Student of the week: Kacey Lowry

Kacey Lowry is still readjusting to life as an eighth-grader at Forest Middle School.

For seven weeks from January through the end of February, she juggled both a full-time job and schoolwork.

Lowry was one of 40 students chosen to be a page for the House of Delegates in the Virginia General Assembly.

“We did things like pull bills, file bills, make deliveries, pick up recycling, help get mailings ready to be sent,” she said, describing her work. “The small jobs that require a lot of time, that have to be done, but are very hard to get done without help.”

At 13 years old, Kacey led a hectic life while living mostly on her own in Richmond.

She woke up and walked to work.

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, she worked at the General Assembly, alternating days in which she worked on the floor of the House of Delegates.

From 5 to 7 p.m., she had dinner with friends.

Then from 7 to 9 p.m., they had mandatory study hall, so they could keep up with coursework at home. Kacey’s teachers at Forest Middle sent her schoolwork via e-mail and snail mail.

“At times it was a challenge,” said Kacey, who hopes to pursue a career in politics or law. “It was actually not too bad for me — I kept up pretty well.”

Kacey’s most memorable experience, she said, was decorating for an eco-friendly-themed Valentine’s Day party at the General Assembly.

She and a group of about five others spent several hours hanging up the pink, white and green décor until it was perfect.

“They had doves they made from recycled paper,” she said. “They made flowers out of pipe cleaner and candy wrappers. None of it was bought brand new.”

Kacey’s mother, Miranda Lowry, said she and her husband Robert were “thrilled beyond belief” for their daughter when she earned her spot at the General Assembly.

“We were just so very proud of her that she took the initiative and that she was accepted out of all of those applicants,” she said. “Kacey is a very hard worker and she is very mature. And it was just reinforcement to her that by being dedicated and being a good student, you are rewarded.”