Jordan Hurt, a junior at James A. Garfield High School in Seattle, served as a page with the Washington State Senate the week of Feb 20. Sen. Joe Nguyễn (D-White Center) sponsored his week at the Legislature.
The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. During the week-long interactive learning experience, students get a firsthand look at the legislative process and get to explore the Capitol campus by delivering papers for Senate staff.
Hurd applied for the program to learn more about the lawmaking process.
“I knew this program would let me learn about political stuff more, and I don’t really follow politics that much, so I was like, ‘I guess I could try something new,’” he said. “And my dad, he was like, ‘Oh, I think this will look good on your resume.’”
He said that the program exceeded his expectations, and that he enjoyed his time speaking with his senator.
At first, I was a little skeptical, but now I’m realizing being a page lets you meet new people, make new experiences,” he said. “My favorite part was meeting my senator, Sen. Nguyễn. He’s cool guy and he’s friends with my scout master. He met us when we were all in third grade, and I’m a junior in high school
now. It’s just really cool to meet him up close and have a good conversation with him.”
Hurd said that he would recommend the program to any student.
“I would recommend this program to other students. I think it’s a great experience, and in the future possibly sets you up for more successful opportunities,” he said. “Great experience learning about how the government works, how it runs, the process of it, and you get to meet new people.” Nguyễn said. “It was a pleasure to have Jordan at the Capitol and on the Senate floor. He representedhis scout troop well.”
For more information about the Senate Page Program, contact SenatePageProgram@leg.wa.gov
