Maya Cheam, 14, served as a page in the Washington State Senate during the week of March 11, the tenth week of the 2017 Legislative Session.
Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, sponsored Cheam’s week in the Legislature.
“Maya was a tremendous help this week,” said Mullet. “It was inspiring to see her passion for politics and her inquisitive nature.”
During their week at the Capitol, pages learn about the legislative process while assisting senators and staff. They hear lectures from guest speakers and attend page school where they create their own bills in a mock committee setting. Cheam proposed legislation that would provide mental health services to incarcerated individuals.
“I enjoyed mock,” said Cheam. “It’s fun to debate people about their legislation.”
Pages have many responsibilities during the week that take them all around the Capitol campus and give them access to places restricted to the general public. Their short journeys give the pages the opportunity to meet and speak with many people.
Cheam encourages her peers to take advantage of this opportunity while they still can and apply early to make sure they can reserve a spot.
“It was really enjoyable,” said Cheam. “You get to see all the senators and learn how our Legislature functions.”
Cheam is in the eighth grade at Tahoma Junior High School. She is looking forward to sharing her experience with her friends and family.
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For more information about the Senate Page Program, contact SenatePageProgram@leg.wa.gov.
