CCMS students tabbed as Senate Pages for 2015 General Assembly session

By Community Member | February 10, 2015 11:25 am

Steven Williams Jr. (left) and Africa Grooms (right) serve as student pages at the 2015 Virginia General and Assembly and were nominated by Senator A. Donald McEachin.

Africa Grooms and Steven Williams Jr., both eighth grade students at Charles City Middle School, have both been appointed as Senate Pages for the 2015 Virginia General Assembly Session by Senator A. Donald McEachin, state senator for the 9th Senatorial District.

“I am pleased to have two fine student representatives of Charles City County participate in the Senate Page program this session,” McEachin said. “I am most certain this prestigious opportunity will be a positive experience for Africa and Steven.”

McEachin nominated Steven due to his scholastic and leadership qualities. Steven has participated in VCU’s Society for Engineering and Entrepreneurial Design (SEED) camp, VCU Da Vinci Works, and VCU summer programs. He also plays football and basketball for Charles City County Parks and Recreation League, an active member of Parrish Hill Baptist Church Youth Ministry, and plays the trumpet in the school marching band. Steven is the son of Mrs. Denise Miles and Mr. Steven Williams Sr.

“This is an excellent program and a new way to meet people,” Steven commented. “I enjoy meeting legislators and I am developing new social skills.”

McEachin selected Africa due to her qualities as a model student and a well-rounded individual. Africa talents include being a member of the Virginia High School League Scholastic Bowl Team and a member of the National Junior Honor Society. She also participates in the Odyssey of the Mind program and plays the saxophone in the intermediate band. She is the daughter of Ms. Rhonda Grooms.

“The page program is a fun, new useful experience that allows me to meet new friends and learn to manage money properly,” Africa said.

Positions to become a Senate Page are limited, with the Senate electing eleven pages from each of the congressional districts. Duties of a Senate Page include delivery of correspondence, running errands, assisting Senators during floor sessions, staffing information desks, and greeting visitors.

All Senate Pages report prior to the start of the assembly for a three-day training session. Grooms and Williams will conclude their Senate Page duties on Feb. 28.