I have known Teri Hickel, candidate for the 30th District legislative seat for over 20 years. I first got to know about her excellent organizational skills and passion for education when we co-chaired the PTA Reflections Committee at the school our daughters attended.

A couple of years later, I was lucky enough to teach Teri’s younger daughter when she was in first grade, and saw firsthand what an involved and supportive parent she was.

Teri regularly helped in both her daughters’ classrooms, and she was involved in supporting our staff and student body through various PTA committees. She was also involved in supporting the entire district by working on our many levy elections through Citizens for Federal Way Schools.

When Teri first went to work for the larger community of Federal Way, at the Chamber of Commerce in the fall of 2000, she was in charge of the Federal Way Educational Foundation, once again making education her top priority.

Teri took her passion for education and her community even further by directing the Advancing Leadership program, which has empowered over 500 adult leaders in our community!

Five years later, she added the Advancing Leadership Youth program, which empowered another 350 great young leaders. Teri has spent the last 15 years working for this community through the Advancing Leadership program, and ensuring that we have continuing leadership for the future.

She is now “walking the talk” and taking the challenge to run for the 30th District in a position where she can be a catalyst for positive change for our greater community. Teri has the skills, the passion and the insight to be an articulate voice for her constituents in the Legislature.

Join me in supporting Teri Hickel for Legislature by voting in the special election on Aug. 4!

Maria Summerfield, Federal Way