Strathmore teen takes opportunity to learn more about politics
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
An interest in politics and government is not something many teens have, but one Strathmore High School, SHS, student does. Jonah Zankl had the opportunity to spend a week in Edmonton as a part of the Forum for Young Albertans.
“It was recommended by Mr. Pirie who is my social teacher. I signed up, and I got accepted,” said Zankl.
“He’s an outstanding student, not only academically, but also in the sense that he works hard, he’s willing to interact with others and he’s very mature,” said Rob Pirie, an SHS teacher.
This was the first time in a few years that an SHS student has participated in the forum. Pirie said he is not sure why the school hasn’t sent anyone in the last few years, but thinks one part of it might be the fact that many of the students aren’t ready to go off on their own. Pirie also said he would argue that the name hinders some young people from wanting to go. He said the name doesn’t sound exciting, and politics and government isn’t something a lot of young people have an interest in.
“Anybody who ever went has just raved about it, which is unfortunate that not too many go,” said Pirie.
Zankl had signed up for the forum in February, and heard in March that he was accepted to take part in it.
“We did everything from listening to speakers…we were at the courthouse all day,” said Zankl.
“We talked to a whole bunch of different MLA’s and leaders of the different parties. We talked to somebody from CBC, who told us sort of what her role is being the media in the government. We met with the speaker and got to sit down on the floor.”
The 29 students who took part had a tour of the legislature in Edmonton, dinner with the MLA’s, and had a chance to go to the top of the legislature.
“We had a bunch of different panels so that we could ask questions of all the parties and see where their views differed,” said Zankl.
“We had four hours in the legislature where it was just us and we got to debate within the house so that was really cool.”
Zankl said there was no one thing that stood out as the best, because it was such a great experience. He said though, if he would have to pick, it would probably be listening to the panels, because it interested him how, in Alberta, there can be a group of people that vary so much and that it really opened his eyes.
The students also got to sit in on a question period, which got a little rowdy when the leader of the liberals posed a question to the conservatives. Zankl said he is glad Mr. Pirie recommended he go, because he doesn’t think he would have otherwise.
“After going I would definitely recommend it to anybody, it was an awesome experience,” said Zankl.
“It’s definitely something I would recommend to people even if they’re not gung ho for politics. It’s a really good learning opportunity and you meet a lot of really cool people, especially the people who go with you.”
He said he had considered himself fairly knowledgeable about politics and the government but still learned quite a bit.
“I didn’t quite understand how the minority parties within the house worked. Like how so few people can get quite a bit done, so that was sort of an eye opener, but they do. Even though they don’t have much power, they still have quite a bit,” said Zankl.
“I like to keep track of it because it affects our lives so much yet people don’t quite realize that. I think it’s important to get involved because if you don’t vote, and you aren’t happy with what’s being done, its sort of your own fault right. Getting involved is the biggest thing.”
Zankl recommended interested people should go to the website www.youngalbertans.com and find out more about what is offered. Registration is available online and the next forum will be next spring. Interested people don’t have to necessarily be recommended by a teacher, they can apply on their own to attend.