OLYMPIA — Lillian Doiron-Wahlstrom served as a page for the Washington State Senate during the third week of the 2024 legislative session. Sen. Emily Randall (D-Bremerton) sponsored her time at the Legislature.
The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. During a week-long interactive learning experience, students are visited by guest speakers and get to draft their own bills. Students also get to explore the Capitol Campus by delivering papers for Senate staff.
Doiron-Wahlstrom, 15, is a sophomore at Vashon Island High School. She enjoys writing, music, and being with friends.
She decided to be a page after she attended a coffee hour with Sen. Randall. Doiron-Wahlstrom also wanted to see the process firsthand and meet the people who govern us.
“I have loved being able to meet so many different people with unique and interesting backgrounds. Being a page has introduced me to many different ideas and resources that I did not know about before,” said Doiron-Wahlstrom.
Pages create their own bill to be heard in a mock committee meeting. Doiron-Wahlstrom decided to work on legislation that would further climate education with a mandatory climate science course in schools.
“Getting the chance to meet our legislators face-to-face instead of just seeing them through the media was truly eye-opening. It made me realize that they are just as human as the rest of us,” said Doiron-Wahlstrom.
For more information about the Senate Page Program, contact SenatePageProgram@leg.wa.gov.
