ROYAL CITY - When Community Communication Committee President Luis Sanchez joined the organization last year, he did so because he believes in the school system and wants to encourage others to support it.

"Voters cared to pass levies when I was in school, and I benefited from transportation, supplies and equipment, salaries for teachers, athletics and field trips," he said.

"It's my turn to give back," he added. "People should support their local school and get involved to learn what I learned."

Sanchez arrived in Royal City as a fifth-grader with his family in 1985. He's been here ever since, except for time at college.

"I got married and moved back to Royal City to start a family," he said.

Sanchez and his wife, also a Royal graduate, are members of St. Michael's Catholic Church. He is a volunteer youth group leader. He has been an assistant coach at Royal High and has coached in the Royal Booster program.

Sanchez holds a bachelor of science from Central Washington University in Safety and Health Management. He is an industrial hygienist for the Grant County Public Utility District.

"This community gave me so much growing up that when my wife and I moved back in 1999, we knew we wanted to get involved in our church and our community," Sanchez said.

That led to the CCC. Sanchez became a regular and was eventually voted president during a time when the big discussion centered on over-crowding.

"The group made us feel like we had a voice," he said.

Sanchez became concerned to learn that Royal has one of the largest elementary schools (by enrollment) in the state. He noted each kindergarten class is followed by a bigger one.

For now, however, Sanchez's concern is the on-going maintenance and operation tax levy election. He's urging all voters to have their say before the Feb. 14 final day.