March 6, 2009

Adna teen pages in Olympia
PHOTO RELEASE

House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, recently sponsored Matthew Aust, an eighth grader at Adna Middle School, as a page in the House of Representatives. Matthew is the son of Steve and Trish Aust of Adna.

Paging presents students with a unique educational opportunity to participate in the legislative process. Their duties vary from ceremonial tasks, such as presenting the flags, to operational chores, like distributing messages and documents to legislators in their offices, in committee meetings or in the House chambers during floor sessions.

During his week in Olympia, Matthew also attended page school where he learned about state government, including how a bill becomes a law.

Students have been serving as pages for the Legislature since 1891. Pages must be sponsored by a legislator, be in good academic standing and obtain permission from their parents and school. While in Olympia, they are paid a stipend for their service and most live with a volunteer host family.

Additional information about the House Page Program can be found on the Internet by visiting: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx  

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For more information, contact:  Lisa Fenton, Communications Director - (360) 786-7728