An Angola High School student got to see the cogs of Indiana's state government up close when he visited the Statehouse as a Senate page last month. Liam Young, from Angola, was welcomed by State Sen. Sue Glick (R-LaGrange) as part of the daylong education program designed to impart real-life civics lessons to students.
The Senate page program offers a unique chance for youths, grades six through 12, to momentarily step into the heat of Indiana's legislative kitchen. They get to tour the building, watch debates unfurl from the Senate floor, and have a dialogue with their state senator. However, it's not just about observing; the program also aims to actively foster an understanding of civic engagement among the participants.
"It is always a pleasure meeting local students who have made the long trip down to Indianapolis to serve as a page for the day," Glick said according to her official statement. She elaborated on the program's significance: "The Senate page program is a unique way to teach students about the importance of civic engagement and state government." Glick went on to encourage interested students in Senate District 13 to sign up, as reported by the Indiana Senate Republicans.
Young's experience is a part of an initiative that's all about pushing to make government accessible to the younger generation, who might one day rise to take part in the political fray themselves. Pages serve on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays throughout the legislative session, with groups serving on Wednesdays.
