Each year the Washington State House of Representatives presents a student with the Daniel J. Evans award for outstanding civic education. This year's award recipient was Marysville student Marisa Warren. She was presented her award by her local lawmaker, Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe.

Marisa, daughter of Kevin and Lisa Warren, was nominated by Kerry Heise, a teacher at Cedarcrest Middle School. Her nomination was based on a Civics Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) on the Tinker v. Des Moines case, an exhibition of leadership in the civic life of her communities, and involvement in school leadership as Associated Student Body Treasurer. Marisa showed an expanded interest in civics after traveling to Washington, D.C. to gain a better understanding of history and government.

Marisa is also a select member of the NO LIMITS Dance Studios Performance team, where she mentors young dancers.

"Civics education is more important than ever and I am pleased to see young people like Marisa take an interest in how her government works and why it's important to participate in the decisions being made at the state and federal level," Pearson said. "I wish her all the success in the world."

The Daniel J. Evans Civic Education Award is a high honor for Washington state students. Named after former Washington State Governor Daniel J. Evans, this award highlights achievements of students, kindergarten through 12th grade, in civic leadership in their communities as well as their successful completion of the CBA.

"We hear much more these days about what our form of government means, not only to us, but to others who come to our country to be productive members of our communities," Pearson said. "We need our young people to embody and share the greatness of our form of governance with peers and others around the community."