308 million Americans. 435 US Representatives. 64 Congressional Pages.

Junior Erin Brewer is spending the Spring semester as Congresswoman Sheila Jackson’s page in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Erin starts her day at 5:00 am. She attends six classes every school day – all taking place in the Rotunda of the Library of Congress.

Erin then goes to work in Congress, running errands for Congresswoman Jackson, answering phones, and performing other tasks – sometimes working until 5:00 am the next day.

“If Congress works, we work,” Erin said.

She got the opportunity to shake hands with President Obama at the State of the Union Address and watch him speak.

“It was probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever done,” Erin said. “Really there are no words to describe how I felt.”

The fact that Erin ended up as a Page is no surprise to her mother, Robyn Brewer.

“Erin always had an interest in law, international studies and policy. The Page Program will help her find a good school, a career, and give a picture of what she wants to do,” Robyn Brewer said.

Before leaving for DC, Erin participated in both Law Magnet and Mock Trial.

“I am glad that I took Government last year in the Law Magnet,” Erin said. “It helped know what was going on when I got here. I was actually able to explain some of the processes to the other pages.”

Even as a young child, Erin seemed to stand out.

“When Erin was younger, she was a tomboy for sure,” Robyn Brewer said. “Erin was very precocious and stubborn as a child. She didn’t like being called pretty because she thought it made her not strong and smart, but weak and dumb.”

This helped motivate her to strive for success and eventually led her into the Page Program.

“The process is kind of similar to being nominated for a Service Academy,” Erin said. “First I had to call a Representatives from Texas to find out who was eligible to nominate pages. I think I called at least half the offices in the state.”

Erin returns June 3 later this semester. She isn’t necessarily thrilled to return.

“I am definitely not ready to come home,” Erin said. “There is a lot of independence here. It is a lot like being in college and it will be a little weird, I think, coming back to normal high school.”

The independence is felt in the classroom too.

“I like all my classes a lot,” Erin said. “The teachers are free to do what they want with the curriculum, so we get to have really interesting discussions.”

The experience is a once in a life time opportunity, but Erin doubts she will be back to the House of Representatives.

“I don’t think I want to work in politics,” Erin said. “Most of the kids here don’t either. It was just a really unique experience that we just couldn’t pass up.”