Troy Student Served As Page At Illinois Legislature

Photo: Troy Middle School student Brendan Olson served as a Page for IL Representative Mark Batinick.

A letter written as part of a school assignment ended up with Troy Middle School eighth-grader Brendan Olson serving as a Page for Illinois Representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) over Spring Break.

According to T.M.S. social studies teacher Matthew Stortz, when the department covers its Illinois Constitution unit with eighth-graders each year, students learn about roles citizens play as informed citizens. Students then choose a topic that concerns them and write to a state representative or senator with their concerns.

Brendan’s letter involved property and corporate tax rates that he said can sometimes hinder business success and growth.

The legislators normally write or email the students back with replies, but Rep. Batinick also invited Brendan to Springfield to shadow him as a Page for a day.

During his spring break, Brendan did just that, spending time with the representative on the Illinois House of Representatives floor and getting an idea of how government works.

He said the day went wonderfully and that he enjoyed learning about the positions of the legislators on the various bills that were passed that day. His job, he said, was to assist anyone on the floor who called for a page. He was able to sit next to Rep. Batinick, who gave him additional insight on how Illinois government works.

The technological aspect of the business of the legislators was interesting to see, too, Brendan said, with instant computer updates of analytics and bill progressions.

“It’s wonderful that Brendan was afforded this great opportunity to see his efforts in social studies acknowledged and his informed action at work,” Stortz said. “Brendan is a fantastic student who positively contributes to class discussions.”

“I am proud of Brendan for making Representative Batinick aware of his concerns for our community,” Troy Middle School Principal Renee Marski said. “As our students develop their knowledge of citizenship and the roles they will play as constituents, the informed action of writing a letter to one of our representatives on a topic that is important to them is a wonderful experience. The experience Brendan had in Springfield as Representative Batinick’s page is one he will remember for a very long time.”

Students in Troy Middle School’s other eighth-grade social studies classes – taught by Caryn Boyle and Holly Souza – also participated in the constitution assignment.

Troy Middle School is a Troy Community School District 30-C school.