Eli Decker, of Wenatchee, and Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… Eli Decker, a student at Wenatchee’s Garden City Academy, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. He was one of 14 students who served as Senate pages for the 10th week of the 2025 legislative session.

He was sponsored by Sen, Keith Goehner, who represents the 12th Legislative District, serving Chelan, King, and Snohomish counties.

“I am glad I got to sponsor such a bright young man,” said Goehner. “Eli was a fantastic page who did great work with all of his tasks, and I am glad he enjoyed his experience paging with us.”

“Going out of your way to meet people here is absolutely necessary to start the week off right,” said Decker. “If I didn’t make an effort to talk to people and other pages then I would be missing out on making so many new friends and experiences.”

Decker enjoys skiing, dirt biking, and mountain biking. He would like to pursue a career in politics driven by his newfound interest in the Legislature.

“Being here has made me realize how important our state legislators are,” Decker said. “They can enact so many changes that are good for Washington citizens, and it was really cool to see that happen in person.”

Decker, 14, is the son of Anna and Brian Decker of Wenatchee.

The Senate Page Program provides an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working at the Legislature. Students transport documents between offices, as well as deliver messages and mail. Pages spend time in the Senate chamber and attend page school to learn about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. Students also draft their own bills and engage in a legislative mock session.

Students interested in the Senate Page Program are encouraged to visit:

https://leg.wa.gov/learn-and-participate/civic-education-programs/page-program/

Applications for the 2026 legislative session open November 1, 2025.

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