Ephrata sisters learn about state government
Ephrata Middle School student Makayla Towry on the Senate floor during her time as a legislative page.
OLYMPIA - Two sisters from Ephrata recently spent a week in Olympia as legislative pages to learn more about how state government works.
Ephrata Middle School students Katelynn Towry, sponsored by Rep. Judy Warnick, and her sister Makayla Towry, sponsored by Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry, were given permission from the school to attend a page program.
The two attended page school every day in Olympia to better understand the operations and actions of the Legislature and as part of their duties, navigated the many buildings on the Capitol campus and delivered messages and documents to legislators and staff.
During page school, Katelynn Towry said she and other pages learned the process of writing bills, even tasked with creating their own bill. She and her page partner addressed the issue of abortion and whether parents should be involved in the process.
After the week was finished, Towry said she had a chance to meet other district representatives.
"It was a really good experience for me to learn how our government works," Katelynn said, adding her experience could help with future college applications. She said she wants to be a chiropractor when she's older.
Warnick said the page program helps youth gain more knowledge about the legislative process.
"It was my pleasure to sponsor Katelynn as a page in the House," Warnick said, R-Moses Lake. "It is great to see students engaged in the political process so they have a better understanding of state government and legislative issues. I hope she enjoyed her time here and will return to Ephrata and tell other students about what she learned in Olympia."
Each year, students from across the state apply to participate in the legislative page program. Students spend a week attending page school, learning the inner workings of state government and assisting legislators on the House floor. Pages earn $35 per day while serving in the program.
To become a page, applicants must have a legislative sponsor, be between the ages of 14 and 16, and obtain written permission from the parents and school. More information on the program can be found on the state House of Representatives sections on the state Legislature website at www.leg.wa.gov.
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