ABERDEEN, S.D. –?Northern State University sophomore Jorja Whempner recently finished an eye-opening internship with the South Dakota Senate during the legislative session. Her journey toward public service began back in high school, when she joined the PAGE program—a unique opportunity that lets juniors and seniors work with representatives and senators in Pierre. That experience left a big impression on her, and Jorja knew she wanted to stay connected to government work.
In her freshman year at Northern, Jorja decided to apply for the Senate internship. She wasn’t sure if she’d be chosen but went for it. To her surprise, she got it, though she wasn’t sure she was ready. “I didn’t think they’d choose an 18-year-old freshman,” she said. But this experience quickly became a turning point, letting her “see what was going on, live it, and be part of it.”
One thing that really struck her? South Dakota’s legislators are “everyday people.” Many have jobs as farmers, business owners, or community leaders on top of helping make decisions for the state. Jorja found their commitment to public service inspiring, especially seeing them work together despite their differences. “It taught me the value of connecting with others and working together,” she said.
While she’s still figuring out her career plans, Jorja’s studies in history, secondary education, and government have given her a deeper connection to public service. She’s thankful for the support from Northern’s faculty and advisers, who helped her stay on track with classes while she was in Pierre. “Everyone wanted to see me succeed,” she said.
Reflecting on her time as an intern, Jorja now sees senators not as distant figures but as people who genuinely care about making life better in South Dakota. “They’re normal people with families and jobs, just like us,” she said.
Jorja’s experience is shared by fellow Northern students Brent Ekanger and Savannah Shrake, who interned in the South Dakota House of Representatives during the same session. Together, they represent Northern’s commitment to fostering civic engagement and preparing students for future leadership roles.
