The year was 2005 when a group of Latino leaders sat in a meeting. Their discussion slowly morphed into an idea. The concept of a full-day celebration geared towards civic involvement and education of the Latino community was born.

Now, in 2015, more than 400 people from around the state gather at the Washington state Capitol. Wenatchee High School’s own Mariachi Huenachi provided entertainment as the crowd waited for Gov. Jay Inslee’s address in the rotunda of the Capitol. They were there to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Latino Legislative Day.

This annual event was hosted March 16 in Olympia. The Apple Leaf traveled with a group of participants and lobbyists from Wenatchee representing Washington state’s 12th Legislative District. Under the leadership of World Relief Spokane Citizenship Coordinator Norma Gallegos, the group of 54 people pleaded in favor of social and educational reform.

“We have been going for 10 years and every year we get invited back,” Mariachi Program Director Ramon Rivera said. “It is an honor for the mariachi program. We are ambassadors of Wenatchee and the school district. It is good to see that high ranking officials of Washington state hold us in high regards.”

Rivera also sees this day as an opportunity for the students to engage in politics and meet the their legislators.

“I don’t think the students would travel to Olympia on their own,” Rivera said. “This event kind of breaks the wall and allows them to see that even as teenagers they can meet with officials.”

This was the first time junior Mailari Munoz participated in Latino Legislative Day, as she is a first-year Mariachi Huenachi member.

“It is really exciting. The governor has called us the ‘treasure of Washington’ before,” Munoz said. “It is exciting to see that people around the state appreciate us a lot. It was quiet [in the rotunda], but as soon as we walked in everyone was really excited. It’s a celebration of culture. I’m proud of the group.”

One member of the founding committee, Director of the Commission of Hispanic Affairs Uriel Iñiguez feels pride and joy as he witnesses first hand the success of the event.

“We (the founding committee) saw a vacuum in the participation at the state legislature,” Iñiguez said. “When Latinos travel to Olympia they learn about important issues. I would have never imagined the success of the event. It’s like a dream come true. Before, we had to work a little harder to get it going, but now it’s something that happens automatically.”

The event included information about civic engagement, public safety, education, and veterans. The panels were composed of civic and educational leaders from around the state.

“To me, it doesn’t matter if these people are engaging in local, city government, or national government,” Iñiguez said. “The important part is that they are engaging and speaking out for their needs.”

One topic at the center of attention was the bill HB-1295 concerning “Breakfast after the bell.” This would affect students around Washington state. WHS was presented as an example of implementing a nutritional break where students are able to access meals.

“It is an obligation and responsibility to talk to your legislators about issues concerning your community,” Gallegos said. “I was a Page in 1985 in Topeka, Kansas — my home state. That got me interested in the governing system. What I hope is that the youth that comes on these trips gets motivated to be an active citizen.”

Assistant Principal Ricardo Iñiguez is also familiar with Latino Legislative Day. Iñiguez served on the board of directors of Latino Legislative Day for five years.

“[Latino Legislative Day] started as an event for adults, but is has molded into an event where there is participation of all ages,” Ricardo Iñiguez said. “This day is an opportunity for everyone to get informed, whether they are Latino or not.”

Inslee traveled to Wenatchee on March 13, an act that many Latino leaders interpreted as a sign of “respect and willingness to understand,” Gallegos said.

“We need to be informed about what the Capitol has to say,” Gallegos said. “It affects all of us. As Latino community leaders we can do better engaging the youth. I notice that they are anxious and motivated to learn. When I arrived in Wenatchee people were constantly moving, but now Latinos are homeowners, business owners, and simply staying. This is their home, now it’s time to build political involvement.”