Local students needed for legislative page program

Each year, hundreds of students ages 14 to 16 have the opportunity to participate in the Washington state Senate page program.

The page program is a hands-on educational experience that takes place on the Capitol Campus in Olympia during the legislative session. For one week, students will be employees of the Senate, performing administrative tasks and participating in civic education activities that demonstrate the operation of state government.

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-36th District) is seeking students from her district “who are eager to try new things, actively learn, meet new people and find out ways in which they can make a difference through active participation in the political process.”

Earning $35 a day, pages perform numerous tasks, including making deliveries to Senate offices, going on errands and working in the Senate chamber during floor debates. In addition, pages will spend two hours a day in page school learning the legislative process. At the end of the week, pages participate in a mock debate with their peers so they are able to experience what it is like to be a real state senator.

Interested parties may contact the legislative office of Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles at 219 John A. Cherberg Building, P.O. Box 40436, Olympia, WA 98504-0436, or by calling (360) 786-7670. Or go online to www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram/Pages/senpagefaq.aspx.