Ivan Cherniske serves as page in Washington State Senate

Photo credit: Penny Miller Photography
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Submitted by Washington State Legislature

Ivan Cherniske, 15, served as a page in the Washington State Senate during the week of February 29, the eighth week of the 2016 Legislative Session.

“I am so glad Ivan had a chance to serve as a page,” said Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Kitsap County, who sponsored Cherniske. “I hope he had a memorable experience and learned a lot.”

During their week at the Capitol, pages assist senators and staff, hear lectures from guest speakers, and attend page school where they create their own bills in a mock committee setting. Cherniske worked on a bill that would enforce the same rules that apply to cigarettes on e-cigarettes, including smoking in public places. Pages come together after spending the week studying their bills to debate them. Cherniske’s bill passed the committee and he said he enjoyed the experience.

“I think it was great that we all didn’t just agree because we are friends with one another,” said Cherniske. “It made the committee seem real.”

Pages have many responsibilities at the Capitol, and their duties take them all over campus. The experience offers them a glimpse of what state government is like from behind the scenes. One of the highlights for pages is when they serve on the Senate floor during session.

“I thought it was going to be so formal,” said Cherniske. “But they were all walking around and talking with each other. It was really cool to be there.”

The page program is offered by only one other state Legislature and is a unique opportunity for high school students to participate in democracy first-hand. Pages are often surprised at how much fun they have and enjoy meeting students from other parts of Washington.

“It’s really great because you get to learn about government but you also get to make friends with people you never would meet otherwise,” said Cherniske.

Cherniske is a freshman at North Thurston High School and played tennis this year. He loves to play the saxophone in his spare time as well as do activities with his outdoor adventure club. He has also recently taken an interest in filmmaking and is practicing stop-motion film.

For more information about the Senate Page Program, contact SenatePageProgram@leg.wa.gov

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