The opportunity of a lifetime fell into Chase Irland’s lap earlier this month when he got word that he had been chosen by Senator Richard Shelby for the U.S. Senate Page program in Washington D.C. He is the first student from this area to be invited to the country’s capital to serve as a page at the Congressional complex.

Founded in 1829, the page program has a storied history. The position was once reserved for orphans or the children of widows who would use the money they earned to help support their families. Today’s pages come from all 50 states and must be a junior in high school, at least 16 years old and a student of the highest caliber.

When Irland’s teachers Angela Pettus and Paige Hicks heard that there was an opening in the program, they immediately thought of Irland. The Athens High School junior is known to be a natural leader and — thanks to the five years his family spent at Ramstein Air Base in Germany — a student with global perspective.

The track and cross country star is also only a few steps away from earning his Eagle Scout award.

“I think they looked at all of these things when they chose me,” Irland said. “When the opportunity presented itself, I had to grab it.”

Irland’s six-month stint as a page will begin Jan. 18. While in D.C., he is expected to work 50–60 hours per week and attend school in the mornings. It’s a paid position, but Irland will have to use much of the money he earns to pay for his room and board at the Daniel Webster Page residence, where he’ll share a dorm with five other boys. He will give up his cellphone and won’t be allowed to access a computer unless it is for sanctioned school assignments.

But he’s ready to put on the blue blazer, slacks and tie that make up the congressional page’s uniform and get to work.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, Irland will do everything from running errands to delivering correspondence and legislative material to lawmakers. He’ll also prepare the chamber for the senate sessions and carry bills and amendments to the desk.

“I think the position also involves a lot of coffee runs,” Irland added.

He’ll also get to attend the State of the Union address and will have access to the lawmaker’s cloakrooms and other areas closed off to most congressional employees.

“This experience is going to open up doors in politics if I decide to pursue that path,” he said. “It will also look great on a resume and establish valuable connections.”

Irland hasn’t decided what he wants to study in college but is open to a career in law or government.

“I guess I could see myself as a senator one day,” Irland said.

For now, he is going to enjoy hobnobbing with the nation’s leaders and learning as as much as he can while he’s at the nation’s Capitol.

He’ll return to Athens High School as a senior in the fall and will begin applying to colleges. He has his eyes set on his dad’s alma mater, Auburn, but plans to enroll at the school that provides the most generous athletic scholarship.