Carson Slaydon is returning to Richmond for the second year in a row this semester. The House of Delegates Page Program allows high school aged students to participate in and observe the legislative process. Students aged 13 or 14 can apply to the program and if accepted, students will reside in a hotel in Richmond for nine weeks and work from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the House of Delegates. If students return to the program for a second year, they take the position of head page.
Slaydon applied to the program in her freshman year and spent the third nine weeks of the school year in Richmond as a page. Slaydon is returning to the capital this year as a head page.
Slaydon describes how she starts her day as a head page.
“I arrive at the Capitol before 8:30, walk to the General Assembly Building, I then work either in the chamber with the Delegates or on a specific job,” Slaydon said.
As a page, Slaydon performs many duties during her work day assisting the delegates.
“We get errands, called into the page room, and answer the phone and send a page. (Usually to grab something for a delegate) At noon we head to the chamber for session, the pages have jobs like opening the doors and ropes, I am in charge of making the schedules,” Slaydon said.
Slaydon recalls one of her duties as a head page.
“I bring in the mace. The sergeant at arms usually does this but he retired, so it is now
a page responsibility. Today, I was the first page to ever bring in the mace!” Slaydon said
After pages complete their work day, they have free time from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Although participating students are away from home for the duration of the program, they are still expected to keep on top of their schoolwork. Pages must attend a mandatory study hall every night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Pages have access to tutors during this study hall to help stay on top of the work their school is covering.
After a long day of work, pages return to their hotel rooms for lights out at 11 p.m.
The page program is a paid internship that also provides participating students with housing and an additional $200 weekly for meals. Students in the page program get a close look at the lawmaking process and learn leadership skills.
As well as learning important skills and observing the legislative body from the inside, pages get to make lasting connections with peers in the program.
Slaydon recalls one of her favorite parts of the program.
“I have been able to meet and get to know people from all over the commonwealth,” Slay
don said.
Students interested in being a part of the page program should email or meet with Ms. Kirby in the counseling office for information on how to apply.
