Scholarships and honors highlighted as YMCA youth legislature revives Robert F. Utter award

The closing joint session of the 70th Washington YMCA Youth Legislature included a series of awards recognizing delegates, advisors and volunteers, and program leadership announced revival of the Robert F. Utter scholarship.

Nolan Martin, the state executive director for the program, said the board unanimously approved two Robert F. Utter scholarships this year. “I’d like to congratulate Charlotte White of the Bellevue delegation and Sarah Ellen Howes of the Spokane delegation,” he said.

Among other honors, Faith Garcia, the session’s postmaster general, presented an outstanding page award to Wyatt Arnold (San Juan Camino) after reporting that her team delivered 1,260 page notes during the session. Kenneth Coe presented the outstanding lobbyist award to Charlotte White for strong debate and consistent support of peers. The program also recognized Lucas Hibinen as the outstanding representative and Eve Starley as the outstanding senator.

Program committee chair James Rosenzweig presented the Linda Metcalf distinguished advisor award to Jerry O’Keefe for sustained support of delegates, and the Clark delegation received the outstanding delegation award for politeness, strong debate and advisor engagement.

Officials framed the awards as both recognition and encouragement for continued civic participation, noting the role of advisors and volunteers in making the program possible. The session’s executive director thanked corporate and nonprofit sponsors, and highlighted the Kona delegation that will represent the state at a national conference next year.