Oakland Bay Junior High student pages in Olympia

March 3, 2014

Oakland Bay Junior High student pages in Olympia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 3, 2014

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

Oakland Bay Junior High student pages in Olympia

Jackson Obert, an Oakland Bay Junior High student, paged in the state House of Representatives Feb. 17-21. He was sponsored by 16th District Rep. Maureen Walsh, R-Walla Walla.

He is the son of Kathleen and Scott Obert of Shelton. Scott Obert is on security staff for the state Capitol and has worked with Walsh for many years.

“It was a pleasure to have Jackson page for us in the House and I hope he had a good experience during his week-long service,” Walsh said. “It’s so great to see young people interested in state government and the page program is always a wonderful opportunity for middle school and high school students to learn about the Legislature. I was really honored to be asked to sponsor Jackson. His dad is a good friend and Jackson is a wonderful young man.”

During his service, Jackson observed the Legislature in action and delivered messages and documents to legislators to their offices, during committee meetings, and in the House chamber during floor sessions. He was also required to attend page school, where a certified instructor teaches students about the legislative process.

As a page, Jackson also took part in mock committee and floor debates. He sponsored a bill addressing gun violence.

Each year students from around the state apply to become a page. Interested students should apply in the fall to be considered for the 2015 legislative session. Applicants must have a legislative sponsor and be between the ages of 14 and 16. Additionally, pages are required to obtain written permission from their parents and school. Pages are paid $35 a day during their service. For more information about the House page program, visit: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx.