Proud Mount Vernon Roots
Growing up in Mount Vernon, I was blessed with a fantastic community. I proudly attended Mount Vernon Public Schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade, and I learned from an early age the value of engaging with your community. If I wasn’t at home as a kid, you could find me at the Mount Vernon City Library, a local parade, the Skagit County Fair, cheering on the Bulldogs, or spending time at a neighborhood park. If there was something happening out in the community, you would likely find me and my family there.
I later received a Bachelors of Art in political science and a Masters in Teaching (secondary education with endorsements in social studies and visual art), and have been able to use my education to give back to our community both through our local schools and by advocating for policy change at the state, federal and local level to protect students, immigrants, working families, farmworkers, healthcare access, the environment and more.
A History of Working for a Better Mount Vernon
The best way to understand what a candidate will stand for once elected is to look at what they are already doing to support their community. I have consistently worked to improve our city and will continue advocating for the needs of our residents if elected.
Several years ago, I was the volunteer coordinator for Skagit Habitat for Humanity. I collaborated with volunteers to ensure affordable homes got to deserving families in Skagit County. The lack of affordable housing is a serious issue for Mount Vernon and Skagit County, and addressing this issue will be one of my top priorities.
I also previously worked in the Mount Vernon School District's AVID program, supporting seniors as they graduated and prepared for post-secondary education and training. During this time, I stayed late into the evenings volunteering to help students advocate for their needs. These students were able to make meaningful changes at both the campus and district level because they had an advocate who believed in the importance of their voices. I am committed to ensuring that youth voices are heard and represented in the City of Mount Vernon
I currently serve on the board of Skagit Gleaners and manage the Skagit Gleaner Community Garden, which I helped start a little over 2 years ago. Since then, it has provided roughly 2,000 pounds of food to individuals and families across the county.
I am also a mayor appointed member of the Mount Vernon Arts Commission, where I work with a team of community members to plan projects and create relationships that allow the City of Mount Vernon to celebrate the diversity of art within our community. From performances to murals to the Youth Arts Festival, access to public art is essential for any great city.
