(Editor’s Note: The following column was submitted by Rep. Shane Mekeland.)

I encourage high school juniors to seize a rare opportunity to spend a week working behind the scenes at the Capitol as a House page.

Applications to the high school page program are now open for the 2024 session, with a Nov. 22 deadline.

High school pages attend meetings with legislators, constitutional officers, members of the judiciary and others. Pages also assist members and staff during House floor sessions, participate in mock committee hearings and more.

A dozen week-long slots are available from mid-February until mid-May and stipends are available to defray expenses.

It is one thing to learn about government in a history class or from reading a book, but this program is a unique tool for developing leadership skills and thinking critically about statewide issues. Student pages I speak with at the Capitol find it to be an eye-opening experience that brings to a whole new level their understanding of our Legislature and government in general. I hope juniors from our area will give this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity a strong look.

The House of Representatives page program has been in place for 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, faculty recommendation and an essay.

More information is available by logging on to www.House.MN.gov 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.