But Sandra thought it would be good for Adriane, especially after watching her son, Clarence, complete the program two years earlier.

So Adriane agreed and, after a competitive selection process, was accepted.

It wasn’t long after the program started that Adriane began enjoying herself, despite the 5:30 a. m. wake-ups to catch early-morning GO train to Queen’s Park in Toronto.

And recently, she actually found herself shedding some tears over the fact the three-week adventure was ending and it was almost time to return to her regular classes at Chris Hadfield school.

“MPPs are cool and Queen’s Park is so awesome,” an enthusiastic Adriane told the Champion.

Inside look at government

Being the Legislative page for the Halton Riding gave Adriane an inside look into the daily goings-on at Queen’s Park. Chosen from across Ontario, legislative pages — high achieving students in Grades 7 and 8 — have a number of jobs including delivering important documents and being on hand in Legislative Assembly meetings to get the MPPs water.

“It’s more fun than work,” Adriane said.

Program co-ordinator and teacher Jennifer McQuestion said the pages are kept very busy. Their days begin with helping set up for the day’s meetings in the legislative chamber. As the orders of the day are called, half the group stays in the chamber while the other half goes to their legislative process class.

Later in the morning they all attend Question Period in the chamber, “which is by far the busiest and most exciting part of the day,” McQuestion said.

The afternoon also has a rotating schedule, with half the students staying in the chamber and the other half taking math class.

On Fridays the students get a break from the chamber, going on field trips and gearing up for a mock debate they hold toward the end of the program.

McQuestion said Adriane’s group realized the importance of being leaders while at the same time being team players.

“Adriane is a natural-born leader,” she said.

One of the highlights of the program for Adriane was having lunch with MPP Ted Chudleigh, who she said was friendly and put her at ease.

Great learning experience

Adriane said she learned a lot about current affairs, and her eyes were opened to the world of politics.

“It really teaches you that you might be a big fish in a small pond (here), but out there you’re not that big.”

Riding the GO train and subway each day was an experience in itself, she said. She often didn’t get home until 8 p. m., but that didn’t seem like too much of a hardship when she was having so much fun.

“It’s a really good experience and you take a lot from it,” she said.

Sandra said she’s grateful to Rick Nodwell, the principal at Chris Hadfield, for taking the time to write a thorough recommendation letter for Adriane, which helped her get into the program.

“He’s very supportive,” she said. The program has been a great opportunity for Adriane, her mom said. It has helped her have more self-discipline and gave her a glimpse of “the real world.”

Parents were welcome to visit, which was another benefit.

“It’s a good experience for parents, too,” Sandra said.

Stephanie Hounsell can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com .