OLYMPIA – Students who live in the 24th Legislative District should apply immediately for the opportunity to serve as a page in the Washington State Senate during the 2020 legislative session.

“Our Legislature has one of the finest page programs in the country, and I strongly encourage as many young people as possible to take advantage of it,” said Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim. “Whether on the Senate floor, or in lawmakers’ offices, or in the page classes they attend, they get to see the workings of our government in a way few people do.”

The 24th District covers most of the Olympic Peninsula, including a large chunk of Grays Harbor County and all of Clallam and Jefferson counties.

Each year, hundreds of students from communities across the state each spend a week taking part in the legislative process and observing the Legislature and other branches of state government in action.

The interactive learning experience includes classes focused on topics such as budget writing and the lawmaking process, with pages ultimately creating their own bills in a mock committee setting.

The educational experience is further bolstered by guest speakers, and the pages’ maroon coats and credentials allow them access to all parts of the Capitol campus.

Applications for participants in the page program are currently being accepted for the 2020 legislative session, which begins Jan. 13.

Applicants must be 14 to 16 years of age, have a parent/guardian’s permission, and obtain a recommendation from a teacher and the applicant’s school principal.

Financial assistance is available to help offset the expense of traveling to and staying in Olympia for a five-day work week during the 60-day legislative session.

For more information about the page program and how to apply, visit leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram.