WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Congressman Michael Baumgartner has invited Bill Plucker, a civics teacher from Walla Walla High School, to the State of the Union Address as part of the “Classroom to the Capitol” contest.
Plucker, who was nominated by his students for his dedication to civic education, expressed his excitement about the opportunity.
“To be able to witness this in person is the ultimate experience,” Plucker said on the Walla Walla Public Schools website. “I’m so thankful to my students for nominating me, and I can’t wait to get back and tell them all about it.”
Plucker’s roots in the Walla Walla Valley are deep, with his family settling in the area in 1861. Despite growing up in Spokane, he returned to Walla Walla to teach, where he has spent 33 years educating students on the foundations of American democracy.
His dedication has been recognized with a Teaching Excellence Award from the Jack Miller Center, highlighting his commitment to engaging students with the nation’s founding principles. Former U.S. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers nominated him for this honor.
As Plucker prepares for retirement, he plans to continue contributing to his community and spend more time on personal pursuits. He will cover his own travel expenses for the trip to Washington, D.C., emphasizing that the contest only provided the ticket to the event.
