Richland High School student serves as House page for Rep. Stephanie Barnard
CONTACT: Kelley Payne, Senior Public Information Officer | 360-786-7761
Richland High School student serves as House page for Rep. Stephanie Barnard
Micah Fitzgerald, 16, a student at Richland High School, recently traveled to Olympia to serve as a page in the state House of Representatives. Rep. Stephanie Barnard was her legislative sponsor.
“It was a pleasure sponsoring Micah,” said Barnard, R-Pasco. “She’s a great, politically engaged kid. I hope she enjoyed her week at the state Capitol making new friends and learning the ropes at the Legislature. I know she represented the 8th District well.”
As a page, Micah learned to navigate the many buildings around the Capitol campus, delivered messages and documents to legislators and staff, and assisted on the House floor. She attended page school each day to learn and understand the operations of the Legislature.
“The Washington State Legislature is one of the few legislative bodies that still offers a page program,” continued Barnard. “One of the best ways to see how our government works is through hands-on experience. Micah, and the other students, learned about the role of the Legislature while they work in Olympia. It’s my hope this experience helps produce the next generation of civic-minded young adults.”
Micah is the daughter of Eric and Chauné Fitzgerald. Her interests and hobbies include writing and reading.
Each year, students from around 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 $50 a day and can earn up to 20 hours of community service 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 their parents and school. For more information about the House page program, click here.
