Westport student serves as page at state House

January 23, 2008

OLYMPIA — There's an easy way for high school students to learn about democracy: go to the State Legislature in Olympia and see it first-hand.

Since 1891, students have come from across the state to serve as pages in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Recently, Jackie Summers of Westport spent a week serving as a page for Rep. Brian Blake.

Jackie, 14, is the daughter of Louis and Donna Summers and is a ninth-grade student at Ocosta High School.

“I’m glad I was able to share a small part of the legislative process with Jackie. My hope is that young people like her, who serve as pages in Olympia, stay involved and interested in politics,” said Rep. Blake.

Students or parents interested in the page program should contact Rep. Blake’s office. Pages spend one week in Olympia, with housing and a meal allowance provided. To serve as a page, a student must:

Be at least 14 years old but not yet 17

Have permission from their school and from their parents or legal guardian

Be sponsored by a member of the House or Senate

For more information:

Page program home page: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/PageInternProgram/

Print-quality photo: http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/blake/20080122_Blake_Summers_page.jpg