Ellensburg High School students page in Olympia
Mark Van Epps and Macenna Perez traveled to Olympia to serve as pages in the state House of Representatives the first week of session, Jan. 8-12. They were sponsored by their 13th District Rep. Matt Manweller.
“Our House Page Program is an excellent opportunity for students from around the state to learn how our state government operates. Civic education is an important part of our state’s curriculum and this gives students a firsthand look at government in action,” said Manweller, R-Ellensburg. “I hope Mark and Macenna enjoyed their week in Olympia and made lasting friendships with the other pages. I appreciate their service during the first week of the legislative session.”
Mark is the son of Michael and Dora Van Epps. His interest in political science led him to the Page Program. He takes an active interest in music.
Macenna is the daughter of Jose Perez Jr. and Vicki Holleman Perez. Macenna is interested in volleyball music and animals.
During their time as pages, Mark and Macenna attended page school every day to understand the operations and actions of the Legislature. They learned to navigate the many buildings on the Capitol campus and delivered messages and documents to legislators and staff. Students also draft legislation and present their bills in a mock committee hearing to fellow pages.
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: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx.
PHOTO: Rep. Matt Manweller with House Pages Mark Van Epps and Macenna Perez. (Courtesy Washington State Legislature)
