Students spend week in Olympia as pages

“I was happy to sponsor the girls and I hope they enjoyed their time in Olympia,” said 13th District Representative Judy Warnick of Moses Lake. “The page program is a great way for students to gain hands-on insight into their state government, and I’m glad they took the opportunity.”

The two students attended page school every day during their time in Olympia to better understand the operations and actions of the legislature. At the end of the week they wrote and promoted a mock bill to address plastic bag pollution.

As part of their page duties, they navigated their way through many buildings on the Capitol campus and delivered messages and documents to legislators and staff.

By ANGEL GARAY

Wilson Creek High School

I had the fantastic opportunity to page for the House of Representatives at the Capitol in Olympia. On the first day, every single person paging was extremely nervous and afraid they were going to do something wrong. It turns out everyone is extremely nice, from the security guards to the representatives.

I went to work at 7:30 a.m. and got off at 5 p.m. Some people are thinking that nine hours working is awfully hard, but you never would have guessed that you would have fun doing it. While I worked, I delivered messages and handed out mail. Most of my days were spent on the House Chamber Floor watching bills get passed. The only people allowed on the floor were security, staff members and representatives. Because I was a page I was included as staff and was allowed to go on the floor.

You feel tremendously important and it is a real confidence booster. While on the floor you got to see all the representatives pass bills in the House Chamber Floor. I made new friends and will never forget the time I had in Olympia. I recommend going to page. I guarantee that you will have the time of your life.