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State Board of Education Welcomes New Student Board Member Lindsey Salinas

Release Date: 

May 9, 2016

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Lindsey Salinas, a sophomore at Wellpinit High School on the Spokane Indian Reservation, is the new eastern Washington student representative to the Washington State Board of Education. She will attend the May 2016 meeting in Yakima, and will be sworn in at the July 13-14 board meeting in Spokane.

"I’m excited to join the State Board of Education as a student board member,” Salinas said. "I can’t wait to see the difference I can make for Washington students. I hope my participation can encourage other youth in eastern Washington make a difference in their communities and across the state.”

Lindsey values practices to preserve her culture, including beading traditional jewelry and conversing in Spokane-Salish. She hunts, fishes, cuts and smokes wild game meat, digs for brown and white camas root, collects moss, and picks huckleberries for the elders’ traditional dinner during cultural week.

Lindsey has always had a passion for leadership. She is Associated Student Body President of her high school, participates in JROTC, captains the varsity volleyball team, serves on the safety committee, and mentors children at Back to the Earth STEM Camp and the local youth center.

Wellpinit Principal Kris Herda said, "The entire Wellpinit School District and community is proud of Lindsey. As an educator, watching her grow into such an outstanding student leader over the past eight years has been truly rewarding. Lindsey will provide a new strong and passionate voice on the State Board of Education. She’ll also bring many ideas and strategies back to our school to help us continue our growth.”

Salinas’ appointment is the result of a competitive application process that culminated with panel interviews of potential candidates conducted by students from the Association of Washington Student Leaders Executive Committee. Photo of Lindsey Salinas is included.

Board membership calls for two student representatives, one from eastern and one from western Washington. Salinas replaces outgoing eastern Washington student board member Madaleine Osmun, a senior at Mt. Spokane in Mead, who will complete her two-year term with the Board at the May 11-12, 2016 meeting in Yakima. Salinas joins current western Washington student representative Baxter Hershman, a senior at Gig Harbor High School. Hershman has just completed his first year as a student board member.

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Contact: Stefanie Randolph, Communications Manager, (360) 725-6501

About the State Board of Education: The State Board of Education provides advocacy and strategic oversight of public education. The board is comprised of 16 members: five are elected by school board directors, seven are appointed by the Governor, two serve as student representatives, and one serves as a private school representative. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is also a member.

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Media Contact: 

Alissa Muller, SBE Communications Manager, (360) 725-6501