In their first official appearance last week, the 1995 student pages ate breakfast with Harford County legislators.
The next time they meet, the teen-agers may be making coffee for the lawmakers. But that will be only a small part of the duties the pages will perform while they're working in Annapolis during the 1995 General Assembly.
"Although it's a lot of fun, it's a lot of hard work," said Mary Catherine Adams, a 1992 Bel Air High School graduate and former student page. She shared her experiences with the five new pages and one alternate at the Tuesday morning meeting.
Ms. Adams spoke about the pressure of maintaining bill books, which are records of legislation and the "lifeline for senators and delegates."
"After the first two days, you will be able to do them in your sleep," said the Randolph-Macon College sophomore, who is majoring in political science.
"You'll also make a lot of coffee, tea and hot chocolate, do a lot of running around. . . . Wear comfortable shoes."
"I'm a little nervous," acknowledged Edwin W. Egee V, a Fallston High School senior.
The other pages, also seniors, are Amy E. Altmann of C. Milton Wright High School; Sherwin C. Sapasap of Edgewood High School; Jennifer L. Seifert of Fallston High School; and JaLyn Sweeney of Bel Air High School.
The alternate is Heidi Duer of C. Milton Wright High School. She will serve if a page is unable to perform his or her duties.
The pages will spend two separate weeks each in Annapolis during the session from Jan. 11 until April 10. They will live with host families.
One relief for the pages this year is that they won't have to wear the infamous gold jackets, they said. They'll be donning gray blazers instead. "You are so lucky," said Ms. Adams, remembering the unattractive yellow coats.
To be chosen, students write an essay on why they want to become a page.
Each of the nine county high schools may submit two candidates to the county level, said Ira A. Hiberman, supervisor of social studies for the school system and a program facilitator.
Then students are interviewed by a group of judges, made up of staff and students from each school. The judges look for students who are articulate, knowledgeable about government and have viewpoints on issues and the legislative process, Mr. Hiberman said.
The 1995 pages have years of experience in extracurricular activities and student government associations.
For instance, Jennifer is secretary of the Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils, Amy is treasurer of C. Milton Wright's student body, and Heidi is a peer counselor at C. Milton Wright.
On a practical level, JaLyn worked in Rep. Helen Delich Bentley's office in Washington and for County Executive Eileen M. Rehrmann.
Sherwin is planning a medical career. He hopes he'll gain leadership experience by being a page.
"Not enough people take part in government," he said. "I thought it would be good to take part."