West Hartford Girl Scout Job Shadows at State Capitol

Submitted by the Office of State Sen. Beth Bye.

State Senator Beth Bye (D-5th, West Hartford) welcomed Natalia Rolon of West Hartford to the state Senate Chamber Wednesday as part of Natalia’s "job shadow" of Sen. Bye.  

Natalia was a member of a Girl Scout troop that Bye had recently met with; the senator encouraged the girls to get involved in the lawmaking process because there are not enough women in politics.  

Natalia, a 4th-grader at Bugbee Elementary School, took Bye up on her offer and "shadowed" the senator for several hours on a day the legislature was in session. She met Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, spoke with lobbyists and advocates, reviewed the Senate calendar and bill amendments, and watched Bye communicate with constituents and other legislators via e-mail.    

“I learned that things move very slowly. I learned that the schedule is completely full, and you can’t squeeze anything in,” Natalia said. “I think I could be good at being a senator if I worked hard at it and did my best.”  

“Natalia is exactly the kind of young woman we want involved in government someday: she is bright, attentive, and very involved with her community,” Bye said. “Those are the ingredients for an effective public advocate, whether it’s on the town council or board of education or here in the General Assembly.”