Hanaan Ali, 16, a sophomore at Kent’s Excel Public Charter School, served as a page in the state Senate during the week of Feb. 25.<\/p>\n
Sen. Bob Hasegawa, D-Seattle, sponsored Ali’s week in the Legislature.<\/p>\n
“It was a pleasure to host Hanaan at the Capitol this week,” Hasegawa said. “I hope that she enjoyed her week with the Legislature and learned plenty!”<\/p>\n
The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. The educational experience is furthered by guest speakers. It also includes classes with topics like budget writing and how a bill becomes a law, which culminates in pages creating their own bills in a mock committee setting.<\/p>\n
“One of my favorite parts of this week was meeting so many new people,” Ali said. “I feel like I made a lot of new friends with the other pages.”<\/p>\n
Pages also have the opportunity to work on the Senate floor while the Senate is in session. Their maroon coats and credentials allow them access to all parts of the Capitol campus.<\/p>\n
Ali is a member of the Women’s Empowerment Club, and said that she finds it helpful to have a place for women to discuss the concerns that face them. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball.<\/p>\n