The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

‘As prime minister, I would hannon Puddister wants to right Sthe political wrongs he‘s observed in Canadian government. And his first step in doing so was being selected as one of 50 semiâ€"finalâ€" ists in Magna International‘s 2002 As Prime Minister Awards. His challenge was to write a 2,500â€" word essay answering the question: "If you were the prime minister of Canaâ€" da, what political vision would you offer to improve our living standards and ensure a secure and prosperous global community?" 11)h‘ â€" Waterloo student named semiâ€"finalist in prime ministerial advice awards competition Semiâ€"finalists will gather in Toronto next week to compete for the chance to be in a group of 11 finalists, from which a national winner will be choâ€" u a a Ask for details WATERLOO NORTH Nonhfi?_lfl ‘:!‘Im; Parkway Each of the finalists will be awarded $10,000 and offered a fourâ€"month internship with Magna International Inc., Canadian‘s largest supplier of automotive systems and components, valued at $15,000. The national winner will receive an additional $10,000 and an offer of a oneâ€"year internship with Magna Interâ€" national Inc., valued at $50,000. Puddister, a political enthusiast who is studying for his Masters degree in applied science in systems design engineering at the University of Waterâ€" loo, said he pondered the essay quesâ€" tion for about four years before putâ€" ting pen to paper. "I considered doing (essay) for awhile," he explained. "I knew I‘d kick myself if I didn‘t, so 1 thought I‘d step up and give it a whirl." The main challenge, however, was finding a way to present his ideas in a novel format that would catch the judges‘ attention. "At first I wanted to compare Canaâ€" dian society to a car," Puddister explained. "I was going to explain how all of the country‘s components together make it function, similar to the components of a car. "But last year‘s winner used the same kind of idea by comparing (sociâ€" ety} to a cell. I thought about it and figâ€" ured my idea wasn‘t all that original." Staying on the creative track, Pudâ€" dister instead wrote his essay as a retâ€" rospective letter, dating it June 5, 2017 and reminiscing about how the counâ€" try was run in 2002. He tackled four subject areas including intellectual capital, physical infrastructure, and national and interâ€" national leadership. But he chose to focus mainly on 21004 PalcallBll in Waterloo "FTamr 1 â€" 756â€"1666 By Anprea Baicey Chronicle Staff _ %o FINANCING www waterioomazda.com Canada‘s environmental policies, specifically the KYOTO Protacal. "Frankly, Canada‘s environmental policies suck," he said. "(Government) is really dragging its heels and ratifying certain policies. It‘s like they put their word on the line and then want to take it back. "And the thing is if they don‘t do something about it now, there‘s only going to be more serious problems in the future." Puddister also said Canada should put its multiâ€"cultural resources to betâ€" ter use "There‘s legitimate concern Canada‘s not doing all it could be doing, especially in the face of terrorâ€" ism," he said. "And we should definitely be more scathing of the United States." Puddister hopes to one day use the experience of this contest as a springâ€" board into the world of politics. After earning his Masters degree, he plans to attend law school. From there, he said he may work toward a role with the International Criminal Court system or national forâ€" eign affairs. LIFESTYLE "I tend to beat my own drum, and enjoy involving myself in things where I know I can make a difference," he said. "And to me, the sky‘s the limit. 1 like to aim high." â€" Puddister said in writing the essay, he‘s learned more about himself. "I was forced to look at things I thought I believed in and gain a greater understanding of them," he said. _ "I can‘t wait to look back on this essay in five years to see if those beliefs are still the same, and analyze them if they‘ve changed." In the meantime, Puddister is workâ€" ing on his essay‘s defense, which he will soon present to a panel of judges made up of wellâ€"known Canadians like Majorâ€"General Richard Rohmer; Joan Crockatt, producer and editorial conâ€" sultant for Global Sunday; and TV jourâ€" nalist Arlene Bynon. But the writer said he‘s up to the task. "Your ideas are only as good as the criticism they‘re put to," he said. "And I‘m sure I‘ll come out of the experience with even better ideas than I had before." HRONICLE | Epilepsy Waterloo Wellington is hosting two chilâ€" dren‘s events this summer to bring together kids whose lives have been affected by epilepsy. Often children feel that they are alone in their batâ€" tle with epilepsy, and that no one can understand their struggle. â€" 0 â€" â€" Epilepsy Waterloo Wellington wants to show them they are not alone by holding a special event called "Just 4 Kids" at Calvary Memorial United Church, 91 Gruhn St. in Kitchener. The first event is Aug. 7, from 6 â€"7:30 p.m., for kids aged four to six . A second event will be held Aug. 14, from 6:30 â€" 8 p.m., for kids aged seven to 10. For more information or to register call 745â€"2112. Epilepsy association hosts children‘s events Doon Heritage Crossroads looks at games and toys of the early 1900s Remember when playtime was a little less organâ€" ized and a lot more fun than all of the modern disâ€" tractions? Doon Heritage Crossroads remembers those times, and the living history museum will be hosting a special day called Playtimes and Pastimes Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children of all ages are invited to come out and have an active look at games, toys and fun from the turn of the last century. Visitors will explore the life of a child in 1914 with a particular emphasis on fun and leisure time. Participants will be able to experience firstâ€"hand many of these turnâ€"ofâ€"theâ€"century activities. In addiâ€" tion to games, there will be lots of handâ€"on activities to round out this family day. For more information, call Doon Heritage Crossâ€" roads at 748â€"1914. Regular admission applies. Dogerloo of Waterloo Region is hosting its first ever fundraising event, in support of the group‘s leashâ€"free dog park initiatives. . _ _ Hot Dogs ‘N‘ Cool Dips will take place Aug. 11 from 1â€"5 p.m. at the Wag ‘N‘ Run Farm, just off Trussler Road outside Kitchener. A funâ€"filled day for dogs and their owners, events will include an agility relay race, bobbing for wieners (dogs, not humans}, musical mats, search and eat, water balloons, dog walking races, recall races and a mystery activity. Prizes and ribbons will be awarded for each event. Dogs can also swim in a springâ€"fed pond, while owners enjoy a barbecue and refreshments. For more information call 725â€"8969, eâ€"mail dogerloo@golden.net, or visit www.dogerloo.com. The cost to attend is $10 per person or $15 per family. Dogs under 15 are free. Dogerloo to raise funds with funâ€"filled day at Wag ‘N‘ Run Farm s "eoaaite. timc â€"$19.772.1127 Poseit, Wollgaper & Hiove!