I\u2019d consider that a pretty valid excuse, wouldn\u2019t you?<\/p>\n
Fallon\u2019s teacher had suggested Forum for Young Canadians<\/em><\/a> might be a great opportunity and encouraged students to consider applying. Fallon decided to complete the application form and much to her delight, she was accepted to attend Forum in Ottawa at the end of February. \u00a0I sat down with this open-minded student to learn more about her experiences in our nation\u2019s capital and ask what had prompted her to apply. \u201cI thought it would be a great networking opportunity.\u201d OK, so a teenager is thinking about networking? I don\u2019t know about you, but networking wasn\u2019t foremost on my mind when I was that age. I was already impressed.<\/p>\n Forum for Young Canadians<\/em> is a week-long event that brings youth together from provinces across Canada. Fallon was one of eighteen delegates selected from British Columbia.\u00a0 After arriving in Ottawa, the B.C. contingent gathered together with a moderator in their hotel to decide which student would be selected to represent them. With a bit of trepidation and in the spirit of being a risk-taker, Fallon raised her hand after it was noted that the seven hands already up were all males. The eight B.C. candidates were then charged with the task of preparing a short speech to deliver to their fellow delegates outlining issues facing youth in our province.<\/p>\n Fallon listened intently to the speeches of her male counterparts that focused on hot political matters like the trade agreement and pipeline issue. She admitted that those topics weren\u2019t really ones she was keen on exploring so instead, she concentrated on the education system and social concerns. This proved to be a wise decision as she was elected B.C.\u2019s representative.<\/p>\n At this point she needed to prepare her speech which, understandably, was her priority. That Social Studies term paper would have to wait. And of course, her teacher agreed.<\/p>\n During the reception of the Members of Parliament, Fallon shared the priorities of the B.C. delegates as well as other key issues transcending all provinces, including youth mental illness.<\/p>\n When reflecting on her time in Ottawa, Fallon was candid with me. It was a powerful experience and very eye-opening.\u00a0 As a Canadian citizen, her frustration at not being able to interact with the French-speaking delegates was evident. \u201cI knew they would be speaking French, but I just didn\u2019t get how much of a barrier that would be. We live in the same country and I couldn\u2019t understand them.\u201d Another enlightening moment for Fallon was listening to First Peoples\u2019 issues from delegates living on reserves.<\/p>\n Fallon enjoyed speaking with Senator Martin<\/a> from B.C. about the immigrant\/non-immigrant divide in high schools. Martin, an immigrant herself, was curious about Fallon\u2019s experiences at high school. Fallon shared that she did not feel it was an issue at Rockridge but was interested to\u00a0hear that such divisiveness\u00a0exists in schools elsewhere in B.C. and across the country.<\/p>\n At the conclusion of their time in Ottawa, the students had the opportunity to attend Question Period<\/a> in the House of Commons. I was curious as to Fallon\u2019s thoughts on that experience. She smiled and with considerable animation replied, \u201cI knew there would be heckling as I\u2019d heard it on TV, but nothing compared to being there in person. They were acting like children! It wasn\u2019t how I expected government officials to behave.\u201d We both had a good laugh about how adults sometimes lack self-regulation!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/westvancouverschools.ca\/rockridge-secondary\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/04\/Fallon-300x244.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n