Sen. Vitelli welcomes Pastor Ari Keller, Mt. Ararat Middle School students to the Maine Senate
AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, welcomed Pastor Ari Keller of Small Point Baptist Church of Phippsburg, and Willow Daravong and Elena Schrage, both of Mt. Ararat Middle School, to the Senate Chamber. Pastor Keller gave the Opening Prayer, and Willow and Elena served as Honorary Pages.
“Returning from the historic storms and the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, I have been thinking a lot about community and service,” said Sen. Vitelli. “I appreciate that these constituents brought their values of community and service to the Senate Chamber. Their contributions helped my colleagues and me complete our work. If you would like to give the Opening Prayer or serve as an Honorary Page, please let me know. I would be honored to welcome you, too.”
On session days, faith leaders deliver a brief inspirational message to guide lawmakers through their deliberations for the day. Out of respect for the diversity in the Senate Chamber, the Senate Secretary’s Office asks that these invocations are non-secular and non-political. To sign up to give the Opening Prayer, contact Alex Ferguson at (207) 287-1540 or Alex.Ferguson@legislature.maine.gov.
In addition to scheduling the faith leaders, the Senate Secretary’s Office also manages the Honorary Page Program in the Maine State Senate. Open to students in third grade through twelfth grade, Honorary Pages perform various duties such as delivering messages, distributing documents within the Senate Chamber, interacting with State Senators, and – most importantly – taking part in a real world, legislative learning experience. To sign up to serve as an Honorary Page, contact Alex Ferguson at (207) 287-1540 or Alex.Ferguson@legislature.maine.gov.
Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, and Pastor Ari Keller of Small Point Baptist Church in Phippsburg
Sen. Eloise Vitelli (center), Willow Daravong (left) and Elena Schrage (right) of Mt. Ararat Middle School
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