Cypress Woods High School junior Carden Truong was selected to serve as a Fall 2024 Senate Page. Truong served his term from September 2024 to January 2025.

Feb. 12, 2025—Cypress Woods High School junior Carden Truong was selected as one of 29 high school students from across the country to serve as a Fall 2024 Senate Page.  

Truong, who served his Senate Page term from September 2024 to January 2025, is the first CFISD student ever selected for the program. The Senate Page Program selects no more than 30 students each term to serve as general assistants to the United States Senate and senators.

“It was a great experience,” Truong said. “When I found out I was accepted in July, I was shocked. I think I actually froze for a second because this is a life-changing opportunity, and I went through a program that changed my life. I’m a different person because of the program.”

To be considered for the program, Truong had to go through a rigorous application process that included recommendation letters, a detailed résumé, a 500-word essay and be sponsored by a current United States Senator. Truong was ultimately selected by Texas senator John Cornyn.

“It’s a great honor to essentially be handpicked by Sen. Cornyn,” Truong said. “I’ve had a longtime interest in government and politics, and I saw the page program as a gateway into federal government.”

Truong currently serves as a member of the CFISD Superintendent’s Student Leadership Council (SSLC), has worked on local campaigns, and founded and serves as president of the Cypress Woods Red Cross Association, a local chapter honoring those who have suffered from catastrophes or served the country.

“We are incredibly proud of Carden for representing Cypress Woods High School at such a prestigious level,” said Lloyd Turner, Cypress Woods principal. “His participation in the Senate Page Program is a testament to his dedication, intelligence and commitment to leadership and civic engagement.”

The Senate Page Program allows students from across the county to witness firsthand the political process of the United States Senate. Pages are exposed to new ideas and perspectives, learn the value of public service all while developing skills in communication and compromise. Pages’ responsibilities consist mainly of delivering correspondence and legislative material within the Capitol and Senate office buildings, preparing the Chamber for Senate sessions and working on the Senate floor where they provide assistance during roll call votes, support senators and staff during debates and carry bills and amendments to the desk.

“I think the most rewarding part of the program was just being at the center of where it’s all happening,” Truong said. “I got to carry a big bill to the Senate floor. Some of us got to carry in the Electoral College votes from the November presidential election. We’re quite literally carrying history and the thought of that is pretty incredible.”

When not working on the Senate floor or attending school, pages have the opportunity to explore Washington, D.C., and participate in organized field trips to historical sites. While serving during the fall 2024 term, Truong and other pages attended President Jimmy Carter’s funeral while he was lying in state in the Capitol rotunda.

“When I said this program changed me, I meant it,” Truong said. “It made me more disciplined, made me better at time management, improved my critical thinking skills, make me sharper and made me comprehend more. I grew academically and personally.”

After high school, Truong plans to attend college and major in political science and government. He plans on running for state office in the future.