May 1, 2009

Garrison Middle School student pages in Olympia

Walla Walla student Dean Atkinson Jr. traveled to Olympia April 20-24 and paged in the House of Representatives. His 16th District representative Maureen Walsh, R-Walla Walla, sponsored his involvement in the page program.

Atkinson is in 8th grade at Garrison Middle School and is the son of Dean and Veronika Atkinson of Walla Walla.

During his week in Olympia, Atkinson attended page school to learn about the legislative process, assisted legislators on the House floor, and delivered documents amongst the buildings on the capitol campus.

"Dean had a great opportunity to see the Legislature in action and learn about how laws are made," Walsh said. "I hope he enjoyed the experience and will be interested in government in the future."

Atkinson sponsored a mock bill to prohibit smoking in vehicles with passenger under the age of 21.

Since 1891, students from around the state have applied to participate in the legislative page program. Pages earn $35 for each day they serve in the program.

Interested students must be between the ages of 14 and 16, have permission from their school and a parent, and be sponsored by a legislator.

For more information about the House page program, visit: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx.

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For more information, contact:  Sarah Lamb, Public Information Officer - (360) 786-7720