Reflections from the 2026 Washington State Youth Advocate

By Zay Reed, Everett Youth & Government Delegate and 2026 Youth Advocate

This year, I had the pleasure of serving as one of Washington State’s National Youth Advocates. Despite the title of “National Advocate,” my role as a youth advocate was focused on Washington State and its local needs, not D.C. In the months leading up to D.C., I worked with my local YMCA directors and community leaders to learn what needs are the most pressing in my community. Parallel to this local outreach, I attended trainings with Y-USA’s government relations team, where I learned how to share my Y story to provide the most impact on congressmen. These trainings were an invaluable experience, and I learned how to network with adults, give an elevator pitch, and work with a team to connect with congressmen.

I was so nervous to go to D.C. In part because I would be representing thousands of students across the state, and in part because the U.S. went to war in Iran less than three days before Hill Day– talk about timing. Despite my nerves, the moment I set foot down in D.C. and met up with the other national advocates, I knew I was going to love it there. I started talking with the other students at baggage claim and didn’t stop until I was flying back.

Over the first two days, I met students all the way from Hawaii to Maine, and I have never felt more connected with a group of students so fast. I had a family group of incredible students who love civics and Youth and Government (YAG) as much as I do, breakfasts full of YMCA kids with a range of experiences. To top all of this, however, I had the best Washington coadvocate I could have asked for in Lucy Clinton. Together, we toured D.C., seeing the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and so many more. We attended on-site trainings for advocacy before being thrust directly onto Capitol Hill.

I joined the Washington Alliance of YMCAs for my congressional meetings, which included the State Director and numerous YMCA CEOs, including my home CEO of Snohomish County. Hill day was crazy. We took meetings in the hallway because the offices were full, ate lunch without chairs in a hectic cafeteria, all the while advocating for our priorities of early child care funding, chronic disease prevention, and combating social isolation. It was exhilarating. The highlight of Hill day, however, has to be meeting Patty Murray. Patty Murray is a staunch supporter of the Y, but more than that, I could tell from the moment she walked in the room that she cared. It didn’t matter that she had to vote on the War Powers Resolution in 30 minutes; she wanted to hear how she could support the Y and Washingtonians back home.

Being a youth advocate has been the honor of a lifetime. Whether you are in YAG and know you want to work in the government, or you go to open gym after school, I cannot recommend this program enough, and I have every hope that you will apply.