Digital Edition - October 19, 2015

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SPOKE

Cat runs for office Humane society endorses feline candidate. Page 9 MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015

A LEARNING NEWSROOM FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS

CONESTOGA COLLEGE, KITCHENER, ONT.

CSI budget sparks concern BY SARAH VEENSTRA

Conestoga students are beginning to question exactly how the money they give Conestoga Students Inc. is spent. As part of their tuition fees, every student at Conestoga pays a CSI capital development fee ($55.60 this term; $66.50 in the winter semester) a CSI association fee ($110 per semester) and a CSI – College Student Alliance (CSA) fee of $4.56 per semester. CSA is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that works with many college student associations and government agencies to improve the college experience. It didn’t take long for students to take a hard look at CSI’s 2015/2016 budget. A simple Facebook remark on Spotted at Conestoga, an anonymous Facebook page promoting students to speak freely, was just the start. “Spotted: Conestoga students paying for CSI’s parking passes,” said the anonymous source on Facebook. While there’s no line item titled “Staff Parking Expenses” as Spotted at Conestoga suggests, at least not in the 2015/2016 budget report, CSI staff do have parking passes as an added benefit to their contract. “We had our lawyers look into removing this as a benefit but it would have been a longer process than anticipated,” said Jeff Scherer, CSI president. “Employees cannot, by law, be forced to sign new employee contracts to remove the benefit. So, instead what we have decided is to ‘grandfather’ the benefit out of our employee contracts as we have staff turnover. However, this benefit is not and was never extended to the board of directors position.” It wasn’t just parking students were questioning; staff cellphone expenses, the costs of board meetings and travel and retreat expenses were also on their list. “It just seems like a lot of money that’s going to vague places,” said Erin Kurt, a second-year marketing student. “It doesn’t seem fair that we seem to overpay for things and live on a student budget while they have cellphones, laptops and meals handed to them from my tuition.” Scherer said, “Our cellphone expense is for six phones belonging to three

office managers, myself and our two shuttle drivers who are required by ministry to have a form of communication in case of emergency. The four managers are also required to have a cellphone in case of a number of emergencies, including myself as I’m the emergency contact for our board of directors when travelling and day-today scheduling.” Scherer added that all cellphones are required to be turned in proper working order at the end of their term along with any laptops or computers that are also supplied for board members. These costs are part of what makes up the $17,500 total under “Board Meetings,” an expense encompassing three functions, Scherer said. “One is the laptops, second is board clothing, such as the sweaters and shirts they’re required to wear to any events and meetings that they attend,” said Scherer. “Lastly, board meals because of the time of our monthly meetings. We supply dinner which is most often takeout.” The budget also shows CSI has a surplus or “net income” of $4,315, a number that as a non-profit, is supposed to be zero. “Every year we budget our expenses below our anticipated revenues in order to give the board freedom to create and implement new programs,” said Scherer. “The surplus goes into services and programs that were either not originally budgeted for or services that need a higher budget than anticipated.” Also included in the 2015/2016 budget was $130,000 allocated toward CSI and student improvements. This year, Scherer said that expense was put toward a new wellness office to be located in the newly renovated athletic and recreation centre following its completion. This money will also go toward refurnishing the Sanctuary Café with new dining and seating furniture. “Our expense lines are not titled to fully explain their purpose and I would encourage anyone who has questions or concerns in regards to our budget to please contact me,” said Scherer. “I would be more than happy to go over their questions and concerns.”

WWW.SPOKEONLINE.COM

Dogged determination Service dogs making a difference. Page 3 46TH YEAR — NO. 18

TANTE FRIEDA SPREADS GEMÜTLICHKEIT

PHOTO BY SARAH VEENSTRA

Tante Frieda, Onkel Hans’ wife, waves to onlookers during the 2015 Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade on Oct. 12 in downtown Kitchener. The parade route was almost 5 km long and took approximately 1.5 hours to pass by from any given spot on the parade route. For more photos, see Pages 6 and 7.


NEWS

Page 2 s SPOKE

Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College

Monday, October 19, 2015

FILBERT CARTOONS

Random questions answered by random students

If you had your choice, what would your last meal be? “Grilled steak with garlic mashed potatoes, and a glass of Weisz beer.” Zack Viera, second-year international business

“T-bone steak, sweet potatoes, caesar salad and a tall can of Dr. Pepper.” Lucas Pozzobon, second-year police foundations

“My family is from the east coast, so probably lobster.”

Victoria MacDonald, second-year bachelor of applied health information science

Men have a role to play BY EMMIE SIROKY

The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region developed a program for men in 2008 that teaches them about healthy masculinity in today’s society and how to end sexual violence against women. Male Allies against Sexual Violence is a program that shows men of all ages how to respect women and explains how feminism (the advocacy of equality of the sexes) benefits both genders. “If you want healthy girls you need healthy boys,” said Stephen Soucie, program co-ordinator for MAASV. The program was initially run through SASC, but in 2013 it received funding to hire a fulltime staff member who now runs it. “We look to engage men and

boys in public education,” said Soucie. “A lot of guys grow up not really knowing how to connect. (Men try to interact with women by) cat calling, saying sexist and homophobic remarks, and even inappropriate touching” Women are also victims of sexual abuse, mental abuse and other crimes. According to smartoncrime.ca, only one in eight sexual assaults in Canada are reported to the police. In 2012 there was no wait list for men to see counsellors, but the number of women waiting to see a counsellor reached an all-time high. There are many blogs, websites and programs across Canada that support men joining the fight for feminism and equal rights for all. A lot of people hide when they hear the word feminism, but one Conestoga student is all for the

MAASV program. “I think it’s extremely important that men are educated on things like (feminism) and they understand where we have been and where we are now and where we need to go to,” said Nicole Geertsen, a first-year bachelor of community and criminal justice student at Conestoga College. “(Education is needed) to make sure they understand that feminism isn’t about suppressing men’s opinions. It’s about making everything equal for everyone. That would be a very valuable program for people around here to have. MAASV programs are held at 151 Frederick St. in Kitchener, inside the Sexual Assault Centre of Waterloo Region. For more information email info@sasc.org or call 519-5710121.

GO ENG GIRL ENCOURAGES FEMALES TO BE ENGINEERS

“Fried rice with chicken, a lot of it.” Hussein Mussa, second-year international business

“Tacos, I love tacos.”

Mercedes Williams, pre health

“Probably fish and chips.”

Stephanie Singh, pre health PHOTO BY JOE WEPPLER

Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!

Julia Biedermann, executive dean of the School of Engineering and Information Technology, holds a Go ENG Girl poster on Oct. 9, at Conestoga’s Cambridge campus. She is a big proponent of encouraging girls to enter engineering. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.


NEWS

Monday, October 19, 2015

SPOKE s Page 3

Service dogs changing lives BY PAUL BOREHAM

Creatures other than humans are attending classes at Conestoga College. They walk on all fours, are covered in fur and wag their tails as they saunter along. Often a tongue droops out of their mouth. If they give you the “eye” in the hallway, don’t pay them any mind – they’re working. They’re either service dogs or service dogs in training. Karina Weber, a first-year protection/security investigation student, is a volunteer puppy raiser for National Service Dogs (NSD), a non-profit organization that specializes in breeding and training dogs for families with autistic children. Her puppy, named Finnigan, goes wherever she goes, and that includes her classes. “He’ll either sit beside my chair or find a spot where he can spread out,” said Weber. “Or he chews on his bone.” He eventually falls asleep on the floor, she said. “Most people are pretty good about it and say ‘ah’ (isn’t he cute),” said Weber. Her teachers applaud her for what she is doing and welcome Finnigan into their classrooms. The use of service dogs started after the First World War with guide dogs for the blind. In recent years it has expanded to include a variety of disabilities. NSD was the first to establish a service dog program for autistic children. “We really set the bar,” said Laura Scott, development manager with NSD. The program has become a model for service dog organizations internationally.

PHOTO BY PAUL BOREHAM

Karina Weber, a first-year protection/security investigation student at Conestoga College, gives a treat to Finnigan, a golden Labrador, at Doon campus, Oct. 7. Weber is a volunteer puppy raiser with National Service Dogs of Cambridge and takes Finnigan with her to her classes. NSD has its headquarters in Cambridge, where an old farmhouse has been utilized, with five kennels constructed at the back for breeding and training. “Labradors and golden retrievers are bred because they have the physicality and temperament that’s required for service dogs,” said Scott. The main job of a trained dog is to keep an autistic child from bolting while out and about. The dog is held by a leash while the child is tethered to the

dog’s jacket (purple-coloured in the case of NSD). One word – “halt” – from a parent and the child is prevented from moving any farther. “They also act as a social bridge for children, in developing relationships, because children with autism can be very isolated, and the dogs can bridge that,” said Scott. Scott also quoted a study that found service dogs can lower a child’s stress level by 50 per cent, allowing them to participate

it get any better? “There will be 10 cats at a time. If a cat gets adopted, we will bring in another one,” he said. “In the end, it’s all about the cats.” The felines come from the Guelph Humane Society. The Wyndham Variety Store has been a satellite adoption location for the humane society since August 2014. According to Lisa Viet, the associate director at the Guelph Humane Society, there are 120 cats waiting to be adopted. “The adoption process goes through the humane society,” said Kim. “The cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed and ready to go to a loving home. It’s such an easy process.” The cats live at the café in an open back room with beds and a play area.

“I want the cats to feel free rather than feeling trapped in a cage,” said Kim. As for the scenery of the café, Kim envisioned it to look more like someone’s living room rather than a café. “It is a comfortable area. A place where people can come and be relaxed as if they are in their own home,” he said. Before opening My Kitty Café, Kim adopted 50 cats throughout the year and found them homes. This is more than any other satellite locations, such as pet stores, vet clinics and local businesses. “My goal is to give cats a home and if this café will do the job than I am more than just satisfied, I’m grateful,” said Kim. Viet said My Kitty Café provides a great opportunity to promote the wonderful cats that are awaiting their for-

It’s a puuurfect cafe

BY SARA SASILA

Have you ever dreamt about what it would be like to sit at a café with furry felines crawling all around you? If so, your prayers have been answered. My Kitty Café, located in downtown Guelph inside the Wyndham Variety Store, officially opened on Oct. 17. Min Kim, the owner of the newly built café, said the idea behind the café is not only about providing food and drinks but also about giving cats a home. “I always felt bad about seeing them in cages,” said Kim. Customers can enjoy Korean dishes, specialty drinks, sandwiches and pastries all while cuddling and playing with furry friends. If opening a cat café isn’t enough, Kim said you can adopt the cats as well. Could

more in learning activities. A puppy raiser plays an important role in acclimatizing the pup to all manner of social situations. As such, they are required to go to puppy classes each week and learn simple obedience training for their puppies. “As a puppy raiser, the puppy goes everywhere you go: grocery shopping, work, school, and when they’re 18 months old, they’re recalled back to our centre to do advanced

training,” said Scott. “That’s where they’re getting their special service dog skills.” The advanced training can take another six months before they are ready for a family. After a lengthy application process and wait time, an approved family receives their service dog – valued at $30,000 – completely free of charge, although they are given opportunities to give back through fundraising. They go through a weeklong training session before taking their dog home. People come from across the country to receive a service dog, said Scott. NSD has two other important service dog programs. One is for veterans suffering post-traumatic stress syndrome; the other is called Canine Assisted Prevention, which places service dogs with treatment professionals such as doctors, therapists and social workers. Weber said she has been working with the dogs for two and a half years. Finnigan is her third puppy. “You have to have a lot of patience. Your first puppy could be a totally easy puppy. Your second puppy could be a puppy from hell,” she said. Each dog has a different personality and many end up not suited for the autistic program, Weber said. Asked why she does it, she spoke of a family friend who has an autistic child and of her passion for dogs. “It gives me a sense of accomplishment knowing that I’ve helped someone who needs a dog. It also allows me to give the dog a good start in life.”

PHOTO BY SARA SASILA

Some cats from the Guelph Humane Society hang out at My Kitty Café, cuddling and playing with customers. ever homes. “The cat café provides a great opportunity for patrons to interact with cats that are available for adoption through the Guelph Humane Society,” said Viet. Ironically, Kim is allergic to cats, yet that issue hasn’t stopped his love for them. Viet said Kim’s enthusiastic

support for the humane society has been great. “It’s amazing to see how far he will go to help cats find a home,” Viet said. Kim is the first person to open a cat café in Ontario, which is a big stepping stone for him. “I’m excited. I’ve put in so much time and effort for these cats, I hope it all works out,” he said.


NEWS

Monday, October 19, 2015

SPOKE s Page 3

Service dogs changing lives BY PAUL BOREHAM

Creatures other than humans are attending classes at Conestoga College. They walk on all fours, are covered in fur and wag their tails as they saunter along. Often a tongue droops out of their mouth. If they give you the “eye” in the hallway, don’t pay them any mind – they’re working. They’re either service dogs or service dogs in training. Karina Weber, a first-year protection/security investigation student, is a volunteer puppy raiser for National Service Dogs (NSD), a non-profit organization that specializes in breeding and training dogs for families with autistic children. Her puppy, named Finnigan, goes wherever she goes, and that includes her classes. “He’ll either sit beside my chair or find a spot where he can spread out,” said Weber. “Or he chews on his bone.” He eventually falls asleep on the floor, she said. “Most people are pretty good about it and say ‘ah’ (isn’t he cute),” said Weber. Her teachers applaud her for what she is doing and welcome Finnigan into their classrooms. The use of service dogs started after the First World War with guide dogs for the blind. In recent years it has expanded to include a variety of disabilities. NSD was the first to establish a service dog program for autistic children. “We really set the bar,” said Laura Scott, development manager with NSD. The program has become a model for service dog organizations internationally.

PHOTO BY PAUL BOREHAM

Karina Weber, a first-year protection/security investigation student at Conestoga College, gives a treat to Finnigan, a Labrador, at Doon campus, Oct. 7. Weber is a volunteer puppy raiser with National Service Dogs of Cambridge and takes Finnigan with her to her classes. NSD has its headquarters in Cambridge, where an old farmhouse has been utilized, with five kennels constructed at the back for breeding and training. “Labradors and golden retrievers are bred because they have the physicality and temperament that’s required for service dogs,” said Scott. The main job of a trained dog is to keep an autistic child from bolting while out and about. The dog is held by a leash while the child is tethered to the

dog’s jacket (purple-coloured in the case of NSD). One word – “halt” – from a parent and the child is prevented from moving any farther. “They also act as a social bridge for children, in developing relationships, because children with autism can be very isolated, and the dogs can bridge that,” said Scott. Scott also quoted a study that found service dogs can lower a child’s stress level by 50 per cent, allowing them to participate

it get any better? “There will be 10 cats at a time. If a cat gets adopted, we will bring in another one,” he said. “In the end, it’s all about the cats.” The felines come from the Guelph Humane Society. The Wyndham Variety Store has been a satellite adoption location for the humane society since August 2014. According to Lisa Viet, the associate director at the Guelph Humane Society, there are 120 cats waiting to be adopted. “The adoption process goes through the humane society,” said Kim. “The cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed and ready to go to a loving home. It’s such an easy process.” The cats live at the café in an open back room with beds and a play area.

“I want the cats to feel free rather than feeling trapped in a cage,” said Kim. As for the scenery of the café, Kim envisioned it to look more like someone’s living room rather than a café. “It is a comfortable area. A place where people can come and be relaxed as if they are in their own home,” he said. Before opening My Kitty Café, Kim adopted 50 cats throughout the year and found them homes. This is more than any other satellite locations, such as pet stores, vet clinics and local businesses. “My goal is to give cats a home and if this café will do the job than I am more than just satisfied, I’m grateful,” said Kim. Viet said My Kitty Café provides a great opportunity to promote the wonderful cats that are awaiting their for-

It’s a puuurfect cafe

BY SARA SASILA

Have you ever dreamt about what it would be like to sit at a café with furry felines crawling all around you? If so, your prayers have been answered. My Kitty Café, located in downtown Guelph inside the Wyndham Variety Store, officially opened on Oct. 17. Min Kim, the owner of the newly built café, said the idea behind the café is not only about providing food and drinks but also about giving cats a home. “I always felt bad about seeing them in cages,” said Kim. Customers can enjoy Korean dishes, specialty drinks, sandwiches and pastries all while cuddling and playing with furry friends. If opening a cat café isn’t enough, Kim said you can adopt the cats as well. Could

more in learning activities. A puppy raiser plays an important role in acclimatizing the pup to all manner of social situations. As such, they are required to go to puppy classes each week and learn simple obedience training for their puppies. “As a puppy raiser, the puppy goes everywhere you go: grocery shopping, work, school, and when they’re 18 months old, they’re recalled back to our centre to do advanced

training,” said Scott. “That’s where they’re getting their special service dog skills.” The advanced training can take another six months before they are ready for a family. After a lengthy application process and wait time, an approved family receives their service dog – valued at $30,000 – completely free of charge, although they are given opportunities to give back through fundraising. They go through a weeklong training session before taking their dog home. People come from across the country to receive a service dog, said Scott. NSD has two other important service dog programs. One is for veterans suffering post-traumatic stress syndrome; the other is called Canine Assisted Prevention, which places service dogs with treatment professionals such as doctors, therapists and social workers. Weber said she has been working with the dogs for two and a half years. Finnigan is her third puppy. “You have to have a lot of patience. Your first puppy could be a totally easy puppy. Your second puppy could be a puppy from hell,” she said. Each dog has a different personality and many end up not suited for the autistic program, Weber said. Asked why she does it, she spoke of a family friend who has an autistic child and of her passion for dogs. “It gives me a sense of accomplishment knowing that I’ve helped someone who needs a dog. It also allows me to give the dog a good start in life.”

PHOTO BY SARA SASILA

Some cats from the Guelph Humane Society hang out at My Kitty Café, cuddling and playing with customers. ever homes. “The cat café provides a great opportunity for patrons to interact with cats that are available for adoption through the Guelph Humane Society,” said Viet. Ironically, Kim is allergic to cats, yet that issue hasn’t stopped his love for them. Viet said Kim’s enthusiastic

support for the humane society has been great. “It’s amazing to see how far he will go to help cats find a home,” Viet said. Kim is the first person to open a cat café in Ontario, which is a big stepping stone for him. “I’m excited. I’ve put in so much time and effort for these cats, I hope it all works out,” he said.


COMMENTARY

Page 4 s SPOKE

Monday, October 19, 2015

GMOs benefit society BY ADAM SCHWARTZ

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are a tough topic to really dive into, but we will give it a shot. To start we do not think that GMOs are bad, in fact, we think they’re amazing and do more good than harm. Foods have been genetically modified for a long time, since the dawn of agriculture. The carrot, for example, was once purple, but Dutch growers in the 16th century took mutant strains and gradually changed them to the orange variety that we know today. All science has done is expedited the process. The common fear is of the unknown and we often try desperately to get answers when people get sick and look at GMO foods as an easy answer. It’s important to realize that correlation does not equal causation. “The main conclusion to be drawn from the efforts of more than 130 research projects, covering a period of more than 25 years of research and involving more than 500 independent research groups, is that biotechnology and, in particular, GMOs are not more risky than conventional plant breeding technologies,” according to a study entitled A Decade of EU-funded GMO Research, 2001 – 2010, by the European Commission. There is more benefit to be found in GMOs than having weaker, disease-prone produce. Golden Rice is a biofortified food that produces a compound that the body synthesizes into vitamin A. This rice helps save the lives of people who suffer from a deficiency of vitamin A, which causes blindness and even death. The real problem is what is evolving along with the GMO produce. The Cavendish banana is really popular, but it had a predecessor – the Gros Michel. The Gros Michel is that flavour you get every time you have a piece of banana-flavoured candy. The Gros Michel doesn’t exist anymore because it was wiped out by a disease. The Cavendish banana was immune to the disease. Both varieties are GMOs and clones. We can make plants immune to many diseases, but like Jeff Goldblum’s character said in Jurassic Park, “Life finds a way.” What does happen is that viruses and bacteria just mutate and develop their own ways around the defence systems in place. GMOs are not the ethical issue people make them out to be. They’re just another method that can help sustain and improve the lives of millions of people. 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

Eenie meenie miney mo ...

Drunk driving still prevalent Not only is drunk driving illegal, it is selfish. When you get behind the wheel while impaired, you are not just endangering yourself, you are endangering the lives of every other person on the road, as well as showing complete disregard for everyone who cares about you. I have witnessed this kind of reckless behaviour. I have been that person who has tried to take the keys away from people who were clearly intoxicated. They showed no sign of gratitude at my, or anyone else’s, trying to save their lives. They were far more concerned with the fact that the party was dying and they just didn’t want to be there anymore. Calling a cab was apparently too expensive. It is almost impossible to reason with drunk people; their humanity switch has been turned off. When I was in public school, I remember having Mothers Against Drunk Driving come to speak. We would all file into the gymnasium and take our seats. The mothers’ stories were always heart-breaking; their child was taken from them. Some

Leah Morrow Opinion

of the youth were on their way home from a party and got T-boned at an intersection a block away from home or their friend said that he was OK to drive and then ran into a telephone pole, killing everyone in the vehicle. I remember the students in that gymnasium either bawling their eyes out or trying their hardest not to. Now I am a lot older but I still think back to those assemblies. I think about the mothers of those children standing on stage sharing their stories in hopes that we would learn from their children’s senseless deaths. Death caused by an intoxicated driver is nothing new, but the most recent story of impaired driving that I have heard gave me goosebumps. The man was 29 years old, his victims: three children ages two, five and nine, and their grandfather.

Those children’s lives were stripped from them, an entire family ripped apart. Drinking and driving is not something that should be taken lightly. The selfish actions of one person could cost the lives of several. If that man had stopped for a minute, even a second, to think about what he was doing before he got behind the wheel, their lives would have been spared.

It is almost impossible to reason with drunk people; their humanity switch has been turned off.

Those same assemblies that made me cry also made me more aware of the true dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol. Drunk driving is still very prevalent in our society. Although society has come a long way in changing the culture around impaired driving, I think we still have a long way to go before our roads are completely safe.

SPOKE

IS PUBLISHED AND PRODUCED WEEKLY BY THE JOURNALISM STUDENTS OF CONESTOGA COLLEGE Editor: Paul Boreham Assignment Editors: Leah Morrow, Garrett Burchett Advertising Managers: Sarah Veenstra, Sara Sasila Spoke Online Editors: Kandace Gallant, Joe Weppler, Christel Allison, Matt Linseman

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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, October 19, 2015

SPOKE s Page 5

’Tis the season for awareness BY CHRIS HUSSEY

The first week of November is National Down Syndrome Awareness Week, but many students don’t know this. In a survey of 28 students, only four knew about the campaign, which focuses on creating public awareness for the genetic disorder. Charlie Matjanec, an employment adviser in Accessibility Services at Conestoga College, said even though the Down syndrome population is small at the college, it is still very important to normalize the disorder and spread information about it. “If I can introduce you to Bill or Nancy or Mary and allow them to speak on their behalf … I think that would go a great way to normalize it and bring it into a real environment for all of us,” he said. Even though most of the students surveyed were not aware of the campaign, many of them had ideas for what more could be done to help people affected by Down syndrome. This included increasing awareness, engaging them in society and even using social media to create a conversation online. In fact, this use of social media is already starting to happen. The Waterloo Region

Down Syndrome Society, or WRDSS, launched a social media campaign ahead of the national awareness week. The campaign is known as, “31 days, 31 faces,” and Maryianne Domm, who sits on the board of directors for the society, said it is intended to create a positive message. “We’ve had decades of negative being spread about Down syndrome, but it’s the positive that is really running the campaign,” she said. Domm has personal experience with the disorder too. Her son, Colin, has Down syndrome and she said even though there might be barriers for him in his life, such as driving, she has tried to promote as much independence in his life as possible. “Independence is a huge thing, because that’s what you want for all your children,” she said. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that arises from a chromosome defect. This defect often causes intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities, according to Domm. She added that the most common form of Down syndrome occurs because of an extra copy of chromosome 21, which is known as trisomy-21. Matjanec said for disorders

PHOTO BY CHRIS HUSSEY

Charlie Matjanec, an employment adviser in Accessibility Services at the college, said it is important to normalize Down syndrome because it benefits the community as a whole. like Down syndrome it’s a challenge to change what he referred to as the “us versus them,” mentality. He said he supports the awareness week

and the work that organizations like the WRDSS are doing to spread information about it. “It provides an opportu-

nity for the community to accept and realize the shared responsibility they have to each member of the community,” he said.

Textbooks for change wants your old books BY JASON MOTA

Students who have textbooks they no longer need now have a new, impactful option for getting rid of them. They can donate their books to a social enterprise which helps others both in Canada and around the globe, and takes care of the planet at the same time. Textbooks for Change, or T4C for short, is a social venture that repurposes used textbooks both for local postsecondary students as well as students in sub-Saharan Africa who don’t have adequate access to good educational materials. According to their website, the cause has already donated 52,000 books to African universities, but the people behind it have no plans to do anything but further improve and grow its impact. Textbooks for Change was founded by Chris Janssen, who, in 2012, was a student at the University of Western Ontario. He was trying to come up with an easy way to raise money for the school’s Terry Fox and Shinerama campaigns, when he settled

on collecting used textbooks from former students and selling them to current students. Janssen raised about $500, and decided that his idea deserved further cultivation. When he taught business at a university in Rwanda, it came to his attention how much students lacked proper learning materials – the libraries were sparse and many students would often have to crowd around a single, photocopied textbook. So in January 2014, Textbooks for Change was launched by Janssen and his business partner, Tom Hartford, and it has since grown across Ontario and eastern Africa, affecting thousands. They aim to donate a million textbooks to African universities within five years, and the initiative is continuing to spread across the province like wildfire, gunning to reach Ottawa by the end of next year. Ultimately, they intend to grow across all of North America, and donate to even more countries around the world. Back in April, they installed the first donation drop box

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Tom Hartford (left) and Chris Janssen stand next to a truck filled with 12,000 donated textbooks that were sent to universities that lack quality education in Accra, Ghana in 2014. at Conestoga’s Doon campus, inside the bookstore beside the checkout desk. Brady Burke, the marketing director for Textbooks for Change, said even though they’re currently focusing on growing their North American

presence, and donate specifically to Ethiopia and Kenya at the moment, the impact is clear to see, and plans for the initiative to expand even further will come with its growth. “It’s really a community-

focused initiative, where we send the textbooks to the libraries (in Africa), and students can access and borrow them for the hour or whatever, and then other students can use them too, so it’s really kind of a cool way to let a bunch of students learn rather than just donating them to an individual student,” said Burke. “Students thought it was an awesome opportunity to access textbooks that they previously didn’t really have the same type of access to.” Textbooks for Change also hires campus ambassadors at campuses across Ontario. These ambassadors are typically brought on for a year, during which they run joint fundraisers and textbook drives, as well as spread word about the cause around campus to improve awareness of its existence. They do not yet have an ambassador for Conestoga College, but according to Burke, he would love to bring one on board. For more information about opportunities as an ambassador or about the initiative itself, go to www.textbooksforchange.ca, or email info@ textbooksforchange.ca.


NEWS

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Monday, October 19, 2015

Everyone loves a parade With nearly 150,000 K-W residents standing watch, the 47th annual Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade was a huge hit with young and old.

PHOTOS BY SARAH VEENSTRA

Clockwise from top left: The Burlington Tour Marching Band; an OPP officer drives a tiny cruiser; Afghanistan veterans; the Toronto Tian Guo Marching Band; an Oktoberfest float sponsored by NELCO features a local band; and a young boy in the crowd runs to grab streamers from one of the floats. For video, go online to www.spokeonline.com.


NEWS

Monday, October 19, 2015

SPOKE s Page 7

PHOTO BY JESSICA PETT

PHOTO BY SARAH VEENSTRA

PHOTO BY JESSICA PETT

PHOTO BY SARAH VEENSTRA

PHOTO BY SARAH VEENSTRA

Clockwise from top left: A performer on stilts; a fire-breathing performer poses for the camera; The Horn of Plenty float, sponsored by Sobeys, closed the parade; Kitchener-Waterloo residents wait for the next float; the Race for the Taste float, sponsored by Schneiders Meats; a Kitchener-Waterloo Shriner and his wife smile at onlookers; and a War Amps float.

PHOTO BY SARAH VEENSTRA

PHOTO BY JESSICA PETT


NEWS

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Monday, October 19, 2015

Is organic the best option? BY KANDACE GALLANT

In Canada, there are currently 3,713 certified organic farmers. That’s only 1.5 per cent of farmers in Canada, and only 0.9 per cent in Ontario. Is switching over to organic really important? Being a certified organic farmer takes a lot of hard work. It can take them up to five years to get certified. They have to use, and be picky about, specific veterinary drugs if they have livestock, as well as use different synthetic fertilizers for their soil. Imported fertilizer for non-organic places drive the price down on regular produce and chemicals that are sprayed on the non-organic produce are so strong that the labourers have to wear full hazmat suits in order to do their job safely. Organic food protects you from these harsh chemicals, additives and preservatives and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Angus Crawford and Chelsea Clark, founders of the restaurant Rawlicious in Guelph, said GMOs are potentially harmful to the environment and our bodies. “GMOs are potentially harmful in the long term to our bodies by providing certain nutrients and components in combinations that nature didn’t intend. There are many potential cross-pollination

issues. For various crops this could be disastrous.” They said people should eat organically in order to avoid consuming these harsh pesticides and chemicals, and that organic produce tastes better anyway. “Part of encouraging people, especially the younger ones, to eat more fruits and vegetables is making sure they taste good,” Crawford said. Sarah Marks, a first-year student in pre-health sciences at Conestoga College, said she and her parents buy organic produce, but that it’s costly. “I don’t understand why, for example, a container of organic blueberries is $5, but the non-organic blueberries next to them are $2.” It’s particularly hard for students because they have a tight budget. “Perhaps it’s the labour component in organic farming that makes up the difference,” said Crawford. “The farms that grow non-organic produce are much larger and have more advanced mechanical systems which might cut down cost. On organic farms, instead of spraying plants with chemicals to ward off bugs, farmers hand pick them off or hand dust them off with flour, as we’ve seen done at the farm we buy our produce from.” “Another reason people should eat organically is to

ensure that the produce they eat is of quality and has the right genetic make,” said Crawford. “Altered produce has not yet been studied, and surely it can’t be as good for us as the original product.” Marks said she tries her best to purchase top quality ingredients and that she appreciates the work the farmers put into it. “I love that I have the option of buying organic ingredients. It makes me feel better about myself, and I think it will end up helping me in the long run.” Rawlicious has 10 locations across Ontario, including Toronto, Guelph, Hamilton, Newmarket, Barrie, Kitchener, Burlington, Markham and Whitby. They use all organic ingredients and serve raw vegan food. Taylor Horner, also a firstyear student in pre-health sciences, said her family likes to eat organically whenever they can because of things that they’ve learned about GMOs. “I don’t like to think about genetically modified foods,” Horner said. “If farms stopped using that and produced their fruits and vegetables like what was originally intended, the world would still be fed.” Organic food cannot be grown in every environment and soil. A lot of organic produce that is imported into Canada is from warmer cli-

PHOTO BY KANDACE GALLANT

Goodness Me, an organic superstore in Guelph, sells all kinds of organic food and offers classes based on being healthy and choosing proper foods. mates in the U.S. and Africa. The Canadian environment is more difficult to rely on for produce because of its never-ending changing weather. Twenty-nine per cent of the world’s organic land is in Europe. Spain, Italy and Germany each have over a million hectares of dedicated organically grown lands. Horner said she wishes that Conestoga College had organic food to offer. “Even

if we just sold organic apples or oranges, I think people would appreciate that. I’m sure there’s organic local farms that the school could get supplies from. I just don’t think people realize that the food they are eating isn’t good for them. GMOs and non-organic food needs to be talked about more. Organic produce is important and I don’t know if people will ever realize that.”

There’s ways to avoid pain in your back BY JESSICA HAMMER

Thousands of students walk the school’s hallways carrying everything but the kitchen sink on their backs. No wonder they complain of back pain. Their backpacks are stuffed full of textbooks, binders and even a laptop, causing neck problems. Michael Eltervoog, a parttime chiropractor at Conestoga, said when students have their backpacks loaded down their neck, head, lower and upper back and shoulders are overworked. “You start leaning forward and the more the posture comes forward the more muscular activity you need to use to fight gravity,” Eltervoog said. The ideal backpacks, he said, were ones with shoulder padding and separate compartments. Laptops should be in their own compartment so they don’t slide around in the backpack. He also said backpacks should be worn the correct way,

using both straps and not hanging off one shoulder. Another bag he said was good to use was one with wheels. “I don’t wear backpacks anymore, primarily because it hurt too much,” said Chloe Skowron, a second-year graphic design student. “I use my little tote bag and then carry the big things because it was just too much strain Eltervoog said students should pack their backpacks with the heaviest things, like a laptop, against their back so it keeps the students back more balanced when they do have to carry a lot. To help with neck or back pain, students could try doing a couple of stretches. If working at the computer, taking a five-minute break every half hour or so could also prevent the neck and shoulders from straining. Some people are nervous going to a chiropractor because of the media’s depiction of getting a chiropractic adjustment. In movies, when a character is at the chiroprac-

tor, the positions the patients are in look uncomfortable and the cracking noise that they make sounds terrifying to some people. “The cracking sound is from the fluid in the joints, it’s not the bones rubbing together. There is a pressure change in the joint and gas bubbles form and collapse giving that popping sound,” said Eltervoog. Eltervoog uses the traditional chiropractic methods, but there is another method where an activator is used. An activator looks similar in shape to a needle but with a rubber nub at the end and it is used to press on certain spots on the body, delivering a gentle, low-force impulse. Students who never have been to a chiropractor before can try out ones who use different methods to find the right practitioner. By practising proper posture, lifting heavy items carefully and being careful not to strain your back, you can prevent back pain and all the problems that come with it.

PHOTO BY JESSICA HAMMER

Michael Eltervoog, a part-time chiropractor at the college, demonstrates what happens to your neck when you lean forward too much due to wearing a heavy backpack.


NEWS

Monday, October 19, 2015

The Intern fails to wow

BY MICHELLE MAISONVILLE

The Intern is a feel good movie with some great laughs, despite ending abruptly, leaving the audience without closure. The movie features Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. De Niro plays Ben Whittaker, a retired widower, who feels a void in his life without the love of his life or a job. When he sees an advertisement seeking senior interns at About the Fit, an online clothing store, it’s almost like it’s meant to be. Whittaker is hired along with three other interns, each being assigned to work for a department or a person. Whittaker is assigned to work for Jules Ostin, founder of About the Fit. To say Ostin is skeptical of the 70-year-old intern would be an understatement. Ostin is a stressed, very frazzled, sleep-deprived businesswoman, riding her bike through the office to save time, scheduling meetings down to the minute and staying at the office late into the night. On top of that Ostin also has a young daughter and a husband who stays at home to raise their daughter, Paige.

Movie Review

Whittaker and Ostin become best friends, a refreshing change from the usual boy meets girl and falls in love movies that dominate the screens. Ostin’s husband, Matt, is played by Anders Holm, known for his roles in movies like The Interview and Neighbors, The role is a bad fit for Holm. He seems very awkward and out of place the entire movie. His character Matt also has little chemistry with his onscreen wife, Jules, and daughter, Paige. Ostin and Whittaker’s close relationship and chemistry is what holds the movie together. You can see their relationship grow as Ostin stops looking at Whittaker as just a senior trying to stay busy while in retirement and starts looking at him as a serious asset to her compa-

ny. The two become closer as the movie goes on and Whittaker even becomes close with Paige. The first half of the movie is full of laughs but the second half takes a serious turn when Ostin has some important decisions she needs to make. Whittaker helps her through these with his grandfatherly advice. The movie is ruined because of how drawn out it is. It is a relatively simple plot that should have been done in an hour and a half but instead, was drawn out to two hours. With this amount of screen time you’d think they would at least make a good ending, but the movie ends with Ostin rushing to find Whittaker, who took the day off work, to tell him she changed her mind about a big decision she was struggling to make. The movie ends before she tells him and we are left with assumptions and guesses on how the story ends. The Intern is not a mustsee movie, but it’s nice for passing time and giving you a few good laughs on a rainy afternoon. I give it three out of five stars.

Cat running for political office BY JOSHUA VAN OSTRAND

For the first time ever, the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society has endorsed a political candidate looking to get his paws in parliament. The local humane society endorsed Earl Grey, a Halifax cat and the current leader of the Tuxedo Party of Canada Cat Welfare Society. While not really running for office, it is hoped the cat’s campaign raises awareness for animal rights issues in Canada. That’s something that’s important to the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society. “The platform is that there are two key issues: strengthening Canada’s laws that are outdated to animal cruelty and establishing an accessible spay and neuter initiative across the country,” said Heidi Christensen, who oversees marketing and promotions for the humane society. “What we’re looking for is affordable spay and neuter programs.” According to a video produced by the party, animal cruelty laws haven’t changed in Canada since 1892. The group is looking to change that and they may have the support they need to make animal rights laws stronger

PHOTO BY HUGH CHRISHOLM

Earl Grey, a cat, is a Tuxedo Party of Canada candidate. in Canada’s federal law. All around Waterloo Region, political signs for Earl Grey have been popping up on lawns with the campaign’s slogan, “Who will stand on guard for me?” The signs are available from the humane society as part of the campaign. Money from the sales goes to spaying and neutering stray animals to control overpopulation in Halifax, Earl Grey’s hometown. “I have animals myself. Seeing some of the things that other people do (to animals) and that other people deem right seems very unfair,” said Meagan McDougall, an accounting student at Conestoga College. In addition to signs, the campaign is running a contest

to vote for Earl Grey’s cabinet. Cat owners are asked to upload images of their cats as candidates and to donate in order to vote for their favourites. The contest’s goal is to raise $25,000 in donations for improving animal welfare in Canada. This is the third foray into government that the Tuxedo Party has made. In 2012, Earl Grey’s littermate, Tuxedo Stan, ran for mayor of Halifax. After unsuccessfully running for mayor, the city council voted unanimously to donate money to the SPCA for upgrades to surgery rooms for a low-cost spay and neuter program. After Tuxedo Sam passed away, Earl Grey took up the mantle as candidate and ran for premier of Nova Scotia. He lost by a landslide but the province’s animals still struck a decisive victory when the provincial government passed a revised version of the Nova Scotia Animal Protection Act. Now that Earl Grey is running for parliament, he hopes to see federal change in animal cruelty laws similar to the laws in Nova Scotia: stronger policies against animal abuse, a higher importance on spay and neuter programs and equal rights for both pets and stray animals.

SPOKE s Page 9

INTERNET PHOTO

Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway star in The Intern. Ben Whittaker, a retired widower played by De Niro, tries to fill the hole in his life with a senior internship at About the Fit, an online clothing store run by Jules Ostin, played by Hathaway. The Intern opened Sept. 25.

FALL WEATHER BRINGING THE RAIN

PHOTO BY JENNA BRAUN

Autumn on campus is beautiful, with the fall foliage painting a colourful kaleidoscope. Unfortunately, this week is going to be wet with lower than normal temperatures.


FUN & GAMES

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Monday, October 19, 2015

Useless Facts

Oh Cliff!

Horoscope Week of October 19, 2015

Aries

March 21 April 19 Your passions may cloud your judgment in a dispute. Don’t be quickly angered by a friend’s abstract point of view. Your loyalty is easily recognized.

Taurus April 20 May 20

A friend will open up to you soon. Find the chance to teach something practical to someone. Your patience is appreciated.

Gemini May 21 June 21

Your actions may be motivational to others, so keep your common tendencies. It would be good to find an opportunity to spark your imagination.

Cancer June 22 July 22

Express your ideas to those around you, it could end a dispute. Find peace with a full night’s rest.

Leo

July 23 August 22 Analyze a situation with a sensitive nature. The time has come to open up to someone new. Be confident in your ideas.

Virgo

August 23 September 22 You’ve been waiting to express your true opinions. Find someone new to chat with. Don’t become impatient with new acquaintances.

Despite the white, fluffy appearance of polar bears’ fur, they actually have black skin.

Libra

Non-dairy creamer is flammable.

September 23 October 22

It takes 3,000 cows to supply the NFL with enough leather for a year’s supply of footballs.

Don’t resort to extreme measures when the going gets tough. Trust your instincts and keep looking forward.

In Bangladesh, kids as young as 15 can be jailed for cheating on their finals.

Scorpio

No one really knows when doughnuts were invented or who invented them.

October 23 November 21 Don’t bite off more than you can chew in a dispute. Keep a strong head and assess the challenges ahead.

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.

Balance your workload. Do not strive for quick results. Assess all situations and reach for your potential.

Capricorn December 22 January 19

Take constructive criticisms in stride. It’s time to get back on track. Now is not the time to bury yourself with other’s problems.

Aquarius January 20 February 18

Don’t let procrastination affect you. Keep up with your workload and you will be rewarded.

Pisces

February 19 March 20 Your honesty enlightens those around you. Don’t be afraid to express the thoughts others didn’t think you had.

Go forth and make all these things happen. It is written in the stars.

Word Search


NEWS

Monday, October 19, 2015

SPOKE s Page 11

Conestoga intramural ball hockey teams face off BY MIKE STROMME

On a cold, wet and rainy Thursday night, Conestoga College’s rec centre played host to a slice of Canadiana as ball hockey enthusiasts gathered for a second week of the school’s intramural ball hockey league. Two nets and a collection of benches turned on their sides served as a make-shift arena for the Thursday night triple-header of ball hockey. The spirited and competitive games were all in the name of fun. The night started with a tilt between The Givers and The Individuals. The Givers defeated a short-handed Individuals team decisively, 12-3. Game 2 featured the Tyson Ducks and the Free Agents. The Free Agents are a team of just that, free agents. Anybody who signed up to play, but didn’t have a team, were placed on this team. Despite not entering the league as a cohesive unit, The Free Agents edged out the Tyson Ducks 10-7 in a close game that came down to the final minutes. Game 3 was a contest between the Ball Slapperz and the Dekes of Hazard. Both teams battled hard, giving it their all, but the Ball Slapperz dominated the Dekes of Hazard 15-4. Jacob Vettor, a first-year international business man-

agement student from The Dekes of Hazard, was proud of the effort his team put forth in the loss. “We all went out there and gave it our best, just tried to give 110 per cent. We just came out on the short-end of the stick. It happens.” Each game was lively and energetic, but light-hearted in nature. Any time a player would make a costly turnover, give up a soft goal or make any sort of on-court mistake, both teams would laugh it off. There have only been two penalties called all season, both of which were accidental tripping calls that where nowhere near malicious or intentional. A tripping penalty results in the guilty player either sitting off for roughly three minutes, or a penalty shot is awarded to the opposing team. Each situation is dictated by how much time is remaining in the game. Torri Pudifin, a secondyear woodworking student, is the league’s convener. She said each of the six teams in the league are pretty evenly matched. “The teams have been pretty even so far,” said Pudifin. “But, I would have to give the edge to the Tyson Ducks. They’ve been pretty good so far.” The Tyson Ducks’ loss to the Free Agents speaks to the par-

PHOTO BY MIKE STROMME

Members of the Dekes of Hazard, from left, Lucas Squire, a first-year international business management student, Brad Kiers, first-year general business, and Jacob Vettor, Ben Ratz and Bohan Zhang, all first-year international business management students, get together for a post-game team photo at the Conestoga College rec centre on Oct. 8. ity of the league. Any team can win any given Thursday night. An even playing field leads to fun and competitive games.

Move over Blue Jays

Pudifin also convenes the school’s intramural ice hockey league. She referees in that league on occasion as

well. Ice hockey is held at Kitchener’s Activa Sportsplex every Wednesday night. The first puck-drop is at 10 p.m.

CONESTOGA IN ACTION MEETS

Condor women’s softball team makes Conestoga history

BY GARRETT BURCHETT

The Conestoga Condor’s women’s softball team made school history this weekend, participating in this year’s Canadian Collegiate Softball Association (CCSA) National Championships at Durham College for the first time. The event features only eight teams out of more than 25 universities and college teams across Canada, with the teams being chosen based on the previous year’s play. Conestoga earned a spot thanks to their second place finish at last year’s Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) provincial championships. They joined teams from St. Clair College, Durham College, Western University, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina and the University of Calgary. The Condors’ first game was

on Oct. 9, a matchup against last year’s bronze medal winners from the University of Regina. The Condors lost a close game 3-2. Pitcher Jessica Turnbull was named Conestoga’s player of the game after striking out nine batters in 6.2 innings, while also finishing the game 1-4 with a RBI and a run. Conestoga’s second game also saw them matched up with a team from out west, the University of Saskatchewan. Brittany Bell, who plays second base, won player of the game for Conestoga in a 7-0 loss, going 1-2. Conestoga’s last round robin game took place on Oct. 10, with a matchup against a local team from Wilfrid Laurier University. The Condors played another close game, but ultimately lost 3-2. Nicky Kressler, who plays third base, went 2-3 with an RBI and was named player of the game.

Conestoga finished the tournament in 8th place after losing their final game to Durham College 7-0. Bell earned her second player of the game award of the tournament with another 1-2 performance. Bell led the Condors with four hits in 10 at bats during the tournament, including two doubles, while also scoring two runs. Turnbull pitched in two games for the Condors, striking out 10 over 11.2 innings, while also adding two hits, one a triple, two RBIs and scoring two runs. St. Clair College won gold, defeating the Western Mustangs 2-1 in the finals. Western was trying to win its third straight gold medal at the national championships. The team returns to Durham College for the OCAA Provincial Championships starting Oct. 23.

PHOTO BY MATT LINSEMAN

Chris Hussey, (right) president of the Conestoga In Action Club, and Thomas Hemingway, vice-president, hosted the club’s first meeting on Oct. 8. The club aims to take action on campus and in the community through positive change. For video story, visit www.spokeonline.com.


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SPORTS

Monday, October 19, 2015

Soccer team frustrated by season Lack of wins since 2012 blamed on style of play BY ETHAN KOMPF

PHOTO BY ETHAN KOMPF

A Conestoga Condors player heads the ball after receiving a pass in a game against the Lambton Lions on Oct. 19.

The cold, overcast fall day matched the spirits of Conestoga’s men’s outdoor soccer team on Oct. 9, after a close 1-0 loss to the Lambton Lions. The first half began uneventfully, with play taking place equally in both teams’ ends. With seconds left in the half, Lambton’s Richael O’Neill launched a header which nearly went in. The second half saw the Condors’ play improve. Most of the play took place in Lambton’s end. Early in the half Conestoga’s Josh Demming narrowly missed scoring a goal with a header, but Lambton’s goalie managed to keep the ball out of the net, deflecting it with the tips of his fingers. A few minutes later, the Lions scored a goal off of a free kick assist to Garth Denys. Conestoga continued to have chances throughout the second, but each time they were on a roll they lost their momentum to strong Lambton breakouts or free kicks awarded to the Lions. Two Lambton players were injured and limped off the field in the half. “(Our team) worked hard and played well today, but it was just one of those days where we couldn’t buy a goal,” said Condors assistant coach Andy Pownall. “If they do exactly what they did today the next game, I’m confident that we would win the game.” Some of the players feel differently about their experi-

ence, however, and are voicing discontent. Conestoga’s record this season is 0-6-1. Despite many close games, they have not won a regular season game since 2012. Many players on the team play higher tiers of soccer and have received individual awards for their play. “Having a three-year losing streak is outrageous,” said Matthew Davidson, a right defenceman for Conestoga. “It seems like we’re doing something wrong because we can’t pick up wins ... We’re practising three, four, five times a week. Maybe we’re practising the wrong things or taking the wrong approach ... The style needs to change. If a coach doesn’t know that ... then maybe it’s a bigger issue. According to Davidson, the players and the coach have a difference of opinion. He said there’s been some argument about whether they should possess the ball or play a kick-and-chase style. Some of their worst games were played with the latter style and the ones where they possessed were closer. The coach prefers a defensive strategy, which works for indoor soccer, Davidson said, but it doesn’t work for outdoor. There was no focus on attacking until a week ago – eight weeks into the season. “We all have the ultimate goal of trying to get that first win,” said Davidson. “(We’re) trying to represent our school positively, because we haven’t done that for three years.”

PHOTO BY ETHAN KOMPF

Conestoga’s Brynn Sneek attempts a sliding tackle against a Lambton player during their game on Oct. 19.


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