A Grade 8 Dundalk student has been chosen as a legislative page.
Highpoint Community School Principal Kelly Merrifield says Bell-Sitara Singh Soares received word she had been selected for the role at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in Toronto last month and officially started April 8.
“A legislative page is someone that goes to Queen’s Park, spends a number of weeks learning about and helping those in parliament,” says Merrifield.
Soares will also act as a messenger on the floor of the legislative chamber, meet parliamentary figures, and learn about the provincial parliamentary system of government until April 25.
Merrifield says Soares was chosen through an application process.
“Through the school they ask if we recommend or not and in Bella’s case, I highly recommended. She is a honour role student at Highpoint, she is a well liked student and gets along really well with staff and students, she also excels in public speaking, placing second in the county competition at Spruce Ridge,” says Merrifield.
A typical day for Soares will include arriving at Queen’s Park around 8 a.m., dress in her uniform, and prepare the legislative chamber for the morning debates. She will also be involved in taking classes in the legislative process and math.
“I think it is a great opportunity, I know that Bella is someone that will come back and share her experience with the other students. And it certainly will highlight the opportunity for others going forward,” says Merrifield.
The Legislative Page program is open to students in grades seven and eight who are interested in current affairs, and have an academic average of at least 80 per cent, as well as having good relationships with their peers and adults. Applications for the program are accepted twice a year, one in the fall and one in the summer.