There are many time-honored traditions in the Senate, and one of the favorites is the Senate Page Program. Through the Senate Page Program, high school juniors and seniors in top academic standing are invited to apply for a position as a page for the Senate chamber. I want to encourage students in my district to consider applying as a daily page or Sunny Page for the remainder of the 2023 session, or full-time page for next year’s 2024 Legislative Session.

Daily Page Program:
The program is an extension of the full-time Senate Page Program. This is for students between the ages of 12 and 18 who are either too young or can’t commit to being a full-time page. Pages generally have a Senate sponsor, typically the senator elected to their home district. Each page performs a valuable service for all senators and staff by delivering messages, running errands, copying material and delivering bills, just to name a few. During a normal day, there is a pool of pages working on the Senate floor.

I encourage you to reach out to my office if you know a student between the age of 12 and 18 who would like to participate in the Daily Page Program during part II of the 2023 Legislative Session, reconvening on Tuesday, February 7. I would love to have them join me in Frankfort, experience the legislative process and be recognized in the Senate Chamber. You can connect with my office at 502-564-8100 or by email at Brandon.Storm@lrc.ky.gov.

Sunny Page Program:
This is a very special program for children with disabilities, which allow them to participate in the legislative process while serving as Senate Pages. Sunny Pages are introduced on the Senate floor with their sponsor, carry out duties as they are able, and receive a Sunny Page t-shirt and certificate of appreciation at the end of the day. My colleague, Senator Danny Carroll, started this program along with former Senator Dennis Parrett not only to include children with disabilities but also to bring awareness to some of the issues surrounding those with special needs.

To streamline the process, please fill out the online applications for daily or sunny pages and submit them to your senator’s office or the Senate clerk via email.

Online Application to be a Senate Daily Page or Sunny Page: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/SenatePageProgram.aspx.

2024 Full-Time Page Program:

Being a full-time page in the General Assembly gives students interested in a career in politics or public service within government an opportunity to witness first-hand how our state legislature operates. Senate pages sit at the front of the chamber for general assignments, and also aid the Senate clerk’s office. They respond to requests from Senators and staff within the chamber and sometimes assist with the handling of Senate materials and supplies. Pages report to the Senate Page Mother’s Office which ultimately answers to the Chief Clerk of the Senate, Donna Holiday.

If selected, a Senate page will serve for the calendar year, in both regular and extraordinary sessions. The 2024 Legislative Session will be a 60-day session so the Kentucky General Assembly will convene at noon on January 2 and will be in session until mid-April.

If interested in becoming a full-time page of the Senate, students must contact the Chief Clerk of the Senate, Donna Robinson Holiday at 502-564-5320 or email donna.holiday@lrc.ky.gov. You will be asked to submit a cover letter stating why you would like to be a Senate Page, along with your résumé. Please include all contact information as the clerk may contact you at a later date for a job interview. The clerk will also contact all area schools to make sure that the applicant is of high academic standing and is eligible to serve as a page for the year.

Full-time pages and daily pages do not have the same duties, and will go through training with their respective supervisors. They will be taught where to be stationed during the session, how to carry out their various tasks, and instructed on proper decorum within the Senate chamber. Each daily page will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of the day’s work by their Senate sponsor.

Serving as a Senate Page brings many benefits. Working in a professional environment gives the student confidence and boosts self-esteem. Pages learn to accept a large degree of personal responsibility for their work, as the experience helps prepare them for the future demands of their academic and professional careers.

In addition to developing meaningful friendships with others in the program, pages gain a sense of belonging as they meet and relate to those with similar potential career interests. They also get to work and build relationships with many people around the state.  Full-time Senate pages are paid at a rate of $60 per day, which helps them begin learning how to make decisions on managing their finances, transportation, work demands, housing, and new friendships.

I certainly hope to see bright young students from the 21^st Senate District participate, and for those who do, I look forward to meeting you.