For the Reporter
Shyam Rabadia of SeaTac and Mauricio Ayon of Kent recently served as pages in the state Senate.
Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, sponsored Rabadia’s and Ayon’s weeklong experiences in the Legislature.
“I was honored to sponsor Shyam and Mauricio,” Keiser said. “They are smart and helpful young men and I was heartened by their determination to learn more about state government.”
During the week pages assist senators and staff, attend lectures with guest speakers and go to page school where they create their own bills in a mock committee setting.
Rabadia drafted a bill that would abolish the death penalty. “I picked this bill because I think a life in prison is the better option here,” Rabadia said. “And I think the death penalty is costing the state too much money.”
Ayon’s bill would impose a later start time in public schools. “Kids stay up late doing their homework and get up early to go to school,” Ayon said. “They aren’t getting enough sleep and it’s harder for them to focus.”
Rabadia said one of the best parts of his paging experience was learning new information about the state government. “I enjoyed hearing all the arguments on the floor,” he said. “And seeing how politics worked and bills are passed.”
Ayon applied to the page program because he wanted to know more about what his legislators do at the Capitol, he said. “The people here work hard to keep Washington running smoothly,” Ayon said. “I was surprised by the amount of time and work that goes into everything here.”
Both pages said a particularly positive part of the page program was getting to know new people. “Everyone is really helpful around here,” Rabadia said. “And I wasn’t afraid to ask questions.”
“I’ve enjoyed helping out,” Ayon said. “I liked meeting people from all over Washington.”
Rabadia, 16, is a junior at Highline High School and participates in Key Club, Book Club and basketball. He also enjoys running, science and studying medicine.
Ayon, 14, is a freshman at Raisbeck Aviation High School. He is also interested in aerospace engineering and video games.
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