Project Citizen Gives Seniors a Voice in Local Policy

Jose Moreno (12) and Ayla Pate (12) present their Project Citizen issue to school board members and Cascade High School Principal James Swanson. “Our presentation was on having late starts on Mondays,” said Pate. Photo credit: Vanessa Ibarra (12) 

As the new year begins, Cascade High School students are wrapping up the first semester, preparing for finals and the finalization of grades. For seniors, one of the most significant culminating projects is Project Citizen, part of the Contemporary World Problems (CWP) and Civics classes. 

Project Citizen is designed to teach students how to influence government and public policy. Students work in groups of three to four to identify an issue within the community, the Cascade School District, or the state. Over the course of a month, they conduct research, gather interviews, and plan a presentation. Each presentation includes four sections: the issue, proposed policy, alternative policies, and an action plan for implementing the solution.  

 “Project Citizen helps understand the process of what you need to do to start that change. Everything the students did in Project Citizen takes them right to the next steps, the action plan. That's the step that actually gets the public policy made,” said Allen. 

Dwayne Allen, who has been teaching CWP and Civics for 21 years, has guided countless classes through the process. “Project Citizen helps understand the process of what you need to do to start that change. Everything the students did in Project Citizen takes them right to the next steps, the action plan. That's the step that actually gets the public policy made,” said Allen. 

Past student projects have had a tangible impact on the community, including the CHS open campus policy, the addition of a kitchen at the school, and crosswalk lights near City Hall. This year, senior projects covered a wide range of topics. Five projects focused on drug control at CHS, while others addressed school absenteeism, implementing late starts on Mondays, road safety concerns, and E-bike safety.  

Cody Salmon (12) worked on environmental policy, focusing on salmon conservation. “My project was about the Pikeminnow program extension from the lower Columbia up past Brewster pool. I chose to do it because I'm a very passionate fisherman; it helps out our salmon and stealer populations,” said Salmon. 

Students not only practiced public speaking and research skills but also experienced firsthand the impact of their voices. Presentations were followed by feedback and questions from school and community leaders.  

Many students reflected on their learning and the broader implications of their work. “Project Citizen was a big learning experience for me as well as for my group members. We learned a lot about our topic, divining deeper into our school's financial needs and students' emotional needs. The project also marks a step closer to graduation,” said Adi Castaneda (12). 

By connecting classroom learning to real-world issues, Project Citizen allows seniors to engage with government processes and community improvement, preparing them for civic participation beyond high school.