Glacier Peak students serve as legislative pages in Olympia

 

Glacier Peak High School students Connor Trimble and Adrian Kopps served as pages in the State House of Representatives in February. They were sponsored by Rep. Mike Hope, R-Lake Stevens. The students helped out at the state Capitol Feb. 21-25.

 

Kopps, a foreign exchange student from Germany, is staying with host family Patricia and Darren Trimble of Snohomish during his time in the United States.

 

As part of their page duties:

  • Trimble delivered messages and documents to legislators in their offices and on the House floor. He also attended daily page school, where he learned about the legislative process. At the end of the week, Trimble wrote and promoted a mock bill addressing abortion issues.
  • Kopps attended page school each day to learn about the legislative process. He also had the opportunity to sponsor a mock bill that would lower the drinking age from 21 to 18, which is the legal drinking age in Germany. In addition to page school, Kopps was responsible for distributing official paperwork to members in committees, offices and the House floor.

“I had an extremely interesting time seeing how state government works in America,” Kopps said.

 

“I’m so glad Adrian was able to come and experience the United States’ government upfront and center,” Hope added.

 

Young men and women have come to Olympia to serve as pages for the Washington State Legislature since 1891. Pages must obtain permission from their parents and schools, and most live with volunteer host families.

 

“It’s pretty cool to see how the government works,” Trimble said. “I got to suit-up every day.”

 

“The page program is a unique experience for students to become involved in their government, and Connor seemed to enjoy his time here,” Hope said, adding he was glad to have Trimble join him in Olympia. “For many, this is just a launching point for involvement in their civic duties.”

  

Students between the ages of 14 and 16 who are interested in the page program must have parent permission, acceptable grades and a legislative sponsor. To learn more about the House Page Program, visit the Website.

 

AdrianKopps.jpg  Adrian Kopps

 

ConnorTrimble.jpg  Connor Trimble