Holly Vettleson Participates in Page Program with MN House of Representatives

 

This year Holly Vettleson from Red Lake County Central was a participant in the Page Program from March 9-March 13.  Vettleson found out about the program by her History teacher, Mr. Randy Huie. She thought the idea was very exciting and would be a very good opportunity, so she decided to apply for it. To be selected for the Page Program, Vettleson had to submit an application and an essay. 

 

After coming back from her trip down to St. Paul for the Page Program, Vettleson was asked about her trip to fill us in on every experience she had when she was down there. When asked what Minnesota Representatives she worked with during her time as a Page, she said that she didn’t work specifically with any Representative. As a Page, she helped whoever needed anything. However, she did mention that she was able to meet with her Representative Deb Kiel.

 

Vettleson said, “I was surprised that it was a lot less formal than I thought it would be. I thought it would be very quiet with all the Representatives sitting at their desks. Instead, it seems like everyone was talking at once, and people were walking around. I was told it was usually like this unless they are discussing something controversial.”

 

When asked what happens on a daily basis as a Page at the House of Representatives, Vettleson said she and the other Pages were seated on a bench. On the bench, all the Pages watched a board to see if a light went off. Each light corresponded to a Representative’s desk. The Page walks up to the Representative’s desk, turns off their light, and does whatever they need. They could do things such as get a copy of a bill, get them coffee, or even food. They also did prep work and help with committees including putting papers in folders and handing folders to Representatives as they came in.

 

She also mentioned the Pages helped out at sessions by bringing notes to Representatives’ desks. The notes were usually from lobbyists or people wishing to send something to their Representative. The Pages also were able to meet many people such as Kurt Daudt, Erin Murphy, Patrick Murphy, Deb Kiel, and many others. Vettleson also watched a tax committee, education committee, and a gun committee.

 

Vettleson commented the highlight of her experience as a Page was getting to meet many people such as Speaker Daudt, Erin Murphy, and Deb Kiel and hearing their opinions on political issues. Also, she enjoyed learning more about the House of Representatives and what a typical day is like at the Capitol. She said it was fun getting to know the other 12 Pages and she was the one who came the farthest distance to be in the Page Program. Vettleson stated she would definitely recommend the Page Program to other students.