ST. PAUL – State Rep. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, encourages high school juniors to seize an opportunity to spend a week working behind the scenes at the Capitol as a House page.
Applications to the Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program are now open for the 2022 session, with a Nov. 23 deadline. A dozen, week-long slots are available from early February until mid-May and stipends are available to defray expenses.
Rasmusson is himself a veteran of the page program. Participants are engaged in a wide variety of activities designed to provide them with an understanding of the legislative process, state government, public policy, public service, politics, and much more. Pages attend meetings with legislators, constitutional officers, members of the judiciary and others. They also assist members and staff during House floor sessions, participate in mock committee hearings and more.
“The High School Page Program provides students with a chance to become immersed in state government and learn lessons in ways that can’t be taught from a book,” Rasmusson said. “I was fortunate enough to serve as a page myself and it was an eye-opening experience, with memories I still carry with me today. I urge area students to look into this program and welcome the opportunity to work with students from District 8A in the House.”
The House of Representatives page program has been in place 45 years and Minnesota is one of only a select few states in the nation to offer this program, providing young people with such an in-depth look into state government.
Program participants are selected through a formal process which includes an application, one faculty letter of recommendation and an essay.
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) 296-7452. Local schools also can provide further assistance.
-30-