Students, businesses and volunteers highlight county youth programs and 250th‑anniversary flag project
March 31, 2026 | Mason County, Washington
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Mason County commissioners heard presentations celebrating local youth engagement: students from Shelton High School described multi‑week job‑shadow experiences across county departments, and America 250 Mason County, in partnership with Sierra Pacific Industries, presented a community project to build colonial‑period flags from repurposed county timber.
Kayla Brinkmire, Mason County HR administrative assistant, described a CTE job‑shadow program designed to help students explore county government careers. “This program is about helping students see where they fit in the bigger picture,” Brinkmire said, and she thanked participating departments for opening their doors.
Ty Ramos, the work‑site learning coordinator at Shelton High School, said students completed roughly 1,700 placement hours this year — up from about 1,200 last year — and thanked community partners and teachers who connected students with placements.
Students gave short reports about their rotations: Chad and Sam described hands‑on IT work including hard‑drive removal for data protection and system maintenance; Andrea and Emily summarized shadowing at the sheriff’s office and coroner’s office, describing evidence handling and the coroner’s role and noting that autopsies are performed in Kitsap County; other students reflected on experiences in facilities, the auditor’s office and voter engagement work.
Separately, Will Harris of America 250 Mason County introduced a “Flags of Our Founding Fathers” project, showing sample flags made from recycled mill scrap and inviting youth groups to request flag kits for display at the Forest Festival parade and Logging Show on May 30, 2026. Sierra Pacific representatives said the company supplied dozens of kits from scrap lumber.
The board recognized participating students with certificates of completion and custom challenge coins. Commissioners and HR staff praised the program’s emphasis on communication, mentorship and practical experience as a way to prepare young people for future careers and civic participation.
An open‑house reception for students and staff followed the presentation so community members could discuss the placements and view the students’ work.
Kayla Brinkmire, Mason County HR administrative assistant, described a CTE job‑shadow program designed to help students explore county government careers. “This program is about helping students see where they fit in the bigger picture,” Brinkmire said, and she thanked participating departments for opening their doors.
Ty Ramos, the work‑site learning coordinator at Shelton High School, said students completed roughly 1,700 placement hours this year — up from about 1,200 last year — and thanked community partners and teachers who connected students with placements.
Students gave short reports about their rotations: Chad and Sam described hands‑on IT work including hard‑drive removal for data protection and system maintenance; Andrea and Emily summarized shadowing at the sheriff’s office and coroner’s office, describing evidence handling and the coroner’s role and noting that autopsies are performed in Kitsap County; other students reflected on experiences in facilities, the auditor’s office and voter engagement work.
Separately, Will Harris of America 250 Mason County introduced a “Flags of Our Founding Fathers” project, showing sample flags made from recycled mill scrap and inviting youth groups to request flag kits for display at the Forest Festival parade and Logging Show on May 30, 2026. Sierra Pacific representatives said the company supplied dozens of kits from scrap lumber.
The board recognized participating students with certificates of completion and custom challenge coins. Commissioners and HR staff praised the program’s emphasis on communication, mentorship and practical experience as a way to prepare young people for future careers and civic participation.
An open‑house reception for students and staff followed the presentation so community members could discuss the placements and view the students’ work.
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