Apprentice Legislature
The Apprentice Legislature, also known by names such as the Junior Senate or the junior legislative program, was an organization created for young people with a passion for politics. It was established during the time of the Galactic Republic and remained in operation during the era of the Galactic Empire.
History
Republic Era
Padmé Naberrie, who would later become the queen and then Senator of Naboo, became a member of the Apprentice Legislature at the age of eight years. During her time there, she toured the Galactic Senate Building and would think of her family home when she felt alone.
However, after becoming a member of the Galactic Senate, Naberrie, who then went by the name Amidala, confessed to Rush Clovis from Scipio that she was still finding it difficult to adjust to the demanding life of a full-time senator, especially after her time as queen of Naboo.
Age of the Empire
Following the rise of the Galactic Empire, many planets ceased sending representatives to the Legislature due to the diminishing authority of the Imperial Senate. The Apprentice Legislators addressed genuine, though relatively insignificant, issues, with the majority hoping to pursue careers in politics and utilizing the program to cultivate connections. By 3 BBY, only forty planets still bothered to send representatives.
On her Day of Demand, Princess Leia Organa declared that she would represent her planet Alderaan in the Junior Senate for the Challenge of the Mind, as part of the trials required to become crown princess. Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin served as the guest speaker at the opening of the Apprentice Legislature that year. Upon joining, Organa worked alongside Amilyn Holdo from Gatalenta, who was a classmate in pathfinding, along with other Apprentice Legislators; this arrangement was organized by Organa's adoptive mother, Queen Breha Organa, and the class was led by Chief Pangie of the Chandrilan Pathfinding Corps. Organa developed friendships with Holdo and several other Apprentice Legislators, including Harp Allor from Chandrila. Organa's adoptive father, Senator Bail Organa, encouraged her to seek allies within the Apprentice Legislature, an effort she began with Allor.