Not many high school students have ever been inside an office of the Massachusetts State House, let alone working in the office of a State Senator.

However, senior Dmitri Koustas has spent two to three afternoons a week working as a Legislative Aid and Intern in the office of State Senator Steven Panagiotakos as part of the Job Shadowing program.

Koustas leaves Tyngsborough High School at 12:30 every other day to catch the 1:07 train heading from Lowell to Boston. The train arrives at North Station where Koustas then hikes for ten minutes to arrive at the State House around 2:10.

In the office, Koustas spends much of the time answering the Senator’s phone calls. This job includes creating a file for the caller, writing letters to health insurance providers, and investigating follow-ups on these issues.

“Basically, I help the people in any way I can,” said Koustas.

Koustas doesn’t spend all of his time simply answering phone calls, he is also helping to draft his first bill with Panagiotakos’ Legislative Aid, Jim Aceryo. Also present with Koustas in the office is the Chief of Staff, D.J. Corcoran.

Koustas’duties also involve attending House sessions with Aceryo.

Concerning the House sessions, Koustas said, “It’s a great way to see first-hand how our government works. There are many things that the legislators do to make a difference, which sometimes people don’t notice.”

Striving to become the one of the few Tyngsboro student to attend Harvard University, Koustas thinks Panagiotakos will help his chances a great deal.

He said, “The Senator is Harvard alumni, and he has promised to write a letter of recommendation.”

Koustas had further political exposure this summer when he attended seminars presented by Governor Mitt Romney and Senate President, Robert Travaglini, where he heard other speeches by Speaker of the House, Thomas Finneran, and former Governor and Presidential candidate, Michael Dukakis.

Koustas met Travaglini, personally, when he was honored with the Arthur R. Lambert Memorial Scholarship awarded by the Office of Legislative Education. The scholarship is awarded to a worthy Statehouse intern who demonstrated his abilities by writing an essay and giving a lengthy interview.

When asked if he is satisfied with the time he spends in Boston, Koustas said, “It’s a trek, but at the end of the day, it’s worth it.”