![\"Morgan\"](\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Morgan.jpg\")
<\/a>Born the granddaughter of a state senator, Morgan had grown up hearing plenty about this two-month endeavor \u2013 her sister and three cousins had been pages before her.<\/p>\nBut Morgan had reasons all her own for applying for this daunting work experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most appealing thing was this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,\u201d Morgan said. \u201cIt was getting a taste of being independent.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, she applied\u2026.and was accepted.<\/p>\n
The celebration, however, did not last long.<\/p>\n
After receiving her notebook chock full of mandatory rules she had to learn, including how to speak to Senators and how to dress, Morgan reported for duty the first week of January.<\/p>\n
And just as quickly as she arrived, she was inundated with work.<\/p>\n
She spent her days working from 8:15 a.m.to 5 p.m. either on the floor of the chamber \u2014 getting reports from Senators\u2019 offices, making copies of legislation or even getting their lunch \u2014 or answering phones, pulling bills and collating documents at the Patrick Henry Building.<\/p>\n
At night, she and the other pages were given exclusive access to some of Richmond\u2019s biggest draws, such as dinner at the Governor\u2019s Mansion, taking the underground tunnels that connect the buildings in Capitol Square and touring the Holocaust Museum in Richmond.<\/p>\n
While it was frenzied, Morgan awed at how her textbook seemingly came to life each day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI learned a lot about how government works,\u201d she said. \u201cEveryone says in history class you learn how government works, but you don\u2019t really know until you\u2019re there and watching it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
She spent seven weeks as page \u2013 living in a hotel with the 40 other students in the program.<\/p>\n
Her parents would pick her up each Friday, and then drop her back off each Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was only at home for one day a week,\u201d Morgan said. And that one day was filled with finishing assignments left to her by her teachers at Virginia Beach Middle. Her mom would pick up a packet of work from the school on Friday and drop it back \u2013 completed – on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s basically what my weekend consisted of,\u201d Morgan said with a laugh.<\/p>\n
While in the program, students had a mandatory two-hour study hall each day, which was staffed with four tutors. However, students were expected to learn most of their material through independent study.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was much harder than I anticipated,\u201d Morgan said. \u201cNo one was there to tell me how to do it; I had to figure it out on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n
It seems she figured it out pretty well: During her stint in Richmond, Morgan earned all A\u2019s in her classes.<\/p>\n
Her success both in the program and the classroom was no surprise to Virginia Beach Middle principal Dr. Sandi Brown.<\/p>\n
\u201cMckenzie is a dedicated and focused student,\u201d she said. \u201cShe approaches her studies with a seriousness of purpose and consistently pushes the boundaries of excellence.\u00a0 Her experience is a wonderful example to her fellow Seahawks.\u00a0 This is an exceptional opportunity to create awareness among our students of what an impact their involvement can have on our government.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morgan, for her part, said fellow students should absolutely apply for their shot to wear the page uniform.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not hesitate,\u201d she said. \u201cI made some of my best friends I\u2019ve ever had in my entire life. You will learn so much and you will grow so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Compass Keeper Q&A:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Favorite Book?<\/strong>\u00a0 Safe Haven<\/p>\n Favorite President?<\/strong> George Washington<\/p>\n Favorite Teacher?<\/strong> Ms. Taylor, seventh-grade science teacher. She was a really fun teacher and I could go to her with anything.<\/p>\n Best study tip?<\/strong> Do not wait until the last night to cram everything in.<\/p>\n