Pania Ghaneian may be a name to get familiar with if you keep track of politics, especially after the 13-year-old got a taste of Queen’s Park.
Ghaneian is a Grade 8 student at Codrington Public School with a love of politics and was one of hundreds of applicants to be selected as a legislative page for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
She tells BarrieToday her love of politics comes from listening to her dad talk to her all about them, “even if my mom thinks he shouldn’t talk to me so much about it.”
Ghaneian says it was a chance meeting with a local politician that got the ball rolling on the page program for her.
“A couple of years ago, my parents and I were at an event and saw MPP Andrea Khanjin. I went to talk to her because I really wanted to learn more about politics,” Ghanenian says. “At the time I was in Grade 6, but she told me about this program which I could apply for in grade 7 or 8, which I was excited about.”
After applying in January 2022, and giving them her sister’s number to call should she make it, Ghaneian heard back with an acceptance call.
“I gave them my sister’s number because I knew she’d check her phone more than me. I got home from school one day and she shoved the phone in my ear because they had called,” Ghaneian says. “I was kind of taken back because I just got in the door and wondered what was happening, but I was so happy.”
Ghaneian’s mother, Mojgan Ahmadi Nadooshan, tells BarrieToday it was news to the family that she had even applied.
“I didn’t even know she had applied to the program. She is a very independent person,” says Nadooshan. “It was a wonderful experience for her and even for us because we all got to go down and see.”
Each year, approximately 150 students from across the province are selected to participate in Ontario's legislative page program. The unique educational program for Ontario students provides an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature in action and forge new lifelong friendships with peers from all over the province.
The program is designed for outgoing, high-achieving, community-involved students who have demonstrated responsibility and leadership.
Legislative pages meet key parliamentary and political figures, and learn first-hand about parliament and the legislative process.
To be eligible to become a legislative page, Ghaneian had to have a good academic record and submit an essay explaining why she would be a good candidate for the program.
For the spring term, beginning Feb. 22 for three weeks, 12 pages were picked out of more than 300 applicants.
Ghaneian says she and other pages got to not only witness legislature happen, but also meet several politicians and dignitaries. She also enjoyed the friendships she made.
“It was so amazing to be there and see how everything works politically. I expected it to be very hard with long days, but it was enjoyable,” Ghaneian says. “I also met the other page, and many of us have kept in touch.”
While the program can create opportunities for many young students, Ghaneian doesn’t think enough kids are aware of it and wants to get the world out.
“This is a program that can create many opportunities for students in the future, however, many passionate students are not aware of the program. An article will spread awareness about this program and hopefully encourage more outgoing students in Barrie-Innisfil to apply,” says Ghaneian.
“I hope to create more representation of Simcoe County in the page program, and want to inspire Barrie students to consider this opportunity.”
