English invites teens to apply to be pages

SHARON, Pa. -- High school students from Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District interested in experiencing the federal government firsthand can apply to become pages, said U.S. Rep. Phil English.
English's office is accepting applications for the summer 2006 Republican Page Program. Pages assist members of Congress in their day-to-day activities. Pages sit on the House floor, assisting the clerk of the House and other Congressional employees who deal with the activities on the floor. Pages live in a dormitory with other pages and must attend classes.
To qualify to serve as a page, students must be 16 years old at the time they come to Washington to participate in the program and have at least a B grade point average in five major subjects. Pages may only serve before or after their junior year.
Applicants must be sponsored by a member of the House. The first summer session will be June 12-30 and the second summer session will be July 10-28.
Anyone interested can obtain an application packet by calling English's Erie District Office at (814) 456-2038. Applications must be completed and returned by March 30.
Students wishing to complete a package can expect to include a 50- to 100-word essay on why they want to be a Republican page, three letters of recommendation and other information. Once the applications are submitted, English will nominate the candidate he feels is best qualified.