Monte student serves as Senate page

Kelly Hewitt serves as page in Washington State Senate

Montesano Jr./Sr. High School 10th-grader Kelly Hewitt, 15, served as a page in the Washington State Senate during the week of March 18. Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview, sponsored her.

“It was wonderful to have Kelly in the Legislature with us this week,” said Takko. “I hope that she enjoyed her week in Olympia and learned plenty about the state government.”

The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. The educational experience is furthered by guest speakers. It also includes classes with topics like budget writing and how a bill becomes a law, which culminates in pages creating their own bills in a mock committee setting.

“Being here and speaking to the people who have power was a great experience,” said Hewitt. “Being in such a gorgeous place with incredible architecture that is so rich in its history was a great experience.”

Pages also have the opportunity to work on the Senate floor while the Senate is in session. Their maroon coats and credentials allow them access to all parts of the Capitol Campus.

“I enjoyed debating a mock bill with the other pages, it helped us all learn the process that a bill goes through,” Hewitt said.

In school, Hewitt is active with extracurriculars. She is the historian of both the Drama Club and the Sophomore Class ASB, and vice president of the Gay Straight Alliance. She also is also a member of National Honor Society and secretary of the Newspaper Club.

Montesano Jr./Sr. High School 10th-grader Kelly Hewitt, 15, served as a page in the Washington State Senate during the week of March 18. “It was wonderful to have Kelly in the Legislature with us this week. I hope that she enjoyed her week in Olympia and learned plenty about the state government,” said Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview, who sponsored her. “I enjoyed debating a mock bill with the other pages. It helped us all learn the process that a bill goes through,” said Hewitt.