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LINK: The Maryland web site of the Legislative Services Page Program
For information about the US House of Representatives Page Program, go to http://pageprogram.house.gov/
(The US House of Representatives Page program requires students to attend a special school housed in the Library of Congress. This is a paid program and has strict guidelines.)
For information about the Youth Senate Program, go to http://hearstfdn.org/ussyp/
This program is a week-long program. Only two students from each state are selected. Each high school is able to nominate one junior or senior for this position. The final selection in Maryland is handled by the State Department of Education.
Application forms are available starting in September
from each school or from your County Page Coordinator.
Any questions concerning the selection process for your
county should be directed to your County Page Coordinator.
The Montgomery County Page Coordinator is Mrs. Karen
Crawford (Karen_L_Crawford@mcpsmd.org) or 301-670-1419.
Below are the pdf files for the 2010 Legislative General
Assembly Page Program. Applications are due to the Student
Affairs Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2009.
Karen Crawford
Student Affairs Office
1200 Main Street
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-670-1419
fax 301-670-1407
The introduction of student pages in Maryland came during the Constitutional Convention in 1968-69. Impressed by the performance of student, the then Speaker of the House, Thomas Hunter Lowe, decided to establish a student page program in the House of Delegates. He requested the Maryland State Department of Education to organize a nonpatronage program which would be funded by the Maryland General Assembly.
The program was approved by the State Board of Education,
and the first group of 64 student pages was on the floor
of the House for the 1970 legislative session. The Senate
adopted the program in 1971, and the number of pages
was increased to 115. In 1976, the number was increased
to 120 pages. In recent years, the number of pages has
been decreased.
Selected high school seniors, who attend public or nonpublic
schools within the State of Maryland, will be given
the opportunity to participate as pages for members
of the Maryland General Assembly during the 2008 session.
The program is designed to:
1. Interest youth in state government, more specifically,
in the proceedings of the legislature;
2. Increase participation in government and foster leadership
among youth; and
3. Provide students with worthwhile experiences in state
government, especially the legislature.
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The page program is a nonpatronage and selection
is done through the local school systems. Each
county in Maryland has a County Page Coordinator
who is appointed by the local Superintendent of
Schools. This person is responsible for organizing
and conducting the selection process used by the
county's public and nonpublic schools to select
the students who will serve as pages and alternates.
Each county is allocated a least one page and
one alternate position and receives additional
positions based on its high school senior student
population.
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Interested student apply through
their schools in September and early October of their
senior year, and selection is completed towards the
end of October of each year. See specific deadline on
the application.
Senior class students, who are at least 16 years of
age, of all Maryland public and nonpublic high schools,
and who are residents within the State of Maryland,
are eligible to apply. (See note regarding student residents
of Maryland who attend out-of-state schools or who receive
their schooling at home.) Each applicant is requested
to:
1. Complete the application form,
being certain that a parent or guardian signs the bottom
of the application;
2. Submit the application to the high school you attend
following any additional requirements or procedures
stated by your principal or County Page Coordinator.
Application is based on the school and school system
you attend, not where you live;
3. Have or obtain a social security number;
4. Exhibit an interest in government and history;
5. Have a record of good conduct. Be competent, courteous,
and reliable;
6. Have an average or above average scholastic record;
7. Wear appropriate dress and exhibit good personal
grooming; and
8. Be outgoing and like to meet people.
All qualified applicants will receive
consideration without discrimination because of sex,
race, creed, economic status, national origin, or the
presence of disabilities. Students who are selected
to participate will be notified prior to November 15,
2009, by the Speaker and the President of the Maryland
General Assembly.
Each selected page will serve two nonconsecutive weeks
in either the House of Delegates or the State Senate.
During the thirteen weeks of session, each page will
serve one week during the first eight weeks and return
for his/her second week during the last five.
The duties of the page revolve around
the schedule of the chamber to which he/she is assigned.
Whenever their house is in session, pages must be present.
Duties include:
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1. Keeping the members' bill books up to date;
2. Distributing materials on the floor to the
members;
3. Running errands;
4. Answering the phone and assisting visitors;
and
5. Delivering messages to the members.
After each day's session, pages may be assigned
to work with staff in the committees or other
legislative offices. Pages do not work in the
delegates' or senators' offices. This work is
done by staff members and college interns.
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To cover expenses, each student receives a stipend of
$50 for each day worked. The page must pay for lodging
and meals. Lodging is arranged by the Page Office for
all pages outside Anne Arundel County who request housing.
If an Anne Arundel County page would like to stay in
page housing, it is arranged on a space available basis.
Pages stay in homes within walking or a short driving
distance of the State House. The cost is $22.00 per
night. If a page is going to lodge with family or friends
in the Annapolis area, written permission of parents
or guardian must be submitted with the application.
Transportation is the responsibility of the page.
Application forms are available from your County Page
Coordinator, Mrs. Karen L. Crawford at 301-670-1419
or download from above. Student must
complete the application and respond to the questions
in part two. There is no limit to the number of students
who may apply. Parents must read and sign the parental
consent statement. Montgomery County is allowed to submit
14 students and four alternatives to serve. Prior to
November 15, 2009, those students who have been selected
to be pages or alternates will receive official
notification from the Speaker of the House and the President
of the Maryland General Assembly. Any questions concerning
the selection process should be directed to Karen_L_Crawford@mcpsmd.org.
Alternates will be called if the selected pages are
unable to serve.
One "at-large" page position is available
for students who reside in Maryland but attend schools
outside the state or who receive their schooling at
home. To apply, students must contact:
Cornelia C. Watson, Page Coordinator
Department of Legislative Services
90 State Circle, Room 311
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
Phone: 410-946-5128 Baltimore/Annapolis area; 301-970-5128
Washington area;
Toll Free 1-800-492-7122 ext. 5128.
The cut-off date for at-large page applications is October
15, 2008. The at-large position will or will not be
used each year depending on student response and the
applicants' qualifications.
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