Jackson County student climbs Capitol ladder

April 27, 2009
By: Dominique Shaw
Your Capitol Bureau

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Whitney Thomas thought she was too young to be a Messenger in the Florida House of Representatives. The 14-year-old Grand Ridge School student had already worked two sessions in the House’s Page program for 12-14 year olds, but Messengers are usually 15-18 years old.

“I thought it was cool to start a year early,” Whitney said. This legislative session, Whitney served as a Messenger in the office of Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna. Whitney said she enjoyed every minute of it.

Rep. Coley selected Whitney as a Messenger before she was 15 years old because of Whitney’s maturity and her two years’ experience as a Page, according to Rhonda Thomas, a legislative aide and Whitney’s mother.

Whitney said she would like to be a Messenger “for as long as I can.”  She said she likes being a Messenger more than a Page because she has more freedom.  “Pages were fun to hang out with,” Whitney said, but Pages mostly sit in the House Chamber.

Pages serve their Representative in the House chamber when bills are being debated. Messengers run errands throughout the capitol complex. Messengers sit in on committee meetings and observe the House debate from the gallery, according to the House of Representatives Web site.

As a Messenger, Whitney delivers messages and mail throughout the capitol complex and the Pepper Building. She recalled that last year a Messenger delivered a birthday cake. When she’s not running errands, she works at the information does homework for school.

Pages and Messengers work one 40-hour week a year during legislative session, which usually runs from the first Tuesday in March until the first Tuesday in May. A Page earns $106/week, a Messenger $206/week. Pages and Messengers are excused from school for this week.

Whitney must make up her schoolwork and write a report about what she did at the Capitol.

Beth Westmoreland, principal of Grand Ridge School, said, Whitney is an “outstanding person” and a “good student” and “represents our school well.” Being a Page and a Messenger is a “good achievement.”

Whitney’s mother said her daughter “learns a tremendous amount; she looks forward to it.” Thomas said she helps Whitney keep a resume of her leadership activities. “I wanted a way to keep up with everything she does,” Thomas added.

Whitney is a cheerleader, a member of Providence Baptist Church youth groups, performed in the school play “Troy,” and won first place in photography for state Junior Beta Club.

In 2008, Whitney received a Lifesaver Award from Woodmen of the World for saving a woman’s life while she was choking on a piece of candy.  “I was scared because I didn’t know what was going on, but I just reacted,” Whitney said.

Rep. Coley said: “Whitney is a strong leader who is active but remains true to her strong values and principles. …She serves as an excellent role model for young girls.”

“For more than 28 years, the Florida House of Representatives has allowed … students to participate in the legislative process. Each year approximately 240 students … are chosen to serve the Florida House” through the Page and Messenger programs, reports the Florida House of Representatives Web site.  For information, contact Marie E. Shortz, program specialist, 850-487-2390; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .