In an effort to foster a greater understanding of the machinations of state government among the youth, State Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville) recently hosted local students at the Indiana Statehouse. Participants in the Senate Page Program had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the legislative process, with a day's agenda that included a historical tour and observing floor debates.
Representing various schools in the region, students like Samira Beam and Abigail Berger of Floyd Central High School, Aubrey Curl and Adeline Felten of North Harrison Middle School, and Caleb Green of William H. Borden Jr./Sr. High School, had the chance to directly interact with their state senator. Byrne was quoted on the Indiana Senate Republicans website expressing his pleasure in meeting students who "make the drive to the Statehouse to serve as Senate pages." He went on to extol the value of the program as a means to "learn about state government and see it in action."
The Page Program invites students from grades six through 12 to serve on various days during the legislative session, with groups scheduled on Wednesdays. With the 2025 cycle now concluded, the program looks forward to welcoming a new cohort in the following year. Parents considering this educational opportunity for their children in 2026 are encouraged to securely obtain more details toward the year's end at the program’s website.
As the program wraps up, Sen. Byrne remains hopeful to inspire a larger wave of student participation in the future. "I hope to see many more students participate next year," he stated with a forward-looking gaze to the coming iterations of student engagement. Undoubtedly, the program’s real-world exposure to state politics will continue to quickly offer youngsters a unique vantage point into the local branches of power.
