OLDS — Seventeen-year-old École Olds High School student Claire Andrew has a greater appreciation for her Canadian citizenship and democracy after attending the 2023 Rotary Club Adventure In Citizenship program.
The four-day trip in Ottawa also gave her a better idea of what she might want to do with her life.
From May 14-17, 153 students from across Canada attended tours, lectures, discussions and social events designed to deepen their understanding of and appreciation of Canadian citizenship.
Andrew learned about the program through promotions in school announcements and in her leadership class.
A friend in Grade 12 encouraged her to apply “because she had learned so much and made lasting friendships,” Andrew wrote in an email.
“I felt it would be a valuable experience to learn the bigger meaning of citizenship, as well as to learn more about my responsibilities as a resident in the country and in my community from those who help at the federal level,” she wrote.
Andrew also saw it as a chance to hear the opinions of other young Canadians who come from different backgrounds and walks of life than she does.
She heard from speakers about everything from the war in Ukraine to the need to prevent future genocide.
The group toured the House of Commons and participated in a question session with Speaker Anthony Rota.
They got a chance to sit in their MP’s seats and “see where the decisions about our futures and Canada are made,” Andrew wrote.
They toured the Canadian War Museum and the Natural History Museum.
They ate a French Canadian dinner in Gatineau, Quebec and took part in Indigenous dances and presentations to learn about the perspectives of descendants of the first residents of this land.
On the last day of the trip, the students partook in a Canadian citizenship ceremony.
“I found it extremely eye opening to see the gratitude the new citizens felt to be a part of a country that would support them and welcome their diverse contributions for the cultural mosaic of Canada,” Andrew wrote.
“Waving the Canadian flags provided was very memorable, as well as renewing my citizenship.”
Andrew has been taking social studies in ÉOHS. Through that course, she got some good preparation for the trip, learning about how the political process works, including issues like political extremism.
“Most of all, through my social class this year we have learned about the importance for all opinions to be heard, and it was very cool to see this happening firsthand, knowing everyone belongs with democracy,” she wrote.
As a result of the trip, Andrew said she has decided she’d like to work in some aspect of social science.
“If I were to work in government I don’t think I would be a politician but I am passionate about human rights, environmental affairs, and lack of basic needs due to systemic issues, so helping drive policy and practice in those areas at a government level would be a great way to give back,” she wrote.
“I look forward to applying to other Rotary programs, and I encourage other students to take advantage of the opportunities that the Rotary Club of Olds provides to the youth of our community.”
