Utsalady Elementary fourth-graders join Haugen for tour of state Capitol

OLYMPIA – Ninety fourth-grade students from Utsalady Elementary School toured the state Capitol last week as guests of Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island.

“It was a great learning experience for them to see the Senate in session and see a bill turn into law before their eyes,” said Sarah Oldow, one of three teachers who chaperoned the Camano Island students. “It’s an amazing field trip. Even though we have to travel two-and-a-half hours, it’s worth it.”

In the course of their three-hour tour, the students learned the building’s history in the Capitol rotunda over a brown-bag lunch, met with Haugen and one of their state representatives in the state reception room, had their picture taken on the Senate floor with Haugen, toured the galleries and acted out a court hearing in the Temple of Justice, which houses the state Supreme Court.

Oldow, who was accompanied by teachers Julie Forstrom and Jess Pollard and 25 parents, said the trip marked the second year the school has visited the Capitol and that the parents enjoyed it as much as the students. “For some of them, it’s the first time they’ve visited the Capitol,” she said.

Oldow said the class was also looking forward to a follow-up visit with Haugen, who plans to visit Utsalady Elementary to talk to them further once the legislative session ends.

“I love to see students come to the Capitol,” Haugen said. “The more our future voters learn about and understand the way our government works, the better citizens they’ll be, and our community will be stronger for it.”

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