OLYMPIA – Kai Craig, 16, served as a page in the Washington State Senate during the week of March 6.
Pages are typically sponsored by the senator from their legislative district. Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle) sponsored Craig’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, and culminates in pages creating their own bills in a mock committee setting. The educational experience is furthered by guest speakers.
“We have shifts where we go and work with the Senate security staff at different checkpoints and they are so funny and entertaining. We help escort guests to different places around the Capitol that are secured from the general public,” said Craig.
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.
Senate Page Kai Craig, March 2, 2020. Photo: Legislative Support Services.
“Senator Saldaña has a Monday morning meeting and she let me come and observe how her staff and her talk about the goals that they have already achieved and what they hope to work on for the week ahead. I thought it was fascinating to listen to their thought processes about strategies for what they hope to accomplish,” added Craig.
“I’ve been considering a career in public service for a long time working in social services and this experience has only given me renewed energy to continue towards that goal. Meeting and talking with Senator Saldaña about my goals was very encouraging,” remarked Craig.
Craig is in the 11th grade at James A. Garfield High School. In her free time, she enjoys All-City Marching Band, Seattle Youth Traffic Court, and the Seattle Youth Employment program.
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For more information about the Senate Page Program, contact SenatePageProgram@leg.wa.gov
