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by JENNY MONROE
 TWO
local school pupils have been treated to a VIP trip to Stormont
by Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson.
Stephanie Clokey from Wallace High and Ben
Finlay from Riverdale Primary won the opportunity to visit
Stormont to experience what it is like to be an MLA after
entering a competition to help provide names for the new Lagan
Valley website for school age children who wish to know more
about politics and give their views on issues in their areas.
The pair listened as Professor 0lle
Johannsson spoke about Wi-Fi in School and watched the
presentation being recorded for a documentary.
They met the Professor, radio personality
Ronan Kelly and attending MLAs to get photos and autographs.
A guided tour of the building was next on the
list with both having the chance to sit in the First Minister's
seat in the Assembly Chamber.
Mr Donaldson joined his guests for lunch in
the members dining room and onto the Junior Minister's Office to
discuss local issues that interested them.
"For Ben this included a skate park for
Lisburn and for Stephanie how she felt the council should tackle
the problems of litter.
Ben and Stephanie also had a chance to speak to
the First Minister Peter Robinson. Stephanie said: "My visit was
a very special day. My favourite parts were the tour around
Stormont, seeing the Assembly Chambers and hearing the story
about painting the building with a mixture of
tar and manure to make it blend in with the ground so it would
not get bombed in the war time."
Ben commented: "The best part of my day was
probably meeting all the MLA'S and the guided tour of the
building."
Also as part of the prize Riverdale and
Ballycarrickmaddy Primary (Stephanie's school at time of
competition) each received 1000 tesco computer for schools
vouchers, sponsored by Tesco.
jenny.monroe@jpress.co.uk Ulster Star
26/12/2008
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