OLYMPIA — It was a father and son combo in Olympia earlier this month, as Jackson Van De Wege served as page in the state Senate for Sen. Kevin Van De Wege.
Pages are sponsored by the senator from their legislative district, or by another senator in the Legislature. Sen. Van De Wege, a Sequim Democrat, sponsored Jackson’s week in the Legislature.
“We are always happy to have pages in the office, but this week I was especially delighted to have my son Jackson paging at the Capitol,” Sen. Van De Wege said.
“He worked really hard and was a huge help to us.”
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 such as budget writing and how a bill becomes a law, which culminates in pages creating their own bills in a mock committee setting.
“I really enjoyed being on the floor,” Jackson Van De Wege said. “To be out there while things are happening was just an awesome experience.”
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.
Jackson is a ninth-grader at Sequim High School, where he plays on basketball, golf and tennis teams. He said he was happy to get a better look into the work that his father does.
Van De Wege represents Legislative District 24 which covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.
For more information about the Senate Page Program, contact SenatePage Program@leg.wa.gov.
