Douglas “DJ” Fincel of Grand Marais spent a week at the State Capitol, May 5-9, serving as a page in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He is pictured here with the other House pages (back row, third from the left) standing next to the desk of the Speaker of the House.
Douglas “DJ” Fincel of Grand Marais, an 11th grader who attends high school online through the Minnesota Connections Academy, is very interested in American government. To learn more, he applied, and was accepted, to participate in Minnesota’s Page Program, one of only three programs in the nation to provide young people with an in-depth look into government at the state level. Each selected participant spends one week at the State Capital. Pages are exposed to a wide variety of experiences, designed to provide them with a deep understanding of our state government.
When Douglas headed to the Capitol to take part in the 2014 Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program on May 5-9, he was carrying on a family tradition. His mom, Tammy, was a Page herself when she was growing up in St. Paul.
Douglas shared the following summary of his experience as a capitol page with the Cook County News-Herald.
DJ was able to meet and observe several legislators and Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who explained the meaning of the seal of the Secretary of State.
Watching government in action at the Capitol
Throughout the course of the week that I was at the Capitol serving as a page in the House of Representatives, I was able to see and do a number of things that were related to this state’s legislative process, which collectively made for an incredible week! Furthermore, I had the opportunity to converse with, and learn from a great number of amazing people and leaders. A few of the people I was able to meet and talk at length with were Legislative Clerk David Surdez, Representatives Sandra Erickson, David Dill, Mike Sundin, and many others.
Essentially my job while at the Capitol was to assist the legislators in making sure that they had the materials necessary to do their job and remain engaged in the events taking place on the floor. When a representative would signal for a page, I would go to his/ her desk and take orders from them and get for them anything that they needed, such as copies of bills, rollcall papers of the last vote, or any paperwork that they may have had need of. Or, if they needed some paperwork to be sent somewhere in the Capitol it was the page’s job to ensure it arrived at its intended destination.
While at the Capitol I had the unique opportunity to observe a debate that involved our district representative, David Dill, promoting a bill, in which he used Grand Marais as an example for his argument. The bill in question regarded the efficiency of which sawmills in communities with less than 8,000 residents operated. This particular section of the bill, in essence, strove to limit the number of attendants required to operate a high-pressure wood drying boiler system. Because of how this bill and the following discussion on it related to my own community, it was a definite highlight of my week at the Capitol.
Another enlightening experience was the chance to talk to Representative Metsa who was collaborating with a senator to compose a bill. I was able to learn more about what goes into composing a bill as well as what characteristics and what type of support a bill needs to have to even have a chance at being passed.
Additionally, I was also able to meet with Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. He had a presentation for the pages in which he explained what his job entailed. Likewise he explained the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota and what the symbols that comprise it represent.
Overall, I had an immensely enjoyable and educational time during my week at the Capitol as a page. I was able to meet amazing people of whom I was able to learn much from. The opportunity I had to be among state leaders made for an inspiring experience. Regardless of a person’s political stance it was nothing short of incredible to observe, talk with, and learn from people who are dedicated and passionate about issues that are of concern to our state. In light of their qualities as leaders, and together with understanding the weight of the job they do and the role they play in chartering the course that the state of Minnesota is headed, my respect for, and admiration of these leaders is great.
Thus, getting to watch these leaders in action was immensely exciting, rewarding, informative, and enjoyable!
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