Amber Bird, 15, of Kent, served as a page in the state Senate during the week of March 6.<\/p>\n
Pages are typically sponsored by the senator from their legislative district. Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, sponsored Bird’s week in the Legislature.<\/p>\n
The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. The interactive learning experience includes classes focused on topics like budget writing and how a bill becomes a law, which culminates in pages creating their own bills in a mock committee setting. The educational experience is furthered by guest speakers.<\/p>\n
“I had a great time this week because I got to spend a little time with a couple of Senators, including Sen. Claire Wilson who I had breakfast with on Tuesday. I also had lunch with my sponsoring senator, Sen. Keiser on Thursday and it was great hearing about her priorities for our district,” Bird said.<\/p>\n
Pages also have the opportunity to work on the Senate floor. Their maroon coats and credentials allow them access to all parts of the Capitol campus.<\/p>\n
“I’m Native American so watching Sen. McCoy’s resolution about remembering the survivors of the Indian boarding schools was really moving and interesting to me. I really appreciate his advocacy and service on behalf of all of the tribes here in Washington state,” Bird said.<\/p>\n
“I’m looking into going to law school after I finish my bachelor’s degree, so I can definitely see a path for myself coming back here to work for a while in public service,” she said. “I really want to work on social justice and human rights issues, so I know that I could make a difference here someday.”<\/p>\n
Bird is a sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School. In her free time, she enjoys volleyball, track and church.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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