Digital Edition - October, 6, 2014 by SPOKENewspaper

Festival has all that glitters Carnival costume wearers strut their stuff. Page 6 Monday, October 6, 2014

SPOKE

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Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ont.

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Muay thai demonstrated at Cambridge Festival

PHOTO BY Nicole Nemeth

CSI Coffee Hour idea percolating BY BETH CROUSe

Students may soon be able to meet regularly with their student representatives over coffee. At Conestoga Students Inc.’s first board of directors meeting of the new school year on Sept. 29, a Coffee Hour was discussed, which would allow board members to connect with students on all campuses through a one-hour free coffee and discussion session. These forums would provide CSI directors with the chance to quickly present services provided and then open the forum to a question and answer session. Board members Katie Turriff and Colin Gaudet proposed this idea which would cost $10,000. However, each session would not exceed $150. They suggested outsourcing all materials needed, such as coffee, but it was pointed out that would be costly. In the interest of sav-

ing money, it was suggested a trial run of Coffee Hour be held, after which CSI could look into purchasing the equipment needed to hold these sessions. “We each have 20 hours we need to connect with students so we can go proactively to students, not just those at Doon campus,” Turriff said. “It gives us an excuse to show up at any campus,” Gaudet added. Sheena Witzel, assistant general manager for CSI, said this project is what connection hours are supposed to be all about. A trial run of Coffee Hour was approved which will allow CSI directors to see how many students they reach and assess the cost. “A pilot project will give us the numbers we need,” Turriff said. In other business, members were told CSI has begun planning for the 2014 Yellow Umbrella Project run. With $30,000 allocated for men-

tal health projects, CSI, as a member of the College Student Alliance (CSA), is working toward eliminating the stigma around mental health. The CSA is a provincial student advocacy organization which represents over 70 per cent of all Ontario college students. More information about the run will be released at a later date. Jeff Scherer, CSI president, told board members about two expense items. The first was the cost of CSI paying for staff parking. He said there had been discussion about stopping these payments in order to save money, however, due to stipulations in employees’ contracts payments will still have to be made. He said CSI also looked at the cost of continuing to pay for all staff cellphones.. “Cellphones have been restricted. Only four staff cellphones are now being paid for instead of all staff,” Scherer said.

Instead, they sting Seneca 5-1. Page 12 45TH Year — No. 18

Alcohol on campus not a problem BY NATALEIGH MCCALLUM

Ajarn Khan Phady, head master instructor at Phady’s Muay Thai, demonstrates the combat sport with one of his students at the Cambridge International Festival on Sept. 27. See www.spokeonline.com for video.

Condors don’t get stung

Drinking, for some students, can be a way to relax and unwind from a stressful week. But what happens when students are allowed to drink on campus during school hours? Jeff Scherer, president of Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI), said it isn’t an issue. “Drinking on campus during our open pub hours has not been a problem,” he said. “We believe that our student body is both responsible and trustworthy enough to make good decisions.” When asked, some students didn’t see a problem with it either. But when told some students work with machinery, chemicals and dangerous equipment and materials, these same students no longer thought drinking between classes was a good idea. However, Michael Dinning, vice-president of Student Affairs, said, “We always ask students, staff and faculty to exercise good judgment. If you’re putting yourself into a situation that’s not safe, it is probably best for you to not

compromise your ability to respond to situations.” With CSI overseeing the pub, Dinning said Conestoga tries to act more like a big brother figure, but that they cannot control everyone. He said CSI and Student Affairs have always had a great relationship, making it easier to discuss these kinds of issues. Also, the individuals serving the alcohol are Smart Serve certified and security staff monitor the Sanctuary on Pub Days. Dinning said they ask everyone to be aware of the consequences of consuming alcohol, including faculty. He said if a professor believes a student has been drinking, and he or she is in a shop class, the teacher will ask the student to leave. “It comes down to we try to encourage students to try and understand that their time here is to prepare them to go and get work,” Dinning said. “Their time here should be based on the level of professionalism that will be necessary to survive in the workforce.”

PHOTO BY nataleigh mccallum

Jag Sidhu (left) and Ryan Murphy, both general arts and science students, enjoy a beer during Thursday Pub Days in the Sanctuary.

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Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College Random questions answered by random students

“What was your favourite grade in school and why?”

“Kindergarten because I had a great teacher.” Sindus Akizzi, first-year business foundations

“Grade 3 because I could goof around with my friends.” Dalton Divine, first-year business foundations

“Grade 12 because it was the last year of school.” Tara Moran, first-year protection, security and investigation

“Grade 3 because I had a great teacher.” Hugo Agunmadu, first-year public administration

Conestoga students inject science into curling BY JACK PARKINSON

Canada’s national sport is hockey to most, and lacrosse to the government. But if recent advances in the science of curling are any indication, the slippery sport may be much more prominent in the coming years. The existence of a new “smart broom,” developed by Conestoga students Brandon Davies and Aaron Schryver in conjunction with their coach Glenn Paulley, demonstrates that curling has a lot more depth than most people think. The idea for a curling broom that provides feedback to the brusher had been discussed by the Wilfrid Laurier University curling team for about two years, Paulley said, before he took the idea to his students at Conestoga in early 2013. Davies and Schryver liked the idea and decided to use it for their capstone projects in their software engineering technology program. The students worked on the broom, and even enrolled it in a local engineering competition called the 4 by 4 Challenge. The Challenge is a four-day event that takes place over the spring break. Competitors are given those four days to make something from scratch, and their creations are then judged by a panel. By the end of the four days Davies and Schryver had a functional curling broom that, using an accelerometer, could measure the stroke rate of the brusher and upload that data in real time to a smartphone. This data is converted into a graph, which a savvy coach can use to gauge a brusher’s performance.

“Grade 7 because I went to a new school and met a lot of new friends.” Matt Smith, second-year business

blackberry trying to get back in the game

“Grade 12 because it was the last year of school and my second year here at Conestoga because I got used to the workload and really enjoy what I’m doing.” Laura Scroccaro, third-year nursing Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!

Monday, October 6, 2014

PHOTO BY alex riese

With the release of the Passport, BlackBerry is stepping up for another swing at the smart phone market, targeting consumers such as Ryan Capling, a first-year marketing student at Conestoga College. For the full story, see video at www.spokeonline.com.

It might not sound like much, but that broom took first place at the 4 by 4 Challenge. Paulley said despite the broom’s seemingly humble capabilities, it is breaking ground in curling. “The difference a brusher makes to a stone can be up to eight feet,” he said. Traditionally in curling brushing has not received much attention because of the lack of feedback to both the athlete and the coach. “It’s extremely difficult to tell, watching a person, if they are doing a good job.”

“ ”

It’s a game changer. — Glen Paulley After the competition Davies and Schryver continued working on the brush, and were invited to the Canadian Polytechnic Show and Conference in Calgary. The show is similar to the 4 by 4 Challenge but pits 30 universities and colleges from across Canada against each other. The two students and Paulley went to Calgary to compete. Paulley said the team learned a lot about design and construction, even if they did not place. Since then, Schryver graduated from his program in late 2013 and decided not to continue working on the broom. Davies has continued and has equipped it with a pressure sensor, but that feature is only at the proof of concept stage. Paulley said a market does exist for the broom and other technology like it. According

to an article in the Waterloo Region Record in February 2013, the broom was received positively by local coaches and players. Curling is a slow-paced sport, but not one against progress. “It’s a game-changer,” Paulley said. There are many factors that affect brushing when a stone is pushed down the ice – frost on the ice’s surface, the work of the other brusher, the rotation of the stone and the stone’s area of contact with the ice, just to name a few. Smart brushes give coaches and athletes a new way to approach curling, and allows them to put numbers to the sport. The curlers Paulley coaches at Wilfrid Laurier University, for instance, use a combination of the broom data and slow motion video to determine exactly what stroke a brusher got wrong or right. Something as small as bad footwork or posture can have a huge effect. There are already commercial brooms that provide feedback on the market, though the price point is a bit steep. The PT2 Smart Broom, used by the WLU team and made by Waterloo-based Canadian Curling Tools Ltd., retails for $3,000. That broom measures the force of a stroke and displays the information on a small screen attached to the handle. The price could drop as technology becomes more accessible. It is important to remember that data like this was, just a few years ago, available only to Olympiclevel athletes. By 2018, smart brooms could be as easy to get as a pedometer or heart monitor.

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Grad a ‘hacksmith’ in form and function BY CARSON DESHEVY-RENOUF

James Hobson spends many of his evenings tinkering, chipping away at one of many projects and designs that each carry potential to one day become something amazing. The only real enemy to his progress is sleep. The Conestoga College mechanical systems engineering graduate and jack-of-alltrades describes himself as a “hacksmith, a multi-disciplined craftsman who can fashion tools, parts or even works of art out of various materials and components – items often overlooked as garbage or scraps to the untrained eye.” Essentially, he tinkers, innovates and assembles interesting things out of any materials he can get his hands on. “(Kind of) like a cross between a modern-day MacGyver and a poor man’s Tony Stark,” said Hobson in an email. Of the many things that Hobson has created, his most illustrious project is the exoskeleton. It was inspired by the science fiction thriller Elysium that is, as insisted by Hobson, not complete, but most certainly impressive. The exoskeleton is a wearable device created out of steel and pneumatic parts that uses compressed air to increase the pushing or pulling strength of the wearer. With it, Hobson reached a level of Internet fame, posting a video of himself on YouTube lifting 170 lbs. of steel and concrete with ease. “It’s not done. What went viral is literally the very first

proof-of-concept prototype,” Hobson said. His exoskeleton is yet to become a fully functional piece. In his viral video, the arms were only running at half pressure which increased the curling power by 75 lbs. At full pressure each arm is capable of 150 lbs. of curling power resulting in a combined 300 lbs. With the exoskeleton currently only built to improve arm strength, he intends on pursuing this project further with the next steps being legs and powered shoulders “to allow for more movement.” A far-off (thanks to cost, technology and resources) goal is an Iron Man-like suit and another exoskeleton called an “exo-loader” from the movie Alien. This project, although popular and impressive, isn’t the only piece of work worth noting. Hobson has done many other interesting projects, such as electrified metal claws modeled after those of the X-Men icon Wolverine, and converted a 1993 Honda Del Sol from gasoline powered to electric powered. Hobson said, however, that he struggles to focus on one project exclusively. “I get sidetracked on my projects because I’m constantly coming up with ideas for other projects. It’s pretty hard to stay on task sometimes,” he said. Getting sidetracked isn’t the only thing that slows down Hobson’s progress. Oddly enough, the biggest hindrance is sleep. According to him, he only gets an average of six hours per night, but would

Photo by James hobson

James Hobson of Kitchener is the creator of the exoskeleton, a device that increases pushing and pulling strength. Above, he works in his workshop on a new arc reactor. “much rather get rid of it altogether.” He would rather have all those hours to do the things he loves instead. Hobson said he hasn’t really had any inspiring figures who made him want to do what he does. He does, however, enjoy the fictional persona of Tony Stark, more commonly known as the superhero Iron Man. Hobson also said if anyone would be considered a hero to him, it would likely be Elon Musk, who is basically a real life Tony Stark. “He uses his money for real

getting ready for the long trip south

meaningful projects; he’s not looking to make more money for the sake of making money, but to actually make a real and lasting change for the world. That’s what I’d like to do – make a difference,” he said. Hobson doesn’t really see himself commercializing any of his projects. Looking at his exoskeleton, he did say, however, that if he could find a way to make a commercial model of it, he’d love to one day start a company producing them to assist people with

physical disabilities or even to assist in disaster scenarios as well. He views the medical market as his best bet to one day help people. As it stands, many of his ideas are just ideas for now, each with the potential to become something. And Hobson will continue to tinker his way to being another real life Tony Stark, one exoskeleton at a time. “Someday I hope to make a difference in this world – but until then I’ll just be tinkering in my garage,” he said.

Where there’s smoke there’s fire

Photo by cassie tulecki PHOTO BY carson deshevy-renouf

Canada geese migrate south between September and early November. They need to find resting areas, like Conestoga College’s pond, to gather and fill up for the long trip ahead.

Brett Banks, a first-year broadcast television student, smokes on campus in front of the main doors even though there’s designated smoking areas. For video go to www.spokeonline.com.

COMMENTARY

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Trades all the way BY Kali Caudle

Conestoga College and the University of Guelph pulled ahead, while both Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo fell behind in terms of enrolment numbers. For the first time in 15 years, fewer graduates from high schools are going on to post-secondary education. University enrolment fell 2.9 per cent, while college enrolment declined 3.5 per cent, according to a Sept. 22 story in the Toronto Star. The majority of the decrease is being blamed on fewer students taking programs in the schools that focus on the arts. According to a Sept. 25 article in the Waterloo Region Record, “there’s a lot of concern from students and parents around post-university jobs and post-university career opportunities with an arts degree,” said Deborah MacLatchy, Laurier’s vice-president academic. And they should be concerned. The Globe and Mail reported in a Sept. 4 article that, since 2006, unemployment for all university graduates has risen and their ability to find work related to their fields has dropped, At Conestoga, there is good news. We have attracted a record number of students this year, with an overall increase in first-year enrolment of 3.7 per cent. Alan Vaughan, Conestoga’s vice-president of enrolment management and international education, said in the Record article that Conestoga makes sure program criteria reflect the labour market, which, in turn, has helped increase student enrolment. According to a Feb. 28, 2013 article in The Globe and Mail, “Canada is looking at a shortage of one million tradespeople by 2020.” This is an area that Conestoga excels in, so it is well positioned for the future. Conestoga also offers a wide variety of career-focused programs and many degree programs for students to choose from. Many of the programs include work placements, which provide students with the necessary skills and hands-on experience needed to obtain a job in their career sector upon graduation. High school students should be encouraged to attend colleges, and should look seriously at the skilled trades, since this is the field that is hiring. And colleges should continue to engage their students as they get hands-on experience which prepares them for the real world. 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. Email letters to: www.spokeonline.com with the subject line “Letter to the Editor,” or bring them to Room 1C30 at the Doon campus.

Flu and cold season is upon us. Take precautions.

Hopefully an apple a day will keep this doctor away

Physician who sexually abused patients still practising Going to a doctor brings about a certain feeling of comfort mixed with confidence, along with a certain level of trust. But what if a doctor goes past that metaphorical line in the sand, crossing the boundaries? According to a Sept. 18 article in the Toronto Star, Dr. Sastri Maharajh, 54, of Mississauga, has been disciplined by the College of Physicians and Surgeons for sexually abusing as many as 13 women in his practice. The college is the provincial medical regulatory body overseeing physicians. His punishment? Maharajh’s practice was restricted to only males, and he must see a collegeapproved psychiatrist. Unbelievable as it may seem, the committee had considered allowing Maharajh to continue to see female patients as long as he was accompanied by another health physician, but the committee feared that there was a great risk of him reof-

Nathan Brown Opinion

fending and decided it was in the public’s best interest to keep his practice strictly male. So much for serious consequences.

“

I believe if there truly is zero tolerance, then it should be upheld.

”

Maharajh admitted to the committee that he had either “placed his mouth on or rested his cheek” on the breasts of these 13 patients, Who knows how many more patients he sexually abused. Some may just not have the courage to come forward.

Maharajh told the committee that he “lost all thinking and control,” describing himself “feeling dizzy, out of touch.” According to the Star, the doctor testified that he had been going through a difficult time with his wife and children, was sometimes suicidal, suffered from obsessive compulsion disorder and had been abusing alcohol for the past six years. The province has legislation that says that there is “zero tolerance” for sexual assault by doctors. So what makes this case special? I believe if there truly is zero tolerance, then it should be upheld. Restricting the doctor’s practice to just male clients isn’t much of a penalty. If the doctor/ patient trust has been broken and it’s likely he will reoffend, the physician should have his licence revoked. We know there’s a doctor shortage in Ontario, but we don’t need them that badly.

Spoke

i s p u bl i shed a nd prod u ced weekl y b y t he j o u rn a l i sm s t u den t s o f C ones t o g a C olle g e Editor: Beth Crouse Assignment Editors: Alex Riese, Maryssa McFadden Advertising Managers: Jack Parkinson, Jordan Johnstone Spoke Online Editors: Carson Deshevy-Renouf, Cody Mudge, Ian McBride

Production Managers: Cassie Tulecki, Carmen Ponciano

Social Media Editor: Nataleigh McCallum, Matt Howell

Photo Editors (print): Nathan Brown, Kali Caudle, Justin Ford Photo Editors (online): Josh Kennedy, Nicole Nemeth, Heather Stanley

Circulation Manager: Rachel Roy 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.

Monday, October 6, 2014

NEWS

Taking back the night

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Women in Waterloo Region take part in anti-violence march By MATT HOWELL

Their message was loud, concise and clear; violence against women, children and the transgendered needs to stop. An opening rally was held in front of Kitchener City Hall Sept. 25 as part of Waterloo Region’s 31st Take Back the Night event. Some of the streets were blocked off and filled with a massive crowd of women of all ages marching and carrying signs with messages of strength. According to Statistics Canada, in 2011 just over 173,600 women aged 15 and older were victims of violent crime. That’s 1,207 victims for every 100,000 women in the population. Take Back The Night originated in the 1970s in the United States. One of the first marches took place in Philadelphia in response to the killing of Susan Alexander Speeth, a microbiologist, who was stabbed to death while walking home one evening. Since then, marches have happened every year with 30 countries now hosting their own rallies and events to bring awareness to this sad but very real part of life. And, for the first time, Conestoga was involved. Laura Black, an event planner with Student Life, was the one who organized Conestoga’s inaugural event. “Take Back The Night at Conestoga College really means coming together as a community to build community. So we are coming together to march, rally and sup-

port ending violence against women, children and transindividuals in the community,” Black said. Wilfrid Laurier and the University of Waterloo have been involved in past years, and now Conestoga has become part of this event that is bringing to the forefront the need for action and change. “It’s still early on in the term, and I’m hoping we can reinforce our Respect Campaign values, which are building a welcoming, inclusive and respectful campus,” Black said. By building healthy relationships and promoting ending violence, those are all things that will hopefully contribute to building that community at Conestoga College.” A large number of people from all over the tri-cities came out for the event, which included performances from female singers, an all-woman drum group, a workshop for male allies and the march. Sara Casselman, public relations officer for the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, which organizes the event, was all smiles looking around at the massive and lively crowd of attendees. “It’s an amazing turnout and we couldn’t be happier by this support,” she said. For more information on the Sexual Assault Support Centre, Take Back The Night or other upcoming events, check out the centre’s website at www.sascwr.org. And if you or anyone you know might be experiencing violence, contact their 24-hour crisis line at 519-741-8633.

PHOTOS BY MATT Howell

Women from all over the tri-cities marched in the Take Back the Night event on Sept. 25 showing support for ending violence against women, children and the transgendered.

Feature

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Monday, October 6, 2014

photo by ian mcbride

Brianna Wilson, 13, poses for a photo during the LINK Picnic Festival inside the City of Kitchener Rotunda.

photo by ian mcbride

George Okot, 15, smiles while modelling the king costume at the LINK Picnic Festival Costume Show.

Regal display at LINK show Elaborate carnival costumes modelled By IAN MCBRIDE

Two large carnival-style costumes were modelled at this year’s LINK Picnic Festival Costume Show at the City of Kitchener Rotunda. The festival was held Sept. 26 and introduced residents to carnival costume art. During the day costumes were on display and in the evening you could try them on and learn how they were made. Thirteen-year-old Brianna Wilson and 15-year-old George Okot, both of Kitchener, showed off the carnival-style costumes. A dozen people came out to watch the Costume Show. At the beginning of the

event, event manager Sylma Fletcher explained the theme of this year’s show, which was Our Rivers. The theme was chosen to show the diversity of the Grand River. Wilson modelled a queen costume as Caribbean music played. Her costume was bright yellow with accents in other colours such as pink and green. Wilson, who was participating for the first time, talked about how she decided to wear her own body suit to complement the elaborate carnival costume. “I dance competitively, so when I heard about the competition I decided to wear the outfit I wear for dancing,” she said.

After Wilson finished, Okot modelled his king costume. It was a vibrant blue that included different shades of blue and white. This was his second time participating. “The costume designers basically just made it for me,” Okot said. This was Fletcher’s ninth year as the event manager for the LINK Picnic Festival. She said the event is getting more popular each year. “More and more people are coming every year. People like the variety of music,” she said. There is more room for growth though. Fletcher said, “We still need to get the word out more.”

PHOTO BY ian mcbride

Event manager Sylma Fletcher explains the theme of this year’s Costume Show to the audience inside the City of Kitchener Rotunda.

Kitchener organization aims to beat breast cancer BY JOSH KENNEDY

PHOTO BY josh kennedy

Nicole Amorim, volunteer engagement co-ordinater for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Waterloo Region Community Office, stands next to some promotional and informational items for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Besides being a time for carving pumpkins and stuffing turkeys, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Waterloo Region Community Office of the Canadian Cancer Society will be doing everything they can to help raise money for cancer research. One in nine Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. To help battle the disease, the society has donated nearly $100 million to breast cancer research. Volunteers from the Waterloo Region Community Office will be selling pink ribbons at local businesses from

Oct. 3 to 5 and again from October 24 to 26.

“

We’re hoping ... to beat breast cancer. — Nicole Amorim

”

“Our goal is to raise enough money for breast cancer research and spread awareness of breast cancer to everyone,” said Karen Griffiths, the community office manager at the Canadian Cancer Society in Kitchener. People can buy pink rib-

bons in local stores, including at Sobey’s, Zehrs, Canadian Tire and Shopper’s Drug Mart. Volunteers will also be selling them at the Kitchener Farmer’s Market. People can donate as much money as they want. The Canadian Cancer Society has been selling ribbons for almost 10 years. Last year they made over $36,000 and hope to make a lot more this year. “We’re hoping that enough people will be aware of breast cancer and help us raise enough money to beat breast cancer,” said Nicole Amorim, the community office’s volunteer engagement co-ordinator.

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Screampark not for the faint-hearted By MARYSSA MCFADDEN

Halloween has a different meaning for everyone. For some it means trick-or-treating, candy and costumes. For others it signifies the beginning of fall, pumpkins and colourful leaves. However, for the staff of Bingemans it means blood-curdling screams and a haunting experience for any guest planning to visit their park this month. Bingemans opened the doors to Screampark for the ninth year on Sept. 26. This marked the start of screaming season and, just like the ones in the past, this year will have new attractions to frighten every customer who walks through the gates. “Every year we build three brand-new theme houses (The Morgue, Devils Rejects and Hotel Kalifornia) all with their own unique, terrifying theme, actors and scare tactics. To help people either pump themselves up before going through the houses or help them feel like they can get a little payback after, we added the Undead Target

Range where you have the rare opportunity to shoot paintball guns at live zombies,” said Andrea Conyers, Screampark manager. With this being Bingemans ninth year running the Screampark attraction, some might wonder how they gain and keep customers, but they say it is the variety of their products that continually attract people to Bingemans. “We do get a ton of returning customers, not only because they had a great experience their first visit, but they are always curious to try some of the other products they missed. We had such tremendous growth in recent years that people really don’t know how many products we offer now until they’re here and see it first-hand,” said Alison Rath, Bingemans marketing co-ordinator. Bingemans has a current “chicken count” of people who were too scared to complete the Screampark. That number is now over 1,200 and, although plenty of people have visited Screampark before, there is nothing they

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can do to get ready for what lies in wait this year. Rath said Screampark is not for the faint of heart. “Our team does everything in its power to make sure it is the ultimate in horror and all things Halloween. Although, everyone leaves Screampark laughing and talking about how much fun they had,” she said. Rath advised people to come early in the evening to get the most out of the experience. “We draw large numbers from the region each year and lines can get a little long especially the closer we get to Halloween,” she said. “We do go out of our way to make sure everyone gets the full Screampark experience though, even when you’re waiting in line.” Tickets for Screampark range from $12 to $28 and are available at Bingemans and on their website. The haunted village is open for the next two weekends, Oct. 10 to 12 and 17 to 19, before they open full-time from Oct. 23 to Nov. 2. For more information visit www.screampark.ca/.

Free Spa Day De-stresses students

PHOTO BY Beth Crouse

Liz Zinger, a third-year computer programmer/analyst student, gets her nails done at the Free Spa Day held by Conestoga Students Inc. on Sept. 24.

STUDENT LIFE CENTRE

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NEWS

Monday, October 6, 2014

PRACTISE MAKES PERFECT

PHOTO BY KALI CAUDLE

Michael Langer, a second-year environmental – civil engineering technology student, looks through an engineer’s automatic level while practising surveying the college’s grounds during his class on Sept. 26.

FEATURE

Monday, October 6, 2014

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Beat to your own drum at exercise class BY JUSTIN FORD

DrumFIT is an exercise program that has been growing and expanding over the past eight years, and for good reason. It is a program for the body and mind that’s been offered at schools as a physical education activity – and still is. But now – with people constantly asking where they can do DrumFIT outside of school walls – co-founder, president and chief executive officer Danielle Sherbo has opened her own DrumFIT studio in Waterloo. “It’s hugely taking off,” Sherbo said. “People kept asking where they could do it.”

Rachel Cowal instructs a family DrumFIT class on Sept. 24 at a studio in Waterloo. DrumFIT, which is an exercise program for the body and mind, opened its doors on Sept. 1. A wide array of customers have attended classes there.

photos by justin ford

The people asking finally have a concrete answer. DrumFIT opened up shop on Sept. 1, and since then they’ve been getting a wide array of customers – everyone from ages two to 102 according to Sherbo. DrumFIT is the brainchild of Sherbo and her partner, co-founder, vice-president and chief operating officer Val Shah. In its simplest terms, DrumFIT combines drumming and exercise. Each participant is given a pair of drumsticks, a workout ball, a catchy beat to drum along to and an instructor to guide them through their DrumFIT experience. “They’re working their fine

motor skills and don’t even know it,” lead instructor Rachel Cowal said. The family class that took place on Sept. 24 was obvious proof of what they preach. There were six-year-olds having the time of their lives and adults being physically and mentally tested while trying not to crack a smile, but every single person in the room eventually caught on. There was sweat and laughter, heavy breaths and drumsticks pounding, and ultimately, the entire room was absolutely captivated. “It’s another way to get my son active and move around to music,” said Waterloo native and DrumFIT partici-

pant Elisa Nelson. When Sherbo says it’s a workout for the body and mind, she’s also hinting at something else. We live in a fast-paced world. A world that has stress and anxiety waiting around every corner. Dealing with that stress is key to maintaining mental health, and what better way to release stress than hitting things with a smile on your face? “We’re the most stressed out society ever,” Sherbo said. “We have a really big need for things that address our mental health.” Another sweetener to what DrumFIT already offers, is the program’s

shocking ability to involve and envelop troubled children. Sherbo said teachers have come up to her in complete shock after DrumFIT classes at elementary schools. They have confessed they thought it impossible for certain students to become engaged. Sure enough, their doubts were squashed. “Boys. Boys like to hit things,” Sherbo joked about why the program engages anyone and everyone. The DrumFIT studio, located at 606 Colby Dr., offers one-day drop-ins and eightweek memberships. For further information, call 519574-2267.

fun & games

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Monday, October 6, 2014

Useless Facts

Oh Cliff!

Horoscope Week of October 6, 2014

Aries

March 21 April 19 Being independent can be good but not always, go out on the town and visit with some friends, it’s healthy to kick back and relax!

Taurus April 20 May 20

It may seem like a bad idea to be first but this week Taurus, it’s necessary. Chart your own course, lead the way to victory.

Gemini May 21 June 21

Gemini, you’re independence will give you a chance to get many projects done this week. Take advantage of extra time and get all those projects finished.

Cancer June 22 July 22

You’re emotionally stressed right now, try a nice comforting bubble bath and a glass of wine to calm down, even calling a friend for a shoulder. It’ll be OK.

Leo

July 23 August 22 You’re anxious because you’re unaware of the need to control everything. It’s spiraling out of your hands, but it’s all right. Someone will help change that.

Virgo

August 23 September 22 Alright Virgo, things are going great for you, but you’re beginning to over think you’re decisions. Trust in yourself that you have made the right choices.

The Bible, the world’s bestselling book, is also the world’s most shoplifted book.

Libra

Babies are born without knee caps. They don’t appear until the child reaches 2 to 6 years of age.

September 23 October 22 You’ve been on your own for too long Libra, go out and see some friends and have a night on the town. It’ll give you a chance to relax and have some fun.

The first McDonald’s restaurant in Canada was in Richmond, B.C. Half of all bank robberies take place on a Friday.

Scorpio

October 23 November 21

In Utah, it is illegal to swear in front of a dead person.

You have been feeling claustrophobic with all the people around you. Take a day where you can just focus on yourself.

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 have been cooped up in a classroom too long; go and explore a new spot in town. Your palms are twitching for something new.

Capricorn December 22 January 19

You definitely know what’s going on this week, you have it all planned, but it may be time for you to take a risk; break tradition.

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Thanksgiving Aquarius January 20 February 18

You’ve been feeling like a prisoner, time for the great escape! Get out there and do something spontaneous and have a little fun.

Pisces

February 19 March 20 You’ve been spending so much time by yourself that you’re frightening yourself, but don’t worry, someone will be your saviour.

Whispering Waters wishes you waves of fortune.

A CELEBRATE DINNER R FAMILY E FEAST B HARVEST OCTOBER O PIE T PILGRIMS C PUMPKIN STUFFING O THANKFUL Q TURKEY S CRANBERRIES CIDER F CROPS J DRESSING HOLIDAY E POTATOES L HOLIDAY M YAMS

Monday, October 6, 2014

SEE VIDEOS AT WWW.SPOKEONLINE.COM

PHOTO BY RACHEL ROY

Five Nights at Freddy’s is supposed to be the scariest game on the Internet. Above, Shawn Olson, president of the Gaming Club at Conestoga College, poses with some of the game’s characters Sept. 26. For video, go to www.spokeonline.com.

PHOTO BY CARMEN PONCIANO

Beekeepers Jon and Shane Groleau discuss a new treatment to keep honey bees healthy. For video see www.spokeonline.com

PHOTO BY HEATHER STANLEY

The Emmanuel Evangelical Missionary Church has services on Sundays and programs throughout the week to bring people to Jesus Christ in Elmira, Ont. For video story see www.spokeonline. com.

SPOKE  Page 11 NEWS FIRST FIRE DRILL GOES OFF WITHOUT ANY SPARKS

PHOTO BY MARYSSA MCFADDEN

The main building of the Doon campus was evacuated on Sept. 25 following a fire drill which went off around 9:20 a.m. Each year the college performs two fire drills to make sure students and faculty can quickly and safely exit the school in case of a real fire. According to Security Services, the evacuation went smoothly, taking about 20 minutes.

Sports

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Monday, October 6, 2014

Condors crush opponents

BY JORDAN JOHNSTONE

The Condors’ women’s softball team devastated Mohawk College twice in a doubleheader on Sept. 27 at Peter Hallman Ballpark in Kitchener, en route to their fourth straight victory. “No contest” would describe the Condors games against Mohawk. Stellar pitching was a key component for the team in their victories, with pitchers Jessica Turnbull and Lauren Ruf not allowing a run in either game. Mohawk also did not stand a chance against the offensive might of the Condors and the shut down defensive play. Neither game went the full seven innings, as the mercy rule came into effect after the Condors jumped out to 15-0 and 16-0 leads “We are still making mental errors that the team has to work on,” said head coach Ron Taylor. “We will work on those things that will hurt you against a stronger team.” Turnbull took to the mound earlier in the week on Sept. 25, when the Condors hosted Seneca in a more contested duel. Turnbull was lights-out on the mound, pitching the full seven innings with seven strikeouts and allowing only

one run. Cassidy Wettlaufer drove in a run and hit the only home run of the game, her second of the season. The Condors would not be outmatched, giving up only one run in the seventh inning, finishing off the conquest 5-1. “We are a strong team,” Brittany Bell said, who leads the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) with three home runs this season for the Condors. The team is now in sole possession of second place in the OCAA, posting a 10-3 record with 20 points. They are only two points behind their rival St. Clair, who have played two more games than the Condors (11-4 with 22 points). The Condors have a couple of key games coming up with hopes of securing at least second place in the standings before playoffs. Coach Taylor plans to rely on his almost flawless pitchers and explosive offence going forward. ‘(We’re) trying to gear up (for playoffs),” he said. “Both are very strong pitchers … our pitching is not a problem.” The Condors last home game of the season before the playoffs is on Oct. 8 against Durham at the Peter Hallman Ballpark in Kitchener.

PHOTOS BY Jordan johnstone

Jessica Turnball throws a strike against Seneca on Sept. 25 at the Peter Hallman Ballpark in Kitchener. The Condors won 5-1.

Cassidy Wettlaufer cranks her second home run of the season against Seneca. The Condors have some crucial games coming up.

Turnbull, above, pitched the full seven innings and had seven strikeouts. Left, Condor Stephanie Baril scores a run against Mohawk during a Sept. 27 game. Conestoga won 16-0.