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NEWS By Melanie Hennessey + that she was interested in applying alankara. "You feel like you're really Vv Legislative page experience bolsters student's political aspirations CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFI What began as a neat opportunity for a Milton student has become the start of a potential career path. Vanditha Widyalankara recently completed her term serving as a legislative page at Queen's Park, where she spent five weeks work Ing as a messenger on the floor of the Legislative Chamber With plenty of female role mod els on hand, from Premier Kath leen Wynne to Halton MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris, it's no wonder the 13-year-old turned her. mind to fu ture political opportunities 'I would love to represent our rid ing one day," she said. "It was really inspiring to see them (provincial politicians) in action Widyalankara, a Grade 8 student at Tiger Jeet Singh Public School, said she's always been very interested in, politics and enjoys watching elections. So when she heard about the leg islative page program from her neighbour, she-knew right away 'Why wouldnt | want to 'miss five weeks of school to go hob-knob with politicians?" she said You feel like you're really doing something important. 77 L Vanditha Widyalankara During her tenure as a page, Widy alankara had to arrive bright and early at Queen's Park each day, get dressed in a uniform, be ready for an 8:15 a.m. briehing and then pre pare the legis hamber for the morning's debate: Pages are involved in a humber of ictivities during the day, such as delivering messages and water for the MPPs in the chamber, taking classes in legislative pro , and math and ting th ke 115] ve players like party leader the Speaker of the House "I loved working the chamber. The MPPs were all so nice," said Widy STEVENSON Experienced Trial Lawyers Serving Oakville, Milton and Burlington 7} 905.842.3838 MACDONALD SWAN doing something important." Another major highlight for the Milton youth was meeting other students from all over the province. "In five weeks we became such a close family; they all call me the mom of the family," said Widyalan kara, who also served as the vale dictorian of the group. "| was giv ng my speech and everyone was : in tears. I'm going to miss them so much." f lhe legislative page program is 7 and 8 who have an interest in current af open to students in grades fairs, have an academic average of 30 per cent of higher and get along well with peers and adults. Applications are accepted for two deadlines each year, Nov. 15 (grades ' and 8) and June 15 (grade 7 only). For information call 416-325-7457 or email pageprogram@ola.org. Janditha Widyalank ira 1p close and right) got pers | with a variety of ehticiarns, including Halton MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris during her recent tenure as a Queen's Park legislative page Suppliéd photo 1415 So Factory DOUBLE MATTRESS ...$289 QUEEN MATTRESS $369 KING MATTRESS $499 DOUBLE MATTRESS ...$139 QUEEN MATTRESS $279 SINGLE Fyn KING MATTRESS $399 229: Reg. $50Q : RO TOF $ SINGLE MATTRESS Req. $400 *&) PEON CBM ou or TYE ERR H DOUBLE MATTRESS ....$549 QUEEN MATTRESS ......$469 5499 SINGLE MATTRESS QUEEN MATTRESS $599 KING MATTRESS $599 Reg KING MATTRESS $799 ; Sleep Factory MILTON 238 Main Street, East ® Fb wiwisien : | MISSISSAUGA 2150 Burnhamthorpe Rd HOURS: Monday - ETI 10am - 6pm » -- Fraiday 10am - 8pm « Saturday 9am - 6pm » Sunday 11am - Spm EURO TOS DOUBLE MATTRESS ....$399 SE-e 53 1 9: SINGLE MATTRESS. Req. $700 3 {ITE | 0D" UOYBY3PISUI MMM NOIdIAVHO NYIQVYNVYD NOLTIW | 8TOZ 'vr Asenuer Aepsinyl | TT SA