Pullman Senior Abby Wu Selected as Newest Board Member

OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Board of Education is pleased to announce that Abby Wu, a senior at Pullman High School in the Pullman School District, has been selected to serve as the Board’s next student Board member. 

“I decided to apply because I wanted to make sure students, especially those from rural or otherwise isolated areas, have their voices heard across the state,” Abby said. “I really want to work on and advocate for systems that are shaped around student opinion and student voice, rather than convenience.” 

At school, Abby is a competitive varsity swimmer and a Running Start student with a passion for digital media and video production. She often helps operate her school’s livestream and sports production programs. Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys reading, exploring nature, and practicing portrait photography. 

Before joining the Board, Abby established herself as an accomplished student leader. She currently serves as a Washington Youth Alliance Chapter Leader and a member of the Association of Washington Student Leaders. In these roles, she has been a vocal advocate for students across the state, and she is excited to bring that same advocacy to her work with the Board. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Abby,” said Mary Fertakis, Chair of the Washington State Board of Education. “Abby has a strong background in student leadership and a demonstrated passion for ensuring that student perspectives are included in policy decisions. We are grateful to have her voice included in our work and look forward to all she will accomplish.”

After high school, Abby hopes to attend college on the East Coast and pursue a career as a Foreign Service Officer. 

Abby is filling the position left vacant by previous student member Alex Henriksson, who graduated a year early. Board policy stipulates that the vacancy must be filled by a student from the same grade level, with preference given to finalists from the original selection process. Abby will serve the remainder of the term, which is set to expire in June 2026.