Bryce Weppler, 15, served as a page in the Washington State Senate during the week of Jan. 31.
Pages are typically sponsored by the senator from their legislative district. Sen. Sam Hunt (D-Olympia) sponsored Weppler’s week in the Legislature.
The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. The interactive learning experience includes classes focused on topics like budget writing and how a bill becomes a law, which culminates in pages creating their own bills in a mock committee setting. The educational experience is furthered by guest speakers.
“The most fun thing that I did this week was the Mock committee hearing because I got to present my own bill that I wrote myself about applying a tax to media companies that collect customer data and sell it. I enjoyed presenting the bill and answering questions from my fellow Pages about why I believe it is important,” said Weppler.
Pages also have the opportunity to work on the Senate floor. Their maroon coats and credentials allow them access to all parts of the Capitol Campus.
“The most interesting thing that I did this week was working on the Senate floor because even though I have learned about how laws are made in the classroom, seeing it is a very different experience and I appreciated that,” added Weppler.
“I would say that this experience has given me a view into how legislation works, but this work seems exhausting and I’m not sure that is for me. I really appreciate how hard the senators work for us,” remarked Weppler.
Weppler is in the 10th grade at Olympia High School. In his free time, he enjoys practicing his clarinet, playing in band, and FBLA.
