Senate Page Shares Story In Hopes Of Inspiring Others

Madi Madory is 19 years old, a junior at Westmoore High School in Moore and is a page for Sen. Ralph Shortey.

“My favorite part of the Capitol is hanging out with my Senator,” said Madi.

Pages are high schools students that, for one week, work in the Senate or in the House helping legislators and learning about the political process.

Shortey has known Madison since she was just a baby. When she got into high school it was his idea to invite her to be a page, and he didn't see the fact that she has Down Syndrome as a concern.

“There's some people that don't have disabilities that don't function near as well as she does,” said Shortey. “Some of them I work with.”

According to Mattie's parents, she's the first special ed student from her high school to work as a page in the legislature.

“At first I was like, ‘Are you sure she can do this?'” said Madi's mom Angela Madory.

But now, she sees this as an opportunity and not just for Madi, but others like her.

“Hopefully helping pave the way for other people wanting to do stuff like this and be involved in government.”

And Shortey thinks his colleagues will learn from her too.

“They get to experience something that very few people experience, actually working in the legislature. It's also great when the people you invite up are going to be a blessing, there's no doubt in my mind people are going to be encouraged and blessed by Madison.”

Madi says after she graduates she wants to go to college, but at this point has no interest in politics.