“Dear Senator Murray and Representatives Pedersen and Chopp:

Cutting funding programs benefiting children’s rights is not an option. Without housing, education, and healthcare the future of Washington State will be uneducated, unhealthy, and homeless. Is this what you really want? Your continuing support for HB 1492, addressing independent youth housing, and HB 2261, concerning education programs, will make Washington a better place for everyone.”

- Tong Yuan ’11, Lake Washington Girls Middle School

Lake Washington Girls Middle School students know the facts...

• At least 50,000 people experience homelessness every year in Washington State.

• 250,000 Washington households must make desperate choices between necessities like food and healthcare, and rent.

• Families with children make up 47% of Washington’s homeless population.

...and are hard at work writing letters, making signs, and preparing to meet with their legislators in Olympia on Friday, February 12. Partnering with Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness and the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, the entire LWGMS community will hop on a bus (donated to the school for the day’s event) to join hundreds of our fellow advocates for HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS ADVOCACY DAY 2010 and tell our elected officials that "everyone deserves the opportunity to live in a safe, decent, and affordable home!"



Lake Washington Girls Middle School students are activists. Whether communicating with representatives in state government, preparing meals for and serving homeless communities and residents of local women’s shelters, or spearheading sustainability projects for their school and local community, our girls are informed, confident young women, independent thinkers, and powerful speakers who know that each of them has the ability and the right to implement change in the world. LWGMS is one of the most economically and ethnically diverse independent schools in Seattle, and as such, our curriculum encourages students to view the world from multiple perspectives, is designed to use multicultural resources, and provides diverse learning opportunities. At LWGMS, students develop a positive regard for differences and learn to be active citizens who use their voices to effect change.

This is the second time LWGMS students will travel to our state capitol to support a cause important to them. It certainly will not be the last.

LWGMS 8th Grader Wins King County's MLK Essay Contest

On January 14, the Lake Washington Girls Middle School class of 2010 had the privilege of attending King County's Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Seattle. The event was special for many reasons: the group was able to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, they heard Senator John Lewis speak, and they cheered on their classmate Sofia as she accepted the trophy for winning first prize in the county's Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest.

It was a very distinct pleasure to share a room with Senator Lewis. Often referred to as "one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced," Senator Lewis has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls "The Beloved Community" in the United States. He spoke of the change he has witnessed and felt in his lifetime, of his relationship with Dr. King, and he encouraged everyone in the room to "never give up" as we stand up for civil rights.

Here is an excerpt of the Senator's 20 minute speech that resonated with our girls:

"Find a Way to Get in the Way"



Sofia and the other essay winners accepting their awards:



Congratulations, Sofie!

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, the Lake Washington Girls Middle School community pays tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., and his legacy of securing progress on civil rights in the United States. Dr. King's teachings help us recognize our abilities to improve our communities and to take action against injustice with social responsibility.


Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

More awards for LWGMS writers!

Congratulations to Sami and Delphina for receiving honororable mentions for their work with the Young Playwrights Program. See www.acttheatre.org for more information.

Congratulations to Sofia for her first place win in the King County Civil Rights Commission's Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest. See the King County essay website for information about the contest and past winners (some of whom are LWGMS alumnae!)