Ryan Ludeman, a freshman at Tahoma Junior High in Ravensdale, participated in the Senate Page Program during the final week of the 2012 legislative session.

Ludeman was sponsored by Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley.

The Senate Page Program is an opportunity for Washington students to get firsthand experience working in the Legislature.

Pages get a variety of experiences in their week-long stay in Olympia, including running errands, delivering mail, and paging in the Senate Chamber.

Pages are also taught about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. Ludeman was one of 25 students chosen to participate in what was the seventh week of the regular 60-day legislative session.

The Legislature adjourned last month following a “special” session called by the governor to finish work not completed during the regular session.

“It’s wonderful to see students participate in the Senate Page Program,” Pflug said. “I’m happy that Ryan took this opportunity.”

“The page program has helped me learn how to make my own decisions,” said Ludeman. “It was a good experience to be away from my parents to see what other people thought, and to figure out what I think.”

Ludeman likes to keep busy with sports such as baseball and tennis.

When he graduates from high school he hopes to go to the University of Washington to become an engineer.

Ludeman is the son of Lance and Joanne Ludeman of Maple Valley.

Junior high/middle school and high school students who are interested in the Senate Page Program are encouraged to visit http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram/.