Capitol Page Turn

MSSM student Ahliya spent the fall semester in Washington, D.C., serving as a U.S. Senate Page, an experience that placed her inside the daily work of the United States Senate and gave her a close look at life in the Capitol. Ahliya arrived in Washington in September and stayed through January. Her schedule was demanding from the start. On weekdays, she woke up at 5:00 a.m., got ready in a suit, turned in homework before school, and started class at 6:15 a.m. After school, she reported to the Senate, where she helped run papers, served on the Senate floor, assisted senators, and stayed ready during votes.

Some days ended around 6:00 p.m. Other days went much later. “Some days I was there until 2:00 a.m., and we were running papers and amendments and stuff,” Ahliya said. The workload was intense, but Ahliya said her time at MSSM helped prepare her for the academic pressure. “I think academically I was a lot more prepared than a lot of the other students,” she said. “I kind of knew that you have to get things done when you have the opportunity to.” She said the page school was difficult, especially with the long hours and limited time for homework, but the academics felt familiar. “I found that the academics was on par with MSSM,” Ahliya said.

The program also gave Ahliya access to experiences most students never have. She met the vice president, climbed to the top of the Capitol dome, toured colleges with other Senate pages, and explored parts of the Capitol that are usually closed to the public. “I think people don't always realize how much Senate pages can actually do,” she said. “Senate pages have access to pretty much everything. Your ID will get you pretty much anywhere, and people never ask questions.”

The semester also changed how Ahliya sees herself. Living and working with students from across the country pushed her to communicate more clearly, speak up for herself, and take advantage of the opportunities around her. “I think I learned that I thought I knew a lot and then I really did not know a lot,” she said. “I always thought I was pretty independent, but going there, I think I finally actually learned how to be a leader.” By the end of the semester, she said she had gained confidence. “Obviously, it's really scary,” Ahliya said. “But I think by the end of it I was so much more confident in myself.”

Ahliya is interested in law and said a future in Washington is no longer out of the question. The people she met may be what stays with her the longest. She lived with other pages, worked beside them, studied with them, and built friendships with students from across the country. “I really think that the program is really the people there,” she said. “No one could ever fully understand what it's like to be a Senate page unless you've been one.” Those friendships came from a shared experience that was both difficult and meaningful.  “You've seen me at my worst but also at my best,” she said.

Congratulations to Ahliya on representing MSSM in Washington, D.C