– Photos courtesy of Abrahm Hurt
State Representatives Mark Genda and Heath VanNatter recently welcomed local students from the Clinton County area to the Statehouse for participation in the Indiana House Page Program during the 2024 legislative session.
The students that attended the program were Abigail Coddington of Frankfort Middle School, Peyton Moss of Rossville Middle/High School, Jacob Moss of Rossville Middle/High School and Oren Stowers of Clinton Central Junior/Senior High School.
The trip to the Statehouse allowed the students to explore the inner-workings of the state government and learn more about the process that the elected officials undergo throughout their legislative sessions.
“One of the best ways to learn about how Indiana’s government works is to immerse yourself in the day-to-day activities that happen at the Statehouse,” Genda said. “This program lets students do just that by having them connect with their local leaders and see the legislative process in person.”
As pages and participants in the program, students assisted their representatives and other lawmakers and staff with daily duties, toured the offices and the branches of government within the Statehouse and joined the lawmakers on the House floor to witness the legislative process in action while learning more about how their state government is operated.
“It’s important for younger Hoosiers to understand how our state legislature works and the impact it has on their lives,” VanNatter said. “I hope to see more local students sign up for the page program next year.”
The program is open to students between the ages of 13 and 18, and Genda and VanNatter encouraged students within the age range to participate in the program during the 2025 legislative session. For more information regarding the Indiana House Page Program, contact Representative Mark Genda at h41@iga.in.gov or Representative Heath VanNatter at h38@iga.in.gov.