As a teenager I wanted to be a professional wrestler. It

was during that phase where I learned how easily battles

between “good guys” and “bad guys”  can be blown out

of proportion. As a first generation college student,

graduating Magna Cum Laude, a Top-10 Student-Teacher

of the year, patent-holder for environmental technology, and

having split my life and work evenly between Eastern and

Western Washington - I’ve learned that pro wrestling is

nothing like the real world. 

 

As a Pell Grant recipient I’ve learned the value of some strategic government assistance, and the importance of learning, focus, and perseverance. As a substitute teacher I learned about flexibility, the power of a little silliness, and a LOT about my own shortcomings. 

 

Then a recession hit --- but thanks to family, good luck, and some dependability and adaptability I was able to learn some more. I gradually became the operations manager of a growing start-up, outside of my field of expertise, even sharing a patent for an industrial stormwater treatment process. Through this experience I learned that the government can overcomplicate things, I learned that many industries want to take care of the environment, and I learned that fish don’t drink the copper, zinc, or oil in the river - they inhale it - which seemed obvious after I was told.

 

Eventually, I was able to make the transition to teaching Social Studies full-time. In this job, I’ve learned that teachers have a lot on their plate aside from “just teaching.” I’ve learned that they help young people celebrate their successes, and teachers internalize failure when students struggle. 

 

Teaching in Fife I’ve learned that when government earns support, voters will fund it; when administrators earn trust, workers will happily carry out their vision; and when workers are empowered in the workplace they strive to create a better organization for all.

 

Finally, I’ve gotten to be Leo Club Advisor --- a group consisting of youth volunteers associated with Lions Club International. Each year I’ve seen about 10% of our school join this club, volunteering because we made it free to join, accessible to all, and we actively celebrated the opportunity to “show up” for your community. I’ve gotten to see young people devote hours upon hours planning events that don’t come to pass, and then immediately, happily, start brainstorming the next opportunity-to-serve. I’ve witnessed teenagers volunteer hundreds of hours a year, or 2 hours, or 10 hours… and become enriched and empowered by helping others. 

 

I’ve seen the very best of our society in this state, in this club, in teaching, in helping care for the environment, and in meeting with businesses interested in contributing to the common good.

 

I’ve seen the very best in strangers when I received Pell Grants, I’ve seen the value of learning while earning the first Bachelor’s Degree in my family, and I’ve been fortunate to have loving family and friends who have continually helped me feel successful along the way.

 

But this whole time, I’ve kept an eye on the news--- trying to stay informed, trying to learn from our political system…. But I’ve mostly seen an interesting analog to professional wrestling. “Good guys” and “bad guys” being blown out of proportion, and why? Not because it’s who we really are, and it’s likely not who our elected officials really are --- It’s because this is the game we force people to play. Without blaming people, parties, or even special interests, my proposals aim to address these games. Let’s change some of the rules of elections, and let our government officials reflect the best of us, the people.

 

On this website you will find some videos that lay out specific goals and proposals for improving elections. I refuse to pay for any advertising in this campaign for Secretary of State, and will only rely on earned media, word-of-mouth, and volunteers who believe in the merit of these plans.   

 

Thank you for your time.