PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – Applications are currently being accepted from South Dakota high school students interested in serving as pages for the 2022 Legislative Session.

Pages are appointed to serve in the House of Representatives or the Senate for one of five terms during January,  February, and March. The 97th South Dakota Legislative Session runs from January 11, 2022, to March 28, 2022,  with a recess from March 13-27.

Pages are assigned to committee meetings in the mornings and Chamber floor sessions in the afternoons, and assist legislators, as needed. Representative Spencer Gosch, Speaker of the House, says the program provides students with a unique educational and personal experience. “These students have the chance to learn about the legislative process by actually being a part of it, every day, for the term they’re serving.

They’re also making lasting memories, from touring the Capitol dome to having dinner with the Governor. This can be a once in a lifetime experience for a young person,” said Gosch.

Senator Lee Schoenbeck, President Pro Tempore, says being a page can help shape students’ futures professionally.  “Legislative pages have the opportunity to return during their college years and serve as legislative interns. And there are members of our legislative bodies that served as pages and now serve their home areas as lawmakers.  The page program can really be the starting point for a student with an interest in what’s happening in South Dakota,”

The preferred application deadline is October 8, 2021, with a final deadline of October 22, 2021.

Information on the Page program, including an application, can be found on the Legislative Research Council’s website.

District 3 Legislators are Representative Drew Dennert; Representative Carl Perry & Senator Al Novstrup.