Joanna Maratos traveled to Olympia to serve as a page in the state House of Representatives the week of Feb. 25 – March 1. She was sponsored by her 17th District Rep. Paul Harris.

“Our House Page Program is an excellent opportunity for students from around the state to learn how our state government operates. It is great to see Joanna and other students take advantage of such an excellent opportunity,” said Harris, R-Vancouver. “I hope Joanna enjoyed her week in Olympia and made lasting friendships with other pages. I appreciate her service during a very busy legislative session.”

Joanna is the daughter of Larry and Afton Foltz of Vancouver. She plays basketball, the tuba, and is currently learning how to knit, speak Spanish, and play both the acoustic and bass guitar.

During her time as a page, Joanna attended page school every day to understand the operations and actions of the Legislature. They learned to navigate the many buildings on the Capitol campus and delivered messages and documents to legislators and staff. Students also draft legislation and present their bills in a mock committee hearing to fellow pages.

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 the legislative page program, visit: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx.