SPOKE
Persistence pays off Musician finds love in a Waterloo café. Pages 6 & 7 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016
CONESTOGA COLLEGE, KITCHENER, ONT.
Many people have thought about becoming an entrepreneur, but have never taken the leap, due to obstacles such as a lack of startup funds or the risk of failure. The Summer Company program is trying to help with that. The program was created by the Ontario government and, in this area, is delivered through the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre (WRSBC). The Summer Company program offers $3,000 to students looking to start their own company and run it throughout the summer. Half of the money is given to students to help with startup costs and the other half is given upon successful completion of the program. It also offers mentorship opportunities for the participants.
WWW.SPOKEONLINE.COM
47TH YEAR — NO. 6
IT WAS A COMICAL DAY ON CAMPUS
“Each vote has been exported and entered into a spreadsheet,” Scherer said. “Through this spreadsheet we can see student numbers, names and a time stamp. With this information we are able to validate a student, highlight duplicate voters and validate which vote will be removed in accordance with our referendum policies.” Referendum results were expected to be sent out during Reading Week, along with an announcement on potential next steps moving forward. Scherer said anyone with questions about the process or the results should contact him at jscherer1@conestogac.on.ca. For reaction to the referendum result, see Spoke’s Feb. 29 issue.
Entrepreneurs can get cash BY ETHAN KOMPF
Six-year-old goes above and beyond. Page 3
A LEARNING NEWSROOM FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS
More than 4,100 vote in referendum More than 4,100 students had their say on whether or not they want a Grand River Transit universal bus pass, after voting in a referendum held by Conestoga Students Inc. The result of the vote, held from Feb. 1-5, was not available as of press time. Jeff Scherer, CSI president, said, “We would like to thank the students who participated in this referendum for their engagement, feedback and, of course, their input.” He said the outcome wasn’t available immediately after the referendum because CSI had to validate votes and eliminate double votes. Due to the high voter turnout, this process took longer than projected.
World Cancer Day
Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 29 and be in high school or post-secondary school and returning to school after the summer. They must be willing to put in 35 hours a week and work no more than 12 hours a week at another job. The applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis after completing a business plan. Last year there were 80 applicants and 30 people were accepted. This year there are 35 positions available. “(Applicants have to want to go into (the program) without concerning themselves with making a lot of money,” said Rob Matlow, of REM Web Solutions. “When you start a new business it’s safe to assume you’re not going to make a lot of money right away. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
PHOTO BY MARISSA CUDDY
Conestoga Students Inc. put together a toy and comic market earlier this month, inviting local businesses to come in and sell their wares. Above, Alfonso Espinos (left), chief editor of Studio Comix Press, and Justin Krete, employee at The Toy Society, show off some merchandise in the Atrium.
Winterloo fun for all
BY MARISSA CUDDY
Winterloo is the only winter festival in Waterloo that welcomes families, young adults and students to the uptown area to enjoy some outdoor events. The festival runs from 4 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27. This is the 14th year for the Winterloo festival, which was called Ice Dogs until it was changed four years ago. It was rebranded because there is more to the event than just bringing your dogs and having dog sled rides. Janice Moore, chair of the Winterloo festival, said there are many events this year as well as over 30 vendors from all over Waterloo. These include Grain Harvest, Deb’s Design, Barefoot Naturals and Dazzle Tattoos. The University of Waterloo’s fine
arts program will have a booth to raise money for their trip later in the year. “This year on Friday night we are going to have a younger feel with a stage, beer garden and hockey games going on,” Moore said. She said they are hoping to see some students from around the area who want to experience and be part of Waterloo while they are in school. She said students make up about a quarter of the population of the city. On Saturday it will be more about the families Moore said. Some of the events they have planned for that day are dog sled rides, ice carvings, art activities at the historic Button Factory for families needing a bit of warmth and the famous Winterloo chili cook-off. “It’s a great festival, we have lots of activities planned
for everyone. No matter what you like, come and find it at the festival,” she said. Moore said people are more likely to stay in during the winter months and Winterloo gives people the opportunity to get out with their families. “It’s a great reason to get outside during a time when we normally don’t go out,” said Astero Kalogeropoulos, the manager of arts and culture in Waterloo. “There are lots of fun activities for people of all ages, especially this year with Friday night being focused more towards adults.” “It’s homegrown and we try to have some non-profit groups come out. It’s for those who live and work and play in Waterloo,” she said. “It brings families together and gives them something to do in the winter.” For more information go to www.waterloo.ca/winterloo.
NEWS
Page 2 s SPOKE
Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College
Monday, February 22, 2016
FILBERT CARTOONS
Random questions answered by random students
If you could speak with any person, who would it be? Why? “Hillary Clinton because she’s running for president.” Jason Primmer, third-year financial planning
“Gandhi because it would be an insightful conversation.” Stefan Brisevac, third-year financial planning
“My aunt because she’s the strongest person I’ve ever known and the reason why I’m in nursing.” Sancha Lajoie, second-year practical nursing
“My grandfather because I never got to say goodbye and he’s my favourite person.” Karissa Ferron, second-year practical nursing
“Stanley Kubrick because I would want to get in his head and ask why he was the filmmaker he was.” Andi Roberts, second-year broadcast television
“Slash because he’s my No. 1 favourite and I could learn a lot from him.” Brandon Cunha, second-year police foundations
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
The electrification of transportation BY SEAN MALINOWSKI
Imagine a world where you can plug in your car at home, and have it run smoothly all day? Not in your lifetime? Think again. Klaus Dohring, president of Green Sun Rising Inc., visited the University of Waterloo on Feb. 4 for a public lecture on electric vehicles. He touched on the number of electric vehicles that are available in the market today, as well as the different charging stations offered to electric vehicle users. “By 2025, at least 15.4 per cent of new vehicles sold in California will be zero emission vehicles,” Dohring said. “California has always been a trend-setter. Now, they are making clean air a trend.” There are three different charging stations. A level 1 charger is perfect for a light car user who has a tight budget. This charger fits in a regular three-prong wall socket, but unfortunately, the full recharge takes more than a night. A level 2 charging station uses a higher-volt outlet, which can be found at charging stations or installed into your home for a few hundred dollars. It can fully recharge a battery in approximately 2-5 hours. A level 3 is definitely the fanciest of the three. This fastcharging station can recharge your car in less than an hour. This charging station is obviously the most rare and expensive, but they are slowly popping up in urban areas
PHOTO BY SEAN MALINOWSKI
Klaus Dohring, president of Green Sun Rising Inc., a Windsorbased company that focuses on developing solar systems, answers questions after his lecture on electric vehicles at the University of Waterloo on Feb. 4. around North America. “It’s kind of like having your own gas station at home,” Dohring said. “But that oil well will never run dry.” Dohring mentioned Tesla as the forerunner for electric vehicle luxury, stating that the Tesla S is “the sexist electric car on the market,” for its appealing look and overall performance. Tesla also has its own hightech charging stations across North America, with the closest being in Comber, Ont., near Windsor. Arumughan Al-Haq, business analyst for Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy,
said the race for sustainable vehicles is a marathon, not a sprint. Based on his conversations within the field, he said the transformation of our infrastructure alone will take time. Dohring, who does drive an electric vehicle, said it’s time for politicians to understand the inevitable. The electrification of transportation is the future. “What we need the government to do, is to put quick-chargers on every 50 kilometres of Canadian highways. Think, a 100 years ago we didn’t have gas stations, just like charging stations.
Mentorship large part of program CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“You have to go into it because you want to learn and try out whether you’re fit to be an entrepreneur.” Matlow is one of 26 mentors in the program. He has been involved with it for 13 years. His area of expertise is the marketing side, such as getting your name out there without spending a lot of money. “It’s a great opportunity to pass on some knowledge, mistakes I’ve made over the
years, things like that, to people who are interested in trying entrepreneurship,” said Matlow. Mentorship is a large part of the program. Participants meet in groups of four every two weeks for roundtable discussions with four mentors. They are also given the contact information of other mentors involved with the program. Examples of mentors include lawyers, bankers, accountants, experienced entrepreneurs and other business consultants.
“The (participants) who have more success are the ones who engage the mentors more often,” said Rob Clement, a business adviser with the WRSBC. The deadline for applying is May 6. Post-secondary students begin in June and high school students begin in July. The program runs until around Labour Day. For more information go to waterlooregionsmallbusiness. ca/summercompany or contact Rob Clement at rob.clement@kitchener.ca.
NEWS
Monday, February 22, 2016
SPOKE s Page 3
PHOTO BY JESSICA PETT
The Cinelli family, Sarah (left to right), Kent, Alex and Mike, rock their matching haircuts. Sarah finished her chemotherapy sessions on Dec. 21 and is now undergoing radiation.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
A family Christmas photo taken in December 2014.
Six-year-old shaves head on World Cancer Day BY JESSICA PETT
“I’m sorry, it’s cancer.” Those four words changed Sarah Cinelli’s life forever. The mother, sister, wife and friend immediately started counting the ways. “The kids need me, who’s going to plan the birthday parties, who’s going to do everything a mom does, am I going to die, what’s going to happen?” she thought. She was shocked, like anyone would be in her situation, but she immediately began to plan her next steps. She and her husband (who battled leukemia before the kids were born) broke the news to their two young children right away. “After she came home from school I told her, ‘You know mommy’s lump? It turns out it’s bad and it’s called cancer,’” said Cinelli. She had been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Despite the devastating news, the family tried their best to go on with their normal lives. It was important to Sarah and her husband that cancer didn’t change their children’s lives. They went on a camping trip, enjoyed the summer with their friends and family and even held a “hair cutting party” for Sarah. One day while she was sitting in the car, Sarah’s six-year-old daughter Alex heard a commercial promoting the #nohairselfie, a movement that promotes support and solidarity for cancer patients around the world. Alex, who at one point had long flowing hair,
decided that she wanted to support her mother by participating in the #nohairselfie movement. So, her father Mike registered her on the campaign’s website and by the next morning she had already raised over $400 in donations. What was Alex’s reasoning? “I thought about it and I really wanted to do it, so I did it,” she said. It was as simple as that. “She (her mom) looked pretty and I like how she looked.”
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You know mommy’s lump? It turns out it’s bad and it’s called cancer. — Sarah Cinelli
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Her mother was worried that being just six years old, Alex didn’t understand the possible consequences that could follow, specifically the way the other kids at school would react. “I was almost being mean. I would say, ‘Kids can say this, they might call you a boy,’ because I just wanted her to understand,” Sarah said. Despite her mother’s hesitance, Alex continued to push for her hair to be removed. She even convinced her father and her little brother Kent to join her. On Feb. 4, known as World Cancer Day, Alex shaved her head in support of her mother and in support of all cancer patients undergoing treatment.
The next day at St. Matthews Catholic Elementary School, Alex had the opportunity to speak to her entire class about what she had done and to answer any questions her peers may have had. One of her classmates came to school the next day with his head shaved to support her. The school also allowed kids to wear their hats all day to show support of cancer patients who often wear hats when undergoing chemotherapy and invited them to bring a donation to school. That day, the school donated $1,002 to Alex’s cause. Now, 18 days later, Alex is happy with her beautiful new hairdo. She even calls herself and her #nohairselfie teammates the Fuzzy Hedgehogs because that is what her hair feels like now that it is cut. As of Feb. 9, Alex and her team had raised a total of $12,187, surpassing their original goal of $10,000. Donations can be made directly to Alex’s page until March 31 at www. fundraising.nohairselfie.ca/ Pledge/Participant/Home. aspx?seid=10592&mid=9&p id=2534881. One hundred per cent of the proceeds go to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. When Alex was asked what advice she had for other kids whose parent may have cancer, she had this to say: “Don’t worry about it. It might be OK because the doctor will fix it and then you won’t have to worry about it anymore.”
PHOTO BY JESSICA PETT
Sarah Cinelli and her daughter Alex, who shaved her head in support of her mom, pose for a photo. Alex shaved her head on Feb. 4, World Cancer Day.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Sarah’s first day of chemotherapy was on Sept. 14, 2015.
COMMENTARY
Page 4 s SPOKE
Monday, February 22, 2016
Breastfeeding in public a right BY SARA SASILA
Dozens of stories about moms breastfeeding in public have been circling the Internet of late, becoming a hot topic that is causing lots of heated debate. The question is, how does a mother breastfeeding her child affect you? It’s a simple question, yet most people don’t know how to answer it. Many people are strong believers in breastfeeding, whether in private or in public. Not only is it a beautiful bonding experience between a mother and her child, it is a natural act. Unfortunately, a lot of people tend to see it differently. Joey Salads, a YouTuber with over 800,000 subscribers, filmed two social experiments regarding the matter. The first video is of a mother breastfeeding her child in public. The surprising part was the number of people who went up to her, not knowing that they were being filmed, and told her how disgusting she was and to go somewhere private. The second video is called Sexy vs. Breastfeeding in Public. A mother breastfeeds her child in public while a model with a lot of cleavage showing sits next to her. Both men and women went up to the mother and told her how offensive and sickening she was for breastfeeding her child in public, while the woman next to her, who had more cleavage showing, was whistled at. The media constantly features women who are barely clothed. What is the difference between looking at that and having a woman feed her child in public? There is no difference. Society has a stigma about breastfeeding being “gross” and “offensive,” but the only offensive part is that people have a problem with it. Women have the right to feed their children in public, just as people have the right to go topless in Ontario. In 2006, Emily Gillette from New Mexico was kicked off a Delta Connections flight in Burlington, Vt., after she refused the request of a flight attendant to cover her nursing baby with a blanket. She filed a lawsuit against Delta Airlines and Freedom Airlines. As part of a confidential settlement, each carrier agreed to pay damages. If you aren’t uncomfortable around cleavage and breasts, but get offended when a mother is feeding her child in public, maybe you should consider the fact that you are the problem, not her.
The views herein represent the position of the newspaper, not necessarily the author.
Letters are welcome Spoke welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be signed and include the name and telephone number of the writer. Writers will be contacted for verification. No unsigned letters will be published. Letters should be no longer
than 500 words. Spoke reserves the right to edit any letter for publication. Address correspondence to: The Editor, Spoke, 299 Doon Valley Dr., Room 1C30, Kitchener, Ont., N2G 4M4
People need to stop making breastfeeding in public an issue.
What colour is a racist? They come in all shapes, sizes and skin tones It’s 2016 – do you think racism still exists? Of course I do. It might not be 1860 when black people had to sit at the back of the bus and the sign on the bathroom door said “No blacks allowed,” but racism is very much alive. I chuckle and feel very offended when people boldly say to me, “I don’t see colour.” Yes, you see colour. You see how pigmented my melanin-rich skin is. So, the fact that you choose to pretend that we are exactly the same is ignorant. Ignorance is the new racism. However, I don’t consider racism an offence committed only by a Caucasian individual. I was sitting on the bus – not at the back, of course – and I overheard a coloured girl making fun of a stereotypical feature of an Asian man standing a few inches from me. That, to me, is just as insulting as a middle-aged Caucasian using the highly condescending “N word.” Whichever way you want to look at it, it’s all racial profiling.
Christel Allison,
Opinion So, personally, I don’t buy into the idea of fingers constantly being pointed at a specific race. We’re all equally involved.
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Real growth would be accepting that they are different, but not treating them differently ...
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As long as you discriminate against another race or make a generalized comment about a specific trait that in some way makes your race appear superior, you are racist. The interesting thing is, the ability, or lack thereof, to be racist is not specific to colour. So, the white, black or brown person sitting next to you
might be one. I do not think anyone needs to be a victim of racism, regardless of the colour of their skin. It would probably be easier to combat racism if people didn’t avoid the topic so much. It’s some sort of taboo to bring up the topic or express a need to talk about it. People get a little frightened when I ask them about diversity or their views on race and they start reciting a textbook version like they’ve sat in front of a mirror all their lives practising for that very moment. I’m not some sort of activist or promoter of racial tolerance. I’m just very comfortable in my skin. I embrace my pigmentation and I try to allow people that freedom too. Freedom to be exactly who they are without placing a label on them. We shouldn’t pretend that the next person isn’t different. Real growth would be accepting that they are different but not treating them differently because of their race or the colour of their skin.
SPOKE
IS PUBLISHED AND PRODUCED WEEKLY BY THE JOURNALISM STUDENTS OF CONESTOGA COLLEGE Editor: Chris Hussey Assignment Editors: Matt Linseman, Jenna Braun Advertising Managers: Christel Allison Spoke Online Editors: Emmie Siroky, Sean Malinowski, Marissa Cuddy Production Managers: Sarah Veenstra, Garrett
Burchett, Taylor Schweitzer Photo Editors (print): Jason Mota, Paul Boreham, Ashley Nequest, Ethan Kompf Photo Editors (online): Josh van Ostrand, Mike Stromme, Michelle Maisonville, Kandace Gallant Social Media Editor: Joe Weppler, Jessica Pett,
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Spoke’s address is 299 Doon Valley Dr., Room 1C30, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4M4. Phone: 519-748-5220, ext. 3691, 3692, 3693, 3694 Fax: 519-748-3534 Email: spoke@conestogac.on.ca Website: www.spokeonline.com
The views and opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of Conestoga College. Spoke shall not be liable for any damages arising out of errors in advertising beyond the amount paid for the space. Letters to the editor are subject to acceptance or rejection and should be clearly written or typed; a MS Word file would be helpful. Letters must not contain any libellous statements.
NEWS
Monday, February 22, 2016
SPOKE s Page 5
Activities important for patients with dementia BY KANDACE GALLANT
One of the toughest decisions some families have to make is putting their loved ones in a nursing home. But once they’re there, there are plenty of activities to keep them happy and occupied. At Riverside Glen in Guelph, there are many things for the patients to take part in. Bingo nights, exercise classes, pet therapy … There are fun things scheduled every day all year long. “My grandpa isn’t usually one to take part in things,” said Carl Mitchell, who was visiting her grandfather. “I was shocked when I walked in one day and found him doing exercises with everyone else. He never even used to want to go for walks with me, but there he was doing arm and leg stretches with the instructor.” Mitchell’s grandfather suffers from dementia and needs help looking after himself, but she said he’s still as happy as ever and keeps a positive attitude. “When he saw me walk in, his smile lit up the whole room,” said Mitchell. “And then he just kept doing his stretches. I was so shocked. I’m glad they got him doing
things like that.” She said they have many other fun things that they get him to do, like stress-relieving colouring, and even helping to look after all the plants in the “green room.” “Of course I feel bad that he had to come here and leave his home,” said Mitchell. “But he’s doing a lot of stuff that he’s never done before. He never used to do stretches or care about looking after plants.” Michelle Billings, Mitchell’s stepmother, who is also a registered practical nurse (RPN) at another nursing home in Guelph, said she’s happy he’s been getting involved in activities too. “It was hard to get him to do things at home,” said Billings. “He always just wanted to sit in his chair and watch TV. But when he’s here, for some reason he wants to be up and walking around and seeing what’s going on. I think it’s great that he’s getting more exercise and socializing.” Billings said working as an RPN, especially with patients who have dementia, can be challenging, but that she loves it all the same. “I know that the nurses here work really hard to make sure their patients are happy,” said
Billings. “It can be hard, especially when they are constantly asking for things because they don’t remember asking for it a few minutes before. You just have to have a lot of patience and I’m so glad the girls here do. They treat him like gold.” Billings said they do the same type of activities at the nursing home she works at to keep the patients active. “They absolutely love playing bingo,” said Billings. “They may never have even liked playing before, but in the home it gives them something to do and then they end up loving it.” She said doing activities like this benefits their physical and mental health. It can also get family members involved, which may help make the patients want to do it more. Pet therapy is something that can greatly improve their mood too. “Pet therapy is so soothing for elder patients,” said Billings. “If they have Alzheimer’s, letting them pet or play with the animals helps to calm down their agitations or behaviour. It also helps if patients have had to leave their pets at home when they came to the nursing home, so reuniting with their pets
ROCKING SOME PAPER AND SCISSORS
PHOTO BY GARRETT BURCHETT
Matt Giesbrecht (left) faces off against Eric Ruetz during CSI’s rock, paper, scissors tournament in the Sanctuary on Feb. 9. The winner received a $25 Bon Appetite gift card and a pass for two movie tickets. Competitors competed in best of three matches, with the prize going to the person with the longest winning streak. Giesbrecht got off to a quick start, dispatching five challengers in a row before being defeated.
is always a happy moment. They may have dementia, but they never forget the love they hold for their pets.” Mitchell agreed that it’s special seeing the residents playing with the animals. “It kind of brings a tear to my eye,” Mitchell said. “It makes them so happy, and of course that’s really important for the families who feel guilty for having to put their parents and grandparents into the home.” Getting the residents to take part in the exercise classes is also a great way to improve both physically and mentally. It can help with strength, mobility and flexibility. “I think my grandpa has definitely improved mobilitywise,” said Mitchell. “He has to walk with a walker, but I can’t believe how much faster he’s gotten.” She joked that he’ll be able to race her up and down the hallways pretty soon. She added since he’s been at the home, he’s even asked to go on walks and always tells her he’ll walk her to the elevator when she’s leaving. “I can’t believe some of the things he’s been doing,” said Mitchell. “He never used to want to walk anywhere and now he’s offering to walk with
me when I leave.” “Sometimes we’ll ask him about the exercises he may have done that day but he can’t remember,” said Billings. “But I think he really does enjoy it at that moment and I’m very happy about that.” Billings and Mitchell agreed that it will take a while for them to lose that “guilty feeling” of having to put their family member in the home, but they are happy he’s there nonetheless. “Every so often he’ll ask to go home, or ask where he is, and we just explain he needs extra care and we remind him that he loves it here,” said Billings. “Once he takes part in an activity it takes his mind off things like that. Doing arts and crafts, or looking after plants, or playing with the dogs that come in, have really lowered his persistent behaviour.” Billings said she looks forward to seeing his constant improvement and she’s glad they have programs and activities to keep the patients occupied and entertained. “It’s an essential part of the caregiving in nursing homes,” said Billings. “The residents’ happiness always comes first.”
WORLD HIJAB DAY AT CONESTOGA
PHOTO BY MICHELLE MASIONVILLE
World Hijab Day was held on Feb. 1. Famida Lakhi, (left) a member of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and office administration graduate, and Aisha Hollyera, a first-year social service worker and MSA member, attended the event. They shared the meaning of World Hijab Day and why it’s important to them. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.
FEATURE
Page 6 s SPOKE
Monday, February 22, 2016
A battle for love
Juneyt Yetkiner’s persistence paid off BY CHRIS HUSSEY
It was another warm summer day for Jami Sutton at the Seven Shores Café on Regina Street in Waterloo. As a chef at the café at the time and unofficially managing the kitchen, she put together many of the organic and local dishes the café offered. The year was 2013, and it was also the year she met Juneyt Yetkiner. Yetkiner, now 38, was performing at the café during one of their typical Thursday music nights, and it was that night that she got her first impression of him. “Honestly, he was the gentlest soul I’d ever met,” she said. “His music was just the most beautiful experience to me.” At the time she was in a serious relationship, and so while she said he made her feel at ease, she did not have any intentions beyond that. For him, however, it was quite a different feeling. She caught him completely off guard, to the point where he found himself thinking about her during the rest of his performance. “I remember thinking, ‘I need to ask her out. I need to do something,’” he said.
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He was the gentlest soul I’d ever met. His music was the most beautiful experience ... — Jami Sutton
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So he did just that. While he said he can come off as quite confident and sure of himself, he’s not like that at all, especially when it comes to women. She actually had added him on Facebook in the days after his performance in case she ever wanted to go out and see him perform his music. He wasn’t aware she was already in a committed relationship, and so after she “friended” him on Facebook, he decided to take a chance and ask her out for a coffee. She was completely taken aback but let him down easy. He felt terrible and apologized. That could have been the end of it, but like everything else in his life, Yetkiner wasn’t going to give up that easily. He was desperate just to be in her presence, and so he started going to her restaurant to do just that. He
PHOTOS BY CHRIS HUSSEY
Juneyt Yetkiner (left) and Derek O’Halloran perform as Dejavu at the Edelweiss Tavern in Kitchener on Feb. 12. Below, Yetkiner performs solo at the Kitchener Market on June 26, 2015. would bring a newspaper or some work, and he would just spend time in the café as she worked unknowingly behind the scenes. He had no intentions of trying to charm her if he actually saw her. “(Being around her) made me feel peaceful,” he said. He did this three to four times a week for over two and a half years. Sutton said she never knew he was there, and with anyone else, she said, it would be pretty unnerving and might be closer to stalking. But she said that knowing his personality, it was completely innocent and even heartwarming. “I viewed it as an intensely romantic gesture,” she said. Eventually, this extreme patience did pay off for Yetkiner. He participated in a charity fashion show event last year, and one of the photos was posted to Facebook by a photographer who had covered the event. There were a lot of people who commented on it, but the one that stood out was Sutton’s. She wrote, “Love this!” He said for her to do something like that is completely out of character for her and it made him wonder if she was starting to return the feelings he had for her. “That was the moment I realized I needed to go for
it,” he said. Once again, he did. This time, however, the feeling was mutual. “I just fell head-over-heels for him,” said Sutton. Almost a year later, the two are now engaged. Yetkiner’s persistence reflects in many other areas of his life as well. He was born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1977. He immigrated to Canada from Turkey
through Pakistan as a young man in 1999. He actually earned two degrees in Turkey, one in political science and the other in hotel management. However, these school credits weren’t accepted in Canada. So he started off working at Tim Hortons during the night shift. After just a couple of weeks on the job, he developed enough of a rapport with his “regulars” that
one of them actually offered him a room she had that had been recently vacated. But despite all his education and the many places he worked, Yetkiner was really passionate about becoming a musician. He is a talented flamenco guitarist and received his first real guitar from his mother back in Turkey. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
FEATURE
Monday, February 22, 2016
SPOKE s Page 7
A “soldier of music” PHOTOS BY CHRIS HUSSEY
Yetkiner is part of several different musical acts, including Dejavu, where he teams up with fellow musician and friend Derek O’Halloran. Together, they do covers of popular and classic songs. Clockwise from below right: John McKinley stands in front of the Starlight Social Club in Waterloo on Feb. 4. Yetkiner says McKinley is his mentor and one of the reasons he’s where he is today; Besides being a talented flamenco guitarist, Yetkiner is also an adept singer; C.J. Allen, Stacey Zegers, Joni Nehrita and Yetkiner are shown after the first day of auditions for the third season of The Shot; Yetkiner and O’Halloran talk in between songs during their performance at the Edelweiss Tavern on Feb. 5. The flamenco guitar is similar to a classical guitar, but differs in how it’s played. It’s a technically complex style of music that can be difficult to attempt, let alone master. John McKinley, a professional musician who mentored many local musicians in this region, including Yetkiner, said it comes effortlessly to Yetkiner. “Most people who are listening to the tunes may not notice (how good he is), but trust me, real musicians notice that,” he said.
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He’s way up there in terms of talent, but he doesn’t act like it. This community has done better because he’s in it. — John McKinley
QUICK FACTS ABOUT JUNEYT YETKINER
”
As Yetkiner worked to fulfill his dream of being a fulltime musician and cycled through a variety of jobs, he got his diploma as a computer programmer/analyst from Conestoga College in 2006. Now, after steadily working his way into the industry, Yetkiner is now living that dream of being a full-time musician. He’s a mainstay at several venues, including the Easy Pour Wine Bar in Blair, Molly Blooms in Waterloo and the Artisonale French Country Cooking in Guelph. And while he still has that first guitar given to him by his mother back in Turkey, he now has 42 others to go along
with it. He also hasn’t forgotten his humble roots and routinely gives back to the community, which he says helped him so much. He works with a lot of charities in the community each year, and can also be found in community events, such as The Shot. The music competition is based in the region and geared toward students, and Juneyt has served
as one of the four judges in seasons two and three of the competition. McKinley said Yetkiner has earned his success. He’s way up there in terms of talent, but he doesn’t act like it,” he said. “This community has done better because he’s been in it.” Sutton said his optimism has helped him carve his own path to being a successful
musician and ultimately win her heart. “No matter what life has thrown his way, he’s always found a way to persevere,” she said. “He doesn’t let anything get in his way, and he makes no excuses for himself .... Time and time again I hear about how he is such a genuine and kindhearted soul. I’m so insanely blessed to be able to experience that first-hand every day.”
Age: 38 Born in Istanbul, Turkey His name means “Soldier of Music” in Turkish Immigrated to Canada in 1999 He started playing guitar when he was 18 years old Musical influences: Paco de Lucia, Tomatito and Vincente Amigo Other influences: His mom, John McKinley and Nikola Tesla Has degrees from Turkey in hotel management and political science Graduated from Conestoga’s computer programmer/analyst diploma program in 2006 Served as a judge for The Shot in season two and three of the competition
NEWS
Page 8 SPOKE
Monday, February 22, 2016
Sunshine festival embodies African culture
BY GARRETT BURCHETT
Umuntu ngubuntu ngabantu. It is a Zulu proverb once spoken by Nelson Mandela. It means “I am because we are. A person is a person because of people.” It means that we cannot exist in our humanity alone. We need each other to be fully human. This message of inclusion and understanding embodies the vision of the Bring on the Sunshine Festival, a celebration of African cultural unique to Waterloo Region. The festival took place at the Kitchener City Hall Rotunda on Family Day, Feb. 16. As a part of Black History Month, this festival,
which launched in 2011, featured a full day of music and dancing, vendors, workshops on African drumming and dancing, delicious African cuisine and an auction that showcased artistic talent from Africa. “When you think of Africa you think of one culture,” said Abdi Issa, promotion coordinator for Bring on the Sunshine. “But really, it’s a combination of many cultures, and it’s about celebrating all of it. This authentic African experience was a way for people to appreciate the successes, positive values and beauty of Africa and its various cultures. But more than that, it was a way to empower
people from cultural minorities to break down and challenge stereotypes around African identity, and build bridges between communities through the sharing of both cultural similarities and differences. Organizers try to bring more and more to the event each and every year. The emphasis this year was on including more activities for kids, which they did in the form of a drum tree, face painting, a magic show and public skating at City Hall. “This has just exploded from what it was six years ago,” said Issa. The event provided a fantastic opportunity to positively impact children and youth of
African descent by providing a space for them to examine and explore their heritage and identity through the arts of their culture. In the spirit of Black History Month, it was also held to create a positive community space to celebrate African culture and identity while creating positive change in eradicating the negative impacts of discrimination. “It’s a chance, for all Canadians, to explore the richness of African culture, and the beauty of it,” said Issa. “Bring on the Sunshine ... highlights the best and brightest of who we are as a community and invites everyone of all cultures to
come and celebrate,” one person posted to the festival’s website. The event, which is hosted in partnership with the African Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre and the City of Kitchener, operates entirely on grants, donations and community support. Any surplus is given to other African organizations to strengthen the African community in Waterloo Region. You can connect with people from the event, plus keep up-to-date on other similar events in the region, at www. bringonthesunshine.ca, or at the Bring on the Sunshine Facebook page.
STUDENTS’ PLANS FOR READING WEEK NUMEROUS AND VARIED
PHOTO BY MIKE STROMME
Second-year television broadcast student Dave Reynolds tells Spoke Online about his exciting plans for Reading Week. For video story, visit www.spokeonline.com.
BUSINESSES CONVERGE AT RIM PARK TO SEEK OUT GRADUATES
PHOTO BY SARA SASILA
The Job Fair at Rim Park in Waterloo had thousands of students from Conestoga College, the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University attending in hopes of finding a job. The room was filled with different businesses and organizations who were looking for students.
NEWS
Monday, February 22, 2016
SPOKE s Page 9
Be aware, be alert and stay safe BY JESSICA HAMMER
Danger can lurk around every corner, whether when walking alone at night in a dark and creepy park or along a city street. Every sliver of light casts menacing-looking shadows. In addition to advising loved ones to walk in pairs or groups at night, parents have for decades taught their children to never take candy from a stranger or get in their cars or, in general, to never talk to strangers. It’s one of the top rules of parenting. There are many things parents have to teach their children to keep them safe and those rules tend to change as they get older. Suddenly the rules are now don’t walk alone at night, don’t set your drink down at a party and to be more aware of your surroundings. There are a lot more rules, or should we say guidelines, people should follow in order to stay safe in 2016, especially women. Erin Lockman, a first-year Conestoga pre-health sciences student, recalls a scary incident that happened to her. “There was an old man who grabbed my arm one day and tried to pull me away from my dad,” she said. Sara Dawkins, who is doing her academic upgrading for biology and chemistry at Conestoga College, said there have been at least three incidents where she felt threatened when she was out and about in the region. One of those happened when she was walking home alone at night. A vehicle drove up in front of her and a man asked if she knew where a certain street was.
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There was nowhere else to go. — Sara Dawkins
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“I said I don’t know and then the guy did some liplicking thing that was really creepy and told me to get in,” said Dawkins. “I would try to walk away and then he’d drive slow so I couldn’t cross the road.” Dawkins said she called her boyfriend who wasn’t far away and he came out and saw what was happening and yelled at the man in the vehicle who then drove away. “I don’t know what would have happened if I didn’t have my phone or if (my boyfriend) didn’t come outside when he did,” Dawkins said. “There
was nowhere else to go.” Especially at night, or when walking alone, you shouldn’t have headphones on because it blocks out everything around you. If someone was to come up from behind he would have the advantage. According to Statistics Canada, in 2013 Canada’s crime rate was at its lowest since 1969. There is no way to tell why the crime rate is declining though policing strategies and technology could be a contributing factor. Camellia Bustard, a thirdyear nursing student, said in November 2014 there was a manhunt for a patient who had escaped from St. Mary’s Hospital and was considered dangerous. “There were police everywhere. They actually ended up coming to our house and were looking under our porch and telling us to stay inside with our doors locked,” said Bustard. “It was really quite scary.” Bustard had just recently moved to Kitchener about a month or so before the events took place. “A couple of weeks later I had my car broken into. I guess this is what living in the city is like,” said Bustard. Around campus, a lot of students say they feel safe because of the security. “I think they do a good job,” said Maggie Birch, a firstyear pre-health sciences student. “You can always see them around the school.” Conestoga College has a Walk Safe program that offers students a security escort to their vehicles in the parking lots in the evening, across campus or even to their house if they live nearby. “If (a student) feels threatened we can meet with the student and create a safety plan while here at the campus and outside of the campus,” said Susete Araujo-Vizinho, a security representative for Conestoga College. “Basically (these are) safety tips while taking the bus and safety tips while walking on your own.” The college also offers selfdefence classes for faculty and students. Though campus security’s response time anywhere on campus is two to three minutes and they are always patrolling the school grounds, there is still a chance something could happen and it is important to try and stay calm. Taylor Schweitzer, a secondyear print journalism student, was in a situation recently where she was alone in the parking lot at the college on a Saturday night. She was still in her car after she parked and was talking on her cellphone when a young woman
PHOTOS BY JESSICA HAMMER
Susete Araujo-Vizinho, a Conestoga security representative, says students should try and remain calm and follow the correct procedures during emergencies.
Conestoga’s mobile safety app connects students, faculty and staff to emergency services with a touch of a button. knocked on the car window and told Schweitzer to get out of the car. “At first I was thinking she was in trouble or something, I don’t know. So I hang up the phone and I get out,” said Schweitzer. The young woman then proceeded to ask Schweitzer what “culture” she was and if she knew the owners of the couple of other cars in the parking lot because her vehicle was keyed (when a person drags the sharp tip of a key along a car, scratching the paint). Schweitzer said she didn’t know who owned the other cars. “She yells over to me, ‘There’s fucked up people in this world.” Schweitzer said she thought the woman was under the influence of drugs or something because of the way she was acting and speaking, so
When students are walking around on or off campus they should be aware of their surroundings. she left a few minutes later and went to the security office to tell them what happened. “I was scared. No one was around me so if I did start yelling no one would hear me,” Schweitzer said. There were two security officials patrolling the parking lot when Schweitzer went back to her car later that night following the incident, making her feel relieved. If students are ever in a situation where they feel threatened like in a lockdown, they
are to try and remain calm, do not attract attention and follow the proper procedures. The college has a free downloadable app that allows students, staff or faculty to directly contact security if there is a problem or if they require someone to walk them to their car. If students want to learn more about what to do in emergencies they can go to the Security Services’ page on the school’s website at www.conestogac.on.ca/security-services/.
FUN & GAMES
Page 10 s SPOKE
Monday, February 22, 2016
Useless Facts
Oh Cliff!
Horoscope Week of February 22, 2016
Aries
March 21 April 19 You are going through a lot right now, so take the time to relax and enjoy the small things in life. In the end, it’s these that will mean the most.
Taurus April 20 May 20
Watch what you say to those who are close to you. The words you use can have a hard-hitting impact on how they feel about you.
Gemini May 21 June 21
Soon you will feel the creative juices flow that will give you the colourful boost you need in your most important personal projects.
Cancer June 22 July 22
Stay focused on what you love to do. This will help you develop a solid sense of identity and you will also discover something new about yourself.
Leo
July 23 August 22 You will encounter something that will challenge how you think. When it arrives, be willing to accept it and have an open mind to what could happen in the future.
Virgo
August 23 September 22 Try not to overthink the possible solutions to the problem that you are currently facing. Go with what your gut tells you.
A shark is the only fish that can blink with two eyes.
Libra
Polar bears are left-handed.
September 23 October 22
In France, a five-year-old child can buy an alcoholic drink in a bar.
Study hard for your next test and it will pay off in the long run. If you continue this trend, you will become successful in all of your future endeavours.
Almonds are members of the peach family. Pound for pound, hamburgers cost more than new cars.
Scorpio
October 23 November 21 Stop worrying so much and take a moment to breathe. Taking the time to relax will give you the focus you need to work on the things that are most important.
Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.
Sudoku Puzzle
Sagittarius November 22 December 21
Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner that every row, every column and every 3x3 box accommodates the digits 1-9, without repeating any.
Lately, you have been flirting with a special someone and things are about to heat up. Just be yourself and things should jump to the next level.
Capricorn December 22 January 19
Your emotions have been scattered recently. If you speak your mind and avoid hiding your true feelings, everything will work out.
Aquarius January 20 February 18
You can be a very strongheaded person and you prefer to be in control. Learn to let the reins loose a little bit and go with the flow.
Pisces
February 19 March 20 In the near future, an abundance of happiness will fall in your direction. Take advantage of this rare opportunity.
Ephram Strange dabbles in forces beyond mortal comprehension on a regular basis. He also enjoys young adult novels and taxidermy.
Word Search
NEWS
Monday, February 22, 2016
SPOKE s Page 11
Punk’s not dead, it never dies
BY LEAH MORROW
“A guy walks up to me and asks, ‘What’s punk?’ So I kick over a garbage can and say, ‘that’s punk!’ So he kicks over a garbage can and asks, ‘That’s punk?’ and I say, ‘No, that’s trendy,’ said Green Day’s frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong. Armstrong was once quoted as saying that the concept of punk has always been about doing your own thing, a sense of ultimate freedom and individuality. He said punk is a lifestyle, not a popularity contest. It seems like music today has lost all sense of individuality; every band wants to be the next someone else. It breaks my heart to hear
people cheer on a band like 5 Seconds of Summer, who have zero sense of individuality, and yet not even know who the Sex Pistols are. The Sex Pistols formed in London, England in 1975, though their time together was short – just two and a half years – and they only released four singles and one studio album (Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols). However, in that short time they created a movement in the United Kingdom bringing punk rock to the forefront of the music world. The Pistols stood for something, they spoke out against conformity with songs like God Save the Queen and Anarchy in the U.K.
RACING TO THE FINISH LINE
PHOTO BY TAYLOR SCHWEITZER
Aaron Santubbe, left to right, Brandon Paiva and Jonathan Mertz play a racing game during Conestoga Students Inc.’s Video Games Day Feb. 4 in the Sanctuary.
LEARNING IN THE DARK
I mean, come on, the most hardcore song that 5 Seconds of Summer sings about is them eating pizza. “We are not a political band,” said Armstrong in a YouTube video. “We do not want to tell people what to do or what to think. We just want to tell them to think.” Everything on the radio sounds the same. I haven’t heard a single song that has really resonated with me or made me think. Bands like Hedley, who when they first released their self-titled album in 2006, had a very original sound, now seem to have sold out with the latest release of their album Hello. This is taking place while bands with great talent
and potential play cooped up inside garages. I cannot listen to house music or autotuned garbage. All I want is to listen to a band with members who play their own instruments and sound as great live as they do on their album. From where I stand, this is becoming a rarity. I never quite intended this to be a love letter to punk music or the punk lifestyle but that’s what it is turning into. We need to bring back real bands, like the Clash and the Ramones, and fewer like One Direction. I have a single hope for 2016 and that is that Green Day will release a new album. After a four-year hiatus it would be a dream come true. I have no problems with
their albums Warning and Nimrod playing on repeat in my car but, I would most likely pass out if I heard they were releasing a new album. “What annoys the hell out of me is the arrogance of some people,” said Armstrong during an interview. “They don’t even listen to our music, they decided in advance that they don’t like it.” In a society where trends change in the blink of an eye, it’s hard to get people to really stop and listen. I’m not trying to say punk is the only music to listen to, it’s not. What I am trying to say is, in a world full of Justin Biebers, do not be afraid to be a Johnny Rotten or Tommy Ramone.
THE MOTHERS OF CONESTOGA COLLEGE
PHOTO BY ASHLEY NEQUEST
Second-year office administration students Victoria Amorim and Mahala Taylor explain how they manage to take care of their children and succeed academically. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.
STAYING UP FOR THREE DAYS STRAIGHT
PHOTO BY EMMIE SIROKY
A farmer and his son play together at the In The Dark exhibit at the Waterloo Region Museum on Feb. 4. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.
PHOTO BY ETHAN KOMPF
Spoke reporter Ethan Kompf tried to stay awake for 72 hours. He documented the physical and psychological tolls it took on him in a video story which can be found online at www.spokeonline.com.
NEWS
Page 12 s SPOKE
Monday, February 22, 2016
Polar Plunge raises $30,000 for Special Olympics Ontario BY PAUL BOREHAM
There were various methods to the madness. Some tiptoed to the edge of the platform, looked down and simply hopped in. Others took a bold run and flew like Superman. Some said a few last words before taking the leap. A couple flipped. A mischievous few were intent on splashing the throng that surrounded the pool outside University of Guelph’s Creelman Hall. But all who ultimately found themselves in the icy water did a kind of primal scream and dance as the crowd cheered them on. It was all for Special Olympics Ontario’s upcoming spring games, which are being held in Guelph May 26-28. About 130 participants braved the cold weather and zero degree water in a public display of bravery. “Special Olympics athletes go beyond their comfort level every day and so this is a really good way to support them,” said Dominique O’Rourke, Special Olympics Ontario’s corporate fundraiser for the spring games. The 2016 games will be the largest in the organization’s history, she said. One thousand people –750 athletes along with coaches and managers – are expected. Six hundred volunteers will be on hand. “People with an intellectual disability face a lot of barriers, and the Special Olympics allows them to be a part of a team and to experience the joy and competition of sport,” said O’Rourke. She added, “The ability to go to other communities to compete in provincial, national or even world games is an important aspect of that. Allowing the athletes to flourish as much as they can is really critical.” The games are also important for the host community, she said. “It shows a community that inclusion is important.”
PHOTOS BY PAUL BOREHAM
Guelph Police Chief Jeff DeRuyter jumps into an ice cold pool as part of the Special Olympics Polar Plunge fundraiser at the University of Guelph, Feb. 6. Below right, Waterloo Regional Police Service Chief Bryan Larkin chose to do a cannonball and make quite a splash. Below left, two participants are shocked by the chilly water. Behind it all are those men and women in spiffy uniforms who normally keep the community safe – the police. And law enforcement have a long history with the Special Olympics. The story goes back several decades. “In the early 1960s, Dr. Frank Hayden (a professor at the University of Toronto) discovered that individuals with intellectual disabilities seemed to all have physical health issues, such as obesity, high blood sugar, etc.,” said Constable Chris Probst, a member of the Guelph Police Service and manager of the 2016 games. “He found that individuals were just simply not given the opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle as far as sport goes, so he cre-
ated what came to be the Special Olympics.” The Special Olympics were first adopted in the U.S. by the Kennedy administration. Toronto was host to the first games in Canada, in 1969. Police services quickly took up the cause in the 1970s with the Law Enforcement Torch Run – a marathon – to raise funds. “That’s grown and grown and grown and now it’s international,” said Probst. “In 1997 it was decided that every time there’s an Olympic event, the police service in the jurisdiction of the event will take charge of running it.” The Guelph Police Service, with Probst at the helm, are running the games this year. The plunge is the main fundraising event, and it’s a first for the city. The University of Guelph is providing accommodation for the athletes, Probst said. There are six events: swimming, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics and 5- and 10-pin bowling in various locations throughout the city and one venue in Cambridge. “The entire service is involved,” said Probst. From the chief to constables, all are volunteering their time and money in preparation for the games. Bryan Larkin, chief of the Waterloo Regional Police Service, was also at the event. “Waterloo and Guelph
Police Service work very closely together, but Special Olympics is the official charity of choice of Ontario chiefs and Chief DeRuyter (Guelph) is a very good friend of mine and he asked me if I would support the cause and so here I am, ready to take the plunge and freeze for a good reason,” said Larkin. “It’s going to be fun, but I’m trying to decide whether I’m going to do the cannonball or the can opener,” he added. (See the photo for his final decision.) There are many ways to donate, including an adopt-an-athlete program. See the Guelph Police Service website, guelphpolice.ca, for details. VIP plungers included Jeff DeRuyter, Guelph’s chief; Chief Larkin; Lloyd Longfield, Guelph’s MP; Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie; Pam Damoff, MP for Oakville; U of G officials and others. As one o’clock approached, Creelman Hall started filling up with groups of people, registering at a long table inside the door and getting organized at round tables scattered around the hall. “We had the chief of police and the representative of Special Olympics come to our site and they did a presentation in front of all our employees,” said Phil Clayton, mainte-
nance supervisor at McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the makers of Tylenol. “From there on, we decided, as a part of our credo, to support community. So this is just part of our way of connecting and investing in other people’s lives.” Asked how he felt about plunging, he said, “There’s no ice on top, so that’s good.” But he didn’t want to dip his hand in to see how cold it was. Eight people from the McNeil group were plunging. A group of seven from Meridian Credit Union were also gathering. District vicepresident Carlo Montagnese did feel the water and noted just how cold it was. “It’s all for a great cause,” he said. Meridian has taken part in the plunges and Special Olympics fundraising before, but the fact that the games were being held in the city this year brought them out. One o’clock arrived and the plunging began. Emcee Lisa Richards, Magic 106.1 FM DJ, began the countdown of plungers, starting with Chief DeRuyter, all dressed up as a robber. Splashes, cheers and laughter came and went. Many participants dressed up in costume for the occasion, others dressed down, showing bare skin. Some went solo, others in groups. One young lady, sporting freckles a n d looking like a
d r o w n e d seal, stepped out of the pool and said to her fellow plunger, “I’ve never felt this cold in my entire life!” as they emerged wet and dripping. Plungers were given a towel and taken inside by a volunteer, where hot drinks and snacks were waiting. Chris Heasley, from the Meridian group, stepped back outside to watch the rest of the show. He was in bare feet, still wet, with a towel draped around him. He was “glowing” from his achievement. It was all worth it, he said.