THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 19, 1995 TAG: 9503170185
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
THREE LOCAL STUDENTS, having been told that life as a legislative page would be fun, were not disappointed by the 1995 General Assembly.
The teens described their seven weeks away from home as a great experience, though demanding.
Gena Mercer, Joshua Francis and Giron Wooden Jr. served in the House of Delegates, working during the day and studying in the evenings.
Joshua, an eighth-grader at Southampton Academy, said, ``I might like to go into politics.''
His grandmother, Miriam Francis, told him of the page positions. Secretary of the Southampton County Democratic Party, she worked with the House of Delegates and the Senate for 20 years as a senator's secretary.
Gena, an eighth-grader at Smithfield Middle School, was impressed by the people she met, particularly the delegate from Fairfax, who sent valentines to all the pages; and Thomas Moss, speaker of the House.
At first, she said, ``I was afraid of `Mr. Speaker.' But he helped us and showed us how he signed a bill. He was really nice.''
Giron, a freshman at Surry High School, said his most memorable experience was having breakfast with Gov. George Allen at the Governor's Mansion.
``I just liked . . . seeing how a bill becomes a law,'' Giron said. ``I would like to be a lawyer or enter the field of politics.''
Teens from across Virginia submit applications, and the choices are made by Senate leaders or members of the congressional districts. They assist members of the House of Delegates, House Clerk's Office staff and other legislative staff in daily duties of the General Assembly.
Beginning Jan. 8, the students made the Omni Hotel their home away from house. Workdays began at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m. Required dress included navy blue blazers, shirts and ties for the boys; blue blazers, blouses and skirts for the girls. Comfortable dress shoes were recommended - no tennis shoes allowed.
Giron and Joshua, who became good friends, ate breakfast together every morning. After a three-block walk to the General Assembly Building, 42 House pages gathered for comments and to review the day's agenda.
Voted most tedious by the three area teens was collating bills for the bill books. As a records page, Giron was required daily to get the status of the bills and deliver them to the Enrolling Room or the Record Room.
``The elevators took forever, so we climbed a lot of stairs,'' he said.
``The hardest part was taking notes for multiple jobs,'' Joshua said, ``but I loved working with the delegates. It was a lot of fun.''
Giron laughed as he told about the delegate who used a hand puppet while introducing a bill concerning sheep.
Study hall was scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. in the hotel, and the day ended at 10:30 p.m. On Friday afternoons, Gena, Joshua and Giron left for home.
When the session ended Feb. 25, Giron brought home these Blue Ribbon Certificates, determined by his peers: ``Most Likely to Be Head Page Next Year,'' ``Best Page,'' ``Best Floor Page,'' and ``Hardest Worker.''
Gena likes to read, play JV basketball and softball, and enjoys playing flute in the Eagle Band. She is the daughter of Tommy and Rebecca Mercer of Smithfield.
Joshua's favorite subjects are history and geography. He is a member of the swim team at the Academy and plays baseball and basketball. He is the son of Clay and Maryanne Francis of Capron.
Giron lives in Spring Grove with his parents, Giron and Linda Wooden, and two younger brothers. His hobby is working on the family farm. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Gena Mercer
Smithfield Middle School
Joshua Francis
Southampton Academy
Giron Wooden Jr.
Surry High School
by CNB