Skokomish student serves as page at state House

Feb. 18, 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, Tyler Johns of Skokomish spent a week serving as a page for Rep. Brian Blake.

Tyler, 16, is the daughter of Marcella Johns Colson and Mark Johns Colson and is a tenth-grade student at Shelton High School.

“I’m glad I was able to share a small part of the legislative process with Tyler. 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/20080211_page_Tyler_Johns.jpg