While people across the Commonwealth are reading and listening to the new legislation emerging from the capitol in Frankfort, one Auburn School student was there to watch the legislative process firsthand.
Sixth grade student Ella Moore was selected by The Family Resource and Youth Services Centers Coalition of Kentucky for participation as a FRYSCKY Legislative Page. Ella won this opportunity after completing an application process open to all middle school students, including a poster about how Auburn School’s FRYSC serves the Auburn community, and 100 words about why she desired this opportunity.
Ella served as a page for local senator Whitney Westerfield, R-Hopkinsville, on Wednesday. Feb. 15. Ella was accompanied to Frankfort by her parents, Sarah and Bill Moore of Auburn, her older brother Jacob, an 8th grader at Auburn School, and Mrs. Hope Strode, Auburn School’s FRYSC director.
Ella has already had some experience in government, as she served as part of Auburn School’s Kentucky Youth Assembly this past fall. KYA is a 3-day learning program where students across the state write, debate, and vote for state legislation. Ella mentioned her involvement with KYA to Sen. Westerfield upon introduction, and explained the bill her KYA committee wrote this fall: establishing legislation for grocery stores to receive tax write-offs for donating unsold/past sell-by goods to local homeless shelters. Sen. Westerfield then mentioned Ella’s KYA work and bill when introducing her to the entire Kentucky Senate!
While serving as Sen. Westerfield’s page, Ella was able to see the legislature in active session, including an intense debate over campaign funding. Ella stated, “Watching the senators debate was really interesting, and similar to my experiences with Auburn School’s KYA.”
In addition to serving as page, Ella observed some Legislative Committee Meetings, witnessed lobbying groups working the Capitol Rotunda, met Lt. Governor Jenean Hampton, and toured the Capitol building. All in all, Ella described her opportunity as a Kentucky Legislative Page as “a really good experience! I would love to go back next year!”
Ella’s original essay can be read below:
Why I want to be a Page in the Kentucky Legislature
Legislative, Executive, and the Judicial branch. The three branches that make up our government today and my future. Ever since the third grade, I’ve wanted to be a judge. Last summer, my family toured the capitol in Frankfort. It was so amazing. I am currently writing a bill in a government class at school and will be attending a conference in Louisville to learn how to propose it. This would be an amazing opportunity for me and my future! I would greatly appreciate being accepted as a Legislative Page for the day, so I can witness what makes America great!