Kilmer bill would assist academic winners with travel expenses

OLYMPIA — When Jonathan Dentler’s AP Government class won a recent state competition testing their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, the honor brought mixed rewards. On the one hand, the Gig Harbor High School student had reached a level of excellence shared by few of his peers. On the other, traveling to Washington, D.C. for the national “We The People” competition this March presented Jonathan and his 20 classmates with the challenge of raising $25,000 for travel and lodging.

Such challenges are not unusual for students competing in national competitions. In some cases, academic competitors are unable to advance in competitions because their families cannot afford the ensuing travel costs. But a bill proposed by Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, would change that.

Senate Bill 5969 would provide travel grants to Washington students for statewide, regional, national or international civic education competitions. Such grants would be funded through private donations.

“What Jonathan and others like him can accomplish is amazing, and they deserve our support,” Kilmer said. “They should be focusing on the competition before them, not how to find money for a plane ticket or a motel room.”

SB 5969 not only addresses an obstacle Jonathan faced — it was his brainchild. The high-aiming student asked Kilmer to be the mentor for his senior project, and suggested the project be legislation to assist academic competitors. The result was SB 5969.

“Here’s a kid, still in high school, who has created legislation, and not just any legislation but very good legislation,” Kilmer said. “This just illustrates the value of such an investment.”

SB 5969 is scheduled for a public hearing at 1:30 Monday, Feb. 19, before the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

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