Me as part of the Ontario Legislative Page program

This is an essay I wrote that got me into the Ontario Legislative Page Program: May it help you do the same.

I am a student in Grade 7 at the Toronto French School and my name is Farhan Nigil Haroon. I am an individual who values leadership, effective communication and community engagement. Through this essay I aim to showcase my skills and experiences that make me a strong candidate for the Ontario Legislative program. Among the many reasons why I stand out in the crowd, I will start with my proficiency with languages. I have fluency in three languages: English, French and Malayalam. Additionally, I am learning German and Spanish. The ability to connect with people from different countries around the world has not only allowed me to build meaningful relationships but has also deepened my understanding and respect for different cultures and perspectives. In a society like the one in Ontario, being able to communicate across languages is essential and I am confident in my ability to bridge any language barriers.
Leadership opportunities have played a prominent role in shaping who I am today. I have honed my leadership skills through multiple growth avenues. For instance, attending debate camps has taught me the art of persuasion and critical thinking. Furthermore, participating in Apollo leadership classes has equipped me with tools including public speaking, to inspire others effectively, while fostering teamwork and collaboration. Owing to my skills I was elected class representative, and I have worked with the principal of my school to improve the offerings for our students and promoting equity.
I enjoy expressing my creativity through art installations as they allow me to communicate messages and evoke emotions using different mediums. Additionally, I’ve had the chance to organize two fundraising events in Ontario and Michigan, inspired by a concept called ‘thattukada’. Thattukadas are small shops that sell tea and various other drinks as well as snacks like chips or other Indian snacks, throughout the state of Kerala. The thattukadas became a focal point for contact between generations. Not only did this initiative successfully raise more than $1000 for charity, but it also attracted clients who were interested in booking it for their own events. The ability to combine creativity with a cause brings me fulfillment.
I have achieved skills in Taekwondo, Bollywood dance and possess a strong passion for soccer, badminton and volleyball. They have not only kept me active but have also instilled important values such as discipline, teamwork and perseverance. I am taking the black belt test in the next season for Taekwondo. I have performed with my dance group on stage and play defence in my class soccer team. Learning the piano has deepened my appreciation for the arts and has emphasized the significance of dedication when mastering skills. 
I am particularly proud of winning an environment challenge with my class, where we had to find the best ways to conserve energy in our houses. This valuable experience taught me about how and why we should protect the environment, and different environmental technologies that could be used to help reduce global warming.
Entrepreneurship is another area where I have made progress. I have launched two start-ups. I am currently running a business focused on soy candles and decorations called Dexed. I have developed and sold various websites, posters and videos through another start-up called Lazy Tech that I started with 2 friends. These experiences have sharpened my business acumen while fostering a sense of responsibility and resourcefulness.
Beyond these pursuits I actively engage with the community through leading a youth program called AKMG kids club, for children of immigrant families. In this role I act as a mentor, and organize activities for the kids, as well as fundraise. I genuinely care about the well-being of others which is why I make a point of following community and global events. You can see evidence of my passion and my writing skills on my blog, which can be accessed at https://farhanharoon.com (https://farhanharoon.com/). Alongside these achievements, my strong academic abilities form a well-rounded foundation for my aspirations.
In summary, as a Grade 7 student my journey is characterized by a combination of skills, experiences, academic excellence and deep commitment to leadership and community involvement. I strongly believe that participating in the Ontario Legislative Page Program would offer me an opportunity to further develop and apply my skills for the betterment of our community. I am excited to contribute to the process, learn from leaders, understand our governance structure better and make a positive impact on Ontario’s future. 

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