Nicole Nelson, a homeschool sophomore from Kirkland, spent a recent week working as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. Nelson was one of 18 students who served as Senate pages for the seventh week of the 2013 legislative session.

The Senate Page Program is an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working in the Legislature. Pages, like Nelson, are responsible for such tasks as transporting documents between offices as well as delivering messages and mail. Pages spend time in the Senate chamber in addition to attending page school to learn about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process.

“Delivering packages and being able to go behind the scenes has been such a fun experience,” Nelson said. “Senator Tom was even nice enough to let me meet and take a picture with Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll.”

48th District Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina, sponsored Nelson for the week.

“It’s great to see students actively engaged in their government,” Tom said. The page program offers students like Nicole an opportunity to see behind the scenes of the Legislature. It was a pleasure to have her here this week.”

Nelson enjoys participating in local musical theater productions, traveling with her parents and learning American Sign Language. She is the daughter of Anita and Paul Nelson of Kirkland.

Junior high/middle school and high school students who are interested in the Senate Page Program are encouraged to visit www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram/