Staff report

Emily Drozynski and her classmates at Auburn’s Holy Family School got a close look at how laws are made, implemented and enforced.

It was all part of the eighth-graders’ study and subsequent field trip of state government orchestrated by teachers Kathy Brown and Katie Dempsey.

The class of 27 strong toured the Washington State Patrol Academy and the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton. Students learned how laws are interpreted and enforced at the facilities.

The class spent a day at the Capitol, meeting local lawmakers and representatives, including Sen. Joe Fain (R-Auburn).

“They got a good experience in terms of having their voices heard,” Brown said.

They also met up with a familiar face, Drozynski, who served as a page for her sponsor, Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia.

Drozynski, who may one day go into politics, found the experience as a page interesting, especially the mock hearing they do in page school. The students pick a topic, write bills and debate and vote on them just as the legislators do in committee.

Drozynski proposed a bill to combat obesity by requiring it to be taught in the classroom.

She cherished her time in Olympia.

“It was really cool because I got to learn a lot of things about the government that I didn’t know.”

Middle and high school students who are interested in the Senate Page Program are encouraged to visit www.leg.wa.gov.

The Senate Page Program is an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working in the Legislature. Pages 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.

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BELOW: Emily Drozynsk served as a page for Rep. Gary Alexader. Courtesy photo