Monica Gupta, a freshman at Redmond High School, served as a page with the Washington State Senate the week of April 10. Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) sponsored her week at the Legislature.<\/p>\n
The page program offers a week of interactive learning about how state government works. Pages get to witness committee hearings, sit in on floor debates, and deliver materials for Senate staff.<\/p>\n
Gupta applied to the program because of her curiosity: \u201cI really wanted to become a page because I wanted to learn more about the legislative process, and I wanted to see Senate floor action in person and interact with people who have similar interests.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gupta\u2019s favorite part is leading the pledge of allegiance on the Senate floor: \u201cOn Monday morning I got to lead the pledge of allegiance and that was really fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
She sponsored a bill for her page program\u2019s mock committee regarding recycling plastics due to their harmful effects to the environment and the population.<\/p>\n
Gupta also would recommend the program to potential candidates in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would 100% recommend this to other people because it\u2019s really fun to interact with different groups of people from all over the state and learn about what goes on in the Capitol.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dhingra had brunch with Gupta during her week at the Legislature. The senator said, \u201cI\u2019m impressed with Monica\u2019s eagerness to learn, and I\u2019m looking forward to the tremendous difference she will make in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n