ST. PAUL – November 21 is the application deadline for high school juniors interested in gaining hands-on experience with Minnesota’s state government by serving as a page at the Capitol in St. Paul.
The House of Representatives page program has been in place for 40 years and is one of only three programs in the nation to provide young people with an in-depth look into state government. High school pages attend meetings with legislators, assist members during the session, participate in mock committee sessions and more. There are 11 four-day sessions in 2015, from Feb. 9 until early May.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to get behind the scenes and see our Legislature at work,” said Rep. Jeff Howe, R, Rockville. “I have enjoyed meeting the new group of pages each week. It is always interesting to meet with these students when they are at the Capitol so we can share our thoughts on state government and the legislative process. This is a learning experience you cannot get from a textbook and it would be great to see strong participation from our area during the upcoming session.”
Program participants are selected in the fall of each year based on a formal process which includes an application, faculty recommendation and an essay. Stipends are available to defray expenses. More information is available by logging on to www.house.mn and clicking the “High School Page Program” link near the bottom of the site, or by calling (651) 296-7175. Local schools also can provide further guidance.
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