The Learning Partnership Blog

The Ultimate Dream Job Contest Winner: Jacob's Final Blog Post

Jacob is the winner of  Take Our Kids to Work^TM's 2010 Ultimate Dream Job Contest. The contest ran from Aug 29th to Oct 25th. 

What an amazing experience. Winning the Ultimate Dream Job Contest was such a surreal moment, and it all went by so fast! I want to thank all of my friends and family for supporting me, and voting for me to help me win this contest. I would really like to thank my parents for encouraging me to persue my dreams which lead me to submit my photo in to the contest. I would also like to thank all of the people who made my trip to Ottawa so exciting and welcoming; first the Honorable Andrew Scheer the Speaker of the House of Commons, Roger Cuzner, the Member of Parliament for my area, and of course the Governor General His Excellency the Right Honorable David Johnston. Finally I would like to thank all of the people at The Learning Partnership who worked really hard to give me this fantastic experience.

Winning the Dream Job Contest was life changing! I am excited for my future, and to keep perusing my dream of becoming a musician. I will never forget this experience!

- Jacob

To receive information on the 2012 contest, please send an email to info@thelearningpartnership.ca.

An Inspiring Afternoon

Jacob is the winner of  Take Our Kids to Work^TM's 2010 Ultimate Dream Job Contest. The contest ran from Aug 29th to Oct 25th. 

An inspiring afternoon in Question Period

We just attended Question Period.  Our local member of parliament, Rodger Cuzner (MP for Cape Breton – Canso), made an announcement about the Ultimate Dream Job Contest and that I had won.  It was humbling to be recognized in the same company as five active military personnel and one World War Two veteran, who were also recognized in the House of Commons during Question Period.  This was truly inspiring.

Tomorrow we will be visiting a few more Ottawa attractions to finish the experience.

I will post my final blog tomorrow. 

- Jacob

To receive information on the 2012 contest, please send an email to info@thelearningpartnership.ca.

 

What a Day in Ottawa!

 Jacob is the winner of  Take Our Kids to Work^TM's 2010 Ultimate Dream Job Contest. The contest ran from Aug 29th to Oct 25th. 

This morning was incredible.

We started at the Canadian War Museum. There was so much to see and it was overwhelming – I could have spent a week ther learning about our history.

We went to His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, at the governor general’s residence. We were greeted by his exceptional staff, and given a private tour. The room that stood out most for me was the tent room.  

During my meeting with the governor general, we talked about the Ultimate Dream Job Contest and hockey. I was made to feel at home and very welcome. This is something that I will never forget.

We then rushed to Parliament Hill, where we were hosted by our local member of parliament, the Honourable Rodger Cuzner. He’s the MP for Cape Breton - Canso. Meeting him was like having a piece of home right here in Ottawa. We’re now off to Question Period and then meet with the House of Commons Speaker, the Honourable Andrew Scheer.

More later

- Jacob

To receive information on the 2012 contest, please send an email to info@thelearningpartnership.ca.

 

The Ultimate Dream Job Contest Grand Prize winner blog

Jacob is the winner of  Take Our Kids to Work^TM's 2010 Ultimate Dream Job Contest. The contest ran from Aug 29th to Oct 25th. 

Arrival to Ottawa

 I arrived to Ottawa just after 6 last night.  We quickly checked in at The Lord Elgin and walked to have dinner at The Black Tomatoe.  Ottawa seems so big compared to Guysborough – I am looking forward to seeing more of the city tomorrow.

On the way home we passed the National War Memorial.  As my father and I stood at the foot of the memorial it made me feel proud of my family and of everything that the monument means.  We see this every year on television but it is different when you are standing right in front of it. 

I am looking forward to the rest of my trip.

- Jacob 

To receive information on the 2012 contest, please send an email to info@thelearningpartnership.ca.

Winning the experience of a lifetime!!

Take Our Kids to Work is an annual, national program in which grade 9 students are hosted by parents, relatives and volunteers at workplaces across the country. The program supports career development by helping students connect school, the world of work and their own futures.  The national online Ultimate Dream Job Contest, an extension of Take our Kids to Work™ day, begins at the end of August. It offers grade nine students the opportunity to submit a photo and brief description of their dream job for a chance of winning a trip to Ottawa to meet the speaker of the House of Commons. Weekly prizes are awarded to three entries with the most votes from website visitors. The top finisher each week is eligible to advance to the finalist gallery and have a chance of winning the trip to Ottawa.

 
One of the most wonderful experiences that I’ve had in my life was going to Ottawa to visit the Prime Minister of Canada and seeing some of the attractions this nation’s capital has to offer. This trip was the grand prize for winning The Learning Partnership's Take our Kids to Work™ Ultimate Dream Job Contest.

Being in Ottawa on November 3, 2010, gave me the opportunity  to meet  Prime Minister Stephen Harper at his personal residence, ride with him in his bullet-proof limousine and receive a private tour of his parliamentary office. I was permitted to sit at his desk and govern the country, if only for a few seconds. Next I met the Honourable Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons, and enjoyed a private tour of his office. In the afternoon I dined with Greg Kerr, MP for Southwestern Nova Scotia in the Parliament Hill dinner hall. In addition, I had the opportunity to meet with Matthew Betts, a renowned archaeologist who inspired me even more to want to follow my dream. I also had the opportunity to visit some historical and educational sites such as the Parliament Buildings, The Royal Canadian Mint and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. When I won this prize I was really excited, but being in Ottawa with all the attention from the media was really overwhelming. I even had the opportunity to be interviewed on Power Play – a CBC news program on Parliament Hill. All these activities are something that I will remember the rest of my life.

Walking through the Ottawa airport, I was thrilled to have seen my picture and article in the Ottawa Citizen.

Melanie R – 2011 Ultimate Dream Job Contest Winner

To receive information about the Take Our Kids to Work  program, please visit The Learning Partnership website or send an email to Amany Tadros at atadros@thelearningpartership.ca .

Melanie's Diary Entry #4 - Take Our Kids to Work Day 2010

Melanie is the winner of  Take Our Kids to Work^TM's 2010 Ultimate Dream Job Contest (http://ow.ly/2ZZyd). The contest ran from Aug 16 to Oct 24. 

Last Morning in Ottawa

I stayed up late last night watching television in amazement. Seeing myself on television was great. I also saw news clippings from across the country. 

I want to thank everyone who helped me win this trip, especially my friends and family who supported my campaign.  A special thanks to The Learning Partnership, Scotiabank and Jackie for the time she dedicated to my mother and me on this trip. 

This has truly been an incredible experience. People recognized me from the news at the hotel and on Parliament Hill.

Thank you for making my Take Our Kids to Work day a lasting memory.

Melanie Lynn Renn

To receive information on the 2011 contest, please send an email to info@thelearningpartnership.ca.

Melanie's Diary Entry #3 - Take Our Kids to Work Day 2010

Melanie is the winner of  Take Our Kids to Work^TM's 2010 Ultimate Dream Job Contest (http://ow.ly/2ZZyd). The contest ran from Aug 16 to Oct 24. 

Museum of Civilization

At the museum we met Dr. Mathew Betts who, by the way, is also a twin.  He took us to see the vault of artifacts and he showed us samples of his work. You will see from the photos that mom and I were both very interested in the objects that he was sharing with us. Seeing his passion for his work and the kinds of things he is able to do made me want to become an archeologist even more.  Can this day get any better?

Next stop: Royal Canadian Mint

This was a surprise stop – it was so interesting.  We were received by Ian Bennett, President of the Royal Canadian Mint, and James Love and Kirk MacRae, board members of the Royal Canadian Mint. I was very surprised when they gave me a gift of collectable coins. There is a picture of me trying to lift a gold bar.  I was not successful in lifting the bar or putting it in my pocket to go home… only joking!  It was a wonderful experience.

 

Parliament Hill

We met The Hon. Greg Kerr for Lunch in the Parliamentary Dining room. He gave me a certificate with an official stamp.  I was honoured to be recognized by someone from home.  Our lunch was filled with conversation about Nova Scotia and the people and places we knew in common. 

 
 Next stop… Question Period

Question Period started with an announcement about winning the contest by The Hon. Greg Kerr, followed by Jackie and my mother clapping and being told that we were not allowed to clap from the Gallery.  Both the Prime Minister and The Hon. Greg Kerr acknowledged me from the floor – I am so grateful for this honour and acknowledgement. It means more they will know.

The Grand Prize Meeting

We met with Peter Milliken in his offices after Question Period.  It was great to see him doing his job and then meet him seconds after we saw him leave the room on television.  He is a very nice man and has a great sense of humour.  His job has taken him to places all over the world and this showed me yet another career path that one can take.  He started on this path with an interest in Parliament back in grade seven.  It showed me that it is never too early to dream about your dream job.  If you work hard, you can achieve what you want – I have met so many people on this trip who are living their dream jobs and it is inspiring to me.

We took a much-needed break at the hotel and added some layers of clothing because it was starting to get colder in Ottawa.

 

Power Play

The final activity today was an interview on Power Play at Parliament Hill.  I was interviewed about The Ultimate Dream Job Contest. There was so much activity in the hall, I did not understand how people could concentrate on their jobs with all of these television shows being filmed in the hall at once. They were all so focused and were able to do their jobs in what seemed like chaos. At the same time, I received special attention which included a make-up artist who prepared me to go in front of the camera. 

 



We are going out for dinner.  I will send my next journal entry tomorrow before we leave for Nova Scotia.

To receive information on the 2011 contest, please send an email to info@thelearningpartnership.ca.

Melanie's Diary Entry #2 - Take Our Kids to Work Day 2010

Melanie is the winner of  Take Our Kids to Work^TM's 2010 Ultimate Dream Job Contest (http://ow.ly/2ZZyd). The contest ran from Aug 16 to Oct 24. 

I just finished Meeting with the Prime Minister.  We started at his home this morning. I was able to look at his instruments and talk about my music.  

Meeting the Prime Minister at his Ottawa residence 24 Sussex

Presenting the Prime Minister with the Contest Winning photo

When we left the Prime Minister's home, we got into his limousine and drove to Parliament Hill.  He asked me questions about my music and all of the activities at home, as well as the contest.  I gave him a CD with the song that my sister and I wrote about Pollution called "Why should we care". I was happy that I could share this with him.

Waving to the Media, Photograph by: Chris Wattie, Reuters

Departing 24 Sussex

Getting in the Prime Minister's Motorcade

We arrived to work at 8:15 and walked through long hallways to his office.  We stopped at the House of Commons where The Prime Minister explained where everyone is seated and he showed us where we would be sitting this afternoon during Question Period.

In the House of Commons Chamber

 

At the Prime Minister's desk on Parliament Hill

Two years ago, the Prime Minister visited my family in Yarmouth and he signed pictures that I brought with me today.

I was surprised to see so many students attending work with their parents.  I thought that it would be restricted; it is just like being at home.

I was so nervous this morning and after meeting the Prime Minister, he made me feel comfortable and I found out that we share many of the same interests.  It is great to see that the person in charge of our country has an important job but is just like me. I had a great experience this morning and it is just 9am!

We are now waiting at the Museum of Civilization to meet an archeologist and take a tour. On the way here, the taxi driver let us know that he drove the cameraman to take pictures of us leaving the PM's home - it was like we were famous for a while!!

More later.

To receive information on the 2011 contest, please send an email to info@thelearningpartnership.ca.

Melanie's Diary Entry #1 - Take Our Kids to Work Day 2010

Melanie is the winner of  Take Our Kids to Work^TM's 2010 Ultimate Dream Job Contest (http://ow.ly/2ZZyd). The contest ran from Aug 16 to Oct 24. 

The day started with an 8am departure from Yarmouth to Halifax.  We arrived in Ottawa at 5:30pm.  We saw the city and our taxi driver/tour guide gave us a quick lesson about the Rideau Canal. We checked into the Lord Elgin Hotel and then went for dinner at Vittoria Trattoria.

After dinner, we did a quick tour of the monuments surrounding the Market, many of which we will be visiting tomorrow.

I am very excited to meet the Prime Minister and The Speaker of the House tomorrow.  There are many activities planned. I will update you later with stories and pictures.

Tune in tomorrow!

To receive information on the 2011 contest, please send an email to info@thelearningpartnership.ca.