Emma Bowman, a freshman at West Valley High School, spent a week working as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. Emma was one of 21 students who served as Senate pages for the fifth week of the 2018 legislative session.

She was sponsored by 4th Legislative District Sen. Mike Padden R-Spokane Valley. Sen. Padden serves Colbert, Greenbluff, Liberty Lake, Millwood, and the Spokane Valley.

“I’m glad Emma had a great time, we’re happy she enjoyed her experience at the Capitol, right after moving to Washington no less,” said Padden.

The Senate Page Program provides an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working at the Legislature. Students transport documents between offices, as well as deliver messages and mail. Pages spend time in the Senate chamber and attend page school to learn about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. Students also draft their own bills and engage in a mock session.

Emma, who just moved to Washington from Idaho, says that “it’s been really cool to go around the campus and see everything and see how there’s so many different positions and how everybody’s roles play a big part in how the government functions.”

Emma, 15, is the daughter of David and Sabrina Minshall of Newman Lake.

Students interested in the Senate Page Program are encouraged to visit: https://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram/.