Mark R. Warner
Meet Senator Warner's Former Pages
Mujtaba Wani
Great Falls, Virginia
Langley High School
Page - Spring 2011
How was your experience? What were the best and worst parts?
Overall, the experience was interesting and challenging. It was a great opportunity, but it’s also important to keep in mind that you must manage and balance your school work with the experience.
What tips or advice would you offer future Senate Pages?
As far as school work is concerned, use any down time you have effectively. You will not have much extra time to complete work, so look for other opportunities to fit it into your schedule. Also be sure to listen to your teachers instructions very carefully. It is very easy to be focused on an assortment of other issues while you are in the Page program, but instructions are key to your success. For floor duty, try to remember what your supervisor’s directions are. They will guide you throughout your time in the program. And always remember that what you do on and off of the floor is a reflection of the United States Senate.
How did you strike a work-class balance?
It’s not easy. You have to remember that you are both a full-time student and a full-time employee. Everything that is on your to-do list has to get knocked out; therefore, it’s important to have a system!
Can you share your view of the academic component of this program?
The school work is challenging and you really don’t have enough hours in the day to do everything.
How was being away from home?
It was an adjustment. You must be aware of the feelings of your fellow pages, and be respectful. Everyone is going through the same journey in a different place, so remember you are taking this plunge together. And you don’t get a cellphone!
Did you enjoy your experiences outside of the Senate?
I did. Some of my favorites amongst the many activities we did were our trip to Philadelphia, the dome tour of the Capitol, and our night out taking swing dancing lessons.
What was living in the dorms like for you?
Dorm life is a lot different from being at home. It was a tad intense. For example, rooms must be cleaned thoroughly, and if not, you can expect to do extra chores like picking up garbage or cleaning and dusting closets.
What was your biggest Adjustment?
Having to work and study at the same time.
What were you most impressed by?
The first time I walked on the Senate floor. That feeling doubled the first time I shared it with U.S. Senators.
How was it serving on the page student? council?
Very exciting! I saw an announcement on the back page of the first pack we received saying they would hold elections for page council (which includes President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Dorm Representative), which I thought would be extremely political and competitive. Luckily my peers thought enough of me that they elected me Page Class President.
How did the program affect opportunities back home?
I had to sacrifice a lot, especially with activities and opportunities involving my school. I was fortunate enough that my school held elections for a lot of organizations’ leaders next year, before I left for the page program. However, I still had to withdraw from some elections due to my absence.
You took AP classes while you were here. How did that affect your daily focus, and what can future pages do to prepare for that additional responsibility?
Make sure you start preparing early, if that’s a decision you’ve made. It’s also important to keep up with the work yourself.
Grace Mason
Roanoke, Virginia
Patrick Henry High School
Page - Fall 2011
Our office had the pleasure of talking with Grace about her experience here on Capitol Hill as a Senate Page. Excerpts from the conversation are below. We want to thank Grace Mason for her participation in the interview and for her service as a Senate Page.
How was your experience? What were the best and worst parts?
I enjoyed making friends with people from all around the country, working in the Senate and personally interacting with Senators (riding subway with Senator Kerry and Senator McCain). However, I did not enjoy 5 AM wake ups or lack of sleep.
What tips or advice would you offer future Senate Pages?
It is important to understand the time constraints of working long hours and taking classes in a rigorous academic program. In order to succeed, you must throw yourself into both school and work.
How did you strike a work-class balance?
I worked hard to learn the importance of priorities and to understand the rules of the Senate and the school. This allowed me to shift my focus appropriately.
Can you share your view of the academic component of this program?
Classes are very difficult and in order to do well you must have strong study skills. Everyone in the program works very hard, so you never feel that you are in this experience alone. While the classes are strenuous, the caliber of teachers is first rate.
How was being away from home?
It is definitely an adjustment, but I grew to love it. There are plenty of breaks, so I was able to go home. This is especially true for Virginia pages. Because there are a lot of interesting things to do in Washington, DC, there is always something fun or different to experience. I also learned to be much more independent: making my own appointments, doing my own laundry and cooking.
Did you enjoy your experiences outside of the Senate?
Yes. We had the opportunity to go to the Library of Congress (a page favorite), Smithsonian, National Mall, Newseum – these were all fantastic.
We also had optional field trips organized by faculty that enabled us to see a great deal of DC - swing dancing, bowling, farmers markets, hopping on Metro and experiencing all kinds of things in the city.
What was living in the dorms like for you?
I lived with 5 other people in the same room. I fostered strong people skills, and strengthened my ability to get along with a variety of people in a confined space. I really enjoyed cooking occasionally with friends and just hanging out together.
The adult chaperones and security who worked in the dorms, and in the program in general, were there to help. But, what made the experience great was the opportunity to develop greater independence and to get a preview of college/professional life.
Colston Polly
Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Powell Valley High School
Page - Spring 2011
Our office sat down with Colston Polly to learn more about his experience as a Senate Page nominated by Senator Warner during the spring of 2011. Excerpts of our conversation are below. We want to thank Colston for his participation in this interview and for his service as a Senate Page.
On the Senate Page program:
First impressions upon arriving to Page School:
“The teachers were really nice, but it’s really intense. Page School assignments are very challenging and require us to be very specific.”
“We have tests to be able to name and recognize all 100 Senators.”
What was your biggest adjustment?”
“Studying.”
What is a typical day like for a Senate Page?
“Wake up at 5:00am – you have to be ready to go by 6:00am. School starts at 6:15am and goes until 9:30am. You have to report to your cloakroom at 9:45am to go to work. There are 2 shifts of Pages – a late shift and an early shift. During your shift, you answer the phone from the cloakroom who will ask you to set up for floor speeches and run special tasks.”
“You have lunch in the Senate cafeteria every day. You are responsible for breakfast and dinner, which you can make or buy – there are groceries and a kitchen at the Page dorm. There are four proctors who serve as your residence advisors. “
“You have to be there until the Senate is out of session, as late as 11:00pm or 12:01am as the latest so far for me.”
First thought when you arrived to the Senate floor:
“You don’t see it on CSPAN - on tv - the way you see it in person. It’s so much smaller in real life – and it looks so great.“
How has being a Page impacted your view of government?:
“I think the U.S. does government very well, but not everyone understands how our system works. We have the best democratic government in the world.”
Quick questions with Colston:
Most exciting thing you have seen on the Floor:
When all the Senators had to be present to pass the resolution honoring the Navy SEALs [who carried out the successful military mission against Osama bin Laden].
Favorite historical figure: Thomas Jefferson
Do you like the Page uniform?: It’s okay…
Favorite lunch in the Senate cafeteria: Moroccan at the global station
Favorite place in the Capitol: The Senate Floor
