Kentlake student learns about state government firsthand

February 29, 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, Ethan Houser of Kent spent a week serving a page for Rep. Pat Sullivan (D-Covington).

Ethan, 14, is the son of James Houser, Jr. and Robin Buxton.  He is a ninth-grade student at Kentlake High School.

“I am happy to have shared a little piece of the legislative process with Ethan,” said Sullivan. “My hope is that this experience will motivate him to stay involved and interested in politics.”

Students or parents interested in the page program should contact Rep. Sullivan's office. 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