WAIPAHU — It's not every day that a congressman walks into sixth period Advanced Placement U.S History class at Waipahu High School.

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie did just that yesterday in a surprise visit to Waipahu junior Stephanie Diaz, one of 72 11th-graders nationwide chosen to take part in the 2008 U.S. House of Representatives Page Program in Washington, D.C.

A huge, shocked grin spread across Diaz's face as Abercrombie and her parents, Christine and Ramon Diaz, strolled into her classroom.

Abercrombie presented Diaz with a lei and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition.

"This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any qualified student," said Abercrombie. "To be a page in the Congress of the United States, to come to Washington, is something that is given to only very, very few people," he added, noting that Diaz was chosen for her maturity and social aptitude in addition to her academics.

"(Diaz) is kind of like the class mother," said AP History teacher David Jakahi. "She connects with everyone. She's very warm, very hardworking and responsible — you know, exactly the type of person that will represent our school well."

As part of the Page Program, Diaz will spend an entire semester — from January to June 2008 — living at the House Page Residence Hall on Capitol Hill and attending the House Page School.

"Its kind of like sending them off to college, except they're younger," said Amy Asselbaye, Abercrombie's chief of staff. "They're all juniors, and share a room with two or three people, so you have to be able to get along with people from all across the country," she said, adding that pages are supervised by adult, full-time House employees.

"I'm excited to be going to D.C. because I've never really gotten past California," Diaz said with a laugh. "I'm just excited to experience a new place and meet new people."

Diaz's parents are thrilled.

"You know, at this point in time, as parents, we cannot hold her back. We have to let go a little bit. This is a great opportunity for her to move forward," said her father, Ramon Diaz. "We believe that we raised her good enough, so she knows how to handle herself."

Pages help the House run smoothly by acting as messengers, carrying documents between the House and Senate, congressional offices, committees and the Library of Congress.

They also prepare the House and chambers for each day's business by distributing the Congressional Record and other documents related to the day's agenda.

"This is real! It's a paying job. In effect, we're hiring her. It's not like this is summer camp," said Abercrombie.

Pages are assigned to representatives on a rotating basis, with each member receiving a page (depending on seniority) about every five years.

"I have only had a total of three pages in the past 17 years, and so this is a day of great joy for me," said Abercrombie, who also congratulated Waipahu High School for supplying two of his past three pages.

"Stephanie will be carrying on the legacy of Waipahu High School," he said.

"I heard about (the page program) and decided, why not just try?" said Diaz. "I'm happy that I got chosen, but just a little sad that I'm going to miss my friends."

Diaz learned of the program through classmate Angelie Angeles, who participated in the program as a summer page in 2006.

"You're going to meet so many new people when you go up there, and it's going to be an unforgettable experience," Angeles told Diaz yesterday. "The experiences you have while you're up there, they'll really inspire you," she said.

Diaz made a tearful promise to the friends she will miss while on the Mainland:

"I'll bring you guys souvenirs!"

Reach Caryn Kunz at ckunz1@honoluluadvertiser.com.