Ione students visit capitol

Published 1:54 pm Saturday, March 1, 2008

Four students from Ione High School got to lobby state legislators at the State Capitol building in Salem. The Feb. 14 visit was held in cooperation with the Oregon Wheat Growers League Board of Directors.

Brenna Rietmann, Alex Carlson, Eric Jepsen and Emily Rietmann pressed lawmakers to be aware of pesticide reporting and transportation issues that affect the wheat industry.

“It was encouraging to see high school students interested in this opportunity,” said Erin Heideman, OWGL membership chairwoman and Ione teacher. “The students represented our school and community with class and were eager to offer input to legislators.”

The four students are the children of OWGL members, each with a fair share of work experience on the family farms. In addition to the lobbying efforts, the students were given a private capitol tour, sponsored by Rep. Greg Smith of Heppner, which included being able to climb the outside of the rotunda to view the Oregon Pioneer statue from the top of the capitol.

“I learned so much and it was great to be able to see what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ in our government,” Carlson said.

Heideman issued thanks to Sen. David Nelson of Pendleton, Sen. Ted Ferrioli of John Day, Smith and Rep. Bob Jenson of Pendleton as well as Tammee Dennee, OWGL executive director and her staff.