An immersive program at Queens Park has given a local student a greater understanding the world of politics.
Mackenzie Rankin, who lives in the Dover Centre-Oungah area and attends McNaughton Avenue Public School, recently returned from a five week term at Queen’s Park, representing the riding of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
Rankin says the program keeps students busy from 8am until 6pm, and taught her a greater sense of independence and kept her on her toes.
“We never really knew what we could expect for the day,” Rankin explains. “It could be a really interesting day with lots of events, lots going on, or it could be a calmer day, but (the challenge) would definitely be not really knowing what we could expect for that day.”
Among their duties, Rankin and other pages were required to support MPPs in the Chamber, take classes in legislative process, and meet with key politicians including party leaders and the Speaker of the House.
Rankin says being part of the Legislative Page process was eye-opening, and she would recommend it to any other students with an interest in politics.
“If they’re interested in politics or being more independent, I would definitely suggest this awesome program. It was such a beautiful experience, it was so interesting. I thought it was awesome.”
Rankin says one of the toughest part of the term was memorizing the names, faces, and ridings of all 124 MPPs.
To earn a spot in the Legislative Page program, applicants must submit an essay outlining their achievements and community involvement.
Listen to the full interview with 99.1 News Anchor Robyn Brady:
