Princess Ball Kids with CF get the royal treatment. Page 9 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2017
SPOKE
A LEARNING NEWSROOM FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS
CONESTOGA COLLEGE, KITCHENER, ONT.
WWW.SPOKEONLINE.COM
A unique birthday gift Waterloo residents draw self-portraits for Canada’s 150th. Page 3 48TH YEAR — NO. 4
Getting a leg up on cancer BY JOY STRUTHERS
Shannon Camilleri can’t believe how lucky she is. She points at her new robotic leg, leaning against the wall in her Kitchener apartment, and laughs with delight. She had plugged it in to charge after she got home from work, just like she would her cellphone. It isn’t quite finished yet. She hopes to get the top of it painted pink but she is pleased with the black limited edition carbon fibre that covers the lower unit. Until now Camilleri has used crutches and other more basic prosthetics to get around. She first had what she calls a plain mechanical limb, where the knee would just lock and release. When hydraulics became available she was able to get a hydraulic knee which required less maintenance. The Ottobock C-Leg 4 prosthetic knee will completely change Camilleri’s life. “This leg is my first robotic leg … There is nothing that I can’t do,” she said. With this limb she can walk, exercise, dance, skate and even rock climb for the first time in over 34 years. She can use a remote control or the app on her phone to tell the limb what setting she wants it on, depending on the activity she wants to do. The limb was about 93 per cent charged when she checked the app. “It’s completely Bluetooth,” she said. Camilleri is a cancer survivor who lost her leg when she was 11 years old. Cancer was found in the bottom part of her left leg and she was given six months to
PHOTO BY JOY STRUTHERS
Cancer survivor Shannon Camilleri demonstrates the mobility of her C-Leg 4 at her Kitchener apartment on Jan. 28. It is the most popular prosthetic that uses microprocessor technology. This robotic leg is life-changing for her. live. Amputating the limb did not guarantee her survival. “I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer, when I was 10 … Two days after my 11th birthday they did the amputation, in 1982. I had chemotherapy for eight months,” said Camilleri. She remembers most of it, but still doesn’t understand where she got the strength to push though. “I don’t know where the maturity came from,” Camilleri said. “I remember turning to my dad, because
he was right beside me, and I cried for a few minutes. Then I was like OK, this is going to be done.” When she woke up from her surgery, she tried to get up off the hospital bed and fell on the floor. She realized that she had to get herself up somehow, so she did. “This is my reality,” said Camilleri. “Maybe falling flat on my face was a godsend.” She smiles as she remembers, because she cherishes this memory. She made the choice to pull herself up so she
could hop to the bathroom. Camilleri was in remission for 22 months before the cancer came back. This time it was in her right lung. After having a portion of the lung removed and undergoing six months of chemotherapy, she was cancer-free. “My whole battle was until just before I turned 14,” she said. She started off as a champ in The War Amps Canada child amputee program, and ended up becoming a media consultant.
“I also used to do the ribbon cutting when they did the Great Ride for Cancer,” she said. “My dad and I would ride a tandem bike.” Her father pushed her to try skiing, and she ended up competing in the Paralympics. “The freedom you feel, and the breeze on your face when you’re going down that hill, there is just something about it,’ said Camilleri. “To me, I’m free. I can do this and there is nothing I can’t do.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
CSI’s The Venue changing to full-service restaurant BY DEEANNA ROLLINS
The Venue will be seeing some major changes in the next couple of weeks as it transitions to a full-service restaurant, with a new menu. The Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) board of directors, at the first meeting of the year on Jan. 26, announced that the changes to The
Venue are taking longer than expected, but will be completed within the next two to three weeks. Business at The Venue has been booming thanks to new hours and beer being sold every day, and CSI expects that having a sit-down restaurant will increase the appeal and bring in even more revenue. In other business, transpor-
tation at Conestoga’s Guelph campus was discussed. Board members were told a referendum will be held on whether or not students there want a universal bus pass (U-Pass) with Guelph Transit to be a mandatory fee in their tuition. At least 10 per cent of Guelph campus students will need to vote to make the referendum valid.
This is much like the Brantford campus referendum that happened in September of last year, in which students there voted in favour of the U-Pass. In February 2016 a U-Pass with Grand River Transit (GRT) was rejected by Doon, Cambridge and Waterloo campus students, with 57 per cent (2,139) voting no and 43 per cent (1,591) vot-
ing yes. The U-Pass in Guelph would cost an extra $124.90 in the fall and winter semesters and $126.90 in the summer semester, should the vote pass. This is $1.40 more than what University of Guelph students pay per semester, and is approximately $200 less than what it would normally cost them ($80 per month).
NEWS
Page 2 s SPOKE
Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College
Monday, February 6, 2017
FILBERT CARTOONS
Random questions answered by random students
Which dead person would you least like to be haunted by?
“Bloody Mary. She’s just angry and terrifying.” Cameron Erb, pre-health sciences
Is 28 days enough? Black history should be taught year-round BY BRANDY FULTON
“Michael Jackson. I just think he’s really creepy. He could haunt me with his music.” George Boelia, health office administration
“I don’t think I’d want to be haunted by Abraham Lincoln. There’s just something strange and creepy about him.” Courtney Clements, interior decorating
“Hitler, because he’s an insane war criminal ... Imagine what he would do to other people.” Matt Mantel, woodworking technology
“Dracula, because he’s a vampire.”
Tristan Liggett, biotechnology technician
“My grandma, because she would probably nag me.” Conner Henry, IT technician
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
The decade-long debate of whether Black History Month is needed, continues. Thanks to 2017 starting off with U.S. President Donald Trump and all his craziness, this argument and the overall reason for this month will go unheard. In 1924, Negro History and Literature Week was created. Inspired by a convention that was highlighting the progress that had been made since the abolition of slavery, Carter G. Woodson desired to promote the scientific study of black lives and history. February was chosen for this week to encompass the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two Americans who had great impact on black history. The week was later turned into a month in 1976, and was officially recognized by Canada’s House of Commons in 1995. By integrating black history curriculum in schools, the outreach to children and adults was significant, but Woodson desired a greater impact. He started asking people to extend their knowledge of black history instead of creating a new tradition. “We are going back to that beautiful history and it is going to inspire us to greater achievements,” Woodson said to an audience of Hampton Institute students. However, that cannot be said of everyone’s feelings for this celebration. Eleven years ago, actor Morgan Freeman said in a 60 Minutes episode that he did not support Black History Month. “I don’t want Black History Month,” he said. “Black history is American history.” Freeman said the only reason there is no White History
Month is because white people do not want their history regulated to just one month, and that they would probably take offence to it anyhow. This conversation with his co-host sparked a debate that arises every year just before February. There are a number of other people who have the same views as Freeman. Stacey Dash, who is a Fox News personality, almost replicated Freeman’s speech, saying that Black Americans are just Americans and that is it. She also stated that if we wanted segregation, we got it, by placing a whole race’s history into the shortest month of the year.
“
If the contributions and achievements of African Canadians are not made known to all students, if the mere fact of the long-term presence of the black community is not recognized, how can we as a developed country truly affirm all our citizens. — Rosemary Sadlier
”
Both Freeman and Dash were reprimanded for their outspokenness. People used a number of different social media platforms to ask the two celebrities why they hated their culture and history. Freeman clarified that he wanted children to be taught American history and that included black history. However, he wanted it taught year-round, like it would be with European history, and
not just a special month out of the year. This reflects Woodson’s thoughts shortly before he died in 1950. He believed that the weekly celebrations would come to an end but he wanted the study of black history to continue on, hoping that one day it would be taught like a normal class, 365 days of the year. And with every debate there is an opposing side. Rosemary Sadlier, a former president of the Ontario Black History Society, asked how we can have social justice if only one group’s achievements and contributions are known. She strongly supports Black History Month, saying that is how students are going to learn about the missing pieces of Canada’s history. “If the contributions and achievements of African Canadians are not made known to all students, if the mere fact of the long-term presence of the black community is not recognized, how can we as a developed country truly affirm all our citizens?” Sadlier asked. Both sides of the debate have the same desire in mind, to have black history taught in schools year-round. They both understand that 28 days is not enough. However, 28 days to some people is better than nothing, and they will take every chance they can get to continue to educate and inform.
CORRECTION In the Jan. 30 issue of Spoke, a photo cutline contained incorrect information. The Guelphites in Solidarity Rally was misnamed. It was held on Jan. 21 in Guelph. Spoke apologizes for the error.
NEWS
Monday, February 6, 2017
SPOKE s Page 3
Portrait project celebrates Canada’s 150th BY SHARON SAMUEL
The residents of Waterloo have made self-portraits as a birthday present to Canada for its 150th year. The We are Waterloo Portrait Project was an initiative of the City of Waterloo’s art and culture team to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday this year. The project conducted workshops which began last year in January and were held throughout 2016 across the city on various days. The public was encouraged to participate and draw a self-portrait. “Throughout 2016 we hosted over 20 separate workshops open to the public,” said Katie Wilde, culture program co-ordinator at the City of Waterloo. These workshops were conducted by local artists. “Some of the artists have sort of traditional type of approaches to their work,” said Karen VandenBrink, manager of the City of Waterloo Museum and Archival Collections’ community programming and outreach services. Other workshops were led by artists who specialized in cartooning or abstract art. “So, you get very different
types of product portraits coming out of the workshop held by the artist,” said VandenBrink. Participants didn’t have any experience in painting or drawing. They just wanted to come and do a self-portrait. Paper, paint tubes, paint brushes and crayons were provided, she said. Young children right up to seniors participated. “Families came too,” said VandenBrink The finished portraits were gathered at the end of each workshop and digitized. “The (portraits) were scanned and then we had all of the electronic product files to put together and the finished product is here for the exhibition at the museum,” said VandenBrink. Over 500 portraits were done by residents of Waterloo, who live, work and play in the community. “That was the main criteria (to participate), you have to be in Waterloo, to live in Waterloo to submit a portrait.” The portraits will be on display until June 9. One of the activities the museum has right now for families is that
PHOTO BY SHARON SAMUEL
Karen VandenBrink, manager of the City of Waterloo Museum and Archival Collections’ community programming and outreach services, stands by self-portraits created by participants in workshops hosted by local artists in Waterloo Region. The artwork will be displayed until June 9. they can come in and make a self-portrait and take it home, she said. For more information on the
project and workshops conducted by local artists, visit www.waterloo.ca. To view the display of the portraits made
by Waterloo residents, visit the City of Waterloo Museum located near the food court in Conestoga Mall.
Photography workshop improves selfies BY CASSIDY FOULDS
Technology is amazing. The average person has the ability to walk around in their everyday life with a miniature computer in their pocket. These computers, aka cellphones, are packed with great functionalities, such as the camera. Because the camera is so accessible, pictures people have taken of themselves are all the more common. But where is the finesse? Where is the artistic skill? At the KitchenerWaterloo Art Gallery, an event was held to bring back the art of photography. Called From Selfies to Portraiture, it took place on Jan. 28 and sought to teach the basics of captivating photography. Everything from the rule of thirds and composition, to lighting and model positioning was covered in the two-hour workshop, with the aim to send participants home feeling more comfortable with a camera in their hands. Tanya Saraiva, professional photographer, kindergarten teacher, mother and Conestoga College graduate, led the workshop. Her hope was to change the way people approach photography. “Personally, I’d just love to
PHOTO BY CASSIDY FOULDS
Tanya Saraiva, a professional photographer who led the From Selfies to Portaiture workshop at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, poses with her camera. Her services and work can be found at tenelevenphotography.com. get more people involved, to After showing a wide range I see other people do it,” said experience more about photog- of different photography, Janice Maarhvis, one of the raphy,” said Saraiva. “That it’s lighting, posing and framing attendees. “I’d love to learn not just a ‘point ’n shoot’ type techniques, with examples of more about it because I use it of medium. You really have to her own, Saraiva gave the all the time in my work.” think about what you’re doing, workshop attendees time to Linda Andaloro was another and you can create some really practise. attendee of the workshop who nice artwork and it’s not just a “I’m fascinated by photogra- found the hands-on aspect of snapshot kind of idea.” phy, and I’m fascinated when the event the most enriching.
“It was good, very informative. I was intimidated, but she was very casual and laidback, willing to give all sorts of information,” she said. Saraiva, as someone who is passionate about her profession, had advice for aspiring shutterbugs who weren’t able to make the event. “Always shoot. Always have your camera with you,” she said. “I had friends who would be out somewhere and say, ‘That’d be a cool picture!’ Then take it. They say ‘No, people are going to look at me.’ Don’t worry about that. Just go. The more you do it, the more your eyes are going to start seeing things in the form of a picture. And don’t be afraid to try something new. If you don’t try new things and you don’t push yourself, then you’re not going to go anywhere.” Saraiva hopes to potentially hold another workshop along the same vein as From Selfies to Portraiture in the near future. Future workshops and events for art buffs can be found at www.kwag.ca. Tanya Saraiva’s photography work and services can be found at her website, www.tenelevenphotography.com.
Page 4 s SPOKE
Muslim ban sparks fear
COMMENTARY
Monday, February 6, 2017
BY JAMES WELLS
The official first week of office for newly elected President Donald Trump is over, and what a mess it turned out to be. The week of Jan. 22 Trump took his first steps within his position of power, signing a number of executive orders to take effect “immediately,” as he likes to say. From building a wall on the border with Mexico, advancing a pipeline across sacred native lands and approving the use of torture, the American people and the world got a scary look at what the next four years will be like with Trump at the helm of the free world. One executive order, however, was and has not been implemented to its fullest effect yet. On Jan. 27, Trump signed an executive order that banned travellers from seven Muslim faith countries from entering the U.S. As any sensible and respectful American, or human being for that matter, realized, this was a terrible idea. Visa holders, green card holders and even dual citizenship civilians were detained at American international airports. Shortly, and we mean only hours after this order was signed, protests began at airports all across the U.S. Americans rallied behind those who could not leave, who could not return and who were detained illegally. After much outcry, large crowds and many colourful and strongly worded signs, those who were detained at airports were released and allowed into the United States, thanks to the American Civil Liberties Union. Thankfully, this new development was able to show one good thing, the power of the Supreme Court. Some level of democracy still appears to live. With this power, lawyers were able to assist those detained, and have them released Many are outraged by this ban on specific Muslim countries, however, this ban is supposedly a temporary one, implemented to evaluate the safety and security that the United States has with these seven countries. Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen are the countries that have been selected for “extreme vetting” according to the executive order. In the next three months, Americans and the rest of the world will begin to get a feel for and look at what sort of actions and polices the new U.S. government will implement and put in place targeting Muslim specific regions. For more updates on the most dramatic American reality TV show ever created, pick up a newspaper near you. 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
Trudeau’s immigration policy is sure to infuriate Trump.
‘I’m over 18’ button isn’t enough Gone are the days when a teen’s first exposure to pornography was finding their dad’s Playboy magazine under the bed. The content and ease of access to pornography has changed significantly since the rise of the Internet. Though porn is easier to access than ever before, and far more extreme in its content, very little has changed in terms of restrictions or regulations when it comes to publishing and accessing this content. In December, Motion 47 was passed with bipartisan support calling for the Standing Committee on Health to study the public health effects of the ease of access and viewing of online violent and degrading sexually explicit material on children, women and men. I think that this is an important step so that the effects of pornography can be concretely identified, and once identified perhaps new legislation can be passed to better protect citizens. The question that needs to be answered is what effects does exposure to this kind of material have on children and on society as a whole?
Roland Fleming
Opinion Unfortunately little scientific research has been done on the issue, and so it is difficult to say definitively what effects this material may be having. What we do know is that some kids are seeing porn for the first time as early as 10 years of age. Research has shown that boys in Canada will first see pornography at the age of 12 on average. We also know that the kind of porn they have access to can often be violent and degrading to women, and certainly not the way most parents would envision their young teens learning about sex. It’s also easy to access. All you have to do is click a button on any device with unfiltered Internet access. Most might think it obvious that 10-yearolds having easy access to graphic videos depicting aggressive sexual acts is not a good thing. Yet nothing has changed to regulate its access.
If we know that it’s not good for our children, then why do our laws do nothing to protect them? Why does one need to verify their age to buy cigarettes or alcohol, but can merely bypass age verification with a simple mouse click for pornography? I think one of the reasons that access to porn lacks meaningful age verification is that there are no consequences for porn creators, unlike a store clerk who will face consequences if he illegally sells a product to a minor. I think that laws should exist in which porn distributors face penalties for not creating meaningful age verification systems. A button asking if you are over 18 is not enough. Smoking used to be considered harmless but we know better now thanks to research. Cigarettes can no longer be smoked anywhere, age restrictions were put in place and public perception changed. That’s why I think it is important that we conduct meaningful research on pornography so that the public as well as lawmakers can make informed decisions regarding access to it.
SPOKE
IS PUBLISHED AND PRODUCED WEEKLY BY THE JOURNALISM STUDENTS OF CONESTOGA COLLEGE Editor: DeeAnna Rollins Assignment Editor: Robert Janes Advertising Manager: James Wells Spoke Online Editors: Scott Blinkhorn, Cassidy Foulds
Production Managers: Matthew Evangelista, Roland Fleming Photo Editors (print): Joy Struthers, Melodie Lariviere, Nicole Clark Photo Editors (online): Andrew Benney, Riley Linseman, Wendy Huenul-Valdes
Social Media Editors: Shafaq Parwez, Meghan Weatherall, Brandy Fulton Circulation Manager: Sharon Samuel Faculty Supervisor and Adviser: Christina Jonas
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 6, 2017
New calorie display now law
BY NICOLE CLARK
The first of January saw an addition to menus across Ontario. As part of the Healthy Menu Choices Act, all food service providers open to the public with 20 or more locations must display the calorie count of each food and drink item on their menus, labels or tags. The act came to be after members of provincial parliament from all three parties voted in favour of Bill 45, the Making Healthy Choices Act, in May 2015. Places such as fast-food restaurants, sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, grocery stores and movie theatres fall under the act. Chartwells cafeteria at Doon campus has also been affected. “This legislation is allowing students and the public at large to make informed choices when dining out. Chartwells is in compliance with the act and students will find calories and calorie ranges on our menu boards,” said Jennifer Bruder, manager of Chartwells at Conestoga College. Ellen Gregg, a public health nutritionist for the Region of Waterloo, said, “People need information to base their food decisions on. Providing
calorie information is just one of many tools that we can put in place to make it easier for people to make healthier choices.” Calorie counts will be displayed on the menu you are handed after sitting down and on menu boards, tags and labels. When you get the food or drink yourself you will be able to see the calories listed directly below, beside or above the name or price of each standard food item. A standard food item is food or drink that is sold in a standard or regular size, served, processed and/ or prepared in a regulated location (fast-food or dine-in restaurant, grocery store), meant to be consumed right away, without further preparation by the customer (coffee shops, bakeries, fastfood and dine-in restaurants). “It’s a lot smarter, at least this way people are able to see up front, whereas before you would have had to go looking for the calorie count,” said Adrian Holman, a first-year business marketing student. “I think it’s great. I think consumers need to know what’s in their food and how many calories it consists of. I think it is just important to be aware,” said secondyear public relations student, Mwenda Ball.
SPOKE s Page 5
Calories are something the human body needs to fuel basic bodily functions and physical activity. Being aware of the number of calories you eat and drink is part of obtaining the correct amount of energy needed every day. When asked whether the change will make a difference to consumers and encourage them to be wiser about what they put into their bodies, Bruder said, “I believe it’s a matter of personal choice,” adding, “It will be interesting to see if this act has any lasting effects on campus.” Gregg said, “Calorie labels help people to make selections with lower calories. However, lower calorie selections are not necessarily always healthier. For example, a low calorie salad may still be extremely high in sodium. Calories are just one aspect of diet quality.” Ball said, “I think it could be 50-50. I think that people who have a better understanding of nutrition are going to see the calories and know what that means, as opposed to people who don’t know what comprises good, proper nutrition. They’re going to see calories and they are not going to necessarily think, ‘OK, I can have that sandwich, which is 400 calories, but I
could also have that granola bar which is 200.’ But then the sandwich has far better nutrients and you’re actually not going to gain weight with the sandwich versus the granola bar.” Dee Vanderveer, a first-year legal office administration student, said, “It depends on if they are paying attention. I mean, I’m a grandmother, so I think I pay a little bit more attention than say, an 18-year-old. I don’t think 18-year-olds go around caring, ‘Oh wow, that’s 350 calories, so I can only have one.’ I don’t think that’s going to happen. I don’t think that’s going to change much depending on the age.” The businesses affected by this change currently must add one of two statements to their menus. Either: Adults and youth (ages 13 and older) need an average of 2,000 calories a day, and children (ages 4 to 12) need an average of 1,500 calories a day. However, individual needs vary. Or: The average adult requires approximately 2,000 to 2,400 calories per day. However, individual calorie needs may vary. January 1, 2018 will bring another change and the previous statement
will be changed to: Adults and youth (ages 13 and older) need an average of 2,000 calories a day, and children (ages 4 to 12) need an average of 1,500 calories a day. However, individual needs vary. Inspectors from local public health units will have visited all of the businesses that must be following the law. Though the enforcement of the new law has not yet started, any complaints about a business not adhering to the law will be met by the public health unit with education, a warning and a fine if no changes are made in an attempt to follow the law. “The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care engaged in a consultation process with the various stakeholders, including industry representative and many of the large chains with a presence in the province,” Aldo Franco, the manager of Health and Protection and Investigation at the Region of Waterloo said. “They had the opportunity to provide input and comment on the legislation before it came into effect. Having said that, we are not aware of any resistance from local food service providers at this time.”
BY SHAFAQ PARWEZ
law and pertains to the cutting of poultry, cows and goats through the jugular vein. Another reason some students don’t dine on campus is the price. Jennifer Bruder, manager of Chartwells at Conestoga College, said the prices offered here on campus are similar to those in the grocery store. She said the price difference is not large and students are getting a good variety and healthy mix of food at good prices. “The big breakfast is $5 and you can get an entrée for $8.99 which is made to order. We would like to think that we are in line with the marketplace.” Chartwells offers a lot of promotions such as OneCard Wednesday where students get 10 per cent off of nonbranded items. Bruder said there are all kinds of promotions happening at Chartwells but there is a lack of awareness. When asked about healthy options available on campus, Bruder said Chartwells offers entrée salads, fruits and greens at grocery store prices, but students are not opting to eat healthier. The company is trying to
promote healthy eating and has changed its motto to “Where Hungry Minds Gather.” Some new additions include muscle milk and high-protein bars. There is also a large variety of salads available in The Venue. “You are getting to choose healthy options but quite frankly, we’re not finding it busy,” Bruder said. Another reservation on part of some students was they were required to pay for the cutlery. The company maintains cutlery charges are included if students are dining in. Bruder said one of the biggest challenges for the company is the location of the main cafeteria. This is the main reason for the lack of awareness about promotions. “We want to be engaged with the students but we are located in the basement and it’s not a high-volume area. We are on the Monday bulletin board and we do a lot of posters,” said Bruder. To be engaged in constant dialogue with their consumers, the company has a “Be heard’ section on their website. They also provide full-time and part-time employment opportunities to students and alumni.
Chartwells says healthy options are available
PHOTO BY SHAFAQ PARWEZ
Joan MacLeod, a member of the food prep department at Chartwells at the Doon campus, prepares sandwiches for students on Jan. 20.
It is not unusual to find that most students end up perplexed every time they feel hungry at Conestoga. While some said they did not know of any healthy food options on campus, others were concerned about the food choices available at school. Some were not even sure how many cafes are on campus. There are many questions unanswered when it comes to Chartwells, the food provider at all Conestoga campuses. The company is part of Compass Group Canada which has its headquarters in the UK. There is a variety of food options available at Doon in connection with Chartwells. Pizza Pizza and Subway are two of the most popular destinations since they have quick service and better food portions. However, there is a variety of reasons why students don’t eat on campus. It is difficult for halal food consumers to know what they can eat because there is no signage indicating what conforms to the Muslim faith. Halal food is meat which is prepared according to Muslim
NEWS
Page 6 s SPOKE
Monday, February 6, 2017
Golf’s Steak House celebrates 40 years BY NICOLE CLARK
Golf’s Steak House and Seafood, a business that was built on determination and satisfaction, is celebrating its 40th year of operation. Mike Kanellis, founder and owner of the restaurant located at 598 Lancaster St. W. in Kitchener, came to Canada at the age of 24 from a small village in Greece called Elaiochori, which is known for its olive oil. Kanellis washed dishes for 10 months before he accepted another position where he was able to cook and learn English. From there he worked hard and saved his money to buy that very same restaurant only three years after coming to Canada. After about nine years of working in the business and picking up all there was to know about it, he purchased Golf’s current location in 1975. The site had a historic building from the late 1800s on it which overlooked the Grand River. It was once named Bridgeport Casino, yet it was not an actual casino, instead being used for community dances, events and band performances. It was abandoned and required ceilings, floors, airconditioning and much more. Kanellis put $250,000 into major renovations to create Golf’s. “It was just an empty shell,” he said. Four years after opening, the City of Kitchener began to build the sewage system for the area. Shortly after that, residential development began to blossom as well. When Golf’s opened, there were not many residents in the area; they would have had to drive to get to the business. People would ask him, “Where are you going to get the people from?” when they heard of his location. After the implementation of water and the sewage system, the number of local residents increased which resulted in more reservations and customers. When Golf’s started out, they only served steaks, until Kanellis discovered people wanted more than that. In came the seafood and other meats. “We brought in fish and chicken and prime rib. We changed the menu over the years according to the demand,” Kanellis said. Sunday brunch was added more than 20 years ago. “It’s very popular. Sometimes we can’t get any more people in; we have to stop taking reservations,” said Kanellis. The first five years of operation
PHOTO BY NICOLE CLARK
Golf’s Steak House and Seafood is located at 598 Lancaster St. W. where it overlooks the Grand River.
PHOTO BY NICOLE CLARK
Founder Mike Kanellis sits at a table in the conservatory side of the dining room at Golf’s Steak House. were the busiest for Kanellis personally. “The first five years I didn’t have too much leisure time,” he said with a laugh. Not long after though he was able to start taking some time off. During the time of opening and establishing the restaurant Kanellis had a wife and three young sons. Finding the balance necessary to be the head of the family and of a restaurant was not easy. “I tried to spend time with the family but, unfortunately, I didn’t do it as much as I should have,” Kanellis admits, adding he knew he could not fail at the business because then he would not have been able to provide for his family. “You see, it’s something you have to balance. I tried my best to balance, but the business has to carry on in order to have the income to provide for your family.” He was able to send his children to school to study whatever it was they desired. If they did not go to school, then they would have to work, and there were always opportunities for them at the restaurant. In fact, all three of his sons – Tom, George and Gus – have positions in the family business to this day. Tom works behind the scenes on repair, maintenance, payroll and accounting. George primarily works as manager of the dining room and Gus works as the mastermind behind the restaurant’s banquet business. In their 40th anniversary book, George said, “Looking
back, I can’t imagine doing anything else. The restaurant business is like nothing else. It’s in my blood.” Mike Kanellis continues to enjoy what he does. At 77, he is 12 years past the typical retirement age. What has kept him motivated to continue for so long? He said it is the satisfaction he feels and the satisfaction he sees from his customers. “I am proud of the success I have had, I didn’t expect it,” said Kanellis. The restaurant business isn’t easy, and Kanellis has had times of great stress. Some of these have been when storms caused the lights to go out during busy times. This would be stressful and disappointing for Kanellis. “But that’s all in the business as they say. You’ll have things break down, things will go wrong. You try to replace them as soon as you can and then continue on.” Another extremely stressful time was when he received a phone call on Nov. 28, 1988, at a little past one in the morning, and was told that Golf’s Steak House was on fire. It was later discovered the fire was caused by electrical shortages in the ceilings. He had to cancel reservations for 15,000 to 20,000 people who were booked for the upcoming Christmas season. What was it that kept him going after the fire? “I wasn’t prepared to retire at that time,” said Kanellis. “I got angry and mad. I was eager to
get back and building again.” Even though it has been 29 years since that night, Kanellis said, “I thought it was yesterday. I’ll not forget that night.” In the wake of the fire, customers had all kinds of questions for Kanellis. They wanted to know whether he would be opening again and when that was expected to happen. “I would like to be back in business as soon as I can,” he remembers answering. He said he has no regrets in regards to the business that has kept him busy for 40 years. In celebration of the anniversary, he donated $40,000 which was divided between 10 charities – Grand River Hospital Foundation
Cancer Centre, St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation Cardiac Centre, Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation (medical equipment), Greek Orthodox Community Church of Saint Peter and Paul, Greek Ladies Philoptochos Society, YWCA, Habitat for Humanity, Community Support Connections Meals on Wheels, Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington Dufferin, and St. John’s Kitchen. “The community has supported me over the 40 years. Without the community support, I would not be here,” Kanellis said. “The success is the knowledge I have and the experience I received while working at other places, and the determination to work hard and to accomplish whatever my goals are, regardless of how many hours I have to work,” he added. As for the future of Golf’s, Kanellis believes his sons are going to continue on with the business. “That’s why I am here, to help and lend a hand,” he said. For further information or to make a reservation, call 519-579-4050.
PHOTO BY NICOLE CLARK
Douglas McWilliams is the head chef at Golf’s Steak House and Seafood.
NEWS
Monday, February 6, 2017
SPOKE s Page 7
New robotic leg is life-changing
Next she decided to ride horses, and horseback riding and training became a big part of her life. Now Camilleri is a successful, single woman who works to support herself. Her two children are grown and her daughter has two children, plus one on the way. Losing her leg to cancer wasn’t her only struggle. She never thought she would be able to have children. In fact, the reproductive testing done by her doctors when she was young showed she would never be able to conceive. Also, Camilleri lost her son’s father when she was just seven months pregnant. They were planning their wedding and their life together. He had heart problems and died of complications from mitral valve prolapse syndrome. When her children were older she went to film school. Her studies were always important to her and became a way for her to escape as a teenager. High school was difficult because she was treated poorly and struggled with her identity. “I got name-called every single day. I got called cancerstick or peg leg. Every single day,” said Camilleri. During the summer between grades 11 and 12 she tried to
take her own life three times and ended up a patient at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington. She credits her parents for her recovery. You would never know Camilleri was bullied from her positive attitude and outlook on life. She was excited to show how she puts on her new robotic leg and how it works. She first slid a gel liner on her upper leg, then another smaller layer over it, and finally a rubber seal to keep her leg firmly in place. She tests it a little tentatively at first, leaning her weight into it, then stands proudly and takes a few steps. She stands tall and straight and laughs with joy. She can move around easily and stand firmly. Camilleri works full-time at the front desk of The Walper Hotel and will be writing a hotel blog and the external and internal newsletters for staff. She is excited about her new writing position. They kindly accommodate her at the hotel, but this leg will make her job a lot easier. She loves staying busy and active and does whatever she can to live a healthy life. She confessed she is the type of person who makes all her food fresh, and never eats frozen meals. The microwave that is built
I walked into this movie theatre and expected the worst. Church in a movie theatre was a new concept to me. When I was growing up, I went to church every Sunday. It was this big elegant church, with 1,000 pews from front to back. A place people would go to have a large wedding or to see a baptism. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Kitchener was all I knew of church. That was all I had to compare to. I thought I knew how church worked. Apparently I was wrong. I expected the churchgoers to glare at me from the side. I expected the pastor to look at me like I wasn’t supposed to be there. I was an unfamiliar face in a crowd full of friends and family. I was introduced to the pastor. I was introduced to musicians and other attendees. I felt welcome, which is something I didn’t expect. Sure, everyone tells you that you’ll be accepted with open arms, but that doesn’t mean that you expect it to happen. I went to church for a very
close friend. He’s a musician and plays in the band that sings the worship songs at this particular church. I didn’t go because I was trying to find myself, or because I felt like I had sinned. I went to support a friend. It honestly didn’t even feel like a church service to me. There were no hymns, there was no organ, no pews, no preaching gowns or clerical collars. Instead there were worship songs with the lyrics shown on a projector, there was an electric guitar and a drum kit, there were comfortable movie theatre seats and there were jeans and sweaters. They had multiple different speakers, one of which included my friend’s father. He is a preacher, and speaks with so much passion and conviction. Now, I’m not someone who is religious and yet I noticed that I took every single word he said and really heard it. And whether or not I was relating what he was saying back to God, or religion, or just my personal life, I wanted him to never stop. My eyes were closed
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
PHOTO BY JOY STRUTHERS
Shannon Camilleri stands on her robotic leg in her Kitchener apartment Jan. 28. It is an Ottobock C-Leg 4 with Bluetooth technology. into the darkly stained wooden cabinets in her kitchen is never used, except as a breadbox, and you can see the bread through the door. The Canadian Cancer Society strongly recommends everyone live a healthy lifestyle, stay active, stop smoking and cut back on drinking alcohol.
Feb. 4 was World Cancer Day, which reminds everyone that there are many things they can do to support others as well as better their own lives, like making healthy choices. Karen Griffiths from the Waterloo-Wellington office of the Canadian Cancer Society had quite a few suggestions. “Tobacco reduction, from what I understand, would make the biggest difference on our cancer burden … because so much money goes to support people who already have lung cancer or tobacco-related diseases,” she said. “It would really reduce the cancer rate significantly.” They are also promoting a campaign called Dry February that encourages people to stop drinking alcohol for the month and collect donations. Last year Dry February participants raised over $48,000. Many people don’t realize that alcohol is one of the top three leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Alcohol ranks higher as a cause than pollution, stress and exposure to microwave ovens and cellphones. “You don’t think about alcohol,” said Griffiths. Some other ideas are talking to sports groups and arranging activities, or encouraging local restaurants to offer
healthy choices on their menus to raise money and awareness. Heels for Hope is a ladies’ night out in Waterloo at Maxwell’s Concerts and Events March 2. The tickets are $40 and the proceeds go to the Canadian Cancer Society. People can get involved in the Daffodil Month Campaign in April, the Great Ride ‘n’ Stride April 30 at Conestoga College or the Relay for Life on June 16. There is also the mud run in September for women called Mudmoiselles. Volunteers can get more information at cancer.ca or by calling the Canadian Cancer Society at 1-888-939-3333. “We are always looking for volunteers. We are always looking for drivers and leadership volunteers,” said Griffiths. They are extremely proud of the Wheels for Hope transportation program which helps cancer patients get to their appointments in Waterloo and Wellington regions. There is also a peer support program and other help available for patients. Griffiths wants people to know that survival rates are higher than ever before. With early detection and proper care and support people are living longer. “It’s come a long way,” she said.
started to talk about tithing, which means “to give 10 per cent of your annual earnings.” Sure, it originally was meant as a tax to the church or clergy, but that’s not necessarily how I chose to take it. I said to myself, if these people in this room can give 10 per cent to their faith, I can give it to the less fortunate, or save it for my future. I decided that as a nonreligious person in a setting like this, where everyone around me is immersed in their faith, that I would take these words and essentially erase the religious parts, and BAM! they applied to my life. It was like I was at a TED Talk or some other really passion-filled lecture about how to save money while still spending money. In retrospect, I was scared. I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to connect with or really understand anything that was happening in church. I was scared that I would be confused and bored. But in reality, it was the complete opposite of all of these things. I connected
with every word that came out of Darrell’s mouth. He spoke in a way to make it inclusive to all people, and not just people who were there to hear the word of God. It felt like he knew that I wasn’t religious, and he was trying to make me comfortable ... It worked. I wasn’t bored at all. I was totally involved and so interested by everything he had to say. I would definitely go to church again. It’s not going to change my religion or my opinion about religion, but it really could help me cope with all of my day-to-day issues. They speak about pressing issues, they speak about things that everyone can relate to, religious or not, and they do all of this with a real passion for it. I found that religious people are the most passionate people, and whether or not it’s positive or negative passion, and whether it’s about religion or something like food, it’s the truth. People who are religious are the most passionate people in the world.
A non-religious person enjoys church DeeAnna Rollins
Opinion and I was listening to him speak so intensely. It felt like the words he was saying were flowing through the air and right into my soul. The sermon was all about finances, and being a student I could most definitely relate. The pastor, Darrell, was talking about how difficult it is to not be rich, even though Canadians are among the top 20 per cent of the richest people in the world. He was talking about how difficult Christmastime is for people, because we are so worried about spending money that we don’t necessarily have. He related all of this money talk back to the church, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t relate to it. The thing I took most out of this was when he
NEWS
Page 8 s SPOKE
Monday, February 6, 2017
Celebrating the birth of the bard
BY ROBERT JANES
Jan. 25 was the celebratory tribute to the great Scottish poet and Bard of Ayrshire, Robbie Burns. The day is known as Robbie Burns Day. “The interesting thing about Robert Burns is that he actually wrote in English, but a Scottish version of English,” said David Hunter, president of the Scottish Studies Foundation. “(He) was a man who used the old Scottish vernacular — the language of the common people … Burns has captured the imagination of Scottish people by speaking in their own tongue as it were.” Burns was born Jan. 25, 1759 in Alloway, Scotland.
Progressive as he was, Burns was seen as a socialist with radical political views. He believed that all should be seen as equals and wrote and believed “a man is a man for all that.” Hunter said Burns was a champion of the common person. “He’s a man who said what we would like to have said and he had a number of pithy sayings,” said Hunter. “He said, ‘The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men, gang aft agley’ - aft agley means they go astray. No matter how well you plan, things always come at you from left field and throw you off guard.” To a Mouse was written after Burns accidentally over-
turned a mouse nest with a plough. The poem influenced the title of John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men. “Burns lived at a time of monumental change,” said Hunter. “Revolution was in the air in both the American colonies and in France. What he said over 250 years ago is just as relevant today, when you hear of all the turmoil in the world and people fighting at each other, it was (Burns’) hope that at some point in time we’d all be able to live together in peace and harmony and we’d all be brothers and sisters. He had very noble ideas and that rings true with people all over the world.” Burns passed away when
he was 37, on July 21, 1796, due to his health, however, he is still remembered and celebrated, as his poems still resonate with people today. “A few years ago, Barack Obama could be heard saying … “We in the AfricanAmerican community have been at the receiving end of ‘man’s inhumanity to man.’ This was a paraphrase of an earlier speech made by Dr. Martin Luther King back in the 1960s but Dr. King, in turn, had taken the phrase “man’s inhumanity to man” from the Robert Burns poem Man was made to Mourn. And it’s a quote that has been used many times since,” said Hunter. Robbie Burns Day, also
known as the Burns Supper, is a night filled with drinks, a traditional Scottish meal, readings of the literary work of Burns, song and dance. After gathering and mingling, there is a Parade of the Haggis, followed by the Address to the Haggis. At the Royals Football Club in Brampton, Johnny Blue gave the Address to A Haggis. “But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed, the trembling earth resounds his tread,” said Blue. “Clap in his walie nieve a blade, he’ll mak it whissle; an’ legs an’ arms, an’ hands will sned, like taps o’ trissle.” Blue waved his knife around as he sang Burns’ poem, then stabbed the haggis and slit it from one end to the other.
NEWS
Monday, February 6, 2017
SPOKE s Page 9
Princess Ball raises money for CF BY DEEANNA ROLLINS
Eight years ago, if you typed “CF” into the Google search bar, cystic fibrosis wouldn’t be the first thing to come up. Fortunately, things have changed. Summer Fryers, 8, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after she was born when her family got back the results of her Guthrie test (the neonatal heel prick they do on newborns). She has lived a life full of medication, vitamins and respiratory therapy ever since. “It was scary,” said Stephanie Fryers, Summer’s aunt. “None of us really knew anything about cystic fibrosis. We had to Google everything and we relied on our doctors a lot.” Summer has become accustomed to things like taking enzymes before every meal, taking extra Flintstones vitamins in the morning and before bed and getting her “beats” (respiratory therapy) with a nebulizer full of Pulmicort and salbutamol, both medications that help clear her lungs of mucus and phlegm. Although Summer may have
PHOTO BY DEEANNA ROLLINS
Hannah Drisdelle, from left, Summer Fryers and Madden Fryers meet Snow White at the second annual Princess Ball in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada on Jan. 29. to do all of these things, she still gets to do regular eightyear-old girl things. Like have sleepovers and go to balls. Specifically, The Princess Ball in support of cystic fibrosis. Tickets for the ball were $50, which included dinner
NOROVIRUS SWEEPING ACROSS ONTARIO
PHOTO BY BRANDY FULTON
A warning sign was placed by the Conestoga Cambridge campus’s welcome desk after a number of people on campus came down with Norovirus. The very contagious virus is transmitted from one infected person to another, or through contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, muscles pain and diarreha.
and dancing. They also had a flower garden made with flower suckers that people could buy for anywhere from $5-$10 in order to win a prize. The fee of the Disney princesses was paid by a donor, as was the DJ
and the ballroom at Golf’s Steak House & Seafood in Kitchener. All of the proceeds went to the KW chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. “I’m excited for the ball,” said Summer. “I just got my fingernails and toes done and they match my dress!” On Jan. 29, Summer woke up and took her vitamins, did her beats and then got ready for the ball, dressing up in a beautiful red dress. She was accompanied by her best friend and cousin Madden Fryers. It was an afternoon where Summer could just be a little girl. She got to do crafts, paint her nails, make Valentine’s cards and meet real-life Disney princesses. She still took her enzymes before her lunch; a lunch that was made specifically for little princesses with CF. One of the major complications of cystic fibrosis is the inability to digest fats and proteins, meaning that people with CF need to eat food that has high fat content. Another is the inability to absorb nutrients, causing (in some cases) malnutrition. These things mean that a meal made for a CF princess is one full of foods like French fries,
chicken fingers, pizza and mac and cheese. These are all things that Summer doesn’t enjoy all that much, which makes it really difficult for her to get the 4,000 calories a day she has to consume to keep her at a healthy weight. “The hardest part is getting that food into her. We have to look for food that’s higher in fat and higher in calories,” said Stephanie. “… She’s not like any other normal kid, she doesn’t like the greasy, fatty foods. She like fruits and vegetables, food that doesn’t have a high fat content.” Summer is the only one of her three siblings who has CF. According to statistics, there is a 25 per cent chance that a baby will be born with cystic fibrosis, if both biological parents have the defective gene. There is also a 25 per cent chance that the baby won’t have CF and a 50 per cent chance that the baby will be a carrier of the defective gene. For more information on cystic fibrosis, visit www. cysticfibrosis.ca. For video story, visit www. spokeonline.com.
FUN & GAMES
Page 10 SPOKE
Monday, February 6, 2017
Useless Facts
Oh Cliff!
horoscope Week of February 6, 2017
There are more chickens than people in the world.
Aries
Charlie Chaplin once won third prize in a Charlie Chaplin lookalike contest.
March 21 April 19 You like having things your own way and have trouble compromising. This can make life difficult at times, but with your strong spirit you will be fine.
Taurus April 20 May 20
Your laid back ways will prevent a fight from happening this week. You will use your determination and peaceful ways to settle the dispute.
Gemini May 21 June 21
Don’t be discouraged by what people think of you. You act the way you do because you’re too smart for emotional baggage.
Cancer June 22 July 22
You may blame the stars for your woes, but never fear, for you will always be loved.
Leo
July 23 August 22 You were born to be the king. Don’t let anyone stand in your way to the top.
Virgo
August 23 September 22 Use your patience to give those you judge a chance before cutting them out of your life.
Libra
September 23 October 22
The Guinness Book of Records holds the record for being the book most often stolen from public libraries.
You will meet some shady people in your life, but you are a great judge of character. You will easily determine if they are bad people or not.
The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.
Scorpio
The most common name in the world is Mohammed.
October 23 November 21 Only you know what your skills really are. You will use these skills this week to settle an emotional conflict.
The electric chair was invented by a dentist. (hmmmmmmm)
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.
You are a highly social being who holds relationships above everything else. This will help you reach your aspirations.
Capricorn December 22 January 19
Capricorns are born leaders. You may feel as if you don’t matter sometimes, but you can always form a following.
Aquarius January 20 February 18
You may seem like a loner to some, but that doesn’t mean you’re lonely when you’re alone.
Pisces
February 19 March 20 Your indecisiveness and selflessness are not bad things. Never let someone tell you otherwise.
Ephram Strange dabbles in forces beyond mortal comprehension on a regular basis. He also enjoys young adult novels and taxidermy.
Word Search
SPORTS
Monday, February 6, 2017
SPOKE s Page 11
Condors seeing indoor season success BY ANDREW BENNEY
Conestoga’s men’s varsity soccer team has been struggling to find their winning stride over the last few years. The outdoor seasons have featured an abundance of losses and the team itself has undergone a number of staff changes, including the head coach position, now filled by Andy Pownall, a past Ontario College Athletic Association and Kitchener District Soccer League player with more than 20 seasons of coaching experience. And although the Condors have seen significant success in indoor soccer, a winter tournament sport, it hasn’t fully translated over to the fall season, despite the roster consisting of many of the same players. But Pownall believes that with the way the team is now advancing and the recent growth seen in the college’s athletic programs, this is going to change. “We are building the program at Conestoga and we have a lot of first-year players, so we are developing the team as a whole. We are using the indoor season to build both chemistry and technical (ability). The team has struggled to win the last
few seasons, and we hope to change that by getting a few victories this year,” Pownall said. The indoor team has already played in two tournaments in 2017 and with a record of five wins and three losses, they seem to now be heading down the right track. But that’s not all it is going to take if Conestoga hopes to be competing for trophies in the future, according to Safi Ullah, a varsity player and business administration management student. “We have a good team this year and we can compete with the best colleges in Ontario. We just finished second at the Condors’ tournament, but if we want to truly improve varsity soccer at our college then better facilities need to be provided for the players. We practise in the gym once a week and it doesn’t help us at all,” Ullah said. Although acquiring turf fields may be impossible by the end of this season, Pownall has implemented other ways to help the team improve. Players have been paired with athletic therapists and strength and fitness programs have been put in place for the players as a way to ensure they are in the best possible shape.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Conestoga’s men’s varsity indoor soccer team participated in a Redeemer University College tournament on Jan. 27. The Condors beat Wilfrid Laurier University and Canadore College but lost to George Brown College and Humber College, who did not lose a game during the whole outdoor season. “We are trying to focus on commitment and building the team as a unit. Positivity and hard work from both the players and the coaching staff is going to help grow the team. I am looking forward to seeing the players develop over the winter and put that hard work to the test in September and earn a win or two. I want
the team to compete in every game,” Pownall said. The team hopes to continue its winning ways through the remainder of the winter tournaments and well into the fall outdoor season. The journey will continue when they head to Sheridan College for the next tournament on Feb. 18, but won’t
finish until they once again start to do well in both seasons, something that hasn’t happened since a bronze medal finish in 2011. Pownall said the team is always looking for quality players so if a student knows of anyone, he asks you to encourage them to join the team.
Page 12 s SPOKE
NEWS PREMIER WYNNE ANNOUNCES NEW FUNDING
Monday, February 6, 2017
Fair helps students get involved
stickers to the Student Life Information Desk or the CSI Students, for the most part, booth in the lower atrium to have now settled into their be entered into a draw. The new winter semester rou- prizes included gift cards tines, so now is the time to and spa services vouchers. get involved. Participants were also given Conestoga College has a a free Subway sandwich after number of groups and activi- they submitted their completties which make students feel ed passport. comfortable while promoting Around 40 exhibitors took a healthy environment on- part in the three-day fair. The and off-campus. exhibitors said students were Student Life is just one of actively engaging in dialogue the departments which adds and exploring the different colour to school days and ways in which they could volreduces the stress of hectic unteer in the community. student schedules and studies. Kevin Guay, recruitment coFounded in 2005, the ordinator at Extend-a-Family department continues to cel- Waterloo Region, was one ebrate diversity and promote of the exhibitors. This local respectful behaviour at four agency supports individuals Conestoga campuses. Staff with development disabilities. organize events and activities “We work with the individon campus that engage and ual, with their hopes, goals reward students for participa- and interests; whatever they tion, one of which is the Get are interested in doing with Involved Fair. the government funding they The event is multi-faceted. have.” It entertains participating When asked about student students and also provides an turnout and interest at his opportunity for them to vol- booth, Guay said several unteer. Applying for a posi- dozen students stopped by tion to help others gives stu- over the course of the day. dents a chance to add to their “Some are looking for some resume and learn valuable of the candy on the table life skills such as leadership while others are looking for and socializing. job or volunteer opportunities The fair was held at the and we load them with all our Doon, Cambridge and Guelph information.” campuses from Jan. 24-26. Bryan Smith, Scouts The Doon event drew a large Canada’s Central Escarpment crowd and the lower atrium Council’s area support manwas abuzz with excited stu- ager, said his association was dents. A DJ was present who looking for volunteers over the played multilingual tunes to age of 18 to help with mostly the delight of the multicul- outdoor activities for inditural students and attendees. viduals aged 5-26. Volunteers CSI members manned help with organizing trips to booths in the lower atrium different destinations within where a passport activity the community such as the had been organized. Students fire station, police station or had to visit a minimum of camping. three booths and ask at least “We require volunteers to one question of each exhib- spend a couple of hours in itor. In exchange, the stu- the week with the youth who dents received a sticker for then decide what activity their passport. Participants they want to do,” said Smith. were required to submit their “They do active games, they completed passport with do crafts and go on visits.” BY SHAFAQ PARWEZ
PHOTO BY JAMES WELLS
Premier Kathleen Wynne and members of her team take questions from the crowd and members of the media after announcing a new $20-million research and development fund for college students across Ontario on Jan. 24 at Conestoga’s Doon campus. The new fund will help students gain handson work experience by connecting colleges with businesses, industry associations and organizations to develop new partnerships and solve real-world research and development challenges.
PHOTO BY SHAFAQ PARWEZ
Andi Dima Shkie, (from left) a second-year student in early learning program development, Oliveah Friesen, a third-year bachelor of public relations student, and Darcele Carnes, a student engagement co-ordinator at CSI, were handing out passports to students who attended the Get Involved Fair 2017 at the Doon campus on Jan. 24.