Moses Lake student gets firsthand experience of state Legislature

April 24, 2013

Moses Lake student gets firsthand experience of state Legislature

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 24, 2013

CONTACT: Sarah Stewart, Public Information Officer – (360) 786-7720

Moses Lake student gets firsthand experience of state Legislature

Fifteen-year-old Maddie Plumage traveled to Olympia to serve as a page in the state House of Representatives on April 15-19. She was sponsored by 16th District Rep. Maureen Walsh, R-Walla Walla. Her grandmother, Marge Plumage, serves as the legislative aide to Walsh. “It was a pleasure having Maddie with us in Olympia. She’s a smart girl and has a bright future,” said Walsh. “I hope she had a great experience and learned a lot about government and the Legislature.” Maddie is a freshman at Moses Lake High School and is the daughter of Marshall Plumage of Marion, Illinois and Edward and Andria Payne of Moses Lake.
She attended page school every day during her time in Olympia to better understand the operations and actions of the Legislature. At the end of the week, she wrote and promoted a mock bill regarding elderly drivers and safety on the road. As part of her page duties, Maddie navigated the many buildings on the Capitol campus and delivered messages and documents to legislators and staff. Each year, students from around the state apply to participate in the legislative page program. Students spend a week attending page school, learning the inner workings of state government and assisting legislators on the House floor. Pages earn $35 per day while serving in the program. To become a page, applicants must have a legislative sponsor, be between the ages of 14 and 16, and obtain written permission from their parents and school. For more information about the legislative page program, visit: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx.
Caption: Rep. Maureen Walsh, Maddie Plumage and Marge Plumage in front of the state seal in the House chamber. Credit: Washington State Legislature.
Caption: Page Maddie Plumage serves as flag bearer April 15. Credit: Washington State Legislature.