Tahoma’s team is led by ACGI and AP Government teacher Gretchen Wulfing, who has been involved iTahoma’s team is led by ACGI and AP Government teacher Gretchen Wulfing, who has been involved in the program at Tahoma for over a decade. Wulfing works tirelessly with the 25 students that make up this year’s team, bringing in several people and resources to prepare the team as much as possible before the competition, along with the help of previous years’ alumni.

     On Saturday, January 19, 2025, after just over two months of preparation, Wulfing and the WTP team ventured to the Legislative building in Olympia, WA to compete against two other schools for the title of state champion. The team is organized into six units, each consisting of 4-5 people which cover different aspects of the US government and its evolution and integration into American society throughout history. The topics covered can vary from the Founding Fathers to World War II and its political significance. The students receive three questions from the Center for Civic Education, who direct these competitions, that pertain to the ideas of their unit. They will then write a 4-minute essay for each question to be delivered as a speech come competition in front of a panel of judges in a congressional hearing-like setting. The students then research and prepare for eight minutes of follow-up questions based on their prepared remarks. They are to answer to the best of their ability, ensuring they include specific citations and evidence along with contemporary and historical examples to support their answers.

     When consulting ACGI teacher, Ms. Monn, who works closely with Mrs. Wulfing and the WTP team, she states that “there’s nothing more gratifying than watching the kids’ hard work pay off when they win”. The team attends weekly evening meetings dedicated to preparing for their competitions along with the extra time they dedicate outside of school hours to be as prepared as possible for follow-up.

     Current Unit 4 member Ruby Santos reveals that “weople is super time consuming, but it’s totally worth it. Especially considering we get to actually go to DC and represent not only Washington and Tahoma, but Wulfing as well”. She also, along with everyone else on the team, encourages many juniors to “take a chance” and apply for the class/club hybrid for the 2025-2026 school year.

n the program at Tahoma for over a decade. Wulfing works tirelessly with the 25 students that make up this year’s team, bringing in several people and resources to prepare the team as much as possible before the competition, along with the help of previous years’ alumni.

     On Saturday, January 19, 2025, after just over two months of preparation, Wulfing and the WTP team ventured to the Legislative building in Olympia, WA to compete against two other schools for the title of state champion. The team is organized into six units, each consisting of 4-5 people which cover different aspects of the US government and its evolution and integration into American society throughout history. The topics covered can vary from the Founding Fathers to World War II and its political significance. The students receive three questions from the Center for Civic Education, who direct these competitions, that pertain to the ideas of their unit. They will then write a 4-minute essay for each question to be delivered as a speech come competition in front of a panel of judges in a congressional hearing-like setting. The students then research and prepare for eight minutes of follow-up questions based on their prepared remarks. They are to answer to the best of their ability, ensuring they include specific citations and evidence along with contemporary and historical examples to support their answers.

     When consulting ACGI teacher, Ms. Monn, who works closely with Mrs. Wulfing and the WTP team, she states that “there’s nothing more gratifying than watching the kids’ hard work pay off when they win”. The team attends weekly evening meetings dedicated to preparing for their competitions along with the extra time they dedicate outside of school hours to be as prepared as possible for follow-up.

     Current Unit 4 member Ruby Santos reveals that “weople is super time consuming, but it’s totally worth it. Especially considering we get to actually go to DC and represent not only Washington and Tahoma, but Wulfing as well”. She also, along with everyone else on the team, encourages many juniors to “take a chance” and apply for the class/club hybrid for the 2025-2026 school year.