Sometimes, valentines come swathed in creative — and certainly unexpected — wrappings. Case in point: The Washington Student Association (WSA) on the recent Valentine’s Day here in the capital honored two state lawmakers with “Legislator of the Year” awards. In conjunction with the annual WSA rally, the recognition was presented to the two 2014 award-winners, Rep. Gerry Pollet and Rep. Marcus Riccelli
The Washington Student Association represents 150,000 college and university students on campuses all across the state. Garrett Havens, WSA Executive Director, said that “the Washington Student Association has recognized Reps. Pollet and Riccelli as our ‘Legislators of the Year’ for their dedication to improving the affordability, accessibility, and quality of our higher-education system here in the state of Washington
“Both representatives have shown a commitment to working collaboratively with students,” Havens added, “and to ensuring that students don’t just have a seat at the table, but are actively engaged in the decision-making process.”
Elena Calderon, a remarkable young woman who is a student at Eastern Washington University, spoke at the rally. Calderon said that not too long ago she was starting her work day at 4:30 in the morning, in an orchard, picking cherries to help her family. Now, she’s earning her Master’s in Public Health Degree at Eastern. Calderon said that she has always worried that college administrators will one day demand to see her immigration-papers.
Along these lines, Pollet praised the “Dream Act” legislation passed by the House on the very first day of session. The measure directs that any graduate of a Washington high school can apply for financial help for college here in this state — even if the student was brought to this country as a child and doesn’t yet have legal-immigration status.
The WSA awards-presentation and the association’s rally followed House of Representatives passage of key higher-education legislation (House Bill 2626). Education-objectives detailed in a report from the Washington Student Achievement Council would be implemented in the measure. These goals seek to meet future societal and economic needs of all Washingtonians, as well as the state as a whole. The council’s objectives laid out in the measure are:
- All adults in Washington ages 25 to 44 will have earned a high-school diploma or equivalent by 2023.
- At least 70 percent of Washington adults ages 25 to 44 will have earned a postsecondary credential by 2023 — either an associate degree, a community-college certificate, a technical-college certificate, or a bachelor’s degree.
Pollet won support for an amendment to the measure identifying a third objective. His amendment emphasizes that a resident’s work toward earning a solid education should never be hindered by his or her income, race, ethnicity, immigration-status, or place of residence. Pollet is vice chair of the House Higher Education Committee where this measure was first considered earlier this year. Riccelli is also a member of the committee.