Padden to honor student during Central Valley School Board meeting Monday

Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, will help honor a local high school student for winning a national essay contest. The ceremony is Monday (Jan. 9) night.

Central Valley High School student Lucy He will receive a legislative certificate of appreciation for winning the Chinese American History Month essay contest during the Central Valley School Board’s meeting Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the school district’s Learning and Teaching Center, 2218 N. Molter Road in Liberty Lake.

Chantel Fan, a representative of the Spokane Chinese community, will present He with the certificate.

Padden will appear remotely via Zoom from Olympia to speak about the Central Valley student, who recently won the contest sponsored by Asians for Equality.

“It’s a tremendous honor for Lucy to win this national essay contest, and I look forward to congratulating her on this outstanding achievement,” said Padden.

Senate Bill 5000, which would designate January as Americans of Chinese Descent History Month, has been prefiled for the 2023 legislative session, which begins Monday, Jan. 9, in Olympia. SB 5000, prime-sponsored by 39th District Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, is scheduled to receive a public hearing Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate State Government and Elections Committee, with a committee vote on the proposal slated for Friday at 8 a.m.