Two young women from Kootenai County will soon have front-row seats to the inner workings of the legislative process as they rub elbows with senators and other elected officials in the Gem State's capital.

Lakeland High School senior Amanda Olson and Coeur d'Alene High School senior Shayla Tyler, both 18, will participate in the Idaho State Senate Page Program, which begins Jan. 12 when the 2026 Idaho legislators are back in session. They'll spend six weeks in Boise working for senators and senate staff.

"I'm really excited to start," Olson said Tuesday. "It's going to be a lot of work balancing school and working full-time, but it will be such a great experience. I’m looking forward to the experience I'll have and the connections I’ll make."

Olson's interest in government began when she was president of her eighth-grade class. She served as a public relations officer during her freshman and senior years, then joined Family Community and Career Leaders of America, through which she gained experience as vice president of public relations and membership. She was recently elected to serve as FCCLA District 1 president and is active in golf and tennis as well.

Olson said she may someday like to run for public office once she is out of high school.

"We'll see where I go in the future," she said.

Tyler was introduced to the Idaho Senate Page Program when she met a past Page through 4-H's Know Your Government program. She is active in Key Club, has participated in Growing the STEM and other student mentorship programs, and does some work for her mom, who works for Kootenai County.

Tyler found out in October that she was a candidate for the program and just received news a month ago that she will serve as a Page.

“I was overjoyed — so excited. I have a lot of family friends who are senators and representatives," Tyler said. "I talked to them, and they’re like, 'We will take you with us, you'll be my person.' I found out so much information about what I'll be doing and how I'll be able to help with what we’re doing in the state."

Only 10 high school seniors throughout the Gem State are accepted to participate in each of the two six-week page programs of the legislative session. The first set of 10 pages will work through mid-February. The second set of 10 pages will work from the third week of February until the end of March or the end of the session.

As pages, Olson and Tyler will be assigned to one of 10 Senate committees and will perform general tasks for the committee chairman and committee secretary. They will be under the supervision of Idaho State Senate Sgt. at Arms Sarah Jane McDonald and will receive compensation for their work.

"It's just the neatest program," McDonald said.

Tyler and Olson will network with other like-minded young people as they become familiar with legislative proceedings, handle actual legislation and understand what it takes for bills to become laws.

"I just want to inspire the next group of kids to get involved," Olson said. 

She said even if a student isn't interested in political science, an opportunity like the Idaho Senate Page Program exposes young people to what takes place at the state level of government. 

Olson encourages others not to follow the same path, but says they should at least know the basics so they can be good citizens and educated voters later in life.

"The voter turnout in my area is really low," Olson said. "I kind of want to help inspire the next generation of voters to actually vote and be passionate about who they’re voting for and be educated on it."

She said she and her sister have learned a lot from their parents, who value an informed citizenry.

"It's super important to be aware of your rights and who you're voting for," Olson said. "Without educated voters and trust in the people you’re voting for, the whole system just falls apart.”

Tyler, who enjoys history and politics, said she isn't 100% sure what she will do after high school, but the page program will be an eye-opener for her. She said she's looking forward to learning more about the Idaho Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee.

"In Idaho, there are so many people moving in we’re losing ag lands," she said. "Now we don’t have the food to feed the people moving in. I want to see the ratios of people moving in vs. land available."

Tyler said students can read government textbooks all day, but nothing compares to the real-world experience of actually being there.

"One of my motivations to be in the program is really to be a voice for my generation," she said. "We’re very involved in politics, but we're not involved in how these laws are made. I really want to get kids in my generation to actually be involved in politics and talking to the representatives."

If she really enjoys being a Senate page, Tyler said she might pursue a career in government.

"I'm just hoping I find something I do enjoy out of it, even if politics isn’t it," she said. "But if it is, that’s great!" 

Info: legislature.idaho.gov

    Tyler