For many students, being a junior means it is time to think about possible plans for the future, including where to go to school and career choices. Most students are immersed in college testing preparations and an increase in the homework load. Junior Eric Berg, however, is one of the few students in the state to also be involved in the Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program.
Thirty-two years ago, the High School Page Program was created to give students an opportunity to witness the state governments in action. Today, students spend a week at the Capitol, during which they attend individual meetings with legislators, assist members during a legislative session, participate in a mock committee session and meet with constitutional officers, members of the judiciary, lobbyists and members of the media.
“Basically you’re a helper to the helpers,” said Berg. “You help the pages help the Congressmen by passing out the agendas and bills, like a gopher.” When a session is in progress, pages assist members in the House chamber by obtaining copies of bills and delivering messages. Before sessions, pages are able to help prepare by placing agendas and orders on the desk of each member.
Throughout the years, the program has developed a competitive admissions process. “Thirteen kids get to become pages out of 67 [House] districts. Each district has an A and B area, so there are 134 possible areas for applicants to come from in Minnesota,” said Berg. “Not a lot of people go out for it, but it is very competitive for the people who do.” To apply, students must be a junior in high school and must complete an application, which can be found online or in the Career Resource Center, receive a faculty recommendation from a social studies teacher, a vouch from another staff member and submit a 500 word essay on why they want to participate in the High School Page Program. “I was fortunate to get Cwod as my social studies teacher to sign for me and Mr. McCartan vouched for me,” said Berg. Faculty who sign an application acknowledge that they are advocating for the student’s acceptance into the program.
Students who are accepted into the program are assigned a week between February and May of their junior year, during which they will stay near the capitol and participate in daily activities. “I’m staying at The Kelly Inn, which is just down the street from the Capitol, and then I will walk over every morning,” said Berg. Students have to be ready to begin at 8 a.m. and work until as late as 5:30 p.m. Many students who participate in the program share interests in politics and state legislature.
For Berg, his political background stems back to his family. “Politics has always been big in my family – we always get into political discussions. My family has also been very active in the legislature,” said Berg. His uncle, Doug Berg, took after his grandfather at the state Capitol.
“My uncle works with the committee that takes the needs of Minnesota education to the Minnesota legislature,” said Berg. His uncle makes sure the needs are met in the Senate by presenting them to his boss, who then presents the needs to a senator, who will then bring up the issues on the Senate floor. Because of his political family, Berg knows he always wants to be politically active. “I want to at least go into state legislature. I want to be a state, or possibly a U.S., senator,” said Berg.
By participating in the High School Page Program, Berg hopes that he will be able to expand his political spectrum. “You get to meet everyone who works there, which is great for connections and work,” said Berg. “I mean I could be working on the Senate floor passing messages,” which would provide the opportunity to meet senators face-to-face. “Anywhere you go, you’re meeting people,” said Berg.
“It’s really a great opportunity,” he said, “because you can see the ground basis [of the legislature].” While Berg’s session does not begin until April 28, he knows it will be “a great experience.” Berg also encourages upcoming juniors to apply for the program. “If you’re going to be a junior, apply for it. There’s nothing wrong with trying out for it. Who knows, you might be one of the only people from your district to apply and it’s a great experience,” said Berg. “I know can’t wait.”
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