A freshman at Grace Academy High School, Nathaniel Lugg had heard all about how much fun paging is from his older siblings.
The 15-year-old said he thought it sounded cool to watch how bills are made and decided to apply for the Senate Page Program.
Luggs application was accepted and he served at the Capitol April 2-6. He was sponsored by Senator Val Stevens (R-Arlington). I was happy to sponsor Nathaniel for the Senate Page Program. said Stevens. I knew he would really appreciate the experience and get a lot out of it.
Luggs favorite part of paging was working on the Senate floor. Watching the floor action was interesting, he said, and it was fun to meet some of the senators. He also enjoyed making new friends from around the state.
The Senate Page Program gives Washington students, ages 14 to 16, a unique opportunity to view the legislative process firsthand. During their week in Olympia, pages run errands for Senate offices, deliver mail and assist legislative staff. Approximately 50 students participate each week during legislative sessions.##M:[more]$$
Pages spend two hours each day in page school learning about the legislative process and parliamentary procedure. To augment their studies, pages write their own bills to present at a mock hearing. For his project, Lugg drafted a bill to provide educational vouchers to students who attend private schools.
Lugg enjoys sports, and he plays on his schools soccer, basketball and golf teams. He is a member of the Student Leadership Council, charged with planning school events and setting a good example for other students. Lugg also enjoys participating in his church youth group.
After high school, Lugg hopes to attend Masters College in southern California. He hasnt chosen a career path yet, and confesses that his real dream is to play professional soccer. But he is likely to study architecture, he said, because it would put his aptitude for math to good use.
Luggs advice to future pages is, Dont use the elevator; use the stairs! Youll get there faster!
Lugg is the son of Timothy and Renee Lugg of Lake Stevens.
Junior high and high school students who are interested in the Senate Page Program can visit: www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram.