Student Becomes Whitman Middle School's First Virginia Senate Page

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — An eighth grader at Whitman Middle School became the first from his school to become a Virginia Senate page during the most recent Virginia General Assembly session.

Diego Orendain served as a Virginia Senate page assisting state Sen. Scott Surovell. For nine weeks, Orendain was one of 36 students working as Senate pages in Virginia's state capital. Duties include delivering messages between lawmakers, collecting signatures on pieces of legislation and guiding people through the state Capitol building.

Orendain initially turned down the opportunity after being nominated by his civics teacher, according to a Fairfax County Public Schools blog post. His parents convinced him to seize the opportunity.

It was a good thing he did, because the eighth grader learned to be more vocal.

"I never asked for anything or took action to change things," Orendain told FCPS. "The Senate Page Program taught me to voice my opinions, thoughts, and that you never know what can happen when you say something, instead of saying nothing at all. Anyone can make a difference so I am trying to take advantage of that now."

He also got to witness key debates, including legislation to give parents a choice on whether their children wear masks in schools.

"Watching them debate made me realize that they respect each other even if they don't agree with one another," he said.

Senate pages have served lawmakers as early as 1850, according to the Virginia General Assembly's website. The Senate page program is aimed at helping young people develop professional skills and get involved in the legislative process.

Orendain was one of six FCPS students serving as a Senate page this past session. Others included Caroline Lefton from Cooper Middle School, Dalayna Carr from Langley High School, Gretchen Schmitt from Kilmer Middle School, Summer Allwood from Lake Braddock Secondary School and Elizabeth Bartos from Washington Irving Middle School.