Vancouver teen serves as page in state House

Clark county native, Ashleigh Fitch, recently traveled to Olympia to serve for one week as a page in the state House of Representatives. She was sponsored by 17th District Rep. Lynda Wilson.

"Ashleigh is a very bright individual, and it was an honor to sponsor her. The program is a great opportunity for students to learn how state government functions" said Wilson, R-Vancouver. "I'm grateful for having the opportunity to get to know Ashleigh and to her service during her time at the Legislature. I hope she enjoyed Olympia."

The daughter of Melody and Jason Fitch, Ashleigh is a junior at the Family Academy NW. She loves history and playing the violin.

During her time as a page, Ashleigh attended page school every day to understand the operations and actions of the Legislature. As part of her page duties, she learned to navigate the many buildings on the Capitol campus and delivered messages and documents to legislators and staff. Ashleigh's time at the Capitol culminated with the presentation of a bill in a mock committee to ban plastic bags in grocery stores as a solution to overfull landfill and the ecological damage done by plastic bags during their lengthy decomposition period.

Each year, students from around the state apply to participate in the legislative page program. Students spend a week attending page school, learning the inner workings of state government and assisting legislators on the House floor. Pages earn $35 per day while serving in the program.

To become a page, applicants must have a legislative sponsor, be between the ages of 14 and 16, and obtain written permission from their parents and school.

For more information about Rep. Wilson, visit www.representativelyndawilson.com

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