Heather Brown of Spanaway recently participated in the Senate Page Program. She was sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice, the chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Each week, selected students from across the state visit Olympia to learn about the legislative process in the Legislative Page Program. Pages carry mail between offices and relay messages to the Senate floor. They also attend page school, participate in mock hearings, write their own bills, and engage in debates.

Brown said her experience improved her understanding of government.  “I learned a lot about bills,” she said.  “I never understood the floor language. But now I do and it will be easy to tell people about it.”

Brown is homeschooled and wants to become a nurse.  She enjoys swimming, shopping and volleyball.

Page positions provide valuable civic and employment experiences for Washington state youth. Additional information on becoming a Senate page is available at http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram.