The Queen's Journal, Volume 145, Issue 17

the journal Vol. 145, Issue 17

Queen’s University

F r i d ay J a n u a r y 1 2 , 2 0 1 8

since

1873

WHO WILL RUN?

AMS executive all-candidates meeting sees minimal turnout & ‘lack of engagement’ T raditionally, the AMS all-candidates meeting is where teams of three interested in running for student government executive gather to show their intent to run. However, this Tuesday’s meeting held in Dunning Hall saw only one candidate who remains unsure of her willingness to run, and no opposition.

For the past two years at least, the AMS executive all-candidates meeting has presented two three-person teams, resulting in a contested election. Student engagement with the election has remained stable at Queen’s over the last decade. In fact, since 2011, the University has maintained one of the highest voter turnouts among Ontario universities at 40 per cent.

Despite this, AMS Director of Communications Craig Draeger attended

Tuesday’s meeting and commented that the meeting showed a “lack of engagement,” with student government.

This year, the candidate nomination period runs from Jan. 11 to 15. During the nomination period, candidates are required to gather 356 signatures from students to be put on the ballot.

According to the AMS’ Elections and Referenda Policy Manual, “In the event that no team completes the nomination requirements on time, the nomination period shall be extended .... If no teams have come forward by that time, Assembly shall determine the process to be followed.”

Full Story on page 2

What’s Inside?

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JUSTICE KING

NEWS

FEATURE

ARTS

SPORTS

LIFESTYLE

AMS fails to allocate $22,000 sustainability

The Pitfalls and Perks of Donning

Kent Monkman exhibit comes to the Agnes

A Q&A with Queen’s

Finding out

newest assistant coach

i had cancer

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page 10

page 13

page 16

action fund for months

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News

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GRANTS

Friday, January 12, 2018

ELECTIONS

AMS AMS executive Sustainability all-candidates meeting Action Fund held sees minimal turnout & back $22,000 ‘lack of engagement’ for months despite multiple requests Lockridge says AMS has “had trouble” organizing granting committee Iain Sherriff-Scott Assistant News Editor

According to a conversation she had with the AMS at the beginning of September, Walter was told According to several members the SAF would be allocated by of different clubs on campus the end of frosh week. Again, this and in Kingston as well, the never happened, meaning both AMS Sustainability Action Fund the summer and fall grants went has been held back for months. unallocated.

Despite repeated requests and “I think this goes to show that inquiries related to its distribution, you need to have a dedicated none of the $22,000 fund has been sustainability commission because allocated to clubs. obviously they aren’t able to Traditionally managed by the handle the allocation of the SAF on Commission on Environmental top of their other duties,” Walter Affairs (CEA), the Sustainability said of the AMS. Action Fund (SAF) has provided Walter argued that under the Tuesday’s all candidates meeting saw a near-empty room in Dunning Hall. support for both AMS and non- AMS final CEA commissioner Liam AMS sanctioned clubs that work Dowling, the SAF was allocated for Jasnit Pabla government. on sustainability projects. This the whole year on time along with & Iain Sherriff-Scott This year, the candidate year, the fund collected $22,000 feedback for those who weren’t Journal Staff nomination period runs from Jan. from its $3.00 opt-out student fee. granted the funds.

11 to 15. During the nomination After the CEA was disbanded in “It always got done on time An updated version of this story period, candidates are required January of 2017, responsibility to because he was a dedicated first appeared online on Jan. 10. to gather 356 signatures from distribute the SAF fell to the AMS person doing it and they had a students to be put on the ballot.

Vice President (University Affairs). dedicated Environmental Affairs Traditionally, the AMS allAccording to the AMS Elections Zoe Walter, former Vice Commission,” Walter said. candidates meeting is where teams and Referenda Policy Manual, “In President for the Society of Walter isn’t the only club of three interested in running for the event that no team completes Conservation Biology, told The representative frustrated with student government executive the nomination requirements Journal her team applied to the SAF’s lack of allocation this gather to show their intent to on time, the nomination period SAF for $1000 back in July. year. Arthur Cockfield, business run. However, this Tuesday’s shall be extended .... If no teams “We got the application in on manager for Queen’s Solar Design meeting held in Dunning Hall saw have come forward by that time, Team, told The Journal his club had only one candidate who remains Assembly shall determine the similar problems accessing the unsure of her willingness to run, process to be followed.”

We got the application fund this year. and no opposition.

The last time the AMS had a Formerly involved with the For the past two years at least, non-contested election was in in on time and it Hyperloop design team, Cockfield the AMS executive all-candidates 2015. Election by acclamation was supposed to be said that in past years he faced meeting has presented two — where AMS Assembly rather allocated in July, it no delays in accessing the fund three-person teams, resulting than a student body vote of never was. when it was administered through in a contested election. Student confidence — was used in the last the CEA. He said this year’s engagement with the election has three AMS elections where only process would “benefit from remained stable at Queen’s over one team has run — 1983, 1990 — Zoe Walter, more transparency” so students the last decade. In fact, since 2011, and 2015.

Former Society of have a clear idea of where funds the University has maintained Conservation Biology President AMS policy has changed since are allocated. one of the highest voter turnouts then, stating, “Should only one team time and it was supposed to be When asked about delays among Ontario universities at fulfil nomination requirements … allocated in July, it never was,” 40 per cent. with no other team having come Walters said. “They never granted Despite this, AMS Director of forward, a vote of confidence the summer period.”

We’ve had a little bit Communications Craig Draeger will be held at the set election After she was unable to access of trouble getting our attended Tuesday’s meeting and date to determine if the team will the fund, Walter said her repeated commented that it showed a “lack be acclaimed.” granting committee email requests for inquiry were of engagement,” with student However, Tuesday’s meeting together. ignored throughout the summer.

In July, Walter sought funds for a bee garden project which — Palmer Lockridge, “It’s one of the only granting meeting going.” has since been completed outside AMS Vice-President committees that has faculty Lockridge said finding a of the Biosciences complex. She (University Affairs) representation and staff replacement faculty member said the Society of Conservation representation from the to sit on the committee was Biology wanted “to make a green University,” Lockridge explained. “a difficult process.” Despite space on campus that was friendly in SAF’s allocation, AMS Vice “The faculty member sitting on difficulties, a replacement was to pollinators.”

President (University Affairs) the committee had gone on found in October, but funds still “Because we never got the Palmer Lockridge told The sabbatical and otherwise we’re weren’t allocated. funding, we looked for other ways Journal “we’ve had a little bit just trying to fit a bunch of other “I wanted to make sure the to get it — we fundraised most of of trouble getting our granting student schedules and faculty and committee had the full opportunity it ourselves,” Walter said. committee together.” staff schedules together to get the to have a debate and discussion on

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PHOTO BY IAIN SHERRIFF-SCOTT

signaled the potential for an uncontested race and uncertainty as to who, if anyone, would be nominated for the 2018-19 executive team.

The campaign period begins on Jan. 22 and runs until Jan. 28.

On Jan. 25, executive teams will debate in Wallace Hall, given that a candidacy is announced.

In an email to The Journal on Wednesday, the current AMS Executive said they remain hopeful candidates will eventually come forward.

“We are hopeful and expectant that well-qualified candidates will step forward for all the major elections taking place this month, including for Rector, AMS Executive, faculty society executives and members of Assembly,” the team wrote.

“These are big responsibilities for any student to take on, and we recognize the tenacity that it takes to put oneself forward. We will continue to make ourselves available to anyone who wishes to know more about our jobs or what it’s like to run for AMS Executive.” what we’re granting,” Lockridge said. “It’s going to be $17,000 in this period and its $22,000 across the year, so I think in any year you would want the committee to have a full discussion and make sure the funds are where they should be.”

Lockridge said he expects granting decisions to come out next week.

News

Friday, January 12, 2018

queensjournal.ca • 3

WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE

Queen’s Winter Coat Exchange provides free winter clothing for all

Project geared towards international student accommodation in Canada seeing steady growth

PHOTO BY JASNIT PABLA

Heather Poechman arranges items in the Room of Requirement, JDUC 238.

Jasnit Pabla Assistant News Editor As temperatures drop, the need for winter clothing can become financially taxing for international

students at Queen’s. Fortunately, the Queen’s Winter Coat Exchange provides a free and anonymous resource for students and Kingston community members.

The exchange is situated at

the back of JDUC 238, also know as the Room of Requirement.

The area sports two full coat racks and shelves filled with hats, scarves, mittens and winter boots.

SEASON LAUNCH 18 JANUARY 2018

MEMBERS’ PREVIEW 5–6 PM PUBLIC RECEPTION 6–7:30 PM CREATION STATION 6–7:30 PM

NEW EXHIBITIONS 6 JANUARY–8 APRIL 2018

SHAME AND PREJUDICE A STORY OF RESILIENCE A Project by Kent Monkman

Produced and circulated by the Art Museum at the University of Toronto in partnership with theConfederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown, and made possible in part by the Government of Canada and the Ontario Arts Council.

LEAD SPONSOR: Donald R. Sobey Family Foundation

THE POWERS OF WOMEN

FEMALE FORTITUDE IN EUROPEAN ART

LOG CABIN

A CANADIAN QUILT

“HE FIRST BROUGHT IT TO PERFECTION” JOHN SMITH AND THE MEZZOTINT IN EARLY MODERN ENGLAND Presented with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts; Ontario Arts Council; City of Kingston Arts Fund through the Kingston Arts Council; and the George Taylor Richardson Memorial Fund, Queen’s University.

Queen’s University 36 University Avenue Kingston ON K7L 3N6 (613) 533.2190 www.agnes.queensu.ca

Heather Poechman, MA ‘18, knitted scarves and hats to add to started the exchange in 2016. At the room.” the time she was in her fourth year For Poechman, feedback from of her undergraduate degree. those accessing the exchange has “I wanted to find a way to make been positive. adjustment to Canadian climate a little easier for international students,” she said.

I’ve had people leave Starting with a little under 20 me little notes in the coats upon opening in 2016, the room saying how much exchange now maintains a steady they appreciate the inventory of over 40 and a large resource and even collection of other winter gear.

Students can access the room any walked in while people time between 8 a.m. and midnight were trying on and are invited to simply walk in the coats. and take whatever they need, free of charge.

— Heather Poechman, Following a year abroad in MA ‘18 Morocco and experiences working as a Peer Advisor with the “I’ve had people leave me Queen’s University International little notes in the room saying Centre, Poechman realized the how much they appreciate the Canadian climate has become resource and even walked in while a perceived barrier to potential people were trying on the coats,” international students. she said. “We talked and they told “[Students in Morocco] would me about how this resource has say ‘I’d love to go to Canada but really helped their student life it’s so cold,’ and I started thinking at Queen’s.” about people coming from With Poechman scheduled warmer climates,” she said. to finish her Master’s in August, “Having them spend a couple she will have to pass the hundred dollars on a coat program off to a new leader for they’re only going to wear the first time. once seems excessive.”

“I’m hoping whoever takes on When the Exchange was first this room next will be able to created in 2016, Poechman said find it really easy,” she said. She it was difficult to get donations hopes to curate a list of contacts and make students aware of the to ensure that donations are resource itself. continuous throughout the But after stories about the year before the completion of coat exchange were published her Master’s degree. in Global News and The Kingston Regardless of her presence Whig-Standard, Poechman said in the project, Poechman hopes a lot of people contacted her to see continued support for the hoping to donate. Social media Queen’s Winter Coat Exchange. has connected Queen’s Winter “I think it will be a project that Coat Exchange to groups such as will hopefully continue to keep Dawn House, a women’s shelter running in the future. It’s been in Kingston and local retailer Cloth really great to have this kind of and Socks Kingston. According to support from the Queen’s and Poechman, the latter has pledged Kingston community.” to donate 100 pairs of socks to the Exchange.

For Queen’s and Kingston Within the Queen’s community, community members looking to student donations have played donate to the Queen’s Winter Coat a significant role in restocking Exchange, donations are welcome to the shelves. the room itself. Heather Poechman “Some people come in while I’m can be contacted through email at not there and leave coats while 12hnp@queensu.ca for more others take them,” she said. “I information about what donations had a student who, with their are currently being sought. mother over the Christmas break,

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News

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Friday, January 12, 2018

University Council on Anti-Racism and Equity Committee members selected Seventeen committee members to address racism and equity on campus

Jasnit Pabla Assistant News Editor On Dec. 6, Queen’s announced the members of the inaugural University Council on Anti-Racism and Equity (UCARE). Over a month later, the 17 members are now starting work on a broad mandate to “help shape the vision and strategy of the University” on matters of racism, diversity and inclusion on campus.

The Principal’s Implementation Committee on Racism, Diversity and Inclusion (PICRDI) report released in April of 2017 called for the establishment of UCARE, along with numerous other recommendations regarding the state of diversity on campus.

The establishment of the council was officially announced in a press release from the University on Sept. 28. Applications were accepted until Oct. 22, wherein a second University press release on Dec. 6 announced the inaugural members.

According to the committee’s description available online, UCARE is responsible “for coordinating, reviewing, and reporting on the process of sustained university-wide initiatives to address racism and to promote diversity and inclusion at Queen’s.”

Deputy Provost (Academic Operations and Inclusion) Teri Shearer shared her vision for the committee’s work in an interview with The Journal.

“I view UCARE as enabling the community to work in partnership with administration to not only effect change but to identify where the most important points of change are and to brainstorm solutions to barriers that individuals in racialized positions in this community experience,” she said.

According to the Council’s official website, UCARE’s composition will maintain a 51 per cent representation from

racialized groups. Members will serve two year terms with a chance to renew for another two years upon completion.

Rector Cam Yung, who served on the Council’s nomination committee, told The Journal they looked for diversity when selecting members.

“We wanted to make sure we were able to get a group of individuals that were representative of the population of Queen’s now, but also for the years to come,” he said.

you’re dealing “When with anti-racism,

the more people you have from different backgrounds and different experiences in their lives, the better the outcome.

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the Vice-Provost, AMS and SGPS representatives, a Senate Chair member and members of the Kingston community or alumni.

UCARE members will meet in January to formulate a strategic plan for the council,

select co-chairs and possibly structure sub-councils. In March, the council will have their first official meeting to begin planning initiatives.

According to Baskatawang, the Council will prioritize the needs of students and the demands

stemming from PICRDI’s report.

“We want to put the students first, we want to make a home for them and that starts by listening to them,” Baskatawang said. “We have this document here, and this should be our first priority.”

Next Gen Dinner Series sets graduating students up for success Toronto event provides students with networking, training and mentoring opportunities in the marketing industry

— Darian Baskatawang, ArtSci ‘18

Alongside Yung, Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies) in the Faculty of Engineering Amir Fam, AMS Social Issues Commissioner Ramna Safeer and Human Rights Office Director Stephanie Simpson served on the committee.

For student representative Darian Baskatawang, ArtSci ’18, there was no question about whether he would submit an application. “[UCARE] definitely needed an Indigenous voice,” he said.

“When you’re dealing with anti-racism, the more people you have from different backgrounds and different experiences in their lives, the better the outcome,” Baskatawang said.

Baskatawang joins 16 other members from Queen’s and the wider Kingston community Students and industry professionals meet at Next Gen Dinner Series 2017. on the Council. Representation is composed of students, staff, Maureen O’Reilly and successful applicants will be faculty, the Human Rights Office News Editor invited for an interview. From there, Director, the Principal, the Provost, a finalist group of 71 individuals is Each year, soon-to-be and recent selected to attend the series. post-secondary graduates struggle “[Adlounge is] looking for self to find their place in the workforce. starters who are eager to jump For students in marketing, into the industry,” Vacl said. design, digital, communications, “Making a great first impression, advertising or an MBA program, like discussing an article in the the Next Gen Dinner Series could latest industry magazine, like be the event that kick-starts Strategy, definitely makes them their career. stand out from the crowd [in Since 2011, the Next Gen an interview].”

Dinner Series is an event that Finalists participate in a pairs innovative companies with professional training program top graduating students in the provided by the company marketing, creative, advertising, Combustion. The training session and digital fields. The dinner is conducted by Combustion’s series is hosted by Adlounge, President Leslie Ehm, who an organization that hosts provides participants with events serving the marketing, useful tools on how to land a job, advertising, digital media and presentation skills and the value of communications community. researching before an interview.

Andrea Vacl, a Content Creation “To be able to differentiate Specialist at Glance Marketing yourself is super valuable company who does public today, and that’s something relations work for Next Gen, spoke this program offers,” to The Journal about the series in a she said. phone interview on Wednesday.

Once participants complete This year’s dinner series will training, they attend the dinner be held at the Toronto restaurant itself. Here, they are able to Archeo on Mar. 20. According to network with industry experts.

Vacl, students and recent grads This year, eight marketing and can apply for the program online communications companies will

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY ADLOUNGE

be attending the dinner: IPG Mediabrands, Addictive Mobility, Bridgeable, Isobar, Ruckus, Yellow Pages and HUGE. The series has hosted many notable companies in the past, including Google and Amazon.

According to Vacl, each company will send a couple of executives to speak with students and recent grads about their career paths and plans.

“It’s a very unique opportunity because they get to sit and talk with these high-level people in the companies that you wouldn’t normally get the chance to talk to or meet with,” Vacl said.

Since the program began seven years ago, Vacl said participants have seen great success. This includes some of them even being hired by companies directly out of the program.

“I’ve actually had a chance to talk to quite a few of the students who have moved on after to do really incredible things,” Vacl said.

“This is an incredible opportunity because executives are coming here looking for talent.”

Applications for this year’s series are due online

by Jan. 15.

News

Friday, January 12, 2018

queensjournal.ca • 5

STUDENT ELECTIONS

Rector all-candidates meeting sees three potential candidates Candidates must gather 440 student signatures to officially begin their campaign

Shivani Gonzalez and Sarina Grewal Journal Staff On Jan.8, an all-candidates meeting was held in preparation for this month’s University Rector elections. The meeting, which provided information to potential candidates about the election process, saw three students announce their intent to run.

The candidates for the 2018 Rector elections are Jake Roseman, ArtSci ‘19, Afsheen Chowdhury, ConEd ‘19, and Alexandra da Silva, ConEd ‘19. While Roseman and da Silva confirmed their candidacy with The Journal, Chowdhury says she needs to confirm her other extracurriculars before she can commit fully to the campaign.

The nomination period, where potential candidates will need From left to right: Alexandra da Silva, Jake Roseman and Afsheen Chowdhury.

PHOTOS BY SARINA GREWAL

to collect 440 student signatures, will run from Jan. 11 to 15. Upon obtaining these signatures, candidates will be ratified at AMS Assembly on Jan. 18.

Among all Canadian universities the position of Rector is unique to Queen’s. The student elected into this position serves a three-year term, during which they act as the representative for all University undergraduate and graduate students to the administration in matters pertaining to education.

The campaign period will be from Jan. 22 to 28, with an all-candidates debate held on Jan. 24. Voting will occur on Jan. 29 and 30 and the winning candidate will be announced on Jan. 30. The winner will succeed current Rector Cam Yung following his two years in the position.

Queen’s students to travel to Dubai to compete for Hult Prize Four-person team will present pitch in hopes of winning a $1 million prize

From left to right: Mitch Sadler, Karina Bland, Leigh-Anne Mcknight and James Hantho.

Sarina Grewal Assistant News Editor This March, a group of Queen’s undergraduate students will travel to Dubai for the regional finals of the Hult Prize — a competition that asks teams to present a solution to a global problem for a chance to win $1 million.

The successful team includes team captain Karina Bland, Sci ‘18 and members Mitch Sadler, Leigh-Anne Mcknight, both Sci ’18, and James Hantho, Comm ’18.

The team earned their spot in the Dubai regional competition by winning the campus-level competition on Nov. 25.

Winning teams from each of the nearly 1000 Hult Prize Campus events bypass the general application round to compete in one of 15 regional final competitions. From these

regional comepetitions, 50 teams are selected to an eight-week Hult Prize accelerator program in London.

The accelerator programs prepares teams for the final global competition at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, where the $1 million grand prize will be awarded.

The Prize is named for a Swedish-born entrepreneur and billionaire, Bertil Hult, one of Europe’s leading entrepreneurs who founded Education First, the largest private education company in the world. Hult and his family provide the $1-million prize money for the competition.

According to the Hult Prize organization website, this year’s competition challenges students to build a scalable, sustainable social enterprise that can harness the power of energy to

transform the lives of 10 million Referred to by the World people by 2025. Teams must Health Organization as the vaccine present their solutions in a “cold chain,” vaccines require highly six-minute-long pitch. specific temperature maintenance in order to remain effective. If not, they can often spoil after It’s been a journey. mere hours if temperatures aren’t We’re loving every step maintained during transport.

According to UNICEF, vaccines of it. that are improperly stored often — James Hantho, freeze or are exposed to sunlight, Comm ‘18 both of which reduce the potency of the substances.

After hearing about the The current methods allow competition in their respective for a maximum 48 hour window classes, the team’s startup idea of movability under optimal is a new method of transporting conditions, Sadler told The vaccines by controlling transport Journal. The team aims to tackle temperatures via energy power. this problem through a new This idea would address a method of refrigeration. As a prevalent problem — particularly result, they could potentially amongst developing nations – of extend the timeline of potential moving vaccine shipments in a vaccine transport. timely manner while keeping the “Our idea is to add a little bit medication viable. more control and certainty into

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PHOTO BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

the timeline of [transport], and potentially extend that to a week or even a month on our perfect, ideal system, so as to provide more transportability and further reaches within a certain time limit,” he said.

They’re currently focusing on creating partnerships and garnering sponsorships for their company. Looking ahead, they are excited for the next step in the competition.

According to Hantho, the team attributes their success thus far largely to the cohesiveness of their group.

“It’s been a journey. We’re loving every step of it,” Hantho said. “We all have our niches and what we’re good at, and it’s really incredible that we have a perfect mesh of smarts in different areas.”

6 • queensjournal.ca

Features

Friday, January 12, 2018

IN-DEPTH STORIES FROM AROUND CAMPUS AND IN THE COMMUNITY

Reality for a residence don Three dons talk about the pitfalls and perks of the job

Dons are voicing concerns over balancing the responsibilities of being a student and the growing demands of being a Don.

Brigid Goulem Features Editor The Residence Dons at Queen’s University play a vital role in the residence experience of many first-year students. While many have rewarding and engaging experiences as a Don, some deem the job exploitative and at times, unnecessary.

To understand more about their job at Queen’s, The Journal spoke to former and current Residence Dons about their experiences in the position. Due to the non-disclosure agreement they sign with Residence Life (ResLife) — the administrative organization that oversees the residence system — all respondents have had their names changed to protect their identity.

Through interviews, past articles and looking at how other Dons are treated across the province, there’s a common narrative to having these jobs.

Despite several positive experiences, these workers lack some of the protections offered in other forms of student employment.

Looking back on his time in residence, Finn said his positive experience was often overcome by the stresses of being a Don. Overall, he said his time was an isolating experience.

“You don’t really have space to invite friends over to just hang out,” he told The Journal.

In addition to this, Finn said the requirements of the job were greater than he expected.

“There were a lot of programming requirements and meetings that are expected, as well as daytime on-call shifts that are expected during ‘party’ weekends that aren’t really in the given job description,” he said.

Finn also had some bad experiences with residents he felt were inadequately handled by ResLife.

He remembers one situation in which a student stole $1,500 from his roommate while he was asleep. According to Finn, “ResLife did nothing to make the situation better.”

He was allowed to stay in the room for another three months until another complaint prompted ResLife to move him to West Campus.

During his time as a Don, Jesse similarily found that while he enjoyed his work for the most part, having the job took a toll on him.

“We only got one weekend off per month where we were not expected to be in the building at night,” he said.

While Jesse stressed most of the extra work wasn’t a big deal, he said there was tension amongst Dons and ResLife regarding a new requirement that at least one Don had to be on-call during the exam period.

Before the change, ResLife Coordinators were responsible for being on-call during exams so as to allow Dons the chance to study. The move away from this was viewed as an unnecessary increase in workload that interfered with school work.

“That new requirement was not the expectation of Dons who had [the job] before and Residence Life Coordinators could just as easily keep the pager with them,” he said. “It felt like RLCs were off-loading their work on us, while we were already stressed about exams.”

In his own experience, Kurt said his favourite part of the job was the fellow Dons he worked with and the students on his floor. Even with this in mind, he still remembers how the ResLife management team treated Dons poorly.

It felt like the RLCs were “off-loading their work on

us, while we were already stressed about exams.

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“They often seemed to be exploiting Dons as easy, cheap labour,” he said. “If you add up all of the hours of work Dons actually do, it goes way beyond our compensation.”

While the Queen’s Residence Don contract from 2015-2016 doesn’t specify a set amount of hours for the job, the responses The Journal received regarding the amount of time for the job varied significantly. According to Kurt, Finn and Jesse, it depended on the residence.

From his experience, Kurt said a

lot of the work Dons end up doing is generally unnecessary. At one point during his term, ResLife suspected the fire alarm system in the building wasn’t working. As a result, Dons were made to do ‘fire rounds,’ wherein they patrolled the building for hours in case there was a fire. He said these additional responsibilities made it challenging to balance student responsibilities with being a Don. While these challenges are frustrating for all, he said it’s particularly hard on students who are dependent on donning to be able to afford tuition and living expenses at Queen’s.

From his experience, Kurt “said a lot of the work Dons end up doing is generally unnecessary.

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“It’s most exploitative for those Dons who are donning out of necessity and can’t protest no matter how much extra work they have to do,” he said.

To address the issue of exploitation, there have been attempts in the past to unionize Dons, but those have fallen flat. According to Kurt, the problem is that partaking in this process could damage their chances of getting rehired. For some Dons, not getting rehired means not having a place to live, or food to eat.

“Dons have this awkward position of not technically being salaried employees and our employer doesn’t have to follow labour laws, even though we are employees in most senses of the word,” he said.

Kurt isn’t the first person to take issue with the labour rights of Dons.

In a 2013 Journal article, Residence Dons considered unionizing due to increased workload, programming and responsibilities not initially outlined.

This decision stemmed from these students being given a two-week notice that they were expected to be on-call 24/7 during exams — a role that had previously been the responsibility of the ResLife Coordinators.

“We can’t complain because then we

PHOTO BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

will get fired, and for many of us financially it’s just not an option to live anywhere other than Res” one don told The Journal in 2013.

These fears were affirmed in a response by former ResLife employee Rashed Al-Haque, published in The Journal.

In January of 2013, he wrote that he had “seen Dons who challenged upper administration in the slightest way being placed on what seems like a proverbial ResLife ‘watchlist’. ResLife seems to watch out for people who question them and assess whether they should continue in their jobs.”

Al-Haque stressed the need for Dons to be able to speak up about their frustrations.

He pointed out that it’s not in the best interest of ResLife to have disgruntled staff who feel “marginalized by the very institution they chose to serve.”

It’s not just Queen’s Dons who have taken issue. According to a 2014 Maclean’s article, two Carleton Residence fellows — the equivalent to Dons at Queen’s — quit their jobs after a failed bid to unionize.

While Carleton maintained that Residence Fellows only work an average of 20-25 hours a week, Miranda Moores told Maclean’s the job required more like 40 to 60 hours a week.

On top of the heavy workload, the Carleton Residence Fellows contract, much like the one Queen’s Residence Dons sign, includes the right of managers to assign non-specific ‘other duties’.

Despite a lack of official representation at ResLife, ResSoc represents all students who live in residence including Dons. Their executive sits on many committees that deal with issues affecting Dons and advocate on their behalf.

Dons have complained that dependence for shelter and food on their employment has put them in a vulnerable position.

However, in an email to The Journal, ResLife emphasized that a live-in position shouldn’t be a barrier to Dons approaching ResLife with any concerns regarding their work and that they want to “want to support all Dons as they perform their very important role in student life.

Friday, January 12, 2018

queensjournal.ca

EDITORIALS

•7

THE QUEEN’S JOURNAL

The Journal’s Perspective

Volume 145 Issue 17

One student’s 11 million dollar claim against a university may seem clownish at first glance.

However, behind the cartoonish sum is a surprisingly credible argument for a student’s right to an education. This case could inspire more students to sue their schools for failing to educate them, and that may not be such a bad thing.

Stuart alleges the program he completed at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry didn’t give him the necessary training to get licensed as a medical microbiologist. Stuart’s case argues the program was on probation while he was enrolled, with many faculty members and all of his classmates dropping out before graduation. Stuart then failed the medical microbiologist exam three times before suing the school for failing to prepare him.

Even though he should’ve recognized that something was going wrong with the program when every single one of his classmates dropped out, he wasn’t wrong to stay when they left. As much as we could question Stuart’s judgement for staying in a failing program, the onus here should be placed on the faculty and the school.

He c a n’ t be blamed because he stayed in the course.

It’s not his responsibility to evaluate his program for quality, it’s up to his school.

If a program on probation has lost all of its students but one, along with a number of its faculty members, the school has a responsibility to assure a quality The view that studying STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines is the only way to secure employment often surfaces in high school. I remember my math and science teachers lecturing students on how prioritizing their English readings over their math homework was setting them up for failure.

At university, I’ve heard people say things like “English majors will never get jobs” or “an art history degree isn’t going to prepare you for anything.” While I was studying statistics, I would tend to get compliments on how I had chosen a worthwhile degree. When I later mentioned to a professor of my plans to switch to a more humanities-focused program, he cautioned me against it.

Urging people to pursue a path that will set them up for a fulfilling life is commendable.

However, assuming you know how successful a person will be based on their major represents a limited understanding of the role academia can play in people’s lives.

It may be true that most humanities degrees don’t feed directly into specific career paths. However, the lack of direct correlation between what someone studies in school and what career they pursue

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Wronged students have a right to sue their schools

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education to the one student they retained. If the school can’t do something as simple as that, they can’t justify continuing to take that

student’s tuition.

This case isn’t about a university being at fault for one student’s lack of success. It’s about a school being held accountable for doing their part to provide their students with the quality education they’ve been promised.

When Western brings up their evidence in this case, they need to show they did everything they possibly could to keep up the program’s quality. If they failed to to do so and continued to take his tuition, the student is in the right.

Having a well-publicized court case on a student versus an institution can make waves.

Ideally, it will force Western and other universities to avoid a similar situation in the future by taking their programs’ intended learning outcomes seriously.

Depending on the decision, this case could incite new suits against universities from students who believe they’ve been wronged.

Regardless of whether or not Stuart deserves to win, this case’s existence has the power to strike some fear into the heart of a university by threatening their money. Taking student claims like this seriously on a national stage may actually end up doing some good.

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Degrees in the humanities have a lot to offer

doesn’t mean their education did little to prepare them for life after graduation.

Studying humanities has the ability to teach students how to absorb and react to different perspectives with a critical eye and an open mind. Pursuing an education that teaches you these skills is crucial to contributing meaningfully to one’s workplace and can greatly increase someone’s employability across a variety of fields.

A humanities education is also an exercise in empathy. Having the tools to learn from and engage with the opinions of others is a vital skill for collaboration in the workplace. Being able to engage respectfully with other worldviews is an important part of leading an informed and compassionate life.

There’s no single right way to seek personal development through academics. It’s impossible to judge someone’s life prospects or work ethic based on their degree program. As peers and classmates, we owe it to one another to have respectful attitudes and open minds towards the different academic paths we all choose to take.

Rebecca is The Journal’s Graphics Editor. She’s a second-year student in the Politics, Philosophy, and Economics program.

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Friday, January 12, 2018

Opinions Introverts living in an extroverted world Navigating university and life afterwards as an introvert HANNAH STAFL, ARTSCI ’20

I’ve always known there’s something different about the way I socialize.

My relationship with socializing and other people is a key part of my personality, not to mention it’s physiologically determined. The difference between those like me and those who enjoy socializing and stimulation is considered the introvert/extrovert divide.

First popularized by German psychologist Hans Eysenck, this divide, created by a person’s brain physiology determines one’s place on the extroversion and introversion scale. In terms of the reticular activation system in the brain, introverts prefer less arousal than extroverts.

Introversion and extroversion dictates whether we prefer less or more stimulation, how we like to socialize and even what volume we like our music. For me, being an introvert has meant less is more and, while I love my friends, I need to balance how much time I spend surrounded by them and how much I spend alone.

Quite honestly, when I first arrived at Queen’s, it felt like an unwelcoming place and I faced some obstacles adjusting to university life. Like many other schools, Queen’s generally holds extroverted traits and characteristics as their ideal. This isn’t intentional or explicit, but it’s easy to recognize these traits are preferred.

For example, in orientation and residence activities, it’s the louder and more open students who make friends and connections earlier. In class, students who speak more often are automatically seen as more knowledgeable. Students who participate in a wide variety of clubs and extracurricular activities are also held in a higher regard.

Going beyond the classroom, employers are always looking for people who embody these traits as well.

For me, frosh week was difficult.

I found it hard to be “always on.” It seemed there were neverending activities on my floor and I constantly faced the inner struggle of wanting to take a break. Yet, I felt like if I did, I would miss out on important events and chances to bond with my peers.

I couldn’t help but envy my extroverted peers, who could stay involved and excited for longer than I could. No matter how hard I tried to remain invested in activities, it felt like there was a physical difference in how long it took for me to run out of steam.

Extending beyond frosh week, Hannah Stafl outside on Queen’s Campus. this plagued me for the first few months of school. I was stressed qualified I was to be in my program socializing, even if you’ve found that I couldn’t adjust to university when I was around or compared it enjoyable.

If you’re an introvert, myself to extroverted peers. or make new friends. university and even the world Now that this feeling is gone may sometimes seem stacked — mostly because I realized I did against you. However, adjusting make friends in residence and Looking back, I classes — I know I could’ve made a should’ve tried harder to and excelling at Queen’s is completely possible. Rather than smoother transition into university to work with my fight myself, what helped me life. Looking back, I should’ve tried introverted nature feel able to accomplish anything harder to work with my introverted rather than against it. my peers could was working nature rather than against with my introverted nature. it. I should’ve allowed myself At this point, some people to break away from social activities might argue that all of this boils when I was feeling drained. down to being able to break out While we may need of your comfort zone. However, it’s to fight a little harder to If you’re an introvert, important to realize that people be heard or accepted, university and even the are biologically predisposed to introverts are an varying levels of stimulus world may sometimes handle irreplaceable part of and socializing differently. seem stacked I agree it’s important to push society we against you. yourself and open up to new can’t forget. experiences. This really is one of the It would’ve been beneficial if main points of university. However, Even though I say this now, it’s I also believe introversion and I had known that making deeper hard to get past one thing. Our extroversion dictate someone’s friendships may come at a slower university society is unfortunately comfort zone and what feels like a pace for myself. I like parties, but set up to cater to those more small step for someone may be a my clock runs out a lot faster than that of my friends. Rather than extroverted and this can leave large leap for another.

Maybe, for some of you, these pushing the inevitable, I’ve introverts feeling as if they’re behaviours and experiences benefitted from accepting that this lacking or out of place.

If you don’t demonstrate traits sound relatable. The book Quiet is who I am and I now consciously of leadership, confidence and by Susan Cain outlines some plan around it.

For those first years, I found it assertion inside and outside the common traits of introverts: classroom, you may be viewed as a enjoying solitude, preferring more better to have conversations with less qualified student. As someone “deep” conversations over small one or two other people to get to who struggled with this, I often talk, disliking or avoiding conflict know them. I’d recommend trying thought negatively about how and feeling tired or drained after to participate in an orientation

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Talking heads ... what are you most excited for this semester?

“Graduation.”

“Reading week.”

Caitlin Lavoie ArtSci ’18

Maddy Hyde Con ed ’18

“Seeing my friends again because I was on exchange.”

Eric Liu ArtSci ’19

PHOTO BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

activity that intimidates you, but if you aren’t up for every one of them, don’t be too hard on yourself.

I’ve joined more extracurricular activities since and while my schedule may be lighter than others, I’m selective and only join groups or events I’m comfortable with and find meaningful. In class, I make an effort to speak up. This was difficult at first, but remember, no one is always right. It feels worse to miss out on speaking about something you genuinely understand or enjoy just because of fear of failure.

The world may seem to be made for our extroverted counterparts right now. However, it’s important to realize introversion and extroversion are the yin and yang of society.

While we may need to fight a little harder to be heard or accepted, introverts are an irreplaceable part of society and we can’t forget it. We balance out the world and without us we would lose insight, empathy, creativity and so much more.

Hannah Stafl is a second-year Politics, Philosophy and Economics major.

PHOTOS BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

“Forgetting old acquaintances.”

Harrison giovannetti Comm ’19

Friday, January 12, 2018

queensjournal.ca

•9

HOMECOMING PREVIEW

Arts

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee sends up the awkward years The Grand Theatre’s musical comedy offers light-hearted take on growing up

Raechel Huzinga Staff Writer

Presented by Blue Canoe Productions and held in The Grand Theatre until Jan 21, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Queen’s alum Maddy Scovil, is a funny, heartwarming love letter to prepubescence.

The musical comedy tells the story of six kids on the verge of adolescence competing in a spelling bee. Each one of them tackles some of the different challenges of growing up, including disappointing parents, loneliness and learning difficulties.

Unlikely friendships grow as each character tries to avoid the ringing of a bell that signals a misspelled word and the “thank-you for participating” juice box of shame

ART NEWS

that follows.

A colourful set with room for choreography — ranging from spirited individual performances to full-stage group dancing — contributes to the eccentric atmosphere of the play. Audience members have a relaxed, intimate experience with the small cast of big personalities, including on-stage participation and improvised interaction from the actors.

A lot of this convivial humour works because of the strong ensemble cast. These unique characters include a convict with a heart of gold, a couple of gay dads out to win, a boy who spells with his feet and the sardonic Vice Principal Douglas Panch who’s there to remind everyone life only gets worse as you get older.

Along with the unique and

Agnes funding increases

Canada Council for the Arts recognizes gallery Nick Pearce Arts Editor

Taking effect immediately, the Canada Council for the Arts has nearly doubled the Agnes Etherington Art Gallery’s funding from $105, 000 to $200, 000 annually for the next three years.

This money is allocated in three-year funding cycles and the counsel’s Engage and Sustain program, which promotes community engagement and participation in art galleries.

While the gallery has multiple pools of funding, this one is “very important” for the gallery’s future efforts, according to Agnes Gallery Director Jan Allen.

Allen said the funding would be particularly oriented toward the museum’s work with contemporary art. “[It will] give us the resources to deepen how we work with artists and what we do with our communities,” she said.

So far, this funding will involve opening up opportunities like lengthening artists’ residencies at Queen’s and allowing more time

for discussion or collaboration with local art-goers and community members.

One such example will be Toronto-based artist Tau Lewis, who will be coming to campus this fall. Allen said the funding will allow him to stay longer and work alongside a pair of artists from the United States specialized in working with disabilities.

“Often if we’re installing an exhibition, we’ll bring an artist and there may be a research visit but it’s rather brief and makes for limited encounters for connecting with staff faculty and community members,” Allen said.

“This way we can keep them on longer and increase the number of conversations, increase people’s understanding of the art and in some cases create opportunities to connect visiting artists with other artists in this community.”

The funding will also allow the Agnes Etherington Art Gallery to similarly focus on outreach.

Allen pointed to the current Kent Monkman exhibit titled Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience as an existing example of future

lovable characters, the energetic voices of the cast members make the musical performances all the more engaging and memorable.

From the lament of an untimely erection to an appearance by Jesus himself, the music takes the audience through a rollercoaster of emotions.

Musical numbers such as “Magic Foot,” performed by Jake Tallon, and “Prayer of the Comfort Counselor,” performed

by Lily Casey, contrast the moving performances of “The I Love You Song,” sung by Cameron Durst-Jerkins, and “I’m Not That Smart,” sung by Oliver Parkins.

The comedy performance, which includes running jokes and risky humour gives the play an enjoyable edge and keeps a steady, amusing pace. Comic effect is intricately woven into the characters’ dialogue, mannerisms and dress, from Logainne “Sch warzy”SchwartzandGrubenier re’s tendency to fidget and talk with a lisp to William Morris Barfee’s dishevelled costume and awkward gait.

“It’s a really fun and unique experience,” director Maddy Scovil told The Journal. “It’s really light-hearted and contagious.”

Underlying the humour, efforts. Currently, 13 Queen’s courses have incorporated the showing as part of their class work, including students in geography and planning, environmental studies, policy studies and political studies.

Likewise, the Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre has worked with the Agnes to invite Indigenous youth to the gallery and engage with its creative environment.

“It gives me goosebumps because it can be productive and

Leaf played by Oliver Parkins.

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY YIXUAN LIN

however, are the kids’ often heartbreaking motives for winning the spelling bee. The story of character Olive Ostrovsky brings bittersweet emotion into the midst of comedy, adding incredible depth to the play as she navigates parental neglect.

Because of this, the audience is confronted with the importance of understanding kids and the power adults have in influencing what lies beneath the surface.

“You can’t really know what’s going on in someone’s life,” Scovil said. “There’s so much involved in that sense of self-discovery at that age.”

The play’s resolution avoids cliches: the underdog doesn’t take home the trophy, Olive Ostrovsky’s parents never show up to watch her compete and the child prodigy never amounts to anything. The audience is left satisfied, however, as the characters find happiness and victory in their own ways.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee offers a cheerful and amusing experience to its audience, using both young and old characters to provide a connection to viewers of any age and create an overall touching story.

an avenue for change for people of all perspectives,” Allen said of the visits.

She then went on to say that much of this contemporary art could be put into a useful dialogue with the gallery’s historical collection, asking visitors to consider how the collections’ meanings relate to each other.

Allen added much of these developments wouldn’t necessarily transform the gallery but would build on expanding its services. Regardless, the

extreme competition for federal arts funding does suggest a certain level of confidence in the gallery that could contribute to a stronger service.

“Well you say you want to do it but can you really do it?” Allen said about typical federal responses to funding proposals, “This grant is saying, we believe you can do it and we want to see what you’ll do with this. The next three years people are going to see the impact of that.”

The funding will help support contemporary art displayed at the Agnes.

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

10 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, January 12, 2018

REVIEW

New year, new Agnes A rundown of the gallery’s four new exhibits Clayton Tomlinson Assistant Arts Editor The Agnes Etherington Art Centre is kicking off the new year with exhibits about the struggles of Indigenous people, women and quilters.

The largest of the four new additions is Kent Monkman’s Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience, a multi-room collection of paintings and Canadian memorabilia in rejection of the Canada 150 celebrations last year.

Through scenes guided by Monkman’s alter-ego Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, the artist explores the lives of Indigenous peoples

PREVIEW

‘The Scream’ by Kent Monkman

from present day in the North End of Winnipeg all the way back to Confederation.

The first room of Monkman’s exhibit features a reimagining of the classic painting of the Fathers of Confederation and is titled ‘The Daddies’. The piece features Miss Chief laying nude on a Hudson’s Bay blanket surrounded by a group of visibly uncomfortable men looking at her in the centre of the room. Monkman’s outlandish scenario represents how frequently removed the Indigenous perspective is in these early considerations of our country.

Another standout of the collection is titled ‘The Scream’ and can be found in the final room of Monkman’s exhibit. The piece features Monkman’s section on Residential Schools and forced

Arts in the winter semester Cultural highlights for the new year Pamoda Wijekoon Staff Writer Slippery walkways, biting wind and the trek through snow and slush to lectures might make you want to hibernate, but don’t be fooled — Kingston is serving up lots to get excited for this winter season.

Lumina Borealis: Fort Henry until Feb. 19

Rediscover the spirit of the season at Lumina Borealis, an interactive multimedia experience that has returned this winter to transform Fort Henry into a living storybook. It’s an immersive experience, complete with

shimmering lights, roaring fires and glowing Canadian wildlife that dwell among the trees on the old fort’s walls.

Offering interactive games and stunning moving displays, this enchanting exhibition attempts to return the wonder of winter back into our hearts and minds. A local must-see, Lumina Borealis is open Thursday to Sunday nights until Feb. 19, and is accessible with a free shuttle service across from City Hall.

The Sheepdogs Changing Colours Tour: Ale House March 7

Saskatchewan rockers The Sheepdogs are coming to Kingston

Clockwise, Letterkenny, The Sheepdogs, Reelout, Focus and Lumina Borealis.

PHOTO BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

relocations of Aboriginal youth by social workers in the 60s and 70s.

The painting depicts a group of Mounties and priests restraining Indigenous parents as their confused and terrified children are forcibly taken away. The Mounties in their bright red outfits and the floor-length black robes of the Priests clash with surrounding greenery and a peaceful house in the background.

Sharing the space with Monkman’s ‘The Scream’ is another new collection called ‘“He First Brought it to Perfection”: John Smith and the Mezzotint in Early Modern England’.

This new exhibit, curated by Andrea Morgan, features the prints of many notable early modern artists like Anthony van Dyck and John Faber Jr. and focuses on the work and legacy of printmaker-publisher John Smith.

Smith used mezzotint printing both in his own works and as a patron to other artists in this early

era of mass-produced art.

Alicia Boutilier, Chief Curator at the Agnes, spoke with The Journal about the significance of these new exhibits.

According to Boutilier, printmaking is “like doing a drawing in steel.” It also allowed everyone to have a great work of in their living rooms because prints were much less expensive than paintings in the 17th century.

Next, in the same room as the Agnes’ famed ‘Portrait of Man with Arms Akimbo’ by Rembrandt, is an exhibition titled ‘The Powers of Women: Female Fortitude in European Art’.

The exhibit explores female power in the period of early modern Europe. The works feature men attempting to corrupt women through seduction or drinking that makes their beauty impure, according to the works.

Despite these societal restrictions, Boutilier said the paintings in the exhibit show how

to kick off the Eastern leg of their 2018 cross-country tour. They’ll be supporting their Feb. 2 release, Changing Colours as they take to the stage at Ale House on March 7.

Known for their big guitar riffs, warm vocal harmonies and classic 70s sound with the shaggy beard/hair combos to match, The Sheepdogs stride the line between retro and fresh. The band keeps producing refreshingly fun tunes, run through with a welcoming familiarity that is never dull.

The much-loved band — with three Juno awards under their belt — is a guaranteed good time for anyone who loves loud music, catchy hooks and feel-it-in-your -bones rock and roll.

Jan .12, when both first-time and experienced filmmakers will receive the theme of this year’s festival. Participants will have 72 hours to write, film and edit their entry in the guerilla filmmaking competition. It has steadily grown since its inception, attracting almost 100 students each year.

The finished films are then judged by professionals in the industry, with the event culminating in a gala and public screening at the Isabel Bader Centre on Feb. 1.

The 2018 Focus Film Festival: Filming over Jan. 12-14 and Screening Feb. 1 Isabel Bader Centre

The Focus Film Festival, now in its 15th year, kicks off on

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH GRANOVSKY

The Reelout Queer Film Festival: The Screening Room Feb. 1-10

A Kingston art-scene staple, Reelout returns to the Screening Room this February for its 19th year of celebrating queer Canadian stories in film. The festival stays true to its mandate of breaking down the barriers of age, ability, religion and culture within the LGBTQ+ community by “serving up reelness” — the theme of this year’s gala. Returning to Kingston each year, Reelout is meant to showcase the diversity of everyday Canadian life.

Highlights this year include Porcupine Lake, a dramedy about teen girls coming-of-age in cottage country, which was filmed three hours outside of Kingston.

Additionally, a series of short films exploring Indigenous LGBTQ+ stories sponsored by the Queen’s Department of Cultural Studies will appear in the festival’s roster.

Finally, Venus, the gala’s closing film tells the story of an Indian-Canadian transgender woman juggling her boyfriend, her

women still exerted their influence and will contrive to do so despite these existing hardships.

This exhibit asks viewers to critically reevaluate how they understand beauty and its role in gender-related power dynamics.

After this exploration of middle age gender dynamics, viewers come upon the last of the new exhibits titled ‘Log Cabin: A Canadian Quilt’.

Curated by Boutilier herself, the exhibit explores the role of quilts in Canada’s early days.

“Log cabin quilts are characterized by strips of fabric around a central square,” Boutilier said about the individual patches that typically make up a quilt.

There are over 80 quilts in the Agnes’ final collection with some of the exhibit on loan from collectors.

One noteworthy quilt comes from North Buxton, Ontario and was made more than 100 years earlier as a gift to the community’s founder for the sanctuary he provided. According to Boutilier, the community of North Buxton was founded for runaway slaves and others looking to escape the United States.

These new and unique additions to the Agnes, from the calming quilts to the heartbreaking depictions of colonization, explore a part of history that has gone overlooked.

This year, the Agnes presents the stories of people and places in a new light so viewers can better appreciate what has been surmounted and what still needs to be overcome so that all Canadians are truly equal. recent coming out to her family and her newly discovered 14 year old son.

The festival will be running from Feb. 1-10, and features an exciting mix of feature films, documentaries, shorts and panel discussions. Reelout presents a unique opportunity to catch an indie gem, and to support the local Kingston art scene.

Letterkenny Live!: Grand Theatre March 9

Letterkenny Live!, the crosscountry road show grown out of online series Letterkenny, is coming to Kingston’s Grand Theatre with two shows on March 9.

The live show will be a mix of stand up, sketches and unseen videos, perfect for longtime fans and those newly introduced to the series. This may be the best time to dive into the show, which won Best Comedy Series at both the Canadian Screen Awards and the Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriter’s Awards in 2017.

The series takes a look into the lives of the “hicks, skids and hockey players” of Letterkenny, Ontario and is known for its rapid, winding monologues, raucous fights and unapologetically thick Canadian accents. Letterkenny is a little universe unto itself, and the live show brings it right to our doorsteps for some perfect escapism, and a little taste of home.

Whether you love film, art, comedy or music, there’s something going on for everyone this winter semester. So make the most of the season, and head out to explore what Kingston has to offer.

Friday, January 12, 2018

queensjournal.ca

• 11

Sports JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

Women’s volleyball sit second in the OUA East.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Gaels ring in New Year flush with optimism Women’s volleyball coach Ratushniak confident team will continue to build on strong start Sebastian Bron Sports Editor Women’s volleyball head coach Ryan Ratushniak told The Journal in early October he wanted his team to stay in the moment and focus only on what is of their control.

“If we do [that],” he said, “our success is going to take care of itself.”

Considering the team’s midseason 6-2 record, the coach’s statements seem to ring true.

Earlier this week in his alumni lounge office in the ARC, Ratushniak — who’s in his first year as head coach of the Gaels — appeared very happy with his team’s second place standing in the OUA East. He said the roster he inherited over the summer has gelled quickly, noting in particular “on-and off the court we’re a real cohesive unit.”

“I couldn’t be happier with the buy-in from the team,” Ratushniak said, alluding to his players’ adaptability to different styles of play.

A fresh face pacing the sideline often brings periods of uncertainty and growing pains for varsity teams. Against this trend, the Gaels and Ratushniak have made a fitting partnership. Much of that can be credited to the growing unity amongst the roster, the first year coach explained.

He said having a culture off the

court — one where teammates feel connected — is just as important as the one on it.

“Just playing for each other out there and building that trust … [Knowing] that if you make a bad play, your teammates are going to try and make up for it.

They’re going to have your back.”

Now with the midseason break in their rear-view mirror, Ratushniak said his team is ready for what comes next. After three consecutive losses in the OUA’s first round, Ratushniak said the Gaels are eager to “get over the hump” and push for a spot in the conference’s Final Four.

“It’s going to be a challenge, no doubt about it,” Ratushniak said about the provincial playoffs. “But we want to be able to compete with those four top teams in our conference — and we want to start beating those [top four] teams.”

Despite the consistent early postseason exits, the Gaels don’t seem to be fazed by the pressure associated with winning a first-round game. They’re staying in the moment and taking a proverbial game-by-game approach to their season.

“It’s a process but I think everyone’s enjoying it,” Ratushniak said of his team’s resolve.

“They’re enjoying being a part of this team, enjoying the process and experience.”

Along with their growing sense of unity, Ratushniak said the team’s

strong offense has also been a larger part of their early success.

He said one of the team’s biggest strengths have been the speed at which they execute offensive sets and how their consistent serving has placed considerable pressure on the opposition.

And the proof is in the stats.

Compared to last season, the Gaels have improved in categories such as blocks, aces and digs per set. Even with this strong play, Ratushniak wants his team to continue improving. Of the six other teams in the OUA East, three are just a game behind Queen’s with 5-2 records; Ryerson, who ranks first, leads the bunch at 8-0.

Although happy with their spot in the standings, Ratushniak admitted the Gaels’ record could be misleading considering their relatively light first half schedule.

“There’s going to be a lot of movement [in the OUA East] in the next two, three weeks once we start playing league [games] again,” the coach said.

Securing a chance to host a playoff game — something Ratushniak said is a goal for the team — will be contingent on small strides they take to improving their play.

When asked if he sees something unique about his team, especially in relation to his coaching experience at the national level, Ratushniak responded

bluntly and with conviction.

“I think if we are able to play the way we train and practice, then I definitely see us being a top team in this conference.”

The Gaels resume regular

season play this upcoming weekend as they hit the road with trips to both York and Nipissing.

Women’s volleyball offense has improved this season.

REBECCA FROST

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Gaels ranked number one in province

Chemistry and leadership has seen the team with one of the best records in the country

The Gaels are first in the OUA.

Matt Scace Assistant Sports Editor Women’s hockey head coach Matt Holmberg couldn’t have asked for a better start to

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

the season.

Riding an 11-1-2 record — and a perfect 7-0 at home — the Gaels currently sit atop the OUA standings.

Even with this record,

Holmberg knows the team still has a lot to accomplish this semester.

“We can’t rely on a stellar first half [of the season] and just coast through the second half,” he said. To continue their dominant play, Queen’s will look towards some of their key players having a strong end to the season.

At the halfway point of the season, third year forward Katrina Manoukarakis sits in a tie for

third-most total points in the OUA with 14. On the other side of the ice, goaltender Stephanie Pascal boasts a .944 save percentage over 12 games, including three shutouts in her past six games.

Despite not being one of the highest scoring teams in the OUA, Pascal’s strong goaltending and the Gaels’ dominant penalty kill have led them to being ranked eighth in Canada. The Gaels are currently the best in the OUA while

shorthanded — up to 95.8 compared to 90.5 last year — and concede the second fewest goals in the province at 1.55 per game.

Alongside being able to keep the puck out of their net, Holmberg said the team’s experience and chemistry have been at the core of their strong play. With 15 returning players who have the experience of hosting See Strong on page 12

Sports

12 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, January 12, 2018

POINT-COUNTERPOINT

Who’s the better nationally-ranked varsity team?

The Journal’s sports editors trade jabs over which Gaels team deserves most praise for its nationally-ranked status JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

Women’s basketball is 6-0 at home this season.

Sebastian Bron Sports Editor No. 7 Women’s Basketball For two seasons now, the women’s basketball has been one of the most dominant teams in the country.

Dating back to the 2016-17 season, the Gaels have played a total of 31 regular season games and have lost only two. Although this ridiculous stat should speak for itself, they’ve also followed up on last season’s 18-1 record to start a season with the OUA’s second best record at 11-1 this year.

They crash the boards at a steady clip, placing second in the OUA in total rebounds, while ranking in the top-three in blocks and steals. Moreover, the team maintains a fluid half-court offense, placing first in field goals made per game, as well as second in points, assists and free-throws made per game. The Gaels’ roster is also one of the most well-rounded in the OUA, with five players averaging at least one steal per game and over nine points per contest.

Head coach Dave Wilson told The Journal on Nov. 30 that the team — then 9-1 — were still looking to find themselves. He said it had been the longest he’d ever gone “still trying to sort things out with our team in my [37 year]

coaching career.”

If they still have things to work out — I’ll take it.

Matt Scace Assistant Sports Editor

No. 8 Women’s Hockey It’s not news that the women’s hockey team has what it takes to compete with the country’s best. Since last year’s national championships — where they finished fifth in Canada — the Gaels have only gotten better.

Currently boasting the best record in the OUA, it’s been difficult to find many flaws in this team who started the season outside the national rankings.

In her second consecutive season as the Gaels’ starting goaltender, Stephanie Pascal has once again proved to be one of the Gaels’ shining stars. Providing Queen’s with steadiness in the defensive zone, Pascal has been one of the Gaels’ steadiest players with an OUA second-best 1.40 goals against average through 14 games.

Meanwhile, it appears that 2015-16 OUA Rookie of the Year Katrina Manoukarakis has built on the strong reputation she created when she came to Queen’s two years ago. Leading the Gaels with eight goals and 14 points, the third-year has since made a name for herself in the

OUA’s elite crop of athletes.

Moreover, the Gaels have improved on areas that suffered significantly last season.

Over the course of the 2016-17 season, head coach Matt Holmberg was adamant about improving their power play and penalty kill. With injuries throughout their lineup, the Gaels finished last season with a league-worst 5.8 per cent success rate on the power play. This year, however, the Gaels sit third in the OUA at 17.9 per cent.

On defense, the Gaels have been just as successful in fending off teams during the penalty kill. The Gaels currently have a league-best 95.8 per cent penalty kill

percentage, a 5.3 per cent increase from last season.

Away from the stats sheets, the Gaels have benefitted tremendously from a large crop of returning athletes. With 15 representing Queen’s at the U Sports National Championship, the Gaels have taken care of lower-ranked teams with ease and handled top-ranked teams as their equals.

With 10 games remaining in the regular season, the Gaels will have to do much of the same in order to reach the national championships for a second consecutive season. At their current pace, it looks like a strong possibility.

The Gaels have an OUA-best 95.8 per cent penalty kill.

Strong bonds Continued from page 11

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the U Sports National Championships in 2017, Holmberg said the team’s veterans have done a good job of guiding their younger teammates. On top of this, he said they’re a confident group of players.

“I think the players recognize for themselves that we are a team that can compete with the best in the country and they didn’t want to take a step back,” Holmberg said. “That starts with our leadership group … they adopted that philosophy from the get-go.”

With 12 years of experience coaching hockey at Queen’s, Holmberg said this year’s team has developed a stronger bond relative to years past.

“This year they’re closer, they’re tighter, they’re pushing each other, they’re holding each other accountable — but they’re also having a lot of fun,” he said.

In Holmberg’s eyes, this strength and unity is a direct result of the positive example the veterans have set for their younger teammates.

“I think pursuing excellence on the ice but at the same time having a strong culture is trickling down to the younger players,” Holmberg said.

Aside from their unified strength, the

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

Gaels have been fortunate given their lack of injuries — something they’ve both welcomed and embraced.

“We knew that if we stayed healthy and the work ethic was there that we’d be among the top teams in the league,” Holmberg said.

Following the winter break, the Gaels dropped their first two games against Nipissing and Laurentian.

Sitting just one point ahead of the Brock Badgers — the team they also happen to play this weekend at the Memorial Centre — Queen’s knows the season is far from over.

With 10 games to go, Holmberg said the team understands they can’t just sit back and ride out the rest of the season.

With their ticket to the U Sports National Championship reliant on the team finishing first in the OUA — since Western holds the second qualification bid as host of the tournament — the coach is cognizant of the level of hockey they need to maintain.

“If we’re playing our best hockey in February and March, we have as good a shot as anyone else to grab a banner,” Holmberg said.

Friday, January 12, 2018

Sports

queensjournal.ca

• 13

MEN’S HOCKEY

Talking hockey with Gaels new assistant coach John Erskine Former NHL defenceman discusses being a pro and transition to coaching Sebastian Bron Sports Editor John Erskine always gave thought to the idea of coaching hockey — but he didn’t think it would come so soon.

The 14-year NHL veteran and Kingston native finds himself behind the men’s hockey team’s bench this week after the Gaels had a coaching vacancy open up midseason. Erskine — who played with head coach Brett Gibson in 1999-2000 with the OHL’s London Knights — spoke with The Journal about how he came to accept an assistant coaching position

Erskine played eight seasons with the Washington Capitals.

with Queen’s, his ideal style of coaching and how he found playing with Alex Ovechkin during his time with the Washington Capitals.

You didn’t go to Queen’s — how did you find your way to join the team?

PHOTO VIA WIKI COMMONS

I played with Brett Gibson in probably [1999] or 2000 back in London with the London Knights, and when we’d have our [NHL] lockout, I’d come skate with the boys here in Kingston. So I know Gibby and he called me and said, ‘[Assistant coach Tony] Cimellaro got a chance up in Bellville,’ and he wanted to know if I was interested. I didn’t really have much on-the-go right now and I thought it was a good opportunity to get in, help [Gibson] out. I can learn off a guy like him.

ex-Junior A players most of them. It’s fast hockey.

I’d like to. It’s one of those things I’ve been thinking about for a while. Like, I know a lot about hockey — I played my whole life — so why not take what I know and help out other people.

You played eight years on the Washington Capitals with Alex Ovechkin.

How was that?

Is coaching something you want to pursue?

You played hockey your whole life … how do you take everything you’ve learned from coaches at different levels and implement it here at Queen’s?

I had some pretty good coaches — I had [Barry] Trotz, I had [Ken] Hitchcock, a bunch of guys. But I just take little things from each coach, things that I liked.

I talked to some of [our] players … I’m not a big yeller, I’m pretty calm — I’m more of a get the guys motivated, constructive criticism, stuff like that. I just take those little things I know and show the players some stuff on the ice and in the film room.

Would you say the constructive criticism approach instead of the yell-at-all-costs kind of coaching style works best?

Well, there’s coaches that scream at guys, but from when I played, I didn’t perform well when I had a coach in my ear screaming at me. I needed to be motivated; constructive criticism, tell me what I did wrong and how to fix it. And I think screaming at kids — nothing good comes across [with] that.

What do you think of the team Coach Gibson has here?

I think it’s unbelievable. From when I skated here years ago, it’s night-and-day from the style of hockey and the competitiveness. You look at everybody [here] — they’re all

It seems like the hockey at the university level in Canada has seen an uptick in quality, right?

I know years ago the [quality] wasn’t as high — it wasn’t really a big deal.

But now it seems like the smart thing to do. Come here, get a scholarship, get your education and then if you want to branch out — East Coast, American Hockey League — after that, do that. But you always have your education on the back if something ever goes wrong with hockey.

Ovechkin just goes out there and works his butt off every night and wants to win. He’s always going-going-going, but he’s pretty down to earth and a great guy — and he’s a great teammate.

I had a lot of fun playing on those Washington teams.

This is your first step into coaching, where do you see it going and where do you want it to go?

You know, I haven’t even thought that far yet. I’ve been thinking about coaching. I helped coach my [kids], but at this level, this was kind of unexpected. I like coaching at this level because you don’t have to teach them how to skate and how to handle a puck … If it keeps going like this — and I enjoy it — then I definitely want to [pursue] it.

Erskine’s responses were condensed and edited for clarity.

14 • queensjournal.ca

Friday, January 12, 2018

REVIEW

Best new TV shows this season Decreasing temperatures means increasing bed-binge-watching Lauren Trossman Contributor The new year symbolizes renewed hope, new beginnings and most importantly, a brand new batch of exciting TV shows. With the winter season in full swing, you’re going to need some new shows to bingewatch as you bundle up in bed.

Here are the shows we’re excited for.

American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Jan. 17

is ditching the bizarre hairstyles and Kardashian references to tell the story of the assassination of famous fashion designer Gianni Versace. The season features an all-star cast, including Penelope Cruz and Darren Criss. It’s bound to impress in terms of quality

Two years ago, OJ Simpson’s trial was brought to life in American Crime Story’s inaugural season.

This time around, producer R y a n Murphy

and clothing.

Alone Together, Jan. 10

The new Freeform comedy, which has already been renewed for a second season, is created by comedians Esther Povitsky and Benji Aflalo, who star in the series as millennials trying to navigate vain Los Angeles culture. Alone Together is produced by comedy trio The Lonely Island, made up of superstars Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone.

Povitsky and Aflalo nail the hilarity

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH GRANOVSKY

Stars of upcoming TV shows.

Abbey Dudas Staff Writer If you’re like me, you probably find yourself making the same New Year’s resolutions every year after failing to keep the ones you made previously.

So why do we do them even though we know they won’t likely hold up?

How can we make it easier to keep them?

According to a study published by the University of Scranton, about half of all American adults make New Year’s resolutions and only about 10 per cent actually keep up with them for longer than a few months.

Most of us find a certain joy in “turning over a new leaf,” or starting fresh for the new year, so it makes sense that resolutions are all the rage come January. We make these dramatic goals to start the process of change, hoping the new year will put us back on track to improve our lives and meet our goals.

In terms of likelihood that a resolution will stick, it’s much more likely if there’s a factor of enjoyment involved. If the change has a gratifying or rewarding element, it’s much more realistic to assume people will follow through. On the other hand, if the process of achieving the goal is demanding and strenuous, it makes sense that a person’s will to follow through will falter.

Another common reason why we aren’t successful with our resolutions is they tend to be

LIFESTYLE behind their “first-world problems” with a dry humour that any millennial can equally relate to and mock.

Rise, March 13

Have you been searching your whole life for a cross between Glee and Friday Night Lights? If the answer is yes — which, let’s be real, it is — Rise tells the story of a high school teacher, played by How I Met Your Mother’s Josh Radnor, leading the school’s drama department.

The series, to debut March 13, highlights the everyday struggles and real-life humanity behind its characters. Created by Jason Katims, producer of Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, Rise is sure to fill your ugly-happy-cry needs.

It also stars Barb from Stranger Things so if you weren’t in before, you definitely are now.

Champions, March 8

If, like me, this fall’s finale of The Mindy Project left a Mindy Kaling-sized hole in your heart, Champions is the remedy you need. Though only credited as a recurring character, Kaling is a writer and producer of Champions, so it unsurprisingly features many familiar Mindy Project faces.

Though the plot is not exactly original — a young bachelor is living his dream of doing nothing and dating a string of women until his high school fling shows up with their son — Mindy Kaling can be trusted to put an original spin and her signature sense of humour

PHOTO BY JULIA BALAKRISHNAN

New Year’s reminder to go to the gym.

COLUMN

The psychology behind New Year’s resolutions Decreasing temperatures means increasing bedbinge-watching unrealistic. According to the same study by the University, False Hope Syndrome is characterized by someone holding unrealistic expectations of the ease and consequences of changing

their behavior. Although not everyone is a victim of this, it’s definitely something to keep in mind when planning our New Year’s resolutions and managing our expectations.

There are some people who are able to change their behaviours easily when it comes to New Year’s resolutions but other people find it difficult to make such a drastic change so quickly.

on anything she touches.

Good Girls, Feb. 26

Have you ever wondered what stressed out suburban moms do to make ends meet? Well, according to Good Girls, the answer is they rob a bank at (toy) gun-point.

The comedy-drama, created

by Scandal writer Jenna Bans, features all-stars like Parks and Recreation’s Retta, Parenthood’s Mae Whitman and Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks. Based on early previews, the female-driven cast seems fun, original and sure to bring lots of surprises.

Altered Carbon, Feb. 2

Netflix’s upcoming series titled Altered Carbon, to debut this February, is based on a sci-fi novel of the same name written

by Richard K. Morgan. The novel and series explores a futuristic society where consciousness can be transferred between people, essentially allowing for immortality. When Altered Carbon picks up, a recently deceased soldier uses his new body to solve his own murder — think Inception mixed with Westworld. With its all-star team and Netflix’s nearly unlimited budget, Altered Carbon is sure to have spectacular visuals and plenty of dystopian thrills.

Grab a blanket and some popcorn and settle in for a winter season of great TV. How can we use this knowledge to our advantage and be successful with our resolutions for 2018?

The first thing to do is be realistic. Beyond falling prey to False Hope Syndrome, setting unrealistic goals may leave you frustrated with a lack of progress and disappointed in yourself. It might feel productive to declare you’re cutting out junk food for the year, but when the next movie night comes around and you smell that delicious popcorn, it might be difficult to resist indulging.

Another tip to help keep you on track is telling a friend about your resolutions, or surrounding yourself with people that have the same goal. If you have someone to check in on how your resolution is going, it might motivate you to work harder so you can show them your success. Also, if you’re motivating each other or working together, you might find more immediate enjoyment from the company of a friend, helping you persist in your resolution.

Finally, and probably the most important aspect of resolutions, is accepting lapses and minor failures. We’re all human, and we should accept the fact that we’re not perfect, no matter how hard we want to be successful in our goals.

A new year means a new opportunity to try to achieve our goals, we simply have to make sure we go about it in the most effective, realistic way.

Lifestyle

Friday, January 12, 2018

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REVIEW

Everything you missed at the Golden Globe Awards Time’s Up for gender inequality Jonathan karr Contributor The Golden Globe Awards are typically known for being the Academy Awards’ edgier and drunker cousin, led by GIF-able reaction shots and witty one-liners. However, this year’s award ceremony — which aired this past Sunday — put its usual antics aside and gave the reins to a much more effective leader and inspiration — Oprah.

In the days following the ceremony, Oprah has emerged as the most memorable presence

at the awards show after giving an epic, nine-minute speech for receiving the Cecil B. de Mille Award. Her empowering talk discussed the various sexual harassment bombshells dropped throughout Hollywood and fit in well on a night in which the ‘Time’s Up’ initiative dominated the narrative, raising awareness for victims of sexual assault and harassment.

Oprah’s presence could be felt throughout the event and seemed to invigorate everyone around her.

Golden Globe winners Sterling K. Brown, Rachel Brosnahan and

Oprah and the Time’s Up logo.

Reese Witherspoon couldn’t even make it through their speeches without randomly screaming her name mid-sentence.

The atypically serious atmosphere of this year’s awards

show wasn’t only created by the empowering speeches, but could also be seen in every shot of the night. A majority of celebrities showed a united front by wearing black in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment against several high profile figures within the entertainment industry. This silent protest was complimented by the awards themselves, as many of the award winners came from media highlighting female perspectives.

The atypically serious “atmosphere of this year’s awards show wasn’t only created by the empowering speeches, but could also be seen in every shot of the night.

”

The television categories were dominated by acclaimed shows like The Handmaid’s Tale, a series that takes place in a dystopian society and gives women no agency that results in a female rebellion against male oppressors. Big Little Lies, which deals with women uniting in the face of domestic abuse, also took home four of its seven major nominations.

Comedy-drama series The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, which documents a 1950s woman discovering her passion and talent for stand up comedy in the wake of her divorce, similarly managed to take home awards in the typically male-dominated comedy category.

In addition, the movie categories saw Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which deals with a mother’s quest for justice following her daughter’s rape and murder, win the award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.

Star of the comedy crime film Frances McDormand also took home the award for Best Actress — Drama. Lady Bird, which focuses on a complex mother-daughter relationship, won Best Picture — Comedy and Best Actress — Comedy awarded to star Saorise Ronan. These victories demonstrated how giving a voice to typically underrepresented groups in media — like women — have the potential to result in the creation of

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH GRANOVSKY

groundbreaking art.

However, like most events in Hollywood, the awards show didn’t pass without its own fair share of controversies.

James Franco, who has faced criticism for his relationships with younger women, was awarded for his leading role as Tommy Wiseau in The Disaster Artist. In the aftermath of his win, two women have come forward about their experiences being harassed

by Franco.

Gary Oldman, who won Best Actor — Drama for his turn as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, has also faced backlash following his victory as p rev i o u s re p o r t s of abuse towards his ex-wife have resurfaced. Ironically, both Franco and Oldman wore the ‘Time’s Up’ ribbon, in an attempt to stand in solidarity with Hollywood in the face of harassment.

In a widely-discussed moment of the show, Natalie Portman made a short but cutting remark to the HFPA while presenting the award for Best Director. Portman voiced her displeasure at the lack of women nominees in the category, especially considering 2017 featured multiple critically acclaimed films directed by women like Lady Bird and Wonder Woman.

Portman made sure to inform the audience of her disapproval by very specifically referring to the categories’ “all-male nominees.” The clear discomfort on the faces of each nominee in the aftermath of her comment showed how her words strongly resonated in an industry where women are consistently overlooked.

In the days since the ceremony, it’s clear the 2018 Golden Globes will be remembered for their dramatic shift in tone surrounding the ever-increasing amount of Hollywood staples being accused of sexual harassment. While usually regarded as the least prestigious of the major awards shows — and therefore often the most enjoyable to watch — the united front from Hollywood provided a much more meaningful and somber night than viewers have grown to expect.

Lifestyle

16 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, January 12, 2018

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH GRANOVSKY

Childhood pictures of Tessa.

POSTSCRIPT

How I coped with finding out I had cancer as a child Growing to understand a childhood health scare Tessa Warburton Contributor

I didn’t know I had cancer.

No, I don’t mean it ate up my insides for months before doctors detected it. I mean I had it, was cured and remembered nothing about it.

My parents failed to tell me until I was five years old.

Since I never knew about the cancer when it was happening, for the longest time I refused the title of ‘cancer survivor.’ Most people who have cancer struggle for years with the repercussions of the disease and are bedridden for months feeling like they’d rather die than endure any more pain.

I remember nothing of this suffering, so why did I deserve this title? Why did I have the right to claim myself a survivor, when I don’t remember overcoming anything?

It was a family friend’s child who first accidentally informed me of my cancer. He left out the exact details, but told me enough to leave me wondering.

When I asked my parents later that day, they told me the facts; I had a neuroblastoma in the form of a tumor in my stomach. It was the size of a plum and the tumor had been removed during surgery.

For most people, finding out you have cancer is a truly formative life moment that shapes many other experiences and relationships you have.

I didn’t have that same experience. For me, it was simply something that had happened that I had no recollection of.

What I do know about it comes only from what I’ve been told by my parents.

Before my diagnosis, my mother told me of how I’d been acting differently for some time.

One example was how I would cry in the strangest moments. She took me to a doctor who told her time and time again nothing was wrong with me — he wouldn’t even perform any tests because he was so sure I was fine. She told me how she took me to a new doctor who confirmed her fears; her two-year-old daughter had cancer.

She told me how “she took me to a new doctor who confirmed her fears — her two-year-old daughter had cancer.

”

While I’m not sure how long I was in the hospital, I know it took two surgeries to rid my body of the tumor.

After one of the surgeries, I apparently talked with a New York accent for a while, a strange side effect to be sure. As well, after the cancer went into remission, my whole body shook for a couple months as a result of the medication I was taking. All very heart-breaking for a two year old (or anyone) to go through, but I remember none of it.

While I don’t remember my

cancer, it caused me to feel shame.

Since my body was so focused on fighting the cancer and because of the cancer itself, I experienced some developmental delays.

Academically, I was behind all my classmates and my penmanship could best be classified as chicken scrawl. On multiple occasions, my teachers have exclaimed over the horror that is my handwriting.

Basically, I felt stupid because my friends were all receiving straight A’s and I wasn’t.

When I started grade five I began to see a tutor for math and English. The tutor evidently did wonders for my progress. While I’m still not great at math, nor am I a grammar expert, I can now write an essay and formulate my thoughts with the best of them (the best being my peers, not George Orwell or Mark Twain, obviously).

However, despite the noticeable good my tutor did for my academic life, I didn’t stop feeling embarrassed for needing a tutor for a long time. I suppose because none of my other friends needed one I felt like I was inferior.

Despite only learning about it later on, another reason I felt singled out over my cancer was because of the yearly checkups I received. Every year I go and see my oncologist to ensure the cancer hasn’t returned.

I have blood work done and an MRI procedure and it’s about as exciting as it sounds.

I’m terrified of needles so the blood work is always difficult and the MRI involves me lying absolutely still in a claustrophobic tube for an hour as doctors tell me

to hold my breath for extended intervals of time. When my friends would ask why I missed school that day, I’d say I had a doctor’s appointment (technically not a lie) and when I was older, an orthodontist appointment (lie).

Besides the appointments and my parent’s memories, the only lingering reminder of my cancer is a long jagged white scar on my stomach. The tumor was removed when I was two and surprisingly I’ve grown quite a bit since then.

As a result of me stretching out and up, the scar has also stretched.

Now it spans the width of half my stomach and is as thick as my pinky finger — it’s not a scar that hides well.

While the label of “‘cancer survivor’ doesn’t exactly roll off my tongue, it’s no longer a title I completely scorn.

”

When I was 13, I was in a dance recital and we wore costumes showing our mid drifts. My fellow dancers asked me about the scar and I told them a bear had scratched me. I guess I’m too honest of a person because I followed that up with “I’m just joking, it’s from cancer.”

I had a lot of tact. When I was in grade nine we would change for gym and when asked about my scar I said it was from a shark

attack, but once again, unable to tell a lie, I always followed it with the same revealing remark.

Surprisingly when I said I was attacked by a shark or bear people believed me and would comment on how cool I was, but when I said I had cancer people got sort of quiet. Because of this I wore a one-piece swimsuit for the longest time.

When I started university, no one knew about the scar on my stomach, but I’d gotten so used to everyone already knowing why I had one in high school that I didn’t even think about it.

Surprisingly, when I inevitably wore a crop top I wasn’t as ashamed as I once was. When directly asked I’d tell the truth — I’d had a tumor removed when I was very young. What would follow were murmurings of pity, but I would quickly shoo off the puppy dog faces of the onlookers. Now, I don’t really mind the questions anymore, within the first week of school I even found myself answering it twice.

While the label of “cancer survivor” doesn’t exactly roll off my tongue, it’s no longer a title I completely scorn. I lived through the shame of not being as smart as my classmates, the countless appointments and the embarrassment of having a scar and being different. Nowadays, I can embrace this aspect of myself.

If given the option to remove the scar, I don’t think I would. I finally see it as a symbol of survival and overcoming obstacles. And to me, it’s sort of badass.