To say Bothell High senior Tucker Cholvin, 17, is enthusiastic about his role in Washington state’s youth government program would be a bit of an understatement. As he talked about his activities, the well-spoken Cholvin used the word “cool” several times.
“It has been the best thing I’ve done, I love it,” Cholvin said of the YMCA Youth and Government program, which has led him all the way to being elected this year’s Washington youth governor. On Feb. 9, the youth governor will be in Olympia with the state’s other governor, Christine Gregoire, for YMCA Advocacy Day. Cholvin will host the governor’s breakfast, be around to sign a proclamation on the YMCA and speak about the value of the YMCA government program and youth study of government in general.
Speaking about a week before his trip, Cholvin said he had learned a scheduling conflict meant he would be meeting with Lt. Gov. Brad Owen.
“That’s OK,” Cholvin said, adding his trip still would be more than worthwhile.
Cholvin will be back in Olympia in May, presiding over this year’s youth legislature. Besides Cholvin, the Northshore YMCA will be sending a sizable contingent, including Bothell High’s Kyla Sabado, who will serve as speaker of the house.
Cholvin said the youth legislature operates pretty much like the real thing. Elected leaders from the across the state put together bills, propose them during the legislative session, debate the various measures and pass the ones that gain enough support.
“There is something cool about being handed the government and being told,’Change what you don’t like about it,'” Cholvin said, describing the weeklong session as a combination of fun and hard work.
Naturally, measures adopted by the youth legislature carry no force of law. But Cholvin said the exercise is still valuable. He added some measures have gone on to be adopted by real lawmakers. For example, a rule requiring public buildings have an electronic defibrillator has its roots in youth government.
Cholvin said he has spent most of his time in youth government trying to reduce the state’s school dropout rate. He added that in the long run, keeping students in school will save the state considerable social costs.
How exactly does one become youth governor? Cholvin said he first had to win the district nomination and then campaign for the state job.
“From the moment I started in youth government, I knew I wanted to be governor,” Cholvin said.
This story isn’t the first time Cholvin’s name has attracted some attention. Cholvin was captain of the Bothell High Mighty Imps, who recently brought home the top prize in an area-wide improvisational comedy competition. Cholvin also has appeared in numerous Bothell High theater productions.
“I kind of keep them in two different boxes in my head,” Cholvin said regarding his acting and his work in youth government. For the future, he hopes to attend Georgetown University, majoring in international studies. But he noted Georgetown has a highly touted improv group.
“We’ll just see what happens,” he said.
