Local Lafayette students recently made their way to the heart of Indiana's legislative action, thanks to an initiative led by State Sen. Ron Alting. The Statehouse in Indianapolis opened its doors to a group of young Hoosiers, who had the opportunity to serve as Senate pages this past January and February. The students hailed from various schools in Lafayette, including Faith Christian School, Wainwright Middle School, McCutcheon High School, and William Henry Harrison High School.
Diving into the details, the Senate page program allows students in grades six through twelve to get to closely observe state governance. Participants spend a day at the Statehouse where they can tour the historic building, watch debates from the Senate floor, and interact directly with their state senator. This hands-on experience is designed to foster a deeper understanding of the political process among the youth. The program typically runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays during the legislative session, with groups also serving on Wednesdays.
In a statement on the Indiana Senate Republicans website, Sen. Alting emphasized the value of the page program, saying, "The Senate page program is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my role as senator." He further explained, "This experience connects young Hoosiers of all backgrounds and allows our future leaders to gain a more personal insight into the operations of their own state government."
Among those who participated were Isaac Carlson, Judah Carlson, Naomi Carlson, Cole Greeson, Henry Johnson, Blaine Kirby, Ava Lacey, Jermani Morrison, Graci Nicholson, and Joshua Vanlaere. These students represent the diversity and commitment of Lafayette’s youth to engage with governmental processes.
