Home-schooled teens serve as legislative pages in the state House

Jessica and Rebecca Schallon, home-schooled sisters from Olympia, served as legislative pages this month for the state House of Representatives. They were sponsored by 35th District Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union. They are the daughters of Tammy and Eric Schallon.

“The page program has been such a wonderful opportunity for students to learn more and get involved with the legislative process,” MacEwen said. “It was a pleasure to host Jessica and Rebecca and I hope they enjoyed their time in the House and made some new friends.”

During their service, Jessica and Rebecca experienced the Legislature firsthand and were responsible for delivering messages and documents to legislators in their offices, committee meetings and the House chamber during floor sessions. The girls also attended page school, which is taught by a certified instructor with experience in civics and/or social studies. There, pages learn how a bill becomes a law and other legislative processes.

To become a page, applicants must have a legislative sponsor and be between the ages of 14 and 16. Additionally, pages are required to obtain written permission from their parents and school.

Unfortunately, the available page positions for the current session are full. Interested students should apply in the fall to be considered for the 2015 legislative session. For more information, visit: https://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx

Rep. MacEwen with House Page Rebecca SchallonCAPTION: Rep. MacEwen and House Page Rebecca Schallon. CREDIT: Washington State Legislature.

Representative MacEwen with Page Jessica Schallon

CAPTION: Rep. MacEwen and House Page Jessica Schallon. CREDIT: Washington State Legislature.