Student Profiles MRU Class of 2024

PROFILES

MRU Journalism Class of 2024

PROFILES • Fall 2020 1

Abby Parker

“I feel like 2020 is the year of keeping your fingers crossed.”

by Brit Duval

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hen Abby Parker enrolled at Mount Royal University, she pictured leaving Buck Lake, Alta. (B) to pursue her dreams in the city. However, with a global pandemic, (C) she has instead found herself learning online and teaching dance lessons to kids in her hometown.

Growing up in a small hamlet, Parker attended Buck Mountain Central, a school with a student population of only 160.

Starting Hip Hop when she was just 12 years old, Parker spent her free time at surrounding lakes with friends, all while balancing school work and dance five days a week.

“It was mostly just pulling all-nighters, trying to do homework because I would never have time after school to do homework.”

With dreams of leaving the small rural farming town, she started attending open houses nearly three years ago before settling on Mount Royal University.

“I’ve always been interested in writing and I think I just kind of romanticized journalists that I saw on TV or in movies. I always wanted to be that main character.”

It’s her love for culture and travel that ultimately led her to pursue a degree in journalism.

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And while any travel plans will have to be postponed, Parker has goals of one day taking her writing to places like Sweden and Iceland.

“I just want to travel a little bit, learn about different cultures, write about those cultures and just build myself as a person in the process,” Parker explains.

“Mount Royal just always stood out to me as the best option, so, I’m here.”

But “here” isn’t in Calgary, studying in residence where she initially expected to be.

It’s safe to say Parker’s dreams, at least for now, have been temporarily put on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She now finds herself studying online in her family’s home in Buck Lake.

“It’s definitely not what I wanted or expected out of my first year,” Parker says.

“It’s hard to separate your school life from your personal life.”

On top of studying from home, she still makes time for dance three times a week and teaches a hip-hop class to kids every Thursday.

With a “new norm”, the once-vibrant dance classes look a lot different than they used to, though.

“We actually have little squares taped on the floor and that’s what the kids stand in. I can’t help them tie their shoes anymore so most of them just stand in their socks.”

Parker tries to focus on the positives as much as she can and, even with all the new procedures, is just grateful she gets to be there to watch them while they dance.

“They’re just so free about it. They’re not thinking about what they look like in the mirror. They’re just moving their bodies because they want to, because it’s fun.”

Despite the year not being what she anticipated, Parker hopes that, like her dance students, she too will be able to return to a classroom setting.

“I feel like 2020 is the year of keeping your fingers crossed.”

Anjolie Therrien “I would like to be a social media ‘influencer’... Someone who is able to make a platform for people to broadcast their problems and make sure they don’t feel alone.”

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ike many, Anjolie Therrien struggled with school and the social dilemmas that came from it. But Therrien, a journalism student at Mount Royal University, wants to use her own challenges to make a difference for others by creating a social media platform so people can speak out about their own difficulties.

A graduate of William Aberhart school in Calgary, Therrien was a gifted writer and would use her writing as an outlet to convey her personal feelings.

Writing “is where I let my emotions out,” she says. “Writing about something dark is much easier than to talk about it with others.”

Her favourite class in high school was English class, which she used to further her creative writing skills.

“I felt like I knew more than the other kids in that class and was in more control over everything,” she says. “Whenever I write, people always told me how good it was and that it doesn’t sound like it came from me.”

Outside of classes, Therrien had a very rough go at high school. She says that she got in with the wrong group of people and her relationships suffered because of it.

“There wasn’t a lot of drama, but everyone thought that they should know everyone’s business. I dated a boy for about two years in high school and when we broke up things kind of got crazy. I even had to switch friend groups eventually and that kind of thing is difficult for anyone.”

by Korbin Endicott Therrien goes on to say that despite her personal relationships deteriorating in high school, she still found a solid friend group, ironically due to the pandemic.

“I discovered who my true friends were — who reached out during the lockdown and I actually hung out with them more than I probably would have if not for COVID-19,” she says. “Of course, we were socially distanced and hung out safely but it was nice to find a solid group of friends to do things with.”

Therrien felt like she had no one to turn to during her rough time in high school.

She wants to start a social media outlet for young adults just like her to vent about their problems and have their voices heard.

“I have had friends who have had family troubles…. Being able to have that platform would give me the ability to say, ‘You guys need to speak up when something is wrong.’

People have come up to me and talked to me about these problems they have and I wouldn’t know what to do,” she says.

“I would like to be a social media ‘influencer’ but not one who goes out and takes bikini pictures and posts them,” she says.

“Someone who is able to make a platform for people to broadcast their problems and make sure they don’t feel alone.”

Therrien hopes to create this outlet sooner rather than later. Her current plans are to focus on her studies at Mount Royal and once she graduates she will see where she goes from there.

PROFILES • Fall 2020 3

Anne Mayo

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nne Mayo’s passion for writing started at a young age, but it wasn’t until arriving at Mount Royal University that she considered journalism as a career option.

Mayo still remembers her first piece of successful fiction: a memoir about Daisy, her guinea pig. She was only in grade three, but entered the story in a competition hosted by her hometown paper, the Louisville Courier-Journal.

“I actually made it all the way up to the state level, and I think I won state runner-up!” she recalls.

As she progressed in school, Mayo wrote less. Her focus was on academics, but she could often be found with a creative writing project on the side — mostly fiction.

“I enjoy being able to create a world that I want, and be able to make the characters the way that I want, and give them all their flaws,” she explains.

At 16, Mayo and her family moved from Louisville to Calgary, and she began doing self-directed studies at Bishop Carroll High School.

When she graduated and enrolled at Mount Royal University, she expected to major in English or Psychology.

“I ended up taking an intro to psych course… but I didn’t find it as interesting as I thought I would,” Mayo says.

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“I like the idea that if I’m a journalist, I get to see people in a light that not very many people get to see them in.”

“But then I took a Communications course, which is also a requirement for journalism, and I found that I actually did pretty well in it and I found it pretty interesting.”

From there, Mayo made the step over to journalism — though it wasn’t just her love of writing that inspired the change.

“I like the idea that if I’m a journalist, I get to see people in a light that not very many people get to see them in,” she says.

“I think it’s just more being able to see people in a different light and asking them questions that not a lot of people would be able to ask them normally.”

While Mayo would love to use her journalistic skills to someday travel the world, her dream job would be digging for stories from long ago — literally.

“I’d really love to be a journalist that writes about archeological stuff,” says Mayo.

“Ever since I was younger, I’ve always been really interested in paleontology and archeology… So I figure, you know, if I can’t be a paleontologist, I can just write about it.”

Ashley Pfeifer A

shley Pfeifer has been working in optometry for six years, but now she’s looking forward to using her interest in writing and photography to pursue a career in journalism.

Pfeifer, who grew up in High River, Alta., got her start in optometry during a routine visit when she was 18. While talking with her optometrist, Pfeifer mentioned she was looking for work. On the spot, her optometrist offered her a position — an opportunity she’s used to progress from receptionist, to technician, to making lenses for glasses.

When she remembers her favourite parts of the work, Pfeifer thinks of the patients she’s helped along the way and the stories she’s been a part of. In particular, she remembers seeing the aftermath of a disagreement between a father and toddler.

“His son and him were colouring, and the dad decided he would help … and his son did not like it ... And he stabbed him in the eye,” said Pfeifer. “He lost about 50 per cent of his vision in his eye ... but he didn’t lose his eye, so it was pretty remarkable.”

Now, at 23 years old, Pfeifer still has those memories to look back on, but she hasn’t forgotten the drawbacks.

“I loved it when I was doing it,” Pfeifer said. “I like working with people, but I’m not really a ‘serving people’ kind of person …. I just want to find something new.”

That ‘something new’ came in the form of journalism, something that Pfeifer said was an easy choice to make.

“I always wanted a job that would let me [write] …. I definitely want to try and make a change in the world one day if I can, even if it’s small, even if I just change a few perspectives . . . so, journalism was kind of an obvious choice.”

by Ethan Chambers Now studying journalism at Calgary’s Mount Royal University, Pfeifer plans to use the skills she develops in university to become an author one day. She describes her writing as fun, and sometimes romantic, fantasy.

Of course, writing is only a portion of a journalist’s job. Pfeifer’s photography skills, which she started building at an early age, has helped her move into her studies more easily.

“Ever since I was young, I liked taking pictures of family moments,” Pfeifer said. “I’m always the one that says, ‘Hey guys, stop, we’ve got to take pictures.’”

Currently, Pfeifer’s expanding her subjects to include portraits and the occasional boudoir shoot. She says that her experiences in university will add to her abilities with the camera, and inform her choices of what to shoot and when.

Despite MRU’s transition to online learning and the stresses of being a first-year university student, Pfeifer is staying optimistic. She says that senior journalism students have put some of her worries at ease, letting her look forward to working in podcasts, or investigative journalism where her photography talents can shine.

To most people, the idea of a drastic change in career may seem daunting, and the idea of learning online in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic may seem discouraging. To Pfeifer, though, the enthusiasm for a change-up continues to move her forward, a feeling she described as directly as possible.

“I want to be my own boss,” Pfeifer said, laughing. “I’m 23, so I really don’t want to waste much more time.”

“I definitely want to try and make a change in the world one day if I can, even if it’s small, even if I just change a few perspectives.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 5

Brit Duval “The plan is just to learn, get a degree, go with the flow of life, and see where that takes me.”

W

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hen Brit Duval graduated high school early at 16, she moved from Winnipeg to Calgary and took on many different jobs.

But now, she is re-focusing on her dreams and getting a degree in journalism.

It was halfway through her grade nine semester when Duval realized she could graduate early. Her hometown of Winnipeg did not have enough to offer, and Duval jumped on the opportunity to broaden her horizons.

“It’s a very run-down city in my opinion.

You know, the people I grew up with are still friends and everyone is doing the same thing. So, growing up was pretty boring I’d say.”

On the day of her graduation, Duval packed up the truck and started fresh in Calgary with her partner at the time.

Duval’s first job was hostess at The Park Kitchen and Bar —a job she would keep for about six months before becoming a live-in nanny.

Once she finished as live-in nanny, Duval moved back to Winnipeg where she worked briefly at a restaurant and the post office.

Dying for a change, Duval took on a parttime office manager position at a promotional products company in Winnipeg. This position launched her into marketing and management positions across the country such as Studio Manager at Orangetheory Fitness, and Marketing Strategy Specialist

by Abby Parker for Great News Media.

Now, Duval writes thriller and romance stories as well as indie, rock, and country music— a hobby she did not realize she missed so much.

“Growing up, I always wrote poetry and songs. I think just moving around provinces so much I kind of forgot about those parts of me.”

After years of bouncing in-between provinces, Duval started to feel out of touch with her creativity. Once again, she was ready for a change. Her time spent living in Victoria, B.C., helped to put her priorities back in order.

“Being on the island you really have nothing going on, so I got to get in touch with that side of myself again.”

After reconnecting with her creative side, Duval decided to back up these passions with a degree in Journalism.

“It just kind of hit me that this is what I’ve been doing, so if I had a degree I could really make a good living for myself and learn about the things I want to learn about too,” Duval says That’s led to another big change in Duval’s life — this semester, with all of her classes online, she packed up and moved across the country to Toronto.

“The plan is just to learn, get a degree, go with the flow of life, and see where that takes me.”

Carter Read “I do really like writing. And, you know, journalism has a lot of storytelling.”

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spiring singer-songwriter, Carter Read shows a vulnerable side in his music, hoping to connect with others going through hard times. But a decision to attend Mount Royal University has Read realizing his lyrics are not the only way to share his creativity.

Read is no stranger to writing, at 13 years old Read learned he had an aptitude in music, as a hip hop artist and songwriter.

Although Read’s first choice was to study music production, he feared he’d be bored and he wanted to nurture his creative side.

That’s when he began exploring the idea of writing.

“I do really like writing. And, you know, journalism has a lot of storytelling,” he said.

Plus, he knows music will always be there if he changes his mind.

“Then, if I want to go back after, I can go do the music production thing,” he said.

“The reason that I started making more emotional stuff was totally just to get it out on paper. When I’m freaking out, I don’t know what to do. I’m just going to put this all down right now and put it all in this song.”

Read’s love of creative writing, and courage to release such vulnerable material paid off at a self-promoted live show he held, when a young woman who struggled with self-harm shared with him how listening to his music had been the reason she no longer felt alone in her battle with mental health and has since stopped harming herself.

“I was like that’s what it is all about, bro, I’ve made it,” Read said.

“I’ve got, like, 20,000 plays in the first

week and I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s crazy.’ I think it’s ‘cause it was so emotional and I’m not a very ... open emotional person, so when people like my friends heard that they were like, ‘Wow. Yeah, this kids a lot deeper than we thought.’”

Read felt his music was on the right track after that night and escalated his music production, with a new sound, on his upcoming album. And his academic path provides other methods to help others just to hear they are not as alone as they think.

Read has used his personal struggles and experiences as inspiration on his self-released albums. Songwriting became a healthy outlet for him, his music became a way of dealing with his own mental health while connecting with others who feel the same way. The positivity Read found through songwriting made it clear that journalism was a perfect fit.

“It was just, you know it’s being able to put stuff down on paper, right? I could communicate my ideas that’s kind of what drove me to it for sure,” he said.

Read provides insight that he will be using that skill to connect with his readers as well.

“If you can do that with music. You can do that with a story too. I don’t know. Make it affect people and make it make it hit them, right?” he said.

Read has a bold and brave style to his writing.

“Like no bro, I guess It’s unfiltered. It’s unedited. It’s like I’m gonna say whatever I want to say.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 7

Colton Tuffs “Success to me just means reaching your goals, and it has nothing to do with how much money you made and if you got the job you want, I think it’s more to do with if you’re happy with where your life is.”

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olton Tuffs has always loved football, and spent a year in BC playing for Kamloops Broncs. But he gave up his football career to pursue his education and is now studying journalism at MRU. Tuffs has always been a fan of football. He started playing at the age of 14, when he joined the high school team.

It was the great school experience that drove him to become a more professional football player.

“The team, football was the most fun in highschool because it’s with all your buddies.”

Tuffs met some really good people in Kamloops, and made great friends and memories.

“I met some really good people there and learned a whole lot and I’ve been able to use that in my everyday life now.”

Tuffs decided to come back to Calgary to pursue his studies. At first, Tuffs wasn’t sure

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by Jana Abbara what he wanted to study, so he registered for open studies.

Tufts’ interest in writing and sharing his opinion made him realize that he wants to study journalism.

“I always like to write, and I have many opinions that I like to share and thought that journalism is a good source to refine that.”

He’s not sure what he wants to do after university, is thinking about becoming an author, or perhaps a sports reporter.

“I thought it would be fun to be an author and write books.”

Regardless of where his life is, success to Tuffs is by reaching his goals and finding happiness in whatever he’s doing.

“Success to me just means reaching your goals, and it has nothing to do with how much money you made and if you got the job you want, I think it’s more to do with if you’re happy with where your life is.”

Eden Gresiuk

“I want to create a blog and have that magical world where people who have mental illnesses can escape too, like I did when I was a kid.”

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den Gresiuk worked as a flight attendant for WestJet but she decided to apply for school and chase her dream of becoming a journalist during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As child, Eden remembers a memory travelling on WestJet and falling in love with the idea of becoming a flight attendant.

“I have always loved flight attendants as a kid. I flew a lot with my parents. I remember this trip to France,” Gresiuk said. “I thought flight attendants were the coolest people on the plane!”

Gresiuk started working in the hospitality industry, having worked in tourism for 11 years prior, loving the customer service aspect of it. Gresiuk then took her experience in hospitality and went on to become a flight attendant for WestJet. “I love the nomad life. You cannot cage a bird, just like you cannot cage a flight attendant. We are constantly on the go.”

Gresiuk talks about how she always knows where the emergency exits are in any building. She will always scan the building because it is a flight attendant habit.

“Once you are air crew, you are always air crew.”

Gresiuk looks back at her training as a flight attendant.

“I was trained to be the calmest person on a crashing airplane. The training was a grueling process and I have been conditioned to be calm even when I am actually freaking out on the inside when the plane is falling out of the sky.”

by Sherry Woods Gresiuk had a hard time with the transition from working for WestJet to becoming a university student, but is hopeful for a better outcome.

“The transition was rough in the beginning. This has caused a bit of anxiety. It is unfortunate but the thing is it led me to do this. Silver lining to everything.”

Gresiuk has a passion for writing and she wants to take that passion and start a personal blog of her own.

“I want to create a blog and have that magical world where people who have mental illnesses can escape too, like I did when I was a kid.”

Gresiuk’s early influence was J.K. Rowling, which she transpires into her own writing.

“J.K. Rowling is my inspiration as a writer. Her life story is interesting to me. She was a struggling single mother on welfare, but she still was able to create this magical world for kids to escape too.”

Gresiuk speaks about how she will balance journalism and being a flight attendant.

“I will make school and being a flight attendant work. We spend so much time in hotels and have a lot of downtime. There is plenty of time to tackle assignments.”

Even though Gresiuk was a part of the cut list from her employer WestJet, she remained positive.

“I am still a flight attendant. Ideally though, if I do get recalled, I will just go to part time.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 9

Enea Zarka “I think the biggest value that humans need to have is perseverance. Because life is filled with adversity and things will get in your way. Giving up is never an option.”

by Shawanda Backfat Although Enea Zarka was born into a family of scientists and math wizards, his love for writing has led him to choose a different career path than his parents, making him the first journalist in his family.

Born to a geologist and an engineer, Zarka and his parents moved from Albania to Canada in search of job opportunities and a better life.

Zarka, for the most part, had a nurturing upbringing and an active childhood. His parents, who valued vacationing as much as they did work, traveled a lot with Zarka and his younger brother, exploring cities throughout Mexico, Hawaii, Canada and Europe.This exploration influenced Zarka’s love for nature and outdoor activities and stirred up curiosity towards learning about the world and its history.

“My parents were not really big into history but they bought me a lot of books,

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and whenever we went on vacation, we would always go to historical sites.”

Although Zarka has chosen a career path that differs from what was almost expected by his peers and his family, he continues to be extremely supported and encouraged as he works on pursuing his goal of becoming the first journalist in his family. Having this support comforts Zarka as he embarks on his journey as a first-year student at Mount Royal University.

Having always considered himself to be a deep, analytical thinker, at age 15 Zarka figured he could accurately express his thoughts and feelings through writing passionate poems and philosophical papers. Zarka spent so much time on writing poems and compelling tales that he graduated from high school with one of the highest marks in his Grade 12 Language Arts class.

When it comes to writing, Zarka’s gift continues to be recognized and encouraged by his family and well respected by his friends.

“One day my friends caught me writing and took my stuff from my hand, and I was getting ready to get roasted to the max, but they were all like, ‘No, this is actually pretty good,’ so from that day forward I knew I was OK.” When he isn’t writing poetry or creating short stories, Zarka is likely to be outdoors playing basketball, biking or skateboarding.

Zarka claims to be no expert in any of these activities but continues to enjoy these sports as he works on improving his skills.

While expressing his biggest values in life, Zarka says:“I think the biggest value that humans need to have is perseverance.

Because life is filled with adversity and things will get in your way. Giving up is never an option.”

Erin Clarke E

rin Clarke had the notion she would be going into psychology her first year of university, but she ended up in the journalism program, aspiring to write for the Rolling Stone Magazine.

Clarke was a curious, science-loving student who always thought that would be her path after she graduated high school.

She loved to study how the human body worked and along with it, how every brain works and makes every person different. The idea of studying human behaviour and emotions excited Clarke, so her choice was simple: she would take psychology.

Although Clarke had always thought she knew what she wanted to pursue in university, a poem she had written in her high school English class changed her expectations completely.

After Clarke received a high grade on her poem, and took into consideration the opinion of her father, she started to contemplate a different path.

“He was like, ‘Yeah like maybe you should consider writing as something you want to do,’” she said. “Then we started looking at journalism and then I was like, ‘I think this is what I want to do.’”

At first, it wasn’t an easy decision for Clarke to choose to go to university or not amid the outbreak of the coronavirus.

She was conflicted by her personal wants and the opinions of her parents.

“I wanted to take a year off,” said Clarke. “My dad was the only person that actually asked me if I wanted to go to university.”

Her mother, on the other hand, had a different idea for Clarke.

“My mom was like, ‘No, you’re going.’”

Clarke made the final choice to commit to university this past fall and embrace this new way of life.

“I think that our generation was definitely hit the hardest with [COVID-19], but I think I agree, it’ll make us stronger for the future.”

Now Clarke is halfway through her first semester of the journalism program at Mount Royal University and she loves it.

Clarke is not only a science-loving, poem-writing, soonto-be journalist. She is also an artist with an immense appreciation for music.

Clarke thrives in a creative environment and believes being creative will help her in her journalism career.

by Isabella West She thinks it will give her an edge in her writing because she will be able to see things in a different light whereas a logical thinker will only see it one way. This will help Clarke to not be a biased writer, helping her succeed in the callous world that is journalism.

Clarke aspires to use her passion for music in her career by writing for the Rolling Stones magazine and publishing memorable and renowned pieces. Clarke’s love for rock music drives her to work hard so she can achieve her goal.

“I hope that I can actually write for the Rolling Stone Magazine, even though it’s not for like Mötley Crüe or like a rock and roll band, but I still hope I can still like write for that magazine.”

Clarke’s love for music is her driving force. Music calms her, excites her, and is her best friend through all the good and the bad times. Clarke believes that music speaks and means something different to every individual who takes it in.

She hopes her passion for music and writing can help her achieve her goals as well as inspire others.

“Each song, like, impacts you in a different way, I think. And it also impacts everyone in a different way. Nobody listens to a song and takes it in in the same way.”

Clarke believes music can never be loud enough. She wants it to consume her so that she can take in every piece of a song.

She wants to experience all a song has to offer and feel every emotion that should come with it.

Clarke believes that each song is unique and helps shape a person into who they are by how they take in a song. For Clarke, music is the backbone to her existence. Without it, she would simply not flourish.

“I don’t think I’d be the person I am without music.”

“I don’t think I’d be the person I am without music.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 11

Ethan Chambers

“My father always liked the idea of being unique and not just following the herd.”

by Ashley Pfeifer

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than Chambers claims to be an average guy with a small digital footprint, but he has a passion for music, dabbles in metal forging and plans to expand his social media presence to boost his journalism career.

Chambers describes his high school experience in the Crowsnest Pass as average even though, as part of the percussion section, he played the snare drums, rain sticks and more.

Though he describes his life as normal, Chambers has a wide variety of talents, many stemming from his relationship with his father.

Family has always been important within Chambers’ life and his parents have influenced many of his choices. The bond between Chambers and his musically-inclined father is what sparked his interest in music.

“He really got me to try and stretch my legs musically,” Chambers said.

Since he was six, Chambers has been

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playing the drums. He learned how to play from a family friend at youth club.

“He asked me if I wanted to try, showed me a couple basics, and I took surprisingly well to it,” Chambers said.

Recently Chambers has been learning the bass. Chambers expressed his interest to his father who then found a way to help him pursue the bass.

“He ended up trading a piece of equipment for an acoustic bass that a friend of his had,” Chambers said.

As a versatile man, Chambers pursued interests outside of music as well, such as metal forging. This talent was discovered while joining his uncle one day.

“My uncle for whatever reason bought all the equipment to start forging metal and making knives from scratch,” Chambers said.

“It is crazy that it is a job for some people because it is a fun pastime.”

Chambers agrees that metal working is not a common hobby. It is unique, but that is how his father raised him.

“My father always liked the idea of being unique and not just following the herd,” Chambers said.

Drawing from his father’s influence, Chambers experimented with many hobbies from a young age, including writing.

After discovering his talent and passion for writing, he decided to move to Calgary to pursue journalism at Mount Royal.

“I think when that went from a skill to a hobby, journalism seemed like a pretty simple choice.” Chambers said.

Becoming a journalist will involve expanding personal representation, including social media, which Chambers recognizes.

Chambers has little need for social media because he is introverted and prefers to contact people through text messages or in person.

Though he has little need for it now, Chambers understands that with a career in journalism he must expand his digital footprint. He plans to build a social media platform that reflects his professionalism.

Chambers believes in the importance of individuals expanding their digital footprints professionally to represent themselves positively in the eyes of future employers.

“As long as you’re keeping things fairly professional, I think that reflects very well on you.” Chambers said.

Ultimately Chambers’ goal is to work with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). He is open minded about his future but is very interested in investigative journalism.

“I think the reason I gravitate to it over everything else was because it was something really interesting. Something that I could see myself doing,” Chambers said.

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oldie Forrester has always loved connecting with people through visuals — with her cosplay, by moderating a website for Alberta anime fans, organizing meet-ups and creating videos she posted to her two YouTube channels — but now she’s trading pictures for words as she explores journalism at Mount Royal University.

“I’m very drawn to visuals. I’ve always wanted to share emotion. Expressing and being creative, these are things I gravitate towards,” she says.

A Grade 10 animation class at St. Francis High allowed Forrester to delve deeply into that love. Her “enigmatic” teacher introduced students to vintage animation reels, taught them about the rule of thirds and let them take cameras out into the world to explore and film, then edit the results.

Using those skills, Forrester launched the first of her two YouTube channels in 2006. The first married her love of creating videos with Naruto, a TV show based on a manga comic series about a young ninja — the titular Naruto Uzumaki — who desires recognition and wants to become his village’s leader, with creating videos.

It was through Naruto that Forrester found fellow fans and formed a solid friend group. Together they would cosplay, do photoshoots, go to gatherings around Alberta to talk about the show and engage in discussions in online forums on a website for dedicated fans across the province.

Discovering the manga comic book series was a turning point, Forrester says.

“It’s one artist that does all these colourless panels, but with incredible detail, so many line strokes that you can’t even count them. It’s beautiful to look at,” she says.

“That’s where I fell in love with Naruto. The way he’d tell the story was beautiful.”

The show, which aired from 2002 to 2007, further drew her in.

GOLDIE FORRESTER

“It was not just the animations that made it memorable. It was the character lines and the original creator’s devotion to it.”

Her second channel was more abstract, “clandestine” even, Forrester says. Shaped

by Slenderman stories and ‘creepypasta,’ she wanted to create an alternate reality game.

While both have now been put on the backburner, Forrester still looks to connect with people through sharing emotions and expressing herself. Through MRU’s Journalism program, she’s discovered she is increasingly drawn to finding those connections through words instead of pictures.

“Words pack so much of a punch.

They’re powerful. I just feel I can get to the root more quickly,” she says.

She hopes to eventually create an inclusive, informative platform where she can use her writing skills to share information and represent herself.

“I want to create another channel or method where connection is the major theme. Different people open up different methodologies and ideologies. They have a way of looking at things you don’t possess.”

“Words pack so much of a punch. They’re powerful.

I just feel I can get to the root more quickly.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 13

Gurleen Jassal G

“If you’re in journalism, the only field you can go into is news. When you tell someone ‘Oh, I’m in journalism,’ they automatically assume you are going to work for the newspaper. But there are so many different fields.”

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urleen Jassal’s passion for books led her to a degree in journalism at Mount Royal University, but she hopes to work in publishing after she graduates instead of the newsroom.

Jassal has turned reading books into not just a hobby, but a passion. She has read 16 books during the pandemic alone — mostly consisting of historical and science fiction, which she says are her favourite genres of literature.

Her interest in books goes beyond the walls of her room and out into her community.

Jassal volunteers for Books Between Friends, a Calgary bookstore where all the proceeds from sales go to charity.

During her time at the bookstore, she says that most of the customers that come by are seniors, but she hopes that will change in the future.

“I’ve got a couple of friends to go to the bookstore and start reading. It’s like, if they create awareness, I create awareness. That’s one circle. And if they go to their circles then maybe more people our age would start reading,” she says.

Jassal sees it as a loss if her generation lacks interest in reading books because she believes there is plenty of information to be learned from them. By volunteering, she believes she is making a difference in her community.

At a young age, the value of education was instilled in her by her family. Both of her parents went to university, as well as her older sister, who she considers to be her role model.

“I went to a private school during my childhood, so I was very strict on my academics at a very young age,” Jassal shares.

by Noel Ormita She chose Mount Royal University because of the small class sizes and quality of education but admits that leaving her family also played a role in her decision to stay and study in Calgary.

Uncertain of what degree she wanted to pursue, Jassal went into open studies during her first year of university. The thought of a career in sciences crossed her mind but she knew her purpose was elsewhere.

“I’m South Asian and everyone would be in the sciences, but I wanted to follow my passion,” Jassal explains.

She ultimately decided to declare a major in journalism in her second year because of her passion for literature.

Jassal hopes to garner the skills of an excellent journalist and strengthen her writing abilities during the span of her degree.

However, she has a different career in mind after she completes university.

When asked what she believes is the biggest misconception journalists face today, Jassal had this to say: “That if you’re in journalism, the only field you can go into is news. When you tell someone ‘Oh, I’m in journalism,’ they automatically assume you are going to work for the newspaper. But there are so many different fields.”

Jassal is hoping to trade in the camera and newspaper for a job where she can further explore her interests. She aspires to become a publisher and an editor after she graduates because she knows her passion for books and reading will be a part of her for the rest of her life.

“I am a person that needs to step out of my comfort zone.

I’ll take the chance.”

G

Gurleen Sodhi

by Sannah Chawdhry

urleen Sodhi had aspirations of studying interior design. But, when she wasn’t accepted to the program, she turned her sights to journalism and now hopes to become a TV reporter.

Sodhi was born in Dubai and at the age of eight she moved to Calgary. She completed her secondary education and graduated from Nelson Mandela High School.

After high school, she had applied for Interior Design at Mount Royal University, but was declined.

“I really wanted to get into interior design, but you know, that’s okay,” Sodhi states.

She has since then kept a positive mindset and moved forward in her second choice, journalism.

“You know , things happen, and things don’t work out and that’s completely okay. Interior

design was very competitive too, but honestly, I still stuck to journalism.”

Sodhi is an introverted person and she believes journalism will help her gain confidence since interviewing people that you have never met before can sometimes be staggering.

“And it really tests your confidence. And I am a person that needs to step out of my comfort zone. I’ll take the chance,” she says.

However, she hopes that her overthinking does not affect her ability to report in journalism. Sodhi believes it is vital to remain calm and curious, as overthinking will only complicate situations.

“Overthinking is the worst thing you can do and mess up a lot of things. It’s something that I have to control. Like you have to control yourself, like girly chill, you know, contain yourself. It’s okay,” Sodhi says.

Sodhi wants to overcome these challenges and the only way this is achievable is by having a positive mindset and continuing to move forward.

“I’ll take the chance. I decided to take the challenge and I’m excited about what journalism has next for me.”

After graduation, Sodhi hopes to find a job and possibly become a television reporter.

She would like to achieve this by, “I want to test my comfort zone since we interact with so many different people.”

For the future, Sodhi plans on finding a way to make a living for herself and exploring.

“I first want to have a job and then I’m going to go on a world tour, and I’m not even kidding.

I think that’d be so cool.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 15

Hassaan RiZVi

W

hile growing up in Port Louis, Hassaan Rizvi was part of a large Islamic community, but when he moved to Calgary, he found himself missing that sense of connection. Now, he volunteers and fundraises to help support his faith in the city.

At an early age, Rizvi remembers having an interest in Islam, thanks to the influence of his father. What really piqued his interest was because of an instance that occurred in high school, Rizvi was asked a question about his religion but did not know how to respond.

“And from there I was like, ‘People will have questions and I will have to answer them.’ And then I started doing my research and my research ended up becoming who I am today.”

Rizvi was 14 years old when he moved from Port Louis, Mauritius, to Calgary, Alta.

The warm weather and sandy beaches were

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“You can figure out with resourceful teachers, and professors, what Islam said about it, rather than going on Google, and any other platform which may have extreme content or even misrepresented content.”

by Medina Kalac a stark contrast to the brittle cold Calgary has to offer, but that is not the only contrast that stood out to Rizvi. He noticed a difference in the Islamic community as well.

He noticed a lack of resources when it came to learning about the Islamic religion.

“Canada has a 30 million population, with one million Muslims, I believe. And one million Muslims spread onto tons of land, so getting scholars around here, getting mosques around the place at the time, I think might have been hard.”

As a result of the lack of resources, he realized people were not fully able to learn about their faith.

“So, what we lacked in the Islamic community was that a 17 year-old, a 20 year-old, didn’t know how to read the Quran, didn’t know what Islam basically was. And as a result, he was not able to maintain an image of the Muslims and what a Muslim looks like.”

Rizvi took action by starting a GoFundMe campaign in order to raise money for an Islamic school in Calgary. He also reached out to camps and The Interfaith Council to create a stronger bond in the community and provide information about his faith on a larger scale.

“You can figure out with resourceful teachers, and professors, what Islam said about it, rather than going on Google, and any other platform which may have extreme content or even misrepresented content. So, for me, it is more of a resource that I want,” Rivzi expresses.

Since Rizvi initially moved to Calgary, there has been an increase in the number of mosques and outlets for people to learn.

This is partly thanks to members in the Islamic community that he works with, like Syed Soharwardy, a multifaith organizer in Calgary

Hajar Al Khouzaii

“There are many events and incidents that have happened in the world that have inspired me to pass on a message that can reach a lot of people.”

H

ajar Al Khouzaii graduated with a political science degree with the hopes of becoming a lawyer, but instead she decided to pursue her passion for writing and photography by going back to university and majoring in journalism.

The day Khouzaii graduated from the University of Calgary, the economy crashed.

She was laid off from the job she was working while she attended university and she couldn’t find a new job with her major because of the low economy.

She realized that she would either have to continue school or go back to university to get a new degree.

Khouzaii had been accepted into law school in Australia, and she was considering becoming a lawyer for two reasons. She wanted to defend the people who deserved freedom and she wanted to partially give her father what he wanted. He wished for Khouzaii to become a doctor, and choosing law would be the second-best option in his eyes.

by Rebekah Wong Khouzaii had to make a difficult decision.

She had to choose between becoming a lawyer, or to pursue her passions.

After careful consideration, she chose to turn it down law school in 2015.

“I didn’t want to be the person that defends the wrong people just for money,” she said. “I think that if I become a lawyer, I’ll be throwing away all of my principles.”

From there she had to decide what to do next. Four years after she chose not to become a lawyer, later, Khouzaii was a month away from giving birth to her daughter. In October of 2019, she made the decision to go back to school.

“I didn’t want to tell my daughter that I couldn’t do anything with my political science degree,” she said. “So, I decided to stop waiting and go back to university.”

With the decision to go back to university, Khouzaii had to pick a new major. For her, choosing journalism was a no-brainer for two reasons: she loves writing and taking photographs.

Before university, Khouzaii used to write for a magazine called Youth Inc, which was distributed to every high school across Canada.

“I love that I was writing from the heart.”

Not only did she write for a magazine while she was in high school, as an adult Khouzaii had a job as a photographer in 2013 to 2015 at Blacks Photography.

“Taking photos for my job was the best. I love taking photos of the city and the trees during the fall and winter. The colours of the leaves are so nostalgic for me. and the frost during winter is just beautiful to capture.”

Khouzaii knew that she could take photographs and write if she majored in journalism. She also loved the idea that a journalist could make a change in the world with the right words..

“A journalist’s word can affect a lot of people in a lot of societies,” she said.

“There are many events and incidents that have happened in the world that have inspired me to pass on a message that can reach a lot of people.”

As Khouzaii works hard in her classes, she is also raising her daughter who is 10 months old. Most of the time, she doesn’t even start her homework until after nine in the evening and doesn’t finish her assignments until around one or two in the morning.

“I think the ultimate challenge is trying to be a good mom. I want to make sure my daughter knows I’m there for her even though I’m busy with my homework,” Khouzaii said. “I don’t want her to feel alone or neglected because I was studying and not giving her the attention she needs at this age.”

Khouzaii’s ultimate goal is to eventually get a PhD so that she can one day she can become a professor.

“I want to be someone who can give knowledge to others.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 17

Isabella West “I don’t know, it (cultural journalism) excites me.

I don’t just wanna be in the newsroom, in my suit.”

I

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sabella West was bullied in elementary school and had difficulty with her English skills but after a move to a new town, she now has life-long friends and is pursuing a career in journalism.

As West went into her first years of elementary school, her mother placed her in French immersion, but she ended up struggling learning both English and French.

Because of this, she was put into a special learning program, which led to her being bullied and feeling like an outcast.

“If you’re out of the ordinary, you sit in the bathroom and eat alone in the stall and, yeah, you just have to change who you are to fit in or you can just not care, I guess,” she says.

When she graduated from her program in Grade 8, her mom and West decided to move to Bonnyville, Alta. With the move, she met her now best friends adn went on to learn that they would be the friends who would stick by her side throughout the good and the bad times of high school.

“You know, there was lots of drama in high school and stuff and I was never one to get involved in it and I would just brush it off my shoulder and not be interested in it at all and that really made my high school experience a lot easier,” she said.

by Erin Clarke As West went through the last years of school, she figured out her passion for writing. As she started her high school classes, she realized that with all the work she had put into learning English, she was now able to write exceptionally well.

After years of learning and bettering her reading and writing skills, West went on to top her classes in both English and Social Studies. Since graduating high school, she has moved to Calgary to start pursuing her career as a journalist.

She is now attending Mount Royal University where she is studying journalism in hopes to one day make it as a cultural journalist.

As a cultural journalist, West has the ability to travel the world like she has always dreamt about. She wants her life to be as exciting as possible and hopes to experience as many different cultures as she can.

With her writing career and love of travelling, West finds that cultural journalism is the best path for her to take.

“I don’t know, it excites me. I don’t just wanna be in the newsroom, like in my suit, you know.”

Jackson Vyse “With what’s going down in the United States —Trump versus [Clinton] and then Trump versus Biden, I became more involved with politics and more involved with human rights.

by Nicola Delmar

J

ackson Vyse has spent most of his life playing hockey, and when he signed up for journalism at Mount Royal University, he thought he would want to be a sports broadcaster. But now, learning more about current events and politics, he’s interested in reporting beyond the world of sports.

Vyse had been playing hockey since childhood, traveling all over Alberta for games and tournaments. He’s played for multiple teams in High River, Okotoks and British Columbia.

His hockey career started at a young age when his dad introduced him to skating.

“One day, my dad… came home with a pair of baby skates and we just went out skating.”

Although his dad wasn’t much of a hockey player himself, Vyse says some of his favourite memories were being coached by his dad.

“He was a big role model for me and helped me become the guy I am and the hockey player I was.”

Vyse states, “My dad and I are kind of best friends, without being like dad and son.”

Vyse’s hockey career came to end when he was drafted for a third time in one season, to Vancouver Island.

“I was already eight or nine hours away from home, so I didn’t really want to go much further out west. And then they put me on a team, and I didn’t want to live on the island to just go and play hockey.

With his passion for sports, Vyse thought he should go into sports broadcasting.

“Mainly it was to become a sportscaster, to call the hockey games or football games or something like that… basically getting paid to watch sports.”

Yet after many talks with his sister, Vyse has become more interested in the events that have been occurring in America over the past few years.

“Recently, within the last two years, with what’s going down in the United States --Trump versus [Clinton] and then Trump versus Biden, I became more involved with politics and more involved with human rights. I found that journalism is going to be right up my alley and something I want to do.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 19

Jana Abbara

“I mostly [follow] wars and developments in the Middle East. But I like everything, even sports, not just wars and sad things.”

I

mmigrating from the war-torn country of Syria, Jana Abbara is starting her journalism path at Mount Royal University in Calgary. However, at the end of her studies, she hopes to return home and report on the Middle East.

Abbara spent much of her youth in Syria.

Despite the country’s many conflicts, she kept busy with her studies. Here she also developed a passion for basketball and spending her free time drawing.

But the war was not easy for her to ignore.

“It was horrible living in all the bombing.

But I feel like it made me stronger and it made me who I am today.”

The struggles in Syria ultimately became too much for her and her family, leading to their decision to immigrate to Canada in search of a more peaceful life.

Abbara and her family decided to immigrate to Canada in 2015. Although she initially found the move difficult, she has since embraced the Canadian lifestyle.

“When I came here though, I was surprised to see so many other cultures, and I love it so much. Canada was a big part of my life, especially in my teenage life. I feel like I grew up here, most of the memories I will forever remember were built here.”

Her interest in journalism started the moment she landed at the Calgary International Airport, when reporters began asking the new citizens about their stories.

“At that moment I knew I liked this, I love this job. I like the idea of taking people’s stories and putting it out there for the world to see.”

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by Colton Tuffs After her initial exposure to journalism, Abbara was hooked on the idea of becoming a journalist.

Abbara is now currently studying journalism at Mount Royal University, but doesn’t wish to stay in Canada all too long.

After her education, she wishes to return to the Middle East to pursue reporting.

“I’m hoping I can live in Turkey. I’m still figuring out if I want to finish my school and then go to Turkey, maybe the [United Arab Emirates] later on, or [instead] finish my school in Turkey.”

Returning to the Middle East is a good fit for her as she wishes to keep in touch with her old friends and family that still reside in Syria.

“I have my grandparents there, aunts and uncles as well. I even have friends there still.

I will hopefully visit soon.”

Abbara has expressed interest in the Middle East and some of its ongoing conflicts and struggles, especially in Syria.

The Syrian Civil War, which has been raging since 2011 is as complicated as it is tragic. More than 100,000 civilian casualties have been claimed so far.

“I mostly [follow] wars and developments in the Middle East. But I like everything, even sports, not just wars and sad things.”

Abbara wishes to translate this interest into a full career, hoping to report and spread news and awareness of these key issues and conflicts that fail to reach a global audience.

Janelle Oosterhoff “I [have] just seen people who have made a difference in the world through journalism.”

J

anelle Oosterhoff struggled in high school, not knowing she had ADHD, and wasn’t sure if she would ever go to university. But, while completing her academic upgrading, Oosterhoff had time to fall in love with writing again and is now a journalism student at MRU. Oosterhoff was homeschooled all the way through grade 10, and she found the transition into formal high school at grade 11 difficult.

“I definitely struggled with deadlines and knowing how much time to put into different assignments and stuff like that.

The way all the grading and stuff worked really threw me for a loop.”

by Ryan McMillan Oosterhoff managed to graduate from Jordan Christian High School in Niagara, Ont., but her grades were not high enough to apply to university. She spent the next few years working and exploring her interests, and it was only then that she discovered what might have contributed to her problems in school.

“I actually found this out later, but I have ADHD, which I think contributed a lot to that, but I had no idea.”

After taking some time to upgrade her high school marks during the Covid-19 lockdown, Oosterhoff started writing again.

“I loved writing for a long time. Basically right after I found out I had ADHD, which

was last summer, I was like, I just knew I wanted to go back to school if I could.”

Now that Oosterhoff had upgraded her marks and started writing again, she knew that going back to school was something she wanted to do.

“I love learning. I love school. And then it was just a question of what am I going to go to school for?”

Understanding that she loves writing was just the beginning for Oosterhoff. Many career paths involve writing so Oosterhoff needed to dig deeper to find the answer.

Journalism is something that something resonates with who Oosterhoff is on a deeper level.

“I [have] just seen people who have made a difference in the world through journalism,” explains Oosterhoff.

As Mount Royal University offered a journalism program whereas the University of Calgary did not, MRU was the obvious choice for Oosterhoff.

Now that classes are well under way and Oosterhoff has had some time to adapt to the new schedule, she is starting to see the areas that she is really interested in.

“I love learning how to do research and interviewing. Yeah, finding things out and also just how to put it down on paper. I think mostly researching stuff will be really interesting.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 21

Jasleen Bhangu “I want to be able to put my perspective out in the world.

And be able to share what I think about certain things going on like social and political issues.”

by Reagan Tkatch

J

asleen Bhangu’s passion for helping others led her to believe a career in nursing was for her, however she also realized she loved writing and she could help people that way too, so now she’s in journalism at Mount Royal University.

Born and raised in Calgary, Jasleen Bhangu graduated from high school amid the chaotic buzz of COVID-19. When everything Bhangu had looked forward to with graduation was canceled, she decided it was time to look towards her future and what she wished to pursue.

Bhangu was set on heading into nursing, wanting to have a career that would challenge her everyday and keep her interested.

She knew that nursing would be something she would do well in due to her love of helping others. Bhangu planned to go to Mount Royal to study nursing, using her good grades and

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passions to boost her in her career.

However, throughout school Bhangu found herself drawn to English and social studies classes, excited to write her opinions and eager to push herself to improve. She could be seen reading books and writing about activism in her free time. With writing coming so easy to her, Bhangu’s teachers encouraged her to pursue that as a career instead of nursing.

As a self-proclaimed feminist/activist, Bhangu explains her love for writing about social or political problems in our world in her free time. She said movements such as feminism and activism inspire her.

“I feel like they’re really big issues in the world, but often people can overlook them.”

With her aspirations to evoke change, her idea of the right career began to become clearer.

“I’ve always wanted to pursue a career where I was able to help people, but I began to realize that I was able to help people through my writing as a journalist,” she said.

At the moment Bhangu uses social media to spread awareness and discuss issues, however she is aware that her efforts are limited in terms of audience. With friends and family being her only viewers, she wishes to expand this to the wider public. Banghu understands that journalism holds power in the ability to voice opinion, perspectives and views on the world. “(Journalists) can really help change people’s perspectives and help them see political issues better,” she said.

If she could use her power as a journalist to make these problems more widely known, she wondered if she should take the chance, and change her career path.

With the dilemma coming to an end and her realization of where her life should take her growing clearer, Bhangu decided it was time to apply. When looking through the courses it became clear that journalism was for her.

Although she struggles to understand photojournalism as it is something new to her, she plans to work hard to achieve her goals. She has started a “Jack Chapter,” an organization that spreads mental health awareness, at the university. She is also working towards a future in broadcasting.

Bhangu hopes to incorporate her love for writing and her hopes to spark change within her future.

“I want to be able to put my perspective out in the world. And be able to share what I think about certain things going on like social and political issues.”

“I’m a creative mind, so I kind of thrive in environments where I have any sort of creative control.”

P

assionate about creativity and longboarding, Jayden Steidl dreams about making music, despite choosing a career in journalism.

Born in 2001, Steidl has a typical past for most millennial kids. Despite technology being in its apogee, Steidl was raised without it.

Steidl’s parents exposed him to an innocent way of living: playing with others, listening to the radio, and making friends.

Steidl’s childhood revolved around others and developing his social circle. At the age of 10, he got his first console, a Nintendo DSI that enthralled his creativity. It would be the catalyst to social media, in playing the latest handheld games with friends.

He feels strongly about his friends and believes you are a result of the five people you spend the most time with. Growing up. his friends fostered a feeling of belonging and they would do everything together, from playing games to encouraging each other’s personalities to sharing hobbies.

In Grade 6, with the encouragement

Jayden Steidl

by Goldie Forrester and participation of his friends, he picked up on a sport made popular in the 1970s – longboarding. Steidl feels a freedom in longboarding.

“There’s nothing like riding.”

Together they would ride their boards every day after school.

“We would bring our boards to school and then after school we would go out longboarding together and just do that all the time. That was our thing and that was super fun for us. I’ll always cherish those memories,” he said.

His sentimentality to his board is as thoughtful as his appreciation for music. He notices every curve and level of craftsmanship like the notes and lyrics to his favorite songs.

His favorite deck, a Patrick Switzer pro model from Raine and a set of Free dumbs wheels, was what he outfitted himself with in the last years of riding.

Having hung up the cape on longboarding, his adventurous spirit continued to spur his pursuits and Steidl found himself falling into music.

Though he and his friends took the sport of longboarding to the next level, by no means is Steidl a jock. He has a passion towards creativity, writing, music, and thinking outside the box. Expressing a desire for music production, he began looking into software.

Before university Steidl experimented with electronic songs and produced about six or seven full-length songs. Endeavoring in music is a path he feels compelled to take.

“I feel like… it’s one of those things where I would feel really sad later in life if I never pursued that at least in some sort of way,” he said.

Before becoming a student at Mount Royal University, he used a desktop computer to produce, not allowing technical shortcomings to hinder his creativity. Since then, he has upgraded to a MacBook, playing around with GarageBand.

As the school season encroached, he was unsure and unmotivated about what major to pick, so he relied on his creative spirit to guide him.

“I’m a creative mind, so I kind of thrive in environments where I have any sort of creative control,” he said.

Steidl’s expression of an environment where he has the chance to talk to peers and think outside the confines of statistics made Journalism a natural candidate for him.

With the encouragement of his parents, Steidl enrolled in the course to realize his creative capabilities, experience the freedom to express himself, and not be restricted to the finite meaning of numbers. He won’t allow his creativity to lay dormant.

“I always kind of feel like I’m trapped if I’m not able to utilize my creative potential in the best possible way for myself.”

He’s currently studying to become a journalist utilizing his creative prowess and social finesse full time, content with working on his music as a hobby. Either way he is honing his skills to become one day good enough to make “real stuff that people want to hear.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 23

Julie Patton

by Matthew Loewen

J

ulie Patton came to study journalism at Mount Royal University having already worked in radio, but hopes her studies land her a job in TV. Patton was born and raised in a small town called Major, Sask. Growing up on the farm, Patton became accustomed to country music and grew very fond of it.

She was student council president at her school which led to her joining Saskatchewan’s Youth Council to help bring about change.

“It was pretty cool when I got invited to be on the youth council to have a difference in the school system and be able to make those changes,” Patton explains.

In Grade 11, Patton began to get very interested in writing and journalism. She was able to get a job with the online news station called West Central Online and ended up writing and being on the radio for them.

“It went together. Because it was an online article place and then the radio station too. So if you are going to be a writer there, then you have to work on air, which was actually really cool,” Patton says.

Patton was excited to work with radio, especially on a country music station. Her love of country music made her experience there a great one and led to her having a large reach over west central Saskatchewan.

“It was all in West Central Saskatchewan. So all the farmers, all my family, friends, they would listen in. So I felt like a little celebrity in my small town.”

Patton however, is not sure if radio is where her future lies.

“Radio is fun, but I don’t know if I’d want to be doing it all time,” she says.

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“I don’t have any huge preferences, but whatever happens I’m going to be okay with and just I’m open minded.

I like to adventure with it.”

Fall 2020 • pROFILES

Her love towards journalism started there and led her to Mount Royal University.

“Well I liked the program at MRU and also compared to other cities that I could have gone to. I have more family in Calgary and so it would just be nicer to be near people I knew in a city I knew,” Patton says.

Patton is optimistic about her career in journalism, but she remains undecided on her future goals, but believes being in TV might be the place for her.

“I think being a news anchor would be pretty fun or even just behind the scenes of TV. That would be pretty interesting,” says Patton.

“I don’t have any huge preferences, but whatever happens I’m going to be okay with and just I’m open minded. I like to adventure with it.”

Patton’s career as a journalist could lead to her interviewing a wide variety of celebrities.

Although the celebrity she would choose to interview is one of the most popular artists in the world.

“I guess if I could interview anyone right now, I’d probably choose Taylor Swift because she’s like my favorite human ever. So if I had the choice to interview anyone, obviously I would do that so I can meet her and just talk with her about her music,” Patton says.

Patton is unsure of her future with journalism, however she knows that she loves the process of interviewing and is looking forward to improving.

“I definitely prefer interviewing,” she says. “I definitely improved a lot in my interviewing skills to get the right information.”

Kai Rae “I like just having the random ideas come to life and hopefully make someone think they’re as amazing as I do.”

A

t school and through a series of summer camps, Kai Rae pursued her love of writing, but she was discouraged from pursuing it as a career, pushed to become a teacher instead, until she realized she had the power to carve her own path.

Toys were few and far between for Rae growing up in Whitecourt, Alta. Instead, she and her younger sister took pieces of leftover fabric and used them to create elaborate stories.

“I realized you could write them down and turn them into books,” she said.

Making that connection between her fabric scrap stories and the written word drove Rae to seek out opportunities to practice her passion.

After spotting a poster in her English class for YouthWrite, Rae signed up for the series of camps to learn about writing from novelists, poets and playwrights — spending part of every summer from the time she was in Grade 6 to high school graduation at the camps in Edmonton and Calgary.

Now, at 22 years old, Rae hopes to write and publish a novel — a book that combines her love of fantasy and mystery. She is currently working on a mystery novel with her sister that is full of jokes and wordplay, like punny names for all the characters.

“I like just having the random ideas come to life and hopefully make someone think they’re as amazing as I do,” she said.

As much as she loved making up stories while growing up, Rae said she struggled with grammar and writing. Her paternal grandmother, who she was living with after her parents’ divorce, hired a tutor.

But instead of helping Rae improve at school, grow and decide what to do with her life, the tutor discouraged her from pursuing a career as a writer.

“She told me you can’t have a job as a writer. She said, ‘You should be a teacher,’” Rae said.

So Rae enrolled in open studies at Mount Royal University with a plan to become a teacher — something she thought made sense given she

has family members who are also teachers.

Except for one issue.

“I can’t stand children,” said Rae, laughing. “I used to be one of the crew members at a bible study camp and I’d always be with the children.

When the three hours was done, I’d need to be alone in my room.”

But it wasn’t until she was talking with a friend about their futures, and the friend said she no longer wanted to become a nurse as her parents hoped, that Rae realized she too needed to follow her dreams.

“It hit me…. No one can tell me what I want. I said, ‘If you can do that, I’m going to do it too.’”

Thinking about jobs that involve writing Rae realized journalism would be the perfect fit.

“I’ve always wanted to find the truth about things. As a journalist, I can do that,” she said.

Now, with one semester of journalism under her belt, Rae feels confident in her decision.

“I’m really enjoying myself in university,” she said.

PROFILES • Fall 2020 25

Kian Samavati “The same superhero story is still developing in my head. It’s now become an actual narrative with stuff that happens.

I hope I can finish it at some point.”

K

ian Samavati wants to become a journalist, with a goal of sharing other people’s stories, but the first-year student at Mount Royal University has been writing fiction for years and even made a secret name for himself online, posting reviews and analyses of TV shows, video games and Pokemon.

Samavati has always embraced his imagination and love for telling stories. Growing up, he was into the usual video games and watching TV but he also used Lego and construction toys to build his own action figures. Instead of playing with the storylines established for well-known superheroes, like Superman, Samavati created his own.

“Because there wasn’t a narrative, I had to make them up for myself,” he says. “It led me to like writing and creating narratives myself.”

The first thing he wrote, around the age of nine or 10, was about Thunderbolt, a hero

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character he created who has lightning powers. It’s a character he continues to explore through writing, the storyline evolving over the last seven years.

“The same superhero story is still developing in my head. It’s now become an actual narrative with stuff that happens. I hope I can finish it at some point,” he says.

Before high school, English was Samavati’s least favourite subject. But, as his interest in writing grew and, as he began doing it more.

He realized how much he enjoyed creating stories — and it became his preferred class.

Writing is a hobby Samavati is now exploring as a possible career.

Samavati says he enjoys the process of looking at events and piecing together the narrative and how the news has unfolded.

“Since I had the passion for that type of thing, journalism seemed like an obvious fit,” he says.

He says he’s also drawn to being able to explore life outside of what he knows.

“It’s being able to live different lives through storytelling and experiencing other stories, being able to observe and also create scenarios I couldn’t imagine by myself,” he says.

He admits, though, he still prefers fiction in most cases.

“It’s simultaneously less boring and, in many cases, less depressing,” he says.

Although Samavati is just starting to learn how to become a journalist, he already has a lot of experience publishing pieces.

For the last three years, Samavati has contributed to Amino, a site where people share their opinions and thoughts about pop culture and entertainment, pieces of their artwork or random funny things.

Under a pseudonym based on a persona he made up when he was 11, Samavati shares his analysis of various video games and TV

shows, explorations of characters and, his main focus, the Pokemon series.

“I’m very rarely not in the process of writing something for there,” he says, adding he posts about every other week and his pieces are often put onto the site’s front page by moderators.

Those posts lead to a lot of positive feedback, both on Amino and through subsequent discussions on Twitter — where Samavati also has an account unconnected to his real name.

“I put effort into something and I get a form of reward, some recognition,” he says. “It’s a nice feedback loop.”

That’s something he hopes will continue as he pursues journalism.

“I enjoy the idea of doing journalism, putting effort into writing a story and putting it out there and you get a response,” he says.

“That’s what I enjoy most about this sort of thing.”

“It’s not just for the money, it’s not just for the degree, it’s not doing what someone else wants you to do.”

W

Kim Do

by Marco Palomino

hen Kim Do finished high school, her parents suggested a science degree, but her passion for biographies and her dream to be on TV one day made her want to pursue a career in journalism instead.

As Doe was finishing high school, feedback form her parents made her initially apply for a science degree. Her parents’ suggestion was centred on the endless possibilities this would give her career-wise.

Do understands that her parents’ opinion is important, however she also knew that her final decision was totally up to her.

Do says that her parents didn’t know about her desire to become a journalist, but that they are supportive of what she does in the end. “‘’They gave me a lot of options, including a science degree, but it’s whatever I choose,” she says.

It was this type of support that ultimately led her to make the decision to pursue her passion Do’s decision led her to MRU, the only university in the city where she could major in the program. She remembers being very pleased when she got in. ‘’I really wanted to do journalism. The moment I got the package I was super happy.’’

As a first-year student, Do is aware that choosing isn’t always easy, so she shares some advice to anyone looking to become a university student. She believes that following our passion is the best way to succeed with any personal goals.

“It’s not just for the money, it’s not just for the degree, it’s not doing what someone else wants you to do,” she says.

Do feels optimistic about her decision because she knows how important the news is for many people on a day-to-day basis. She thinks that without it, it would be very chaotic.

As the journalism program has started, Do reflects on how the world is changing the way we practice journalism. She thinks that in the near future, we will be fully dependent on technology. “‘’Since we are always on our phones, we will start using an app”’’ For Do, her family is very important, however, should a career opportunity arise, she doesn’t discard the possibility of moving.

She believes perseverance is key in everything you plan on doing. “’In the first few years, you are going to have to make sacrifices.’’

Do hopes to utilize her degree to fulfill her childhood dream and goal, to one day be on TV informing the general public.

Do also has a passion for biographies. She aims one day to write about people and their contributions to society. She feels that this would help us understand what they stand by or perhaps to feel connected to them.

She shares how being a female and Asian still generates a lot of pressure and racism in our culture. She hopes by sharing more of their stories, this would change one day.

“I just feel that writing about someone’s life gives another person a chance to relate to them,” she says.

PROFILES • Fall 2020 27

Kobe Tulloch

K

obe Tulloch’s passion for journalism has him pursuing a degree at Mount Royal University, butas much as he loves words, he is also drawn to the boxing ring.

During his Grade 10 Social Studies class Tulloch discovered his passion for journalism — researching the siege of Aleppo for a project.

“I wanted to cover these situations that nobody knew about so I could make sure that people were heard,” he said. “I want to do something where my natural talents of writing and speaking sort of fell. It came together and that’s what I wanted to pursue in journalism...

I’m looking at doing some sports journalism or commentary.”

Tulloch then decided to get a head start on his career before arriving at Mount Royal University.

28 Fall 2020 • pROFILES

“I wanted to cover these situations that nobody knew about so I could make sure that people were heard.”

by Zhivan Robinson He started by working at a local radio station in Fort St. John, B.C., working as a reporter. Once his contract ended with them he set out to start his freelancing career.

“I wanted to be writing more and I was just looking for another job,” he said.

Following tutorials online on how to become a freelance journalist, Tulloch set up his website, kobetulloch.com. Shortly thereafter, Tulloch got a contracting job with Business Marketing Engine (BME) where he wrote articles for them for a year.

“I was hired as a freelance contractor, even though I was really an employee, and I did write for them for about a year.”

While Tulloch’s career path continues down the road of journalism, it’s not the only thing he is passionate about.

The start of his interest in close combat

sports with Tae Kwon Do, however, the dojo where he was learning was shut down. While looking for a new sport, he discovered boxing.

“I did martial arts all throughout my life and then boxing was sort of a recent one to really connect to,” he said.

But the start of this wasn’t what he was expecting at this new gym.

“It had an awful coach. Like, as in, he’s broken a 12-year-old’s leg himself.”

Tulloch spent some time learning about kickboxing here under the supervision of this coach. Before Tulloch’s scheduled first fight he ended up with an injury. Two weeks before his fight, he was training with a friend of his which ended badly with a punch to the nose.

“He hit me really hard at an angle that my nose felt off. If I touched it it was searing pain,” he said.

When he brought in to get it checked, he was told that there was cartilage damage.

Upon telling the coach about this for the upcoming fight, his coach told him to get in the ring and made him spare for rounds with a broken nose. Afterward, Tulloch quit learning how to kickbox at this gym.

“This isn’t a place where they really care if I’m safe or not,” he said.

A few years later, a new gym opened up where he could continue his passion for boxing and was given the opportunity to become a boxing coach.

“A new gym opened up… I joined up there and that’s been really great,” Tulloch said. “I’m pretty active now. I coach on occasions.”

Tulloch continues his pursuit of journalism as well as his passion for boxing.

“I would definitely write a bunch of opinion columns just to get all of my bias out there.”

K

Korbin Endicott

by Anjolie Therrein

orbin Endicott, a first-year journalism student, is hoping to combine his passions of writing and sports to become a sportscaster, but with the sudden shift to online school, he must work extra hard to achieve his goals.

Endicott is very passionate about sports. On his Instagram there are many photos of him and his friends rocking different sports jerseys. He often likes to watch sports games with his friends and family. The Calgary Flames hockey team is one of his favorites, although he would rather watch and discuss football. Endicott’s favorite football team is the New England Patriots. Endicott’s love for sports also helps him stay active — he is usually hitting the gym and going outdoors to run.

Endicott additionally has an interest in reading and writing. He is often reading fiction and catching up on current events. He says that he is also looking forward to writing in the future.

“I would definitely write a bunch of opinion columns just to get all of my bias out there,” he said.

Endicott is hoping to one day be able to combine his love for sports, reading and writing to become a sportscaster. He talked about his dream job, hoping that once he graduates university, he could have the possibility of attaining it.

“You know a sports cast anchor, like Jay [Onrait] and Daniel [O’Toole] from TSN? That would have to be my dream job. Because just being able to hang out with a buddy and talk about sports would be super fun,” he said.

“I’ve always really wanted to go into sports journalism.”

Endicott is currently in his second year of university after doing one year of general education classes, but this is his first year in the journalism program at Mount Royal. Endicott made the switch to journalism classes and soon after the start of the first semester, he had realized that this was the course for him. He is planning on continuing with the program.

“I’ve always been a fan of writing my entire life it’s been basically what’s gotten me through school. So I thought going into journalism would be the best thing for me to do,” he said.

“It’s the only program that’s applied to all my values so far.”

Unfortunately, due to the sudden switch to online school in reason to COVID-19, he knows he has to work extra hard this year, to have a higher chance of working his dream job in the future.

After having completed one year of university already in person, Endicott admits he struggles with online school and its effect on his work ethic.

“Switching to online school sucked. It was so bad for me because I lost all the drive to actually go to class.”

He explains how he enjoyed the experience of in-person classes better, because he felt as though it was easier to figure out what to do in terms of assignments and the one on one connection with the teacher made things simpler.

“In person, your teacher gave you more of a guide of stuff to do.... It’s a lot better to actually be able to talk to your prof in person.”

Nevertheless, Endicott is determined to succeed, even if his courses are online. With his experiences from his first year of university, he has come up with strategies to help him stay on top of his classes.

“Making a timetable and what you should do per day, that’s basically what helps me keep myself sane. For the entire week, Just knowing what I should be doing and when really helps. I also put up notifications for my Google calendar — that helps me a lot.”

Endicott is looking forward to finishing university and is optimistic about his future. He wants to follow in his father’s footsteps of working extra hard to be successful, and hopes to make him proud one day.

“My dad really helped shape who I am,” he said.

“I just have so much respect for him and the stuff that he does. So I’d want him to feel the same way for me.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 29

Lexy Dame

“I feel like everyone always needs to learn more about every topic no matter what it is and diving into it at a deeper level is always so fascinating.”

by Troy Simpson

L

exy Dame grew up hiking and horseback riding in the mountains of B.C., but when it came to choosing her post-secondary studies, she’s trading her saddle for a DSLR. Dame was born and raised in the mountains of BC. As a child, she immediately began learning not only survival skills but life lessons as well, developing her love for the outdoors.

She first began her time as an outdoorswoman with her father. She first learned hiking with him and ever since she was an infant she rode horseback up and down trails with her father.

“Hiking was something I learned with my dad. Me and my dad have a close bond and I feel like it’s the one time I get quality time with him. It’s something that has become close and important, it is something very special to me.”

With Dame spending so much time in the mountains with

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her family, it began to shape her the way she lived her life. The mountains began to symbolize the times with her family and everything she had been taught by them.

“I’ve lost family members who I grew up on this certain mountain with me. I feel like it’s become a meaningful symbol to me because, although I can’t be with them, I can be in the same place I was with them before.”

With life lessons to be grateful, and to always be kind and honest, Dame decided that her future was as a journalist, Combining the things she was taught as a young girl into a career. Now she’s in university in her first year in journalism search for her place in the field.

“I just don’t know... what exactly I want to do. Whether that’s the girl who’s the face of the news or the editor of a newspaper, I’m just seeing as I go along,” she says.

“Everything is kind of an interest, and I feel like four years of university will get rid of some.”

Though she’s at the start of her career, she’s most interested in making documentaries.

“Documentaries are really interesting to me. I feel like everyone always needs to learn more about every topic no matter what it is and diving into it at a deeper level is always so fascinating.”

“I learned not to never close the doors of anything. So, whatever comes first, I’ll be willing to accept it.”

R

aised in Peru, Marco Palomino was once a stubborn, larger-than-life teen who became a father at 19, but to provide for his family and pursue his education, he later immigrated to Canada and is now studying journalism at Mount Royal University.

Born in Montreal, Canada, Palomino’s parents decided to raise their family in the capital of Peru, Lima. There, he was surrounded by the vibrance of culture, the nation’s love for soccer and the ocean -- some of the things he misses the most to this day.

“I used to just go for walks and that breeze of the sea — it’s just very unique. It’s very hard to forget,” he said.

Palomino loved growing up in a small family. As time passes, he values his family more and more. Outside of this, he had an entire brotherhood and a community of people that shared his passion for soccer.

Marco Palomino

by Mia Mendoza Growing accustomed to this lifestyle, the friendly, care-free teenager changed once Palomino became a father at 19.

Lost and confused, Palomino had no clear idea of what he wanted to do with his life.

“I just knew that I needed to provide for her.”

He made the big decision to drop out of the university he was enrolled in and leave everything he knew behind to be able to support his daughter. Immigrating to Canada, Palomino made the promise to pursue more education.

Fortunately, he was able to find work immediately in Canada, at a retail job at Sportchek during the rising economy in Calgary in 2010. Almost instantly, he found out that he had a knack for customer service.

Palomino’s experience in Canada was lonely at first -- a completely new environ-

ment. He had difficulty speaking English and not many people to relate to. Some of his greatest struggles came from being alone during the holidays, without a family to celebrate with.

Yet it was Palomino’s stubbornness that caused him to stay and persevere.

“It was me basically not trying to sound dumb with my parents and be like, ‘You know what? You guys were right,” he said.

Palomino was able to join a soccer team with many Spanish speakers as well, kickstarting his friendships in Canada.

Over the course of several years, Palomino succeeded at picking up many various jobs along the way, including registry agent for different companies. These occupations gave him the certifications required to become a legal assistant.

What these jobs taught him were his skill

and passion for research and communicating. He was excelling at his job, but something felt missing.

“I realized that it’s not something that I want… [to] keep being an assistant.”

With this newfound knowledge, Palomino made a big step and quit his job as a legal assistant to pursue his studies at Mount Royal University in Communications, majoring in journalism. Fulfilling his promise to his parents 10 years later to further his education in Canada.

While deciding a career path after his degree, he keeps an open mind to endless ambitions and dreams for himself and his daughter.

“I learned not to ever close the doors of anything. So, whatever comes first, I’ll be willing to accept it.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 31

Matthew DeMille

“I sat down during COVID in, and I thought long and hard. I wanted to do something I was passionate about.”

M

atthew DeMille was unhappy with his studies in business, but a pandemic gave him the space to sit down and rethink.

After realizing his passions, he decided that journalism is what he would study.

A year into his studies at the University of Calgary, DeMille felt unhappy with his pursuit into business and wanted change.

“I did not enjoy it as much and it wasn’t appealing to me. I wasn’t good at it to be honest.”

As if things could not get more difficult, the world came to a stop when a pandemic would force a quarantine. COVID-19 altered his school schedule and caused him to be laid off.

DeMille admitted he struggled with these changes.

“It’s definitely tough on your mental

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by Oscar Santos-Ticas health, especially the two or three months that everybody was just, ‘Stay at home, stay at home, stay at home.’ Those two or three months were definitely the toughest they’ve been in a while just because it’s so mentally draining.”

Between spending his time helping his father with renovations and playing games with his friends, he took this opportunity to think about his studies.

“I sat down during COVID in, I would say April, and I thought long and hard. I wanted to do something I was passionate about.”

With this question in mind, he started to think about his passions. One that came to mind was his love of hockey.

“From when I could really remember, I always kind of just had a passion for it.”

DeMille has played for local teams most

of his youth, with 15 years on the ice and off the ice playing roller hockey in the summers.

Being born and raised in Calgary, DeMille’s favourite team is the Flames. He has watched many of their games in-person and closely follows the team.

“If I’m not at home or at school I’m probably at a hockey rink watching them. It’s always been the Flames and I don’t see it changing anytime soon.”

Having such a passion for hockey and the people who make the game, coupled with a general interest in writing, DeMille thought that journalism might be the profession for him.

“The University of Calgary didn’t have a journalism program pre se, and so I looked at the program here at MRU and I was sold,” he says.

“Writing has always been a passion of mine and being able to study it and to do it in the future, it sounds amazing and it was an easy decision for me to switch.”

With a clear direction and a renewed drive, DeMille seems focused and already has plans for what life after university may look like.

“I would love to be a hockey journalist, the behind-the-scenes reporters making stories.”

DeMille also says that photography has interested him.

“I’d love to be a photojournalist as well at this point so those are what I’m leaning for right now,” he says.

“It’s obviously a long degree and I might find something late but as of right now that’s my goal.”

“I wasn’t good enough to be an athlete, so I think the closest I can get is being a reporter.”

I

Matthew Loewen

by Julie Patton

n Matthew Loewen’s world, sports are his life. However, in school he never could make a team, so now he’s chosen to go to university for the next best option: reporting on sports.

Throughout his schooling, Loewen was never involved in any clubs or teams.

“I got to school at 8:30 and left at 3:30.” The best part of school was seeing his friends.

However, in his free time Loewen’s day would revolve around sports.

“I watch the NFL and NBA a lot!”

At one point, Loewen says he tried out for the school’s basketball team but did not make the cut. But that didn’t keep him from taking to the court.

“I play basketball with my friends a couple times a week,” he explained. “I don’t have the build to be really good at it.”

Loewen’s love for sports stems from the

players and the action.

“To see these people that are the best at what they do just go out there and play, and when you play sports yourself and then watch them, you realize how tough it is to make it there. It’s also just so impressive to watch the fast-paced action!”

After graduation, Loewen was hesitant as to what he wanted to pursue.

“I was thinking of business for a long time because I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do.”

In Loewen’s youth, he would often write stories. Putting his passion for writing and sports together, he made the decision to go into journalism and become a sports reporter.

He slid in just under the MRU deadline, applying for the program three weeks before the start of the semester.

He shared that his dream would be working for TSN or ESPN. He hopes to maybe work in Toronto for some time but doesn’t mind staying with his roots in Calgary.

Loewen’s favourite athlete — without a doubt — is John Cena.

“I watched a lot of wrestling growing up, he was always my icon. His catchphrase was ‘Never give up, hustle, loyalty, and respect.’ He just always set such a good image for me.”

Working through his online classes with Mount Royal University, Loewen hopes to achieve his dream of being in the world of sports.

“I wasn’t good enough to be an athlete, so I think the closest I can get is being a reporter.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 33

Medina Kalac

M

edina Kalac studied film production but has now started a journalism degree at Mount Royal University to develop her abilities in finding and exposing the truth, which she can use to make documentaries.

A first-generation Canadian, born to parents who immigrated from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kalac grew up in Red Deer, Alta. She moved to Calgary two years ago to pursue an education at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), where she learned to make short films, commercials, music videos and documentaries.

Drawn to film after years of watching movies with her older brother — who would secretly let her even watch R-rated flicks with him — Kalac was inspired to make her own.

“Then I graduated and there was the opportunity … so I kind of just seized the moment,” she said.

Over the two-year program at SAIT, Kalac learned to run the camera, make props and ensure there was proper lighting for filming. She put her skills to the test as a production designer for Spin Cycle, a nine-minute film about a young woman who gets into a relationship with her physics teacher, and as the assistant art director for Operation: Clean Slate.

That 21-minute film, a directorial debut from Calgarian actor Jayson Therrein about a

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“I think there should be more diversity.

There should be more women in the industry.”

group of teenagers who try to save their summer even after parking authorities threaten to ruin it, premiered during the Calgary International Film Festival this year.

Kalac enjoyed her studies and was excited to work on film projects but said it has been frustrating to see how male-dominated the industry is and how pervasive sexism continues to be on set. Often, she would be the only woman on the crew and men would immediately assume she was part of the wardrobe or makeup teams, instead of with the camera team.

“I think there should be more diversity. There should be more women in the industry.”

Even as Kalac likes surreal, art house and experimental films, such as those by David Lynch, what she enjoyed most at SAIT was making documentaries. And, as someone eager to pursue truth and make a story out of it, it made sense to Kalac to explore journalism.

After graduating from SAIT in the spring, she enrolled in MRU’s journalism program.

So far, she said, she has found there is some overlap between the two areas and she feels the education she’s getting through classes, especially photojournalism, will only strengthen her filmmaking, eventually helping her to pursue her dream of making documentary movies.

“That’s what I enjoyed the most,” she said. “And I feel like it’s kind of dying right now. So I feel like maybe bringing it back to life would probably be a goal of mine.”

“I’ve had some experience writing for my church and I really really love it. I think the job of a journalist is really important.”

M

ia Mendoza envisioned a future sharing fascinating stories as an entertainer on the stage, yet in the wake of finding her passion for making personal connections and recounting genuine stories, she’s now pursuing a career in journalism.

Mendoza became a confident stage performer when she was in middle school. She attended Foundations for the Future Charter Academy (FFCA) which is known for service learning projects and leadership opportunities. The various methods to tell a story captured Mendoza’s dedication all throughout high school.

“I really love the whole theater world (and) it’s knowing stories, but through acting and through portraying their stories in an artistic form,” Mendoza says.

“I think theatre also has a really important role in society as well because you have the power to tell stories in a more digestible way.”

Through all the plays and musical productions Mendoza took part in, she found her new commitment to storytelling through writing. In the last year, Mendoza had the opportunity to write some stories for the church her family attends, Iglesia ni Cristo.

Mia Mendoza

by Kim Do “As I grew up, I learned that it’s so much more than (just being on the news). I’ve had some experience writing for my church and I really really love it. I think the job of a journalist is really important,” she says.

With her new attentiveness for storytelling and writing, Mendoza plans on going into news reporting or continuing in writing for her church’s multimedia bureau.

Mendoza also opened up her own local business, which helps the Children’s Cottage. At an early age of entrepreneurship, Mendoza and her brother have contributed to the health and safety of many children throughout Calgary.

This business contains a wide range of laces that require no tying. She and her brother have brilliantly come up with four different ways to have your laces tightened without tying the lace.

Essentially, the product not only helps save time, but it is also beneficial for those who have back problems, unstable hands and to many other people who have disabilities. Mendoza’s shoelaces don’t directly help the Children’s Cottage, however, all the profit that is made is to support the children who are in need of care and attention.

Mendoza also stands as a strong advocate for local businesses. The time, effort, and dedication to small details are vital not only to a successful business but to having dependable business as well.

“We really support the Children’s Cottage Society,” she says. “I’m a huge advocate for supporting small businesses in general because they are the ones that actually care about the community that they’re in and they want to give back.”

Many students experience mass amounts of stress when it comes to school. Mendoza and her brother, as a first-year university student and a high school student respectively have learned to nearly tackle the stress that comes from handling a business, on top of school.

Mendoza says she’s fortunate to be able to handle the business with a partner, saying running a company single-handedly is far more difficult than one may assume.

“I’m still trying to learn to adjust to being completely honest,” she confessed.”I am really thankful that I’m not doing it alone.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 35

Nassr Nassour

W

hen Nassr Nassour applied to MRU, his true goal was to major in marketing, but when the program was already full, he made the switch to journalism.

As Nassour was about to graduate high school in June 2020, he applied to several universities. However, some miscommunication with his high school transcripts meant his applications weren’t accepted.

By the time it was worked out, the only local university with spots available was Mount Royal.

When he applied, he had full intentions of joining the marketing program.

“I want to open my own marketing firm down the creative path — you know, I want to create websites for people, create brands, etc,” Nassour explains.

Nassour’s father works for a marketing branch in Dubai, so he had more than one reason to major in marketing.

“Marketing is just an easier way to make money. As soon as I’m out of here, my dad can get me a job with him,” he says.

Unfortunately, Marketing had already filled by the time he was able to apply. He ended up in getting into Journalism, one of the only majors with spots still open.

It wasn’t his desired choice, but he made it clear that he wasn’t wasting a year of school on something that he found completely useless. He has admired journalists and what they do before he even thought about his post-secondary education.

“I like how [they] have the power to put stuff out there, you know? I like how [they] can inform people about stuff, spread and raise awareness and all that. I like the power of being able to have [that].”

36 Fall 2020 • pROFILES

“A pop culture journalist, that’s what I was thinking of.”

by Anne Mayo There was still something holding him back from committing to the journalist career path, though.

“I would love to, yeah I would love to become a journalist, it’s really one of the things I like.

But I don’t know how I would make money doing that. I wish I could make being something like a journalist possible.”

Nassour had some insecurities regarding what the journalism program entailed, as well.

“I love talking to people…but I’m not the best with making the best conversation…I have no problem keeping it going, but getting what I want out of it would be a little harder,” he explains.

He revealed what he was excited for and what he was hoping to experience within his courses, despite his apprehensions.

“I was really excited to explore photojournalism — taking pictures and all that. And how to get the picture taken properly and how to write about it,” he says.

At the end of the day, Nassour is still set on a marketing path. But that didn’t stop him from revealing what he could imagine himself doing if he went forward with journalism “I would probably do something like a hip hop journalist. I’d follow music and write about it. Probably have interviews with celebrities and stuff. A pop culture journalist, that’s what I was thinking [of].”

Nicky Delmar “I began to like studying because I learned how to learn.”

W

hen Nicky Delmar moved to South Africa during high school, she thought it would lead her to a microbiology post-secondary degree. But her school experience overseas led her towards a new passion -- journalism.

When her parents told Delmar that she would be moving at the beginning of grade ten to South Africa, Delmar was concerned that she would not fit in her new country.

Having to leave her family, friends, school, and home behind was a challenge for Delmar.

“I didn’t know anyone in South Africa, so I had the chance to make some excellent friends once we moved there,” Delmar explains.

She maintained contact with some friends from Calgary, but Delmar eventually grew accustomed to South Africa and became friends with the locals. In doing so, she learned how important the school system was to the kids and her future.

“I knew I was not going to stay in Africa, so I had it a little bit different than all of my classmates who were pushing lucrative degrees because that was their way out of the country.”

Delmar recounts that these classmates had such an internal drive to be the best student that it encouraged her to do the same. She wanted to pursue the sciences, specifically microbiology.

by Jackson Vyse “After I moved, I found my educational side. I began to like studying because I learned how to learn. It got me more prepared for university.” said Delmar.

“I do not think the Canadian school system would have pushed me that hard.”

Delmar loved experimenting by making videos on a camera with her friends in South Africa, and created a YouTube channel of her travels. But she saw it as more of a hobby..

As the Delmar family planned its move back to Calgary, Delmar’s parents saw that she was having fun making videos with her friends and pointed out the Broadcast Media and Journalism degrees are offered at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

Delmar applied for both and got accepted into the Journalism program. Delmar said, “I applied for Broadcast Media, but I applied so late that I did not get in, but I got into Journalism. So, it seemed destined for me to be in Journalism!”

She is currently enrolled in MRU’s journalism program, living back home in Calgary again with her parents. Delmar aspires to have a prosperous journalism career working as a reporter or anchor for a news network.

PROFILES • Fall 2020 37

Noel Ormita

“I always tried to pinpoint that certain lesson that I could be grateful for in a way.”

W

hen Noel Ormita moved to Canada from the Philippines, he committed to contributing to his community. Now, in pursuing journalism at MRU, he sees it as a way to further help the public good.

When Ormita moved to Canada in 2008 he was touched by the support different organizations gave to immigrants that were just settling, as it can be a culture shock to many.

He wanted to be the one helping new immigrants have a positive transition, just like the impactful one he remembers he had.

“Being an immigrant, like coming from a different country and I feel like it’s an obligation for me to reciprocate that same support that we felt coming here.”

This piqued Ormita’s interest in serving his community, as his values are very community orientated.

Growing up, Ormita was always involved in a bunch of school clubs and different sports teams that allowed him to always be known and make his presence apparent.

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by Gurleen Jassal “So, I always tried to pinpoint that certain lesson that I could be grateful for in a way. And then that’s how I keep going.”

To serve the community was his life’s purpose and he is very passionate and driven to have his aspirations become a reality.

Ormita was conscious in every action he took, as he was heavily community driven, knowing that he wanted to have a sense of connection through his past and future.

In high school, Ormita was always busy with clubs and other extracurricular activities.

“I got the Citizen of the Year award.”

He did everything from musical theatre to playing sports on a couple of teams like being on the swim team, badminton etc.

“I think my high school experience to me was very positive. And I guess this kind of is what is leading me towards journalism too, because I like to write.”

He wanted to put his passion forward and started volunteering for ‘Inn from the Cold’.

Inn from the Cold is an organization that makes sure no one is homeless. Their mission statement is “a community where no child or family is homeless.”

This organization is what Ormita preaches for: a community-driven organization, and some place where he can feel that community comes first.

Which leads us to where we are today because of how Ormita’s every detail has led him to pursue Journalism.

Ormita plans to use his journalism degree to have the voices heard of his community, as his community has the greatest impact of what he does.

Ormita knows that for a voice to be heard for his community, he wants to tell their stories in the newspaper.

“My life’s purpose is to serve my community and I feel like journalism in a way serves that higher purpose of mine.”

Oscar Santos-Ticas “I just love all different aspects of storytelling and what makes it interesting to a reader.”

O

by Matthew DeMille

scar Santos-Ticas describes himself as an introvert, but his love for music and writing convinced him to pursue journalism at Mount Royal University.

The 19-year-old Calgary native has always been shyer than most, content with laying low and keeping to himself.

“I’ve always been a very introverted kind of person. So, my hobbies are always kinda like playing video games or writing.”

Despite Santos-Ticas’ reserved nature, he was able to find comfort through hearing stories from people he has met.

“I’m very introverted, but I do love learning and kind of hearing other people’s experiences, you know, what makes them, ‘them’ really.”

Given his love for stories it is no surprise Santos-Ticas also possesses a passion to write.

His love for writing began at a young age, where he enjoyed reading and discovered the power of storytelling.

“I just love all different aspects of storytelling and what makes it interesting to a reader,” he explained.

“I’ve just always loved it…I like writing as an art.”

Alongside his passion for stories and writing, Santos-Ticas is also an avid music lover.

His love for music helps him express his feelings in a way he feels comfortable.

“For me, the thing I like most about music is how much it can convey different types of emotions and how complex it can kind of get.”

Music not only helps Santos-Ticas with his feelings, but he also believes it helps others during difficult times.

“I think hearing those types of similar emotions in a song makes us feel like, ‘Oh. I’m not alone in feeling worried or panicked about it.’”

Santos-Ticas also mentioned having a brief stint writing music reviews and hopes to once again pick it up once he gains some experience from his university classes.

Santos-Ticas is currently studying journalism at Mount Royal University.

His interest in people’s stories, and his love for writing gave him the confidence to overcome his introverted feelings and to study journalism.

Despite his first year being held online instead of in-person, Santos-Ticas remains optimistic with his classes.

“I do like sort of working at my own pace. I feel like it is more beneficial for me.”

Out of his current classes, Santos-Ticas most looks forward to learning “how to interview better and engage with others in a more efficient way”, as it can assist with his introverted tendencies.

He plans on completing his degree and is intent on pursuing a journalism role in the music or technology industry.

“I definitely would love to do more music-related stuff with [a degree], although I am also really into technology and stuff. That’s a field I would love to cover as well.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 39

Reagan Tkatch “I’m really excited to put everything that I’ve learned onto paper and to actually write something of my own.”

R

eagan Tkatch’s passion for writing and interest in journalism influenced her decision to move to Calgary so she can study at Mount Royal University, but she left her family, friends, and a growing career in modeling, back in Dubai.

It was September of 2020 when Tkatch made the move from Dubai to Calgary to pursue her dreams of becoming a Journalist.

“I moved here for university, so my family is still in Dubai, but I wanted to do journalism here, so I ended up making the move.”

Tkatch claims she left important parts of her life back in Dubai.

“I miss my family a lot. I miss my brother especially.”

Despite leaving the people and things she cares for back in Dubai, Tkatch says that she is adapting well to living in Calgary and has found that she likes the environment and culture in Calgary better.

“I like it better here. I like the people that are here. I think that everyone’s more accepting and I love that there’s like an LGBTQ+ society,” Tkatch says.

“Everyone kind of accepts everyone and doesn’t judge anybody. In Dubai that wasn’t a prominent part of their 40 Fall 2020 • pROFILES

by Jasleen Bhangu culture. I really liked the nightlife here. I think it’s really fun to meet like a lot of new people. So yeah, I guess I’d say I like Calgary better.”

She started modeling a couple of years ago at the young age of 16 in Dubai, but it wasn’t until earlier this year that her modeling career began to progress. But very soon she made the move to Calgary to study journalism because writing has been her passion throughout her high school career.

Tkatch has put her modelling career on hold so she can focus on university at the moment, but she hopes to return to modelling sometime in the far future.

“Yeah, I was going to try it again here, but I don’t think that I will as of yet, because first off COVID and a second, I just think that university has been a lot more time consuming than I thought it was going to be,” Tkatch explains why she is no longer modeling.

Tkatch enjoyed writing in high school which is what led to her realization that she needed to pursue a career in writing.

Tkatch from an early age explored the fundamentals of writing by telling and writing stories.

“I love to write, throughout high school I did really well in class essays,” Tkatch said.

Tkatch’s love for writing has always been a part of her, which is why she is excited to explore new possibilities in writing and soon be able to publish a piece of her own.

“I’m really excited to put everything that I’ve learned onto paper and to actually write something of my own,” Tkatch said.

Tkatch claims she is an extrovert which is a personality trait of hers that she thinks will help her be successful as a journalist when it comes to interviewing, presentations, and reporting “I’m very outgoing. I’m very talkative and I love to meet new people,” Tkatch said.

Rebekah Wong

“There’s something about J.K. Rowling and the making of such a beautiful world that you can escape. I said to myself at nine years old, ‘I want to do this.’”

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ebekah Wong had ballet and martial arts as possible careers for her future, however her passion shifted to writing thanks to J.K. Rowling.

Like any person in the world, Wong grew up with many hopes and dreams for herself. She cares about environmental issues, loves to travel and explore various historical sites from around the world and enjoys watching crime and investigation shows.

But Wong’s passion for writing started after a variety of different hobbies and interests.

Wong attended a recreational ballet studio to dance and learn musical rhythm to help her with skating. When she began dancing, Wong realized that she enjoyed dancing more than skating and quit skating to pursue dancing. From Ballet to Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, at the age of 10, Wong attended the Alberta Ballet until 14. The Alberta Ballet had two divisions: dancing rehearsals and the other for academic schooling.

At 14, Wong was interested in learning to fight professionally

by Hajar Al Khouzaii and questioned if she was only dancing because she wanted to see her friends in ballet class. Wong established that dancing was a hobby and decided to embrace a new hobby: martial arts.

During the four years that she did martial arts, Wong learned various new components, including Wu Shu, a Chinese Martial Art where the fighter learns two weapons. In Wong’s case, they were the sword and spear. But then, Wong didn’t want to do Wu Shu and began Tai Chi as it had a bit of a dancing component, which was more of an interest to her, leading her to place silver and gold using her sword and fist skills. Wong used her considerable skills and hobbies like Tai Chi, and Yoga as ways of relaxing and meditation.

At the age of nine, Wong read Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, which made her imagine this second world of escape.

“There’s something about J.K. Rowling and the making of such a beautiful world that you can escape. I said to myself at nine years old, ‘I want to do this.’”

On a visit to the University of Toronto, Wong saw the student’s educational atmosphere, which reminded her of her love for Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling’s writing style. It was then that Wong made the decision of wanting to become a journalist. As she was searching through English, philosophy and psychology for the right path to lead her to her writing career, she stumbled upon journalism, and in 2020 Wong was accepted at Mount Royal University for the Bachelor of Communication program, majoring in Journalism.

With her journalism degree, Wong is hoping to begin as a travelling journalist covering environmental issues, the historical scenery of the world, and crime. Wong also wishes to use her journalism degree to get the opportunity of interviewing J.K. Rowling one day.

“I would love to interview JK Rowling. I’d want to pick her brain and ask her everything that she knows and acknowledge her process and her life, and get inspired by her and her presence.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 41

Ryan Mcmillan

“You have to learn to be an expert in almost everything, to be honest.”

by Janelle Oosterhoff

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yan Mcmillan considered journalism after high school, but it took him 16 years, five kids, a photography career, and a global pandemic to apply.

Mcmillan enjoyed writing in high-school and had always been fascinated with the media.

He wanted to study journalism, but his family advised against it and encouraged him to find a job instead.

Mcmillan followed their advice, and he wasn’t too concerned.

“I was one of those individuals who was certain I would figure everything out. But I didn’t have much of a plan.”

After high school, Mcmillan spent a year studying at Capernwray Harbour Bible School, where he met his wife, Alexis. Now, 14 years later, the couple have five kids Mcmillan adores his five children, and particularly enjoys “just seeing their personalities develop and getting to be a part of it and interact with them.”

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Fatherhood has brought Mcmillan some unique experiences, including delivering his youngest child in their family bathroom three years ago.

But the joys of fatherhood come with financial responsibility.

“My focus just became head down. Work.

Pay bills. Do whatever you need to, or do whatever you must, to keep the family afloat.”

And that’s what led Mcmillan to driving log truck four years ago. Despite the long hours, he loved the job.

“I enjoy driving a semi down the mountainside more than I enjoy driving around Calgary.”

When his youngest was born three years ago, Mcmillan took paternity leave. During this time, his wife encouraged him to pursue some of things he was interested in, including photography courses at SAIT and a mentorship under wedding photographer Sean Leblanc.

Through this, Mcmillan Photography was born.

Mcmillan has done several weddings, and he

enjoys the way wedding photography challenges him.

“You have to learn to be an expert in almost everything, to be honest,” he reflects.

“You have to be a specialist in a lot of areas as far as portrait, detail, landscape, architectural; like, can you see a building and know the lines of it, to compose it all? And then street photography — there’s an element of that.”

When COVID hit, Mcmillan’s trucking was shut down for six weeks due to the economy, and he started losing his summer photography sessions.

“I’d say 80 per cent of them were rescheduled to next year. Three of them I lost entirely.”

Mcmillan was able to pick up a few more, but his business still had taken a hit.

To compensate for the lost clients, Mcmillan started to look for other sources of income.

He soon found that he didn’t have the credentials for the jobs he was interested in. And so, school returned to Mcmillan’s radar.

On August 31st, after thinking about it for several months, Mcmillan opened the Mount Royal website. The journalism application closed that same night, and the Mcmillans were forced into a quick decision: “So, kind of on a whim, we’re like, ‘Yeah, we probably should do this!’”

Mcmillan sent his application in by 11:00 p.m. — an hour before the application closed.

Now, two months later, he’s enjoying the journalism program. Mcmillan hopes that the credentials will provide him a job. He’s excited to improve in photojournalism, and to learn how to produce podcasts and blogs.

But the change of pace is one he’s still adjusting to.

“As far as being a 34-year old having been out of high school for 16 years, now going back to school, I’m crazy stressed. But I’m getting there.”

Sannah Chawdhry

“I feel photos oftentimes can evoke strong feelings and it really makes a person feel certain things that I feel sometimes writing can’t do.”

by Gurleen Sodhi

L

ike her mother, Sannah Chawdhry intended to pursue education at Mount Royal University. But when she wasn’t accepted she instead decided to study Journalism and hopes to become a photojournalist.

Chawdhry was born and raised in Calgary and graduated from Sir Winston Churchill High School in 2020. Just like her mother, Chawdhry had intentions of becoming a teacher after high school.

She applied into the education program at Mount Royal University, in hopes of becoming a teacher.

“Right now I would have been doing education because I love working with kids.”

Though she wanted to follow her mother’s footsteps, she sadly got declined in the education field.

Chawdhry decided to move on to a new program, journalism. She hopes to find a job as a photojournalist afterwards.

“I feel photos oftentimes can evoke strong feelings and it really makes a person feel certain things that I feel sometimes writing can’t do.”

Chawdhry also states how she will touch certain topics as a journalist that will not only educate but inspire other fellow journalists.

“Just portraying news and stories you know and spreading awareness on certain topics that I don’t think without Journalists we would have no idea about it. An example would be Muslims that are held in concentration camps in China, not many people know about it.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 43

Shanique Leon

“I do like to read, I do want to improve on my writing skills. I don’t think I am great, but I do want to get to that level of greatness, so I figured journalism.”

by Zach Payne

S

hanique Leon took business when she first arrived in Canada, taking the steps her Father wanted her to take. However it wasn’t for her, and she moved to Calgary to work as a care aid before going back to university, this time to pursue what truly interests her — journalism.

Growing up in Jamaica, Leon was raised in a community that placed high expectations upon her.

“You are expected to perform at the highest excellency there possibly is,” Leon explains.

“You have to show up to school on time. In Jamaica we wear uniforms, so the routine is every Sunday night, you have to have all your uniforms ironed and pressed, your shoes clean and ready to go for the next day, your bags packed.”

It was at 17 that Leon left her home in Jamaica and headed north to Canada. She was ready to attend college, a step influenced by her father’s wishes.

“In Toronto, I did one year at Humber College for business admin.”

However as time progressed, Leon realized this wasn’t the

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right program for her. She wanted to go down a different path, moving west to Calgary for work.

“The job I currently have as a health care aid, I did a six month program at CDI College,” Leon explains.

Helping others is something that is valuable to Leon, so a job in health care was right up her alley.

“You get to meet so many different people, no matter their background or what their illness might be. It forces you to learn how to accommodate other people who are different from you.”

Leon helps these people in assisted living, and she is very comfortable in this line of work.

“Caring for the elderly is something that is sort of natural for me,” Leon explains. She looks past any perceived illness they may have.

“They are still valuable.”

After spending some time away from school, Leon decided to go back, this time to pursue a journalism degree from MRU. “I felt like I was up for a challenge, something different,” she says.

“I do like to read, I do want to improve on my writing skills. I don’t think I am great, but I do want to get to that level of greatness, so I figured journalism.”

However, online education is proving to have its drawbacks, keeping Leon, and her classmates away from each other.

“I feel like having that community, to actually be in class with the teacher and with my classmates would actually help.”

Leon values the relationships built in the classroom, and she has not been able to form them yet. “It’s challenging.”

Leon doesn’t know what the future holds for her, but she is determined to use her education to find success for herself upon her graduation. “At least use my degree in some way.”

She did come up with one idea, though.

“I know a few people around me who edit books, so absolutely want to edit at least one.”

Leon will have no regrets if she was able to do that.

“As long as it’s a number one best seller!”

Shawanda Backfat

“Human beings are often unaware of their power and their potential, and I just want to help people see their potential, for the better good.”

S

by Enea Zarka

hawanda Backfat is currently studying journalism at Mount Royal University, but ultimately she wants to teach and become an advocate for First Nations rights, while addressing intergenerational trauma.

Although having never done journalism in the past, Backfat enjoys writing. She prefers to write her thoughts down and has collected numerous journals over the years.

“I’m way better at expressing what’s on my mind or, in my heart on paper,” she says.

Her love for writing led her to journalism. She decided to apply for it; however there were some personal road bumps along the way. Backfat had been in and out of school for the past four years.

“I was in general studies for a year at MRU and then I was in a partnership program between [the University of Calgary] and St Mary’s University, for education. I wanted to teach,” Backfat says.

She always found journalism too risky because she never thought she would have a chance of making it.

Journalism was something she always questioned but courageously, decided to go for it. Backfat applied and got accepted and she’s determined to work hard and complete the course.

Backfat was an active student and had been in a lot of different programs. However her restlessness in school followed her into her personal life as well.

Backfat was born in Calgary but spent her childhood and adolescence moving between here and Toronto. This switching between cities would make Backfat more of an on-the-go person.

“I think because I move back and forth so much, I really adapted. I always need, like, change. I’m always moving, since then, from city to city.”

Backfat may be restless in her personal life, but when it comes to her heritage and community, she is very clear on who she is.

Backfat is half Jamaican and half Indigenous Canadian. Part of the reason she wants to help Indigenous people is because of her mom.

“My mom’s Indigenous and there’s a lot of intergenerational trauma that exists within the community, within all indigenous communities around the world globally, so I just want to get in there.”

Backfat also embraces her roots in her Indigenous community. She does this by going to Pow Wows and plans on joining jingle dancing in the future.

Backfat joined journalism so that she could advocate for First Nations’ rights.

“I feel like I really want to, like, advocate for like Indigenous people and ... figure out what’s really going on with, like, treaties and the government, and relevance to Indigenous people in North America. So that was, like, the main reason.”

Backfat’s biggest goal in life is to make a difference in her community and family. She wants to do this by breaking intergenerational trauma and helping people realize their potential. Backfat wants to set an example for others and break bad cycles.

“Human beings are often unaware of their power and their potential, and I just want to help people see their potential, for the better good.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 45

Sherry Woods

“If I can make someone’s day, just one day, then it makes my day.”

A

fter graduating high school, Sherry Woods enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces and became a combat medic. But, after the birth of her daughter, she returned to her studies and is hoping to use her journalism degree to help Indigenous communities share their stories.

Like many students, Woods was uncertain about her future as she was completing her senior year at James Fowler High School in 2011. It was at a student job fair when a recruiter from the Armed Forces approached her.

Woods was curious about the opportunity, but wasn’t sure if it would be a good fit. Even so, the idea stayed in the back of her mind. She decided to approach her parents about enlisting.

“They’re like, ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ And I was like, ‘I want to try something different.’ Just something that I never thought I would do... let’s just see if I can do this,” explains Woods.

“I could at least try it and if I don’t like it, at least I tried. Right?”

While she says basic training was a difficult two weeks, Woods found she thrived in the military environment. Stressful situations brought out leadership qualities she didn’t even know she had. After

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training and qualifying as a combat medic in the 15 Field Ambulance, her superiors flagged her for promotion -- one which would require an undergraduate degree.

But Woods’ plans for studies and promotion were set aside when she found out she was pregnant with her daughter, Willow. It meant taking a maternity leave from the Armed Forces and stepping down from her role as Miss Siksika, which she won in 2016.

“I would say 2016, 2017 was kind of a rough year for me, just because I was trying to figure out everything and what I was going to do,” she says.

“She’s a really sweet, sweet kid. And I’m blessed to have her. Like, I know all moms say this, but she helped me with a lot of things, especially with my mental health.”

It was a couple of years later when, as a single parent, Woods made the decision to come to MRU to pursue a degree.

She started in Open Studies in 2018 and graduated from the Indigenous Bridging Program with honours.

It has been hard work, but Woods says it’s worth the effort.

“Just to make my parents and my grandparents proud, and to show my daughter,” she says.

“Even though our people went through struggles, we’re still able to accomplish things that other people say that we can’t, and have [to break] those stereotypes of us.”

Woods credits her other Indigenous classmates with inspiring her to become a better student and helping her decide to major in journalism -- though being interviewed for a story in the Calgary Journal in 2019 also piqued her interest in the field.

Woods hopes to use her degree to help connect Indigenous communities through story and to help shape a media landscape that better includes Indigenous voices.

“It’s kind of hard to see that in the media because, when we’re in media, it’s always something bad. There are really no good stories, even though I understand [that’s] how media works.”

Until then, Woods continues to share her story with other Indigenous women in hope they, too, will continue to pursue their dreams.

“If I can make [someone’s] day, just one day, then it makes my day.”

Vanessa Hansen “And then my Grade 12 teacher called me a ‘shit disturber’ and said that I should look into journalism.”

V

by Kai Rae

anessa Hansen planned to be a pediatrician but, after realizing science wasn’t her strong suit, she switched to journalism for her studies, while continuing to enjoy her love of pole dancing.

Hansen is a first-year student in the journalism program at Mount Royal University (MRU), however the path that led her here was not a planned one.

Sheoriginally planned to go to post secondary to be a pediatrician, because she is a celiac.

“I saw the difference between a good doctor and a bad doctor and what it could do for the experience for a kid….” said Hansen.

This is what led her down the path to be a pediatrician in the first place. She wanted to help these kids, by giving them a better experience than she had. The only problem was she was not great at science and,

around Grade 11, she realized she wouldn’t be able to get to her goal.

‘I’m like horrible at [science], like, gag if I touch a bone, can’t do any of the biology … bad at it,” Hansen said.

And after almost failing a class she took a step back.

“Jesus Christ, I can’t be a pediatrician. I’ll kill someone,” Hansen said she realized.

“Like, I’ll kill someone if I even make it through med school.”

Hansen knew she needed to find another way to get to her goal of helping people.

With help from her mother and an English teacher, both of whom questioned why a student who got such good grades in Advanced Placement English was trying for a career based in the sciences, she looked into options that would benefit from her writing skills.

“And then my Grade 12 teacher called me a ‘shit disturber’ and said that I should look into journalism,” she said.

And she did, which led her to MRU. Through this program, Hansen hopes she’ll be able to reach people with her words, in a way she’ll be able to succeed in.

As for the pole dancing, it started out as a joke. She and a friend joined a class and it eventually led into Hansen keeping at it because she enjoys the activity. She used to be a ballet dancer, but she hated it because of people that were involved. Events led her to leave, and brought her to pole dancing as she needed another form of exercise.

Hansen hopes to continue pole dancing while she transitions from being a high schooler to a university student. She plans to go with the flow for a bit and see the sights she hopes will be shown throughout the journalism program.

PROFILES • Fall 2020 47

Zhivan Robinson

Z

hivan Robinson was not sure she’d stay in Calgary for school, but after realizing she has a passion for finding the weird in people, she found herself on Mount Royal University’s doorstep.

Robinson was born in Calgary, but grew up in Langley, B.C. Robinson enjoyed living in Langley, though it also had its flaws.

“There was, like, a lot of gang stuff going on. My mom was stressed. She wanted me to stay on school property. There was, like, shootouts,” she said.

Despite these drawbacks, Robinson did not look forward to moving to Calgary after her father passed away.

“I remember kind of feeling … devastated, cause I was like ‘Oh, I had all these friends.’

These people kind of knew my situation. It was easier to communicate with them. I barely spoke my first year here,” she said.

Not only were the circumstances of the move unfortunate, but the environment Robinson found herself in afterwards was as well.

“When I moved to Calgary, there was no kids in my neighbourhood. And, if there was, they never left the house. I also went to school that was quite a ways away from my house, so I had no one to hang out with in my neighbourhood. So I kind of felt a bit alone,” she said.

Robinson said the school environment was very politically opinionated — a trend that would continue through her years in Catholic school.

According to Robinson, CAlgary has not changed much since her days in junior high.

When asked about the people in the city, Robinson said, “They don’t look into things.”

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“I always seem to end up finding really weird people, I guess, who have really strange point of views or, like, I just get them to talk about it. So, I think that’s one skill I have: finding the weird folks.”

by Kobe Tulloch Robinson is currently a journalism student at Mount Royal University. She chose the school after a conversation with a co-worker about the small class sizes.

Whether Robinson will choose to pursue a career as a journalist remains to be seen, but if she does choose to work in journalism, she hopes to follow a rather non-traditional path.

“I always see these weird documentaries of people interview weird phenomenons or whatever. I’d be like, ‘Oh word, I would totally want to a show like that.’ Do you remember Mystery Hunters? Looking into weird conspiracy things. And then including a science portion.”

Despite choosing to study a field heavily involved in conversation and human interaction, Robinson herself remains quite reserved.

Her social media accounts are private and rarely used. Photos of herself are nowhere to be seen. The most personal photo on her Instagram page is of a pair of iguanas she found in the summer of 2018.

When camera and microphones are optional in her online classes, she said she “obviously is going to gonna take that off.”

She also said this has given her issues with communication during lectures and that “you feel, like, kind of alone in the class for that.”

However, not being outgoing in the traditional sense does not stop her from interacting with story-worthy characters.

“I always seem to end up finding really weird people, I guess, who have really strange point of views or, like, I just get them to talk about it. So, I think that’s one skill I have: finding the weird folks.”

“I’d like flying with the team and just kind of going from city to city, interviewing the players, watching the games. I eventually want to have a podcast of my own.”

Z

Zach Payne

by Shanique Leon

ach Payne always loved sports, especially hockey. But it was through his last high school years that he discovered another passion, and he is now studying to be a journalist.

Growing up in Calgary, Alberta Payne developed a love for sports. This came about as he watched a lot of it on TV. During his early years, as he enrolled in ice hockey, Payne encountered some difficulties.

“When I was skating, I didn’t know how to stop!’’ So in addition to his coaches, he got extra help by taking some power skating classes which helped him a fair amount.

After getting the hang of skating and getting good at it, Payne transitioned to ball hockey.

“Well, ice hockey was really expensive for starters, and it was probably not going to

lead me anywhere. So, I went away with it and just played ball hockey because it is kind of like ice hockey, but much cheaper.’’

Ball hockey saw Payne playing for numerous teams, as he was a part of a recreational league.

“After a few years, you know all of the people who have played for a good amount of time. Oftentimes you will be playing against people and recognise a lot of faces. It’s just like a fun Little League game, basically.’’

Even though Payne was not planning on pursuing the game professionally, he has learned more about the game in depth, from watching it over the years. His biggest takeaways were work ethic and trust.

As Payne journeyed through high school, he realized that he had to make a decision.

“I guess as I progressed through high

school, I stopped really caring what other people thought and just focused on my school a little bit more.”

After settling into his high school studies, Payne discovered another thing he loved.

“I’ve enjoyed writing for the past few years and I’m decent at it. And I like talking about sports, obviously, so I figured I might as well, this is the path I want to go down.”

This led Payne to studying journalism as a first-year student at Mount Royal University.

As an avid supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he hopes to use his degree writing about sports and potentially travelling alongside a team.

“I’d like flying with the team and just kind of going from city to city, interviewing the players, watching the games. I eventually want to have a podcast of my own.”

PROFILES • Fall 2020 49