MedinaCares Debate Club Goes to Olympia!

Medina Academy’s student life initiative, MedinaCares, encourages students to give back after learning a skill—and the debate club put that philosophy into action. Students from MedinaCares Debate Club spent a full day in Olympia advocating for hygiene equity, meeting with legislators, and supporting statewide policy solutions alongside Essentials First.

The team of 11 students and 3 adult chaperones joined approximately 50 attendees and advocates from across Washington State, participating in 46 back-to-back legislative meetings to highlight hygiene poverty as a critical statewide issue. Students had the opportunity to meet Rep. Osman Salahuddin and Rep. Janice Zahn, who took time from their busy schedules to uplift youth advocates, discuss policy priorities, and connect personally with participants. One group also met Senator T’wina Nobles, who gave a shoutout and encouraged everyone to support MedinaCares and Essentials First!