pioneer), Ambria Mourning (Pioneer) each selected an issue they were passionate about to research and then presented recommendations for addressing their issues in the form of legislative bills. Topics ranged from social issues and the economy to efforts to improve educational opportunities.

Judges Anne-Marie Zell Schwerin, Director of the Walla Walla YMCA, Mira Gobel, Associate Principal at Walla Walla High School and Jennifer Northam, Public Relations Coordinator for Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, were selected to judge because they are successful women leaders in the community and serve as role models for the Girls Rock the House participants.

Learn more about Girls Rock the House online at: http://www.girlsrockthehouse.org/.