Tag Archives: Page Program

Deer Park student heads west, learns about Legislature

Deer Park’s native daughter Bethany Loos traveled to Olympia in late January and served as a page in the state House of Representatives. She was sponsored by her 7th district Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy.

“It is so important to teach civics to the next generation,” said Short, R-Addy. “I really hope Bethany enjoyed her time in Olympia. Forming friendships to last a lifetime and imparting the knowledge of the Legislature is the goal of the page program.”

The daughter of parents Brett and Elaine Loos, Bethany is very excited to begin competing in a Speech and Debate League through the National Christian Forensic and Communications Association. This, in addition to her five years of playing violin, keeps Bethany very busy. So learning to navigate the busy hallways on the Capitol campus and delivering messages and documents to legislators and staff was old hat to her.

Bethany managed to keep up with her page school duties as well, spending a few hours each day learning the operations and actions of the Legislature as is required to serve as a page. At the end of her time at the Capitol, Bethany presented to a group of fellow pages on her mock bill addressing the implications of the presence of gray wolves in Washington State.

Each year, students from around the state apply to participate in the legislative page program. Students spend a week attending page school, learning the inner workings of state government and assisting legislators on the House floor. Pages earn $35 per day while serving in the program.

To become a page, applicants must have a legislative sponsor, be between the ages of 14 and 16, and obtain written permission from their parents and school. For more information about the House page program, visit: https://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx.

For more information about Rep. Short, visit: https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/shelly-short/

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Washington State House Republican Communications
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov
461 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Chewelah sisters spend week in Olympia learning about Legislature

Rachael and Emma Larsen traveled to Olympia and served as pages in the state House of Representatives. They were sponsored by their 7th district Representatives Shelly Short, R-Addy, and Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda.

“It was a pleasure to host Rachel and Emma as they paged for us in the House,” said Kretz. “I hope they found their stay worthwhile and will stay involved with state government.” Short agreed, “Many pages later become public officials or run for office, and the lifelong friendships formed here connect our future leaders. I appreciate the work Emma and Rachael did.”

The daughters of Lori and Paul Larsen of Chewelah, Emma and Rachel both attend Jenkins Senior High School. They love to dance and play the violin. Emma also enjoys the theatre, painting, and singing while Rachael is preparing for a future as a lawyer. Both girls were excited to realize their goal of becoming pages, and enjoyed being around others who cared about the state.

As part of their page duties, the Larsen sisters learned to navigate the many buildings on the Capitol campus and delivered documents and other important papers to legislators and staff. As a page, Rachael and Emma attended page school every day to understand the operations and actions of the Legislature. Their time at the Capitol culminated with the presentation of a mock bill about a group of fellow pages. Emma wrote legislation to require those seeking an abortion to undergo a counseling session before the operation, while Rachel focused her bill on reducing juvenile sentencing by banning Washington courts from trying anyone under the age of eighteen in adult courts.

For more information about Representatives Short and Kretz visit: https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/our-members/

Washington State House Republican Communications
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov
461 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Local students serve as legislative pages for Rep. Shelly Short during the 2012 session

7th District lawmaker sponsors youth from Nine Mile Falls, Deer Park, Lincoln County, and Republic

Rep. Shelly Short hosted four local students at the state Capitol as legislative pages during the 2012 legislative session. All four youth reside in Short’s 7th Legislative District:

· Kelly Riddle, 15, is the daughter of Lisa and Rob Riddle of Nine Miles Falls. She is a 10th-grader at Northwest Christian School. Kelly paged Jan. 30 – Feb. 3.

· Emma Tate, 14, is the daughter of Emily and James Tate of Deer Park. She attends Riverside High School and is in 9th grade. Emma was in Olympia Feb. 12 – 17.

· Nina Klein, 15, is the daughter of Jan and Mark Klein who live in Lincoln County. She is a 10th-grader at Christian Heritage School. Nina paged Feb. 26 – March 1.

· Tyler Weyer, 16, is the son of Tara Weyer of Republic. He attends Republic High School and is in 11th grade. Tyler was at the state Capitol this week – March 4 – 8.

The students attended page school each day to learn more about legislative processes and the Legislature. They also had an opportunity to sponsor mock bills with their fellow students from around the state and distributed documents to state lawmakers throughout the Capitol campus – including the House floor and committee rooms.

“The House Page Program is an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about state government and experience the legislative process firsthand. It’s something that can’t be replicated in the classroom or online,” said Short, R-Addy. “Hosting local students is always exciting for me each year. I enjoy hearing about their experiences and what they’ve learned. They bring an energy and enthusiasm to Olympia that is really appreciated.”

Short said she was especially impressed with this year’s pages and heard several remarks from other legislators about the maturity and work ethic of the students from her district.

“We all see a lot of students from all over the state serve as legislative pages throughout the year. But I had several lawmakers tell me how impressed they were about the way students from the Seventh District went about their business in committee and on the House floor,” Short said. “Most of the pages that come from my district are involved in 4-H, Future Farmers of America, the Boy or Girl Scouts, or other community or church-based organizations. Their desire to serve others efficiently and with respect is very evident. I couldn’t be more proud of how the students represented their families, schools and communities.”

Young men and women have come to Olympia to serve as pages for the Washington State Legislature since 1891. Pages must:

· be between the ages of 14 and 16;

· obtain permission from their parents and schools; and

· have acceptable grades.

Most pages stay with local volunteer host families while in the Olympia area. More information about the House Page Program can be found at: https://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx.

For more information on Rep. Short, please visit: https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/members/shelly-short/.

Rep. Short can be contacted at (360) 786-7908, or in her district office when the Legislature is not in session at (509) 775-8047or shelly.short@leg.wa.gov.

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For more information contact Brendon Wold, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7698

Editor’s note: To view larger pictures or to obtain print-quality photos, click on a selected photo below.

Rep. Short sponsors student page

Republic High School sophomore Dan Slagle traveled to Olympia March 14-18 to serve as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives. He was sponsored by his 7th District Rep. Shelly Short.

Slagle, the son of Patty and Rob Slagle of Republic, stayed with a host family in Olympia while he served.

The 16-year-old attended page school each day to learn about the legislative process. He also had the opportunity to sponsor a mock bill with other students from around the state regarding uninsured children.

“I heard Dan’s testimony persuaded many of his fellow pages to support his legislation, which is a good skill to have no matter where life takes him,” said Short, R-Addy. “I hope his time in Olympia was beneficial and will inspire him to future public service.”

In addition to page school, Slagle was responsible for distributing official paperwork to members in committees, offices and the House floor.

Students between the ages of 14 and 16 who are interested in the page program must have parent permission, acceptable grades and a legislative sponsor. To learn more about the House Page Program, visit the Web site.

PHOTO CAPTION: Rep. Short with student page Dan Slagle on the House floor in Olympia.

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For more information, contact Brendon Wold, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7698.