Although he may not be dreaming of a career in politics when he grows up, 13-year-old Hriditya Patel is excited to embark on his 10-day journey as a page in the Ontario Legislature this week.
Patel, who has dreams of one day becoming a rocket scientist, applied for the program last fall, telling BarrieToday he’s always had an interest in how government works.
"I recently found out about this program and I am just excited to learn about Ontario’s parliamentary system,” said Patel, a Grade 8 at Ardagh Bluffs Public School in south Barrie.
Patel was required to write an essay as part of the application process for the program, which is described as being designed for “outgoing, high-achieving, community-involved students who have demonstrated responsibility and leadership,” about why he thought he would make a good page.
“I wrote about my leadership and people skills and how I have demonstrated them. I also wrote about how I have been a Scout for three years. I wrote about how I was a student rep and represented students at parent council meetings,” he said.
In addition to those leadership skills, Patel plays guitar and has passed with “distinction” in his Trinity College Rock and Pop exams. He also speaks three languages: Hindi, Gujarati and English.
Patel learned in February that he would be heading to Queen’s Park in Toronto to take part in the program.
“I was really excited. My parents are also really excited,” he said. “We celebrated it with pizza and cake.”
To prepare for the experience, the teen has been quizzing himself, but admits he has been struggling a little bit remembering which of the 107 politicians represents each riding.
“I think I will get it,” he said. “I also printed off all of their names and faces and then put it up on the wall in the exact position that they sit in it, and that’s been helping me memorize where they sit in the chamber.”
Patel is looking forward to learning and growing during his time in Toronto, as well as meeting “like-minded” youth. As for any nerves, he said he’s worried he might forget something and to have lunch with MPP Andrea Khanjin, who, in addition to representing Barrie-Innisfil, also serves as minister of the environment, conservation and parks, as well as deputy house leader.
Both Patel and his parents — Krutika and Falgun Patel — are excited for what this opportunity could mean for the youngsters future.
“We are very proud of him. We know that this is a very competitive program and getting into it is really difficult,” said his mother, Krutika. “All of those efforts of making him fluent in different languages and all the extracurriculars — every little thing he’s gone through — had a lot of value to it."
“We are so excited about this experience. He’s going to be around the MPPs for a couple of days. He might speak to the premier. To have these rare opportunities at his age … we are really excited,” added dad Falgun.
Both Patel and his parents are extremely grateful for the opportunity, telling BarrieToday it couldn’t have been possible without the support of the people around him, including his homeroom teacher, the school’s principal and vice-principal, as well as his scout leaders.
