Chehalis middle schooler serves as page in state House
Dawson Haworth, a student from Washington Virtual Academy, traveled to Olympia Feb. 22-27 and served as a page in the state House of Representatives. He was sponsored by his 20th District Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis.
“The page program is a great way for students from all over the state to come to Olympia and learn how our state government operates,” said DeBolt. “I hope Dawson had a great time and made lasting friendships with the other pages.”
Dawson, son of John and Bobbi Haworth, is an eighth grader at Washington Virtual Academy. He is involved in many local activities like Chehalis Middle School football, the Babe Ruth All-Stars baseball team, the knowledge bowl team, and his school yearbook, where he is the editor. During his time as a page, Dawson attended page school every day to understand the operations and actions of the Legislature. His time at the Capitol culminated with the presentation of his mock bill which addressed the safety of different bats for high school baseball teams.
As part of his page duties, Dawson learned to navigate 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.
