A new “bill” on Capitol Hill

Following the closing of our state Legislature, I would like to share my experience as the new “Bill” on Capitol Hill! Earlier in my junior year, I applied to be one of two Wyoming student delegates through the Senate Youth Program. Unfortunately, I took my place as one of the alternates. Fortunately, however, this opportunity advanced me to apply to be a page during the state legislative session.

I heard word about this opportunity from my local student council adviser, Maggie Unterseher. I followed the application process through a very simple and sweet application. I sealed the envelope and dropped it in the mailbox, not even believing the opportunity I was about to be given. A couple of days later, I received an email stating that I was accepted! This was life changing and so exciting for a small-town girl, trying to make a name for herself. With the help of Mrs. U, I was able to find a time in my schedule to spend a week with the Legislature, I was the new “Bill,” and I was beyond excited. In preparation for this week ahead of me, I filled out a lot of paperwork, caught up on school and celebrated this opportunity with the people that mean the most to me.

Jump to a couple of weeks later, and I was viewing the beautiful state capital, one stair at a time. My days started at 8 a.m. and went until 5 p.m. Often I was extremely interested in the issues facing my state, so although I was only in the building until 5, I grew into the habit of viewing sessions on YouTube
after hours.

My days looked the same. Most often I was tasked with basic office secretarial duties: checking mailboxes, passing documents, printing papers. But my key role in the Legislature was passing notes from the lobbyist to the designated representative on the floor. I made lifelong connections with each representative in that week and will forever cherish that opportunity. They all strived to make me feel right at home!

This opportunity left me speechless, saying goodbye to everyone on Friday was not an easy task. These people and what I learned being the new “Bill” has shaped me into the person I am today. I would recommend this opportunity to anyone and everyone.

This week would never have been possible without my support system, and I’m grateful to my parents and family members who supported me in this task. I also owe thanks to Mrs. U for the idea of applying, and to my teachers who supported me and aided me in schoolwork for being gone for a week. But the biggest thank you goes to Mr. and Mrs. Munger, teachers who strive to shape their students into well-educated young people. My age group oftentimes is blinded in the unknown area of what the Legislature and government is and does, but because of help from the Mungers, I was set up for success to better understand the Legislature as a whole.