Chandler Blott was granted what many covet but few are awarded — one-on-one time with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. (ALTHIA RAJ/SUN MEDIA)

OTTAWA – Chandler Blott was granted what many covet but few are awarded — one-on-one time with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Blott, who is deaf, won a photo contest on the Internet. The 14-year-old from Claresholm, Alta.’s prize was a trip to Ottawa and a chance to job-shadow Harper.

Early Wednesday, Blott met the Harpers at 24 Sussex Dr. where she played with their cat Gypsy and presented them with pictures she drew of Parliament’s Peace Tower. Then Blott rode with Harper in his private motorcade to Parliament Hill.

The prime minister communicated with her using a pen and note pad during the short ride to his office.

“He was a good tour guide,” she signed.

He pointed out famous buildings, but she was nervous and barely responded other than saying “nice, interesting, good.”

Speaking through her mother, Vanessa, Blott said she entered the contest not because she is interested in politics or meeting Harper, but because she wanted people to see her artwork online and validate her goal of becoming an artist.

“Drawing is a way for her to communicate because most people don’t sign and she is not able to talk,” Vanessa said.

Blott has been deaf since the age of three. Her mother said it happened very quickly and they don’t know why.

The Grade 9 student wants to become a manga comic artist — a type of Japanese cartoon, her mother explained.

Blott spent part of the day with Harper and attended question period — which she found a “bit boring.”

Ironically, her great uncle is Conservative MP Ted Menzies. But there was no prize fixing, her mother assured.

Blott said what impressed her most from her visit with Harper was the prime minister’s blue eyes.

“They are so beautiful, they can’t be real,” she signed.

althia.raj@sunmedia.ca