When I first met Riley at a political meeting, she was there with her father.
She was the only 10-year-old in the room.
When I talked to her, she told me she was there because she has a keen interest in politics. I decided this was a person worth listening to.
Riley was born in April 2007 to Fritz and Krystal Wyssen. She has a brother, Korban, who is three years older.
She is now working on her Grade 5 studies at home and enjoys it when other students are not around so she can focus. Her favourite subjects are English grammar and science. She loves to write and reads voraciously.
Now read all the other activities Riley is involved with.
First she has a job at the concession at the Bingo Hall.
Her interest in politics last spring led her to interview all the MLA candidates. Her favourite won!
She is involved in BPSA Scouting and has studied survival skills and knows how to read a compass and tell time by an analog clock.
She is a long time member of the Metis Youth Jiggers.
Riley is the youngest member of the Dragon Lake Women’s Institute.
She also volunteers at the Quesnel Literacy Office and store.
Riley is a giving person and she loves to visit people with her dad. She is always up-to-date with what is happening in Quesnel and she wants to make changes when she sees needs that aren’t being met in our city.
Riley says she feels that she is happy in her life and is honest and loyal to family and friends. She studies hard and works hard in all she does to help the community.
I can see her family has influenced her life in a positive way and they love to have family meetings to share their concerns or new ideas.
She introduced me to “graphic novels,” which she loves.
Her favourite author is James Patterson who writes about a child in “middle school.”
Riley is only at the elementary level, but I know she is advancing greatly and she is a very special child. I can see her as a leader in Quesnel within the next 10 years!
Marian Gillard is a community supporter and regular Observer columnist.