NATCHEZ — The American political sphere is filled with complications and controversies, and Seth Blattner wants to be right in the middle of it.

Blattner, a senior at Trinity Episcopal Day School, said he wants to run for political office one day.

“I want to go as high as I can go. President, maybe,” he said. “I want to be able to help people and try not to serve personal interests, which is happening a lot today.”

Blattner said he has been interested in politics for a long time now, but that interest has been heightened by the recent political climate.

“We are the most divided we’ve probably ever been,” he said. “I think if we have more dialogue in the parties, if we talk enough, there’ll be compromise eventually.”

If given the opportunity, Blattner said he wants to be a part of those conversations.

Perhaps his first major step toward that goal is coming up in the first week of January.

Blattner was chosen to serve as Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves’ page from Jan. 5 to Jan. 8.

“I think that experience is going to be very valuable in the long run for me in general,” he said. “I’m not as familiar with how state government works. I think it’ll be a really good learning experience to actually be there and see how the state capitol works.”

Though Reeves is a Republican and Blattner identifies himself as an independent, Blatter said he believes the experience will give him the opportunity to understand politics from another angle.

“I think I’ll be able to learn how to conduct myself better in those spheres,” Blattner said. “I’ll learn the intricacies and the vocabulary that’s used there. I’ll learn what it actually takes to work in those kinds of places.”

Though he is primarily interested in national politics, Blattner said he thinks state-level positions could be a gateway to upper positions.

“A lot people start on a state level,” he said. “I see myself starting on a state level and move up and see where I’d like to go.”

Blattner said he first became interested in politics when he was riding in the car with his parents, Sharon and Michael Blattner.

“The first thing I remember in politics is probably the McCain-Obama election,” he said. “I remember it vividly. That’s the first election I paid attention to as a kid.”

Blattner, who was in third grade at the time of the 2008 election, was just starting to understand what an election meant for the country.

Now, as he readies for college, Blattner’s off-handed interest has evolved into a dream.

In planning out his future, Blattner hopes to receive a degree in political science, to become an attorney and work in the intelligence field.

All the work that lies ahead, Blattner said, will be worth it if he gets to fulfill his dream of becoming an elected official.

“In 20 years, I’ll be 38,” Blattner said. “Hopefully, I’ll be starting my first campaign for something big. You can run for president at 38.”