Getting a glimpse of politics in action, local students from various schools were invited by State Sen. Brian Buchanan to experience a day at the Indiana Statehouse. Participants in the Senate Page Program had the chance to tour the landmark, observe debates, and gain a personal understanding of legislative proceedings, according to a recent release from the Indiana State Republicans.
Among those who served as pages were Andrew Badertscher and Hudson Beach from Southmont Junior High School in Crawfordsville, Harper Baratta from Zionsville West Middle School, Connor Harrity from St. Malachy Catholic School in Brownsburg, teaching these students not only the structure of state governance but also, how they interact with their elected officials shapes democracy. Amelia Hillger and Brawn Puckett, both from Western Boone High School, joined their peers in this immersive civics education experience. The program, primarily available to sixth through twelfth graders, operates on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays throughout the legislative session, with groups also participating on Wednesdays.
Senator Buchanan praised the program, emphasizing its educational significance. "The Senate Page Program provides a deeper understanding of state government for young Hoosiers," he said. "It gives our future leaders an important connection to their legislature that goes beyond the classroom, and I always enjoy meeting the students who participate," Buchanan pointed out the dual benefits of the program: enhancing academic knowledge and fostering relationships with civic leaders, according to the Indiana State Republicans.
Such initiatives perhaps, illuminate the workings of the government to budding minds, maybe inspiring some of these pages to pursue a future in public service, this making the ties between current policymakers and the next generation that much more meaningful, empowered by direct engagement and firsthand learning, these students might return to their studies with a renewed sense of their role in the broader tapestry of the state's political landscape.
