Each legislative session, high school students from across state have an opportunity for a firsthand look at the legislative process by serving as pages for the South Dakota legislature. Last month, two Britton-Hecla high schoolers had the chance to serve as pages. In addition to having a fun time, they learned a lot about the legislative process.
B-H Juniors Brynlee Patterson and Jayden Bender both served as pages in the SD Senate from February 516. Patterson is the daughter of Ryan and Tawna of Britton and Bender is the daughter of Tammy and Jason, also of Britton.
Patterson and Bender said they had wanted to be pages for a while and knew others who had positive experiences through page programs. “My cousins from Iowa had done it there and really enjoyed it,” explained Patterson.
The girls applied back in October for the page program. Both noted that they had hoped to be pages in the House of Representatives. Bender said, “I thought with more people there, there would be more going on and more people to get to know.” Yet, both ended up in the Senate, and did not regret it.
To be involved in the program, a page must be sponsored by his or her legislator. Both local girls were sponsored by District 1 Senator Michael Rohl. The girls got to know Rohl and his fellow senators very well.
Both Patterson and Bender said before their stint as pages, they were not necessarily overly interested in politics and did not know much about the process. “I wasn’t misinformed about politics but I knew I had a lot to learn,” said Patterson. And through their two weeks in Pierre, the girls did indeed learn a ton.
They explain that they arrived at the capitol by 7:15 every morning. (Pages stay with host families or acquaintances.) They have a morning meeting to pick a goal for the day and lay out their schedules. In the morning they may attend meetings, get coffee or get copies for the senators.
The girls noted that one duty involved taking phone messages from constituents. They said that most people were pretty even tempered on the phone but they occasionally got an angry caller.
In the afternoon, they would go into session and see the real magic happen. The girls noted that they got to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at one point. During their stint, there were various noteworthy bills being discussed, including House Bill 1080 regarding medical and surgical interventions on minors. Bender noted that the place was buzzing surrounding that bill. Both girls said being part of the process was a great learning opportunity.
Beyond political matters, the girls said they had a fun time in general. “I made a lot of friends and had so much fun,” said Bender. “When I went home for the weekend, I couldn’t wait to get back.” Patterson added that she felt like she made a lot of great connections with the senators and everyone else.
When asked what the most surprising part of the experience was, the girls said they were surprised by the amount of food at the capitol. “Different groups will bring in food,” said Patterson. “Like when there was a bill about kids, we got peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”
Both pages said they were also pleasantly surprised by how laid-back the senators were. The page group even had a fun time keeping a running vote of who’s necktie was better every day, Senator Rohl or Senator Lee Schoenbeck.
For his part, Rohl said he appreciated the work of Patterson and Bender and pages in general. “Jayden and Brynlee were rock stars, and they reminded me what matters on some tough days,” Rohl emphasized. “Every page class has a uniqueness about them. This class was my favorite thus far.”
As they reflect on their experience, Patterson and Bender said they are not sure if they will go into politics in the future. (Patterson hopes to be a veterinarian and Bender an attorney.) But both girls admitted that they could now vaguely entertain a career that involved politics.
Though they are not sure what their futures might hold, both Patterson and Bender said they are excited to apply to be pages again next fall. There is more to learn and more fun to have.
