INDIANAPOLIS — Northeast Indiana lawmakers recently welcomed local students to the Statehouse where they participated in the Indiana House Page Program during the 2023 legislative session.

As pages, the students assisted lawmakers and staff with daily duties, toured offices of all branches of government in the Statehouse, and joined State Representatives on the House floor to witness and learn about the legislative process.

State Representatives David Abbott, R-Rome City, Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, and Denny Zent, R-Angola all hosted students through the page program.

Among the area students who served as pages during the 2023 legislative session included brothers Austin Abbott, an 8th grader at Prairie Heights Middle School, and his older brother William “Jay” Abbott, who is a senior at Prairie Heights High School. Also serving as pages were siblings and Westview students Carver Stump, and his younger sister, Faith Stump, Shipshewana.

Representative Denny Zent of Angola said students ages 13 to 18 should consider participating during the 2024 legislative session. Zent says “students who participate in the page program have a great opportunity to learn about state history.” He says “it can also inspire kids to become more civically engaged at a young age and one day pursue public service.”