Meara Baker is Sworn In

WAITSBURG - Waits­burg's City Council was joined by a new face at the August 21 meeting - that of student representative Meara Baker. Baker was sworn in by City Administrator Ran­dy Hinchliffe and, while she won't participate in votes or decision-making, she was encouraged by Mayor Walt Gobel to join in discussions and to act as a liaison be­tween the council and area teens.

Baker, a senior, is the third student from Waitsburg High to serve as a student representative; the first be­ing her brother, Fletcher, in 2011, followed by Logan Dozier in 2012.

Baker said her interest in politics was first piqued during the 2008 presiden­tial election that took place when she was in sixth grade. Baker recalls discussing the candidates in class, then re­turning home to talk more in depth with her mother, who shares her political interests.

"I think my by being in­terested in government, his­tory and politics helped my kids get interested also," said Baker's mother, Heather. "I am very happy my kids are interested in politics. Most of our youth are not inter­ested and are uninformed, but the youth are the future of our country."

When Baker was in the eighth grade she wrote an essay for the American Le­gion Auxiliary contest on the theme of "My Patriotic Role as an American Citizen." That essay won first place in the western division.

Baker is not new to the political process. "One of the first things I did when I en­tered high school was to join the Youth and Government club," said Baker, whose brother had participated in the club and recommended it to her. In her freshman year, Baker traveled to Olympia with the Youth and Govern­ment club where she partici­pated in a mock legislative session, learning firsthand how state level government works. She currently serves as president of the club.

In the summer before her junior year, Baker attended Evergreen Girls State, an "Americanism and govern­ment training program" sponsored by the American Legion. "I had to work with 15 other girls to figure out a solution to our city's prob­lem," said Baker. She has also served as secretary for the Class of 2014, learning to run meetings and serve in a leadership position.

"Government affects us all and I have decided to take responsibility and start learning about it at a young age. I find it quite interesting to hear everyone's different opinions and it helps me shape mine. The fact that my family is also interested in politics has helped me learn more and stay in interested over the year," said Baker.

Baker's father, Tim, feels their parenting philosophy may play a role in motivat­ing their children to par­ticipate in student and local government. "I think part of it is our open conversations where we try to engage the kids to speak freely. An open dialog lets anyone who has an opinion share and ask questions. The way I look at it, another big part of being a citizen is responsibility. Make good decisions and take responsibility for your choices. Excuses just don't work for me. If you did or said something that is hounding you, tell me about it and maybe I can share my perceptions and sugges­tions," said Tim. "But mostly we were just blessed with great kids."

Baker's senior year will be an active one. She plans to participate in Youth and Government, Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Soci­ety, as Class of 2014 Repre­sentative and Junior Ameri­can Legion Auxiliary mem­ber and now City Council Student Representative. In addition, Baker is a football cheerleader and plans to par­ticipate in Track and Field in the spring.

Baker said her main goal as student representative is to take the topics discussed at council meetings and present them to Waitsburg students. She hopes to take surveys or otherwise garner input so that she can serve as their voice to the council.

"I most look forward to learning about the different situations that come up in our City and finding ways to overcome them," said Baker. "My biggest fear would be showing up to a meeting late or unprepared. I plan to stay on top of things and not let that happen!" From all ap­pearances, "staying on top of things" is something Baker's got covered.