IN THE GOVERNOR'S SHADOW: TWO CENTRAL STUDENTS SPEND PART OF DAY WITH BOB HOLDEN

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Two Cape Girardeau Central High School students got an up-close look at the inner workings of state government Thursday, spending part of the day shadowing Gov. Bob Holden.

Sarah Brown, a senior, and Jon Thompson, a junior, were among 10 high school students from Missouri invited to the Capitol to see government in action.

The students spent most of the morning in the House of Representatives, where legislators made them honorary pages for the day. Because the House primarily was dealing with routine matters during their visit, the students didn't have an opportunity to witness any heated floor debates.

As Brown put it: "We didn't really get to see a lot of the real work."

Brown and Thompson also met with state Rep. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, who showed them around the Capitol and introduced them to the legislative side of government.

"I think it's a good program, and I thank the governor for letting two fine students from Cape participate," Crowell said.

Thompson said he enjoyed watching lawmakers at work, but said a life in politics likely isn't in the cards for him.

"It's interesting to see, but I don't think I want to go into it as a career," Thompson said.

Spending time with the governor was the highlight of the day for the students. As one might suspect, neither Brown nor Thompson had been in the governor's office before.

Holden stressed his commitment to improving education and encouraged the students to take an active role in political issues and community affairs.

"I want to get young people engaged in the political process," Holden said.

After meeting with Holden in his office, the students had lunch at the Governor's Mansion, joining dozens of members of the press from around the state who were in town for the day. Following lunch, it was back to Holden's office to observe the governor conduct state business.