An Okotoks leader of tomorrow got a inside look at her current career choice last week.

16-year-old Ella Rausch had the opportunity to travel to the Legislature in Edmonton, to become MLA for a day, spending three days learning about the world of politics.

MLA for a Day gives Alberta high school students an opportunity to find out what it means to be involved in provincial politics, learning about the role of MLAs and getting first hand experience on dealing with provincial issues.

Rausch says the trip was a great educational experience for her, not only did she learn about politics, but she also got to participate in them as well.

"We were able to have tours of the Legislature and the MLA offices. We watched a question period, which is a lot more interested than people think it is, it gets really heated. The highlight of it all was our debate, it was about post-secondary funding. We were given research material, and prep time, and it got really heated. The speaker had to tell us to calm down a few times just because everyone was so into it."

Rausch shares she hopes to pursue a political career in the future, and feels MLA for a Day was a good stepping stone.

"I really enjoy politics because it affects everyone, it's a daily thing that everyone can be involved in, so going to this and learning that there's actually more than just being an MLA or prime minister, like secretaries and assistants that was really nice to know. Knowing that I could start getting involved in politics, and start my career now as a youth was really neat."

She says being involved and around other youth who also had an interest and desire to learn and participate in politics made the experience that much better, adding how eye opening it was to see how anyone could be a politician if they wanted.

"Elected officials are just normal people who represent us, and I think that's amazing. It's not some crazy far out thing, anyone can really be a politician."

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