The first class of pages completes their six-week stint on Friday and one page was given a special send-off by the budget committee Thursday morning.

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee won't be meeting Friday and took time to honor Emily Hunter of Meridian, who co-chairman Dean Cameron called "one of the best pages we've ever had."

Hunter is a senior at Cole Valley Christian who plans to attend Boise State and hopes to become a lawyer. She's so tech savvy she's made a habit of helping agency directors with their PowerPoint presentations.

Hunter stood at the JFAC podium, which can intimidate even the most senior bureaucrats, and told the committee, "I really can't explain how grateful I am for this experience. I truly love government and politics....Everybody told me how they fall asleep in committees. I could never fall asleep in here -- it's that interesting."

She also took a moment to say that when she hear complaints about unfeeling legislators, she'll set the critics straight. "The next time I hear someone say, 'The government doesn't care,' I will defend you."

The committee left Hunter with warm applause and a watch with the Idaho seal on its face.

"I'm going to wear it forever," said Hunter.