What a great opportunity! Fourteen year old, grade 9 student Chandler Blott from Claresholm, Alberta, won an online contest to job shadow Prime Minister Harper for this years “Take Our Kids to Work Day.”
Deaf since the age of three, Chandler wants to be a visual artist, specifically a “manga comic artist.” And, as a former art teacher and visual artist myself back early in my teaching career, I can confirm it is a very commendable aspiration. Particularly since finding a job as an illustrator, comic or otherwise, that pays enough to be self-supporing are few and far between. However, Chandler’s idea of trying to win the contest in order to publicize her work shows she has just the entreneurial spirit needed.
So, Chandler, if you read this, let me encourage you to hold on to your dream because you have what it takes to succeed at whatever you want to do. Well done!
Sources: Althia Raj — Sun Media – Student signs off on PM meeting and Google results for all the news related to Chandler Blott.
Filed under: Chandler Blott, PM Stephen Harper, Student Issues, Visual Art | Tagged: Chandler Blott
As the PM’s wife Laureen is a graphic artist, I’m sure that she enjoyed a double whammy of job following in that home.
This is such a feel good story and I was smiling broadly when her Mom translated that her favorite part of QP was the Conservative MP’s said “HELLO” in sign language with their Olympic mittens.
Of course, count on the ‘cranky ones’ to imply mischief, when indeed it was simply an insignificant but enjoyable break from stuffy protocol.
Lucky Chandler!
I don’t recall anyone really much of Trudeau’s eyes, at least as far as colour went but much has been said about Harper’s icy blue…
Mac — At the height of Trudeaumania, I shook hands with PET in 1968 at a rally in Ottawa. If anyone had “icy blue eyes,” or “piercing blue eyes,” it was him. It was like he was looking right through you. Mr. Harper’s eyes, on the other hand, are “smiling blue” — not “icy” regardless of what some media folks say.
again thank you Sandy
Tom Clark on power play was trying to get mileage about
conservatives wearing red mittens
I detected a very red face when Chandler Blott’s mother explained how thrilled Chandler was to have the members of parliament wave Hello in sign language
wearing the red mittens
fh
OT, but another shooting in the US, this time a 16 story bldg in Orlando. 2 confirmed dead, 8 injured, police still trying to find the guy.
Thanks fh and Mary T — Always seems to be copycats murders after a well-publicized event. I have been trying to take some time off as the earlier part of the week was very busy trying to keep up. This Olympic torch brouhaha was just over the top so I have ignored it — not wanting to encourage the Liberals or the media for such a non-story.
I am pleased to hear what Chandler’s mother said about the gov’t caucus “signing” with their mittens. Cool!
I was also impressed with the achievements of this girl, as I am of any deaf person getting attention. One reason I do watch QP is for the signing, helps keep up my basic skills. I wonder if Bennett and others realize what they say when they are flinging their arms and hands.
The reason I will continue to watch Power Play is that I like to be able to hear the members speak
correction I actually listened just now and Chandler’s Mom said their signing with the red mittens(support for Canadian Olympic team) meant applause for the guests in the gallery I believe I read somewhere that it meant Hello
just keeping it real
fh
fh — Maybe Mary T. can correct me but I don’t think sign language is a direct translation — more of ideas and thoughts that can mean slightly different things in different circumstances.
When translating sign (ASL) not every word is signed.
You might say, I am going to town, and it could be signed, to town I go.
Facial expression is very important in getting your message across, along with the hands. The theme of the conversation, question or answered is signed. Names are usually spelled. Think of the hand strain that signer in QP gets if she would have to sign every word Bennett or Holland says.
Me, I would take a short cut and just sign BS whenever a lib got up.
American Sign Language is the official language of the deaf, and in all schools in AB, from Hansard.
One of my signing instructors at signing course had been working in a diplomatic post in Germany. Numerous kids from many countries in her school class, and no one could understand anyone. She taught them all sign and they all learned each others language, thru sign.
Thanks Mary T. That is what I thought. I learned a little in one course I took, but not enough to be proficient.
I am surprised though that Chandler cannot speak as she was three when she lost her hearing — meaning she would have had basic English language skills. I suspect it is a personal choice — which many hearing impaired make.
“I suspect it is a personal choice ”
Indeed. My sister-in-law, didn’t loose hers entirely but 80+% and will ONLY speak and read lips.