By JC Medina
Nathaniel McKenzie-Sullivan, a student at St. Michael Parish School in Olympia, recently served as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives, gaining firsthand insight into the legislative process.
According to a press release dated April 4, McKenzie-Sullivan was sponsored by Rep. Jamila Taylor (D–Federal Way) during his week of service.
He is the child of Isaac and Theresa McKenzie-Sullivan of Lacey.
The House Page Program gives students a chance to see how state government works up close.
Each year, the Washington State Legislature’s Page Program allows hundreds of students to contribute to the daily operations of state government.
Pages take on a range of responsibilities, including presenting flags at the start of each legislative session, distributing documents across the Washington Capitol Campus, supporting legislative offices, delivering messages and handing out amendments on the House floor.
In addition to their duties, students attend the Legislature’s Page School, where they learn about state government and participate in civics instruction.
As part of the curriculum, they draft mock legislation and take part in simulated committee hearings.
To qualify for the program, applicants must be between 14 and 16 years old, have parental or guardian consent, and submit recommendations from a teacher and their principal.
While pages typically receive a $65 daily stipend, students without a Social Security number may still participate.
Each student may only serve once in either the House or Senate.
Applications for the 2025 legislative session are currently closed.
Students who are picked get a welcome letter and an email with instructions about a month before their scheduled week.
This includes a guidebook, forms to fill out, and information about uniforms, housing and orientation.
Pages are usually scheduled one to two months ahead of the session, which happens from January to April in odd-numbered years, and January to March in even-numbered years.
More details, including frequently asked questions and scholarship opportunities, such as the Gina Grant Bull Memorial Legislative Page Scholarship, are available on the Legislature’s official website.
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