Oak Bay High graduate lands coveted role in House of Commons

Oak Bay High graduate Naomi Kixmöller-Gosley lands a coveted spot as a page in the House of Commons this fall.

The Page Program, which selects 40 students each year from high school graduating classes across Canada, provides chosen students with an opportunity to spend a year immersed in Canada’s political system.

“Only 40 students get offers - it’s just fantastic,” said Oak Bay High teacher Scott Alexander speaking of Naomi’s selection.

Pages are full-time students at Ottawa universities and work on a part-time basis during their first year of study, taking on a range of tasks directly related to Chamber activities.

This year, Naomi will head to Ottawa to begin a management degree at Ottawa University, spending up to 15 hours a week on Parliament Hill.

“I think it is a great opportunity and I’ll learn a lot about the political system in our country, which I think is so important,” said Naomi. “I want to be a more active citizen of Canada.”

Naomi’s brother Jeromi encouraged her to apply after he completed the program three years ago.

“He loved it and it led him to a lot of great opportunities afterwards,” said Naomi.

After a trip to Ottawa to visit her brother, tour the House of Commons, and talk with other pages, Naomi was convinced.

The position requires fluency in French, which she mastered in the first eight years of her life having been born in Quebec and having lived there for her early years.

Her parents – Puppeteer Tim Gosley of Muppet fame and actor Petra Kixmöller – then moved the family to Victoria where Naomi went to Margaret Jenkins, Central, and Oak Bay High.

She grew up surrounded by the arts which has instilled in her a love and appreciation for them, but as a career she wanted to do something different. Though politics is not her end career goal, she is excited about what the page opportunity will bring to her pursuit of a career in management.

“I was also accepted into McGill, which was originally my number one choice. I’d like to study there but if I really enjoy Ottawa and it sticks, I’ll stay there,” said Naomi.

This past school year has shown her a lot about her capabilities and growth.

“It was a hard year. I set really high expectations for myself so it was a lot of feeling like I wasn’t going to get there. But I got there,” said Naomi. “It is a little surreal that it is done and I got through it successfully. It has shown that if you work hard and you put your mind to it, you’ll get to where you need to be.”

Naomi is full of appreciation for those that support her hard work and aspirations.

“Mr. Alexander helped me tremendously. The way he cares about the success of students amazes me,” she said. “I’m so thankful for his help and my brother’s support. My parents are very proud.”

keri.coles@oakbaynews.com