Sure, it’s 180 miles, plus or minus a few, and that distance can seem like a fairly far drive but it is at the end of the trip where opportunities to be included in some of the coolest educational experiences a student could ever experience.
I am talking about the West Virginia Legislature’s Page Program. A day as a Page could open any student’s eyes to a future time in public service. This former legislator has definitely sponsored some pages over the years I fully expect to serve in some capacity. Yes, Haden Barickman, David Gaudio, and Ethan McDermott, I am speaking to you.
Pages provide a very valuable service to the people of this state. Floor privileges are only extended to elected members, staff, former members, pages, and from time to time invited guests. The public is welcome to witness the proceedings in both chambers from the galleries. It is a little more difficult to hear up here, and the full view of the chamber can be obstructed, depending on where one is seated, so it is a very cool opportunity to have floor privileges.
Many proud parents occupy the galleries while their children are spending a few hours serving the state. Legislators are required to vote if in the Chamber. Often, they need to communicate with other members or print items to reference for distribution or reference, and sometimes they simply need a beverage or a snack. Pages fill all these roles for every member on a daily basis, and serving as a page, students, grades 6-12 from a West Virginia public or nonpublic schools, are given the opportunity to interact with legislators, share ideas, ask questions, and see government from the front row – quite literally.
Unfortunately, the northern panhandle is not well represented as far as pages are concerned. It is a long day to drive down and back, and the Page and his/her family would have to be in Charleston by 10:00 a.m. But students do receive a certificate that excuses a participant from school for this day. If a family can add to the day a tour of the Capitol, a trip to the state museum in the West Virginia Culture Center (admission is free), and a stroll through the gift shop, a very fun, the whole family can learn more about our state capitol and about our state itself.
Let me speak briefly about a former page, David Gaudio, and his running shoes.
David paged during several sessions, and I always enjoyed introducing him and his parents. We would also take photos at the Speaker’s podium. Soon, David found he enjoyed the festive atmosphere of the last night of session.
Then he found his niche. He started “running bills” between the House and Senate … and run, he did.
The legislature gavels out at midnight Sunday normally the second Sunday in March. Kudos to the students who volunteer to come serve the legislature and their state on Saturday into the wee-small hours Sunday, and many thanks to those who have and who will. It is my hope more will come from the northern panhandle for the experience.
Applications are available at https://joiny.wvlegislature.gov.
