Kimberly Palecki, a student at North Thurston High School, paged in the state House of Representatives during the third week of session. She was sponsored by her 35th District Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union.

Kimberly is the daughter of Donna and Robert Palecki of Tenino, Wash.

“The page program is a great way for students to get involved with our state’s Legislature,” said MacEwen. “I hope Kimberly enjoyed her week at the Capitol and her time spent here will inspire her to engage in state government as she continues school.”

As a page, Kimberly was responsible for delivering messages to legislators in their offices, committee meetings and the House chamber during floor sessions. She was also required to attend page school, which is taught by a certified instructor. Students learn how a bill becomes a law and other legislative actions.

Pages are paid $35 a day during their service.

To be eligible, students 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 positions for the current 2014 session have been filled. 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.

Mary M. Knight High School sophomore Alycia I. Gerou paged in the state House of Representatives Feb. 11 through Feb. 15. She was sponsored by her 35^th District Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union. Alycia, 15, is the  granddaughter of Deanna Gerou of Elma.

“I enjoyed having Deanna as a page. She is a great illustration of the hardworking kids and potential leaders from our district. During her week at the State Capitol she was an asset to me and the entire legislature,” MacEwen said. “She did a great job and I hope she continues her involvement in public service.”

During her week in Olympia, Alycia attended page school every day to better understand the operations and actions of the Legislature. As part of her page duties, Alycia navigated the many buildings on the Capitol campus and delivered messages and documents to legislators and staff.

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 legislative page program, visit: https://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx.

Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, was proud to have his son, Christian MacEwen, serve as a page from Feb. 10 through Feb. 15. Christian, 14, is MacEwen’s youngest son. Christian attends Oakland Bay Junior High in Mason County. Christian is also a graduate of the U.S. Space Academy in Mobile, AL.

“I really loved having Christian here and having him see what my job is all about. He really gained a lot from the program and has the potential to use this experience to broaden his horizons. During his week at the State Capitol, he was an asset to me and the entire legislature,” MacEwen said. “He did a great job and seeing Christian serving as a page reminds me of why my involvement in public service is so important.”

During his week in Olympia, Christian attended page school every day to better understand the operations and actions of the Legislature. As part of his page duties, Christian visited the caucus, navigated the Capitol campus and delivered messages and documents to legislators and staff. And, at the end of the week he sponsored a mock bill to raise the bar in education by allowing courses needed for graduation to be taught sooner and to younger age students.

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 legislative page program, visit: https://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx.