INDEPENDENCE — Senator Derek Schmidt is accepting applications from students who want to serve as legislative pages during the 2009 session of the Kansas Senate.

Pages spend one day in Topeka when the legislature is in session running errands and observing the legislative process. Paging is an opportunity for students to have a first-hand look at the legislative process.

To page, a student must be at least 12 years old and not yet have graduated from high school. Schmidt has a limited number of page slots available each year, so not every student who applies can be accepted into the program. Schmidt tries to make sure all areas in the nine-county 15th State Senate district have an opportunity to page.

Interested students can apply online through Schmidt’s website at www.DerekSchmidt.com by clicking on “Page Program.” Applications must be submitted by December 31, and they will be reviewed in January. Applicants will be notified in January whether they have been accepted into the program for 2009.

For more information, go to Schmidt’s website at www.DerekSchmidt.com or call his Topeka office at (785) 296-2497.