On April 23 from 1-3 p.m. the LWV of Thurston County hosted a Civics Education Fair at the state Capitol in Olympia. The League had received a permit to set up tables and displays along the north steps of the Legislative Building, the grand entrance to the Capitol, and they placed banners indicating that this was an activity sponsored by the League of Women Voters. On display were copies of both editions of the LWVWA civics textbook, The State We’re In: Washington, along with the poster “What It Takes to Be a Good Citizen” in English and in Spanish. The author of the textbook, Jill Severn, was in attendance as the League featured her essay “Why Study Civics?” The League worked with Leo O’Leary, the Civic Education Director for the Washington State House, and his colleague in the state Senate, Louis Lindstrom, to have information and displays concerning the House and Senate page programs, the Legislative Internship, and the Legislative Scholar Program for teachers. The League made several contacts with the lieutenant governor’s office to provide information on the Legislative Youth Advisory Council, which is accepting applications until May 15 for the 2023-2024 term. Although they were unable to attend, the League also provided information on how to apply for the council. 

Other activities that were available included a scavenger hunt of the Capitol campus, with students receiving a raffle ticket at each site they visited. Raffle prizes included gift certificates for pizza. A special landscape and tree tour led by Dee Ann Kline and Nick Parkinson, master gardeners and members of the Mason County League, generated much interest. One of the local online newspapers, JOLT (The Journal of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater), helped to promote the event and provided cookies. 

The Capitol and the surrounding grounds is the number one tourist attraction in Olympia. The League was fortunate to be able to schedule this event on a sunny weekend in April. This was an opportunity for the League to interact with the public on a positive issue and to encourage students and their parents to become more aware of the importance of civics education. 

Students from The Evergreen State College at the Civics Education Fair in Olympia. (Photo by Julie Frick.) 

League members at the Civics Education Fair in Olympia. (Photo by Dennis Bloom.)