State Sen. Fred Jarrett, D-Mercer Island, is seeking student pages from local schools interested in serving for one week periods during this year’s session of the Legislature.

Jarrett’s district, the 41st., includes parts of southern Bellevue.

Hundreds of 14- to 16-year-old students participate each year, getting an up close look at the Legislature in action. This year’s session is scheduled to run through April 26.

“It is an intense educational experience,” Jarrett said. “Being a page allows you to get behind the news headlines and learn how government really works and helps to make our state a better place to live.”

Teen participants in the program serve for a week at a time and perform an array of services for lawmakers. Those include transmitting documents across the Capitol campus, relaying messages to senators on the Senate floor and presenting the flag during floor sessions.

Participants receive instruction about state government and the legislative process. They also listen to guest speakers, tour the buildings on the Capitol campus and learn how to draft bills.

If accepted, students attend a two-hour orientation the Sunday afternoon before their assigned week. Pages work Monday through Friday, beginning at 7:45 a.m. and usually ending at 5 p.m. Pages work Saturday or Sunday only if the Senate decides to hold session on those days. The Senate also offers students assistance in finding host homes. Pages are paid $35 for each day worked.

To serve as a page a student must:

* Be at least 14-years-old but not older than 16

* Have a grade point average of C+ or better

* Receive parent and school permission

* Have a Social Security Number

More information about the page program can be found online at

http://www1.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram/ or by calling the Senate Security office at 360-786-7560 or 360-786-7572.