Amber Bird, 15, of Kent, served as a page in the state Senate during the week of March 6.
Pages are typically sponsored by the senator from their legislative district. Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, sponsored Bird’s week in the Legislature.
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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“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.”
Bird is a sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School. In her free time, she enjoys volleyball, track and church.
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