Mary Rogerson
courtesy photo
CABOT – On November 15, the Cabot School Newsletter announced eighth-grader Mary Rogerson has been selected as a Vermont Legislative Page for the 2025 session.
As a legislative page, Mary will have the opportunity to assist lawmakers, deliver messages and documents and observe the legislative process firsthand. They will have a unique perspective into how state government works.
The newsletter noted it “is a fantastic achievement and a testament to their hard work, leadership, and commitment to learning. . . We’re so proud of Mary’s accomplishments and look forward to hearing about their journey in Montpelier.”
Each year a small group of young Vermonters are selected to work as legislative pages in the Vermont State House. Many Vermont politicians, including members of the current legislature, got their start working as pages.
Between 125 and 150 applications are received each year, and only a small group of pages is chosen from these applications. Pages are selected for their ability to communicate with both members of the General Assembly and the general public.
Pages must be in the eighth grade the year that they serve. Only one child per family is allowed to serve, as this gives more families a chance to participate in the program.
The pages are divided into three groups: the first two groups each serve for a period of six weeks and the third group serves for the remainder of the legislative session, which may end earlier than six weeks.
Page applicants and their parents are asked to be aware that at various times sensitive issues may be debated on the House and Senate floor and in committee. These issues can include, but are not limited to, sexual behavior, abortion and criminal actions. Many times, the discussion can include written documents or photographs.
Pages begin their workday at 7:30 a.m. and work until 3:30 p.m. or later. Normally, the work week is Tuesday through Friday, but there are times when pages may have to work on Mondays and Saturdays.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
