Seventh graders testify before Senate committee

OLYMPIA – We all recited the Pledge of Allegiance in grade school, but did we ever take the time to understand the meaning behind the words?

Eatonville Middle School students testified on Feb.7 before the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education in support Senate Bill 6908. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen, D-Eatonville, after she visited the students at their school, would encourage students to learn the meaning and history of the pledge.

“I was so proud of the students because of their ideas, their passion and their knowledge,” Rasmussen said. “Their testimony in committee was moving and we were all extremely impressed by their maturity.”

Arguing that it is senseless to recite the pledge without understanding the meaning of the words, seventh graders Makaela Mautz, Annie Litzenberger, and Nick Phipps testified that students should learn the meaning and the history of the Pledge of Allegiance. They were supported by Rhoda Boettcher, Jessica Klump, Ryan Moeller, Kendra Trummert and their teacher Alex Hansen.

“It is so fulfilling when a teacher realizes that the lesson has hit the target and the students have embraced it,” said Hansen. “They brought tears to my eyes.”

SB 6908 had the full support of the committee.

“This is the beginning of the process to move the bill through the Legislature,” Rasmussen said. “What these students and their teacher have done is remarkable. The whole community should be proud of their efforts.”

Students Makaela Mautz, Annie Litzenberger and Nick Phipps testify in support of Senate Bill 6908.

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