The Crusader News - June 2024 - Vol 77 Issue 4

Crusader News

Official Student Newspaper of St. Paul’s High School

Father Boutilier Bids

Farewell to St. Paul’s

Father Michel Boutilier has been a fixture of the St. Paul’s community for over 40 years, endowing wisdom, spirituality, and JUGs upon generations of students.

Throughout his three placements at St. Paul’s, he is one of the longest serving Jesuits at the school, joining the ranks of Fathers Murray and Monaghan. Unfortunately for St. Paul’s, the 202324 school year was his last, as he departs towards new opportunities with the Society of Jesus.

Continued on page 8.

Lando Norris Breaks

Drought

Rodmehr Filizadeh ’25

New Student Council

Maksim Thomas ’25

This year’s student council election saw four teams vying for the reigns of the student council. The win ultimately went to Team BIG MAC composed of President-elect Mark Nasheed and VP-elect Israel “Issy” Samuel, who made it through two rounds of voting with a combined total of 358 votes cast in their favour. They earned the highest number of votes in round one and defeated team PEAK in the runoff, off the back of a strong performance among grade nines and tens.

Continued on page 6.

There are few Formula 1 drivers as globally popular as McLaren’s star driver Lando Norris. An infectious personality of humour, great wit off the track, and killer racing instincts. He burst onto the F1 scene in 2019. with a successful maiden season, finishing eleventh on the twenty-driver grid and matching up well against his more experienced teammate Carlos Sainz.

Continued on page 4.

Protests in Georgia

Alden Minuk ’26

A recent Georgian law has caused numerous protesters to take to the street, attracting the attention of the West. The bill states that any media or non-government organization that receives more than 20% of its funding from abroad must register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power.” It resembles other bills that have been used in Russia to clamp down on political enemies of the Kremlin. The proposal was met with outrage in Georgia, with thousands protesting and skirmishing with riot police in the streets while chanting, “No to Russian law!”

Continued on page 2.

25 Years of Service

Ms. Higginson celebrates 25 years at Saint Paul’s High School.

Landon Pinette ’26 writes on page 8.

Sean Ehmann ’24

In recent months, the St. Paul’s debate prodigy has captured the national overall speech title, competed at the 2024 World Championships in Canberra, Australia, and has spurred an indisputable “debate rennaissance” within the halls of St. Paul’s High School.

Continued on page 7.

Isaac Lavitt ’25

Georgians Rebel Against ‘Russian’ Law

Alden Minuk ’26

Copy Editor

Continued from page 1.

Even the members of parliament who opposed the bill began fighting within the chamber, many of whom were locked out during the initial vote.

The next step for the bill is to be sent to the president, who has said she will veto it. However, this veto can and probably will be overruled with another vote. Even outside of Georgia, the bill has caused outrage being deemed incompatible with the EU’s guidelines for joining— a goal that Georgia has long strived for. Last year, the country was accepted

as a candidate, but if the bill passes it is unlikely they will be allowed to join. The US has also warned that the over $390 million USD allocated to Georgia would be put under review if the US and its investments are affected.

Georgia finds itself in a very similar spot to Ukraine, where it is sandwiched between the West and Russia. 80% of Georgians want to join the EU but the country struggles to escape Russia’s strong pull. The party who drafted the bill – Georgian Dream – has tried to justify it by arguing that it is in the interest of transparency and national sovereignty. However, with backlash from both protesters and other countries and the fact that foreign media influence is a non-issue in Georgia, it seems pointless to continue pushing the bill. If the bill was in everyone’s interests, they likely would have scrapped it at the first sign of widespread disapproval. The fact that they continue to push the

bill suggests that there is an ulterior motive, like attempting to subvert the upcoming election and cement Georgia’s leadership as the country’s ruling power, which weakens Georgia’s already fragile status as a democracy. Many Georgians still remember the 2008 Russian invasion, where Russia annexed about 20% of their internationally recognized ter-

ritory. This new law reinforces the fear that the new bill would be the start of the beginning of the end of civil society in the country. Regardless of whether the bill is supposed to be in the interest of transparency or something more sinister, if it passes it could mark the start a dark age for the Georgian people.

Opinion: How Japan has Become Corporatist, One-Party State

James Bailey ’26

Contibutor

Japanese politics are often overlooked by the West. This makes sense, as people assume Japan’s politics have next to no bearing on our lives. However, Japanese politics are a very interesting topic for a multitude of reasons, not least of which is that Japan has been run as a de-facto one party state for most of its existence after the Second World War.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been in power almost steadily since the 1950s, with only two short interruptions. Whenever the LDP’s popularity begins to stagger, they will lose an election by a narrow margin, only to regain power the following term, commonly referred to as the 1955 system.

A change in government in Japan is very difficult, as the people must rely mainly on media for their information. Both the LDP and the media have taken substantial amounts of money from corporate donors. The Japanese opposition parties in May 2024 made a proposal to ban corporate donations, which the LDP rejected, ostensibly because that’s how

they stay in power. The media, too, has taken tons of donations from the LDP and corporations, and while most media branches keep their donors anonymous, many corporations and politicians themselves have admitted to this. This political stagnation has led to apathy within the Japanese public with only 20% of Japanese youth believing that political activity is worthwhile. This is a key factor in making a change in government extremely difficult.

Campaign laws also hinder political change. Japanese politicians are also not allowed to go door knocking, and their campaigns are strictly regulated, barring large rallies and other events. Instead, they can only campaign by the sides of busy roads,

with their speeches prohibited from exceeding 45 minutes by law. This makes it much harder for smaller political parties to advertise their campaigns, helping the larger parties, particularly the LDP.

Furthermore, the LDP’s name is the pinnacle of irony. It’s not liberal at all, in the Western sense, being primarily conservative and in some cases even nationalist. It is also not at all democratic, with their prioritizing of the needs of megacorporation’s over the needs of the common people. Real “democracy” in Japan falls inside the LDP itself. The LDP is far from being a single ‘party’. Rather, it is a party of parties. This is due to the party being mostly split into several factions, each of which have

a rivalry. This leads to more people supporting the LDP at large, while backing their own faction. This factional system prevents voters from leaking to other parties. This allows for a dominant-party democracy, led by the LDP, making it nearly impossible for any other political party to win an election.

This is often not how an outsider thinks when it comes to Japanese politics. In fact, the uninformed might believe that Japan is similar to any other Western democracy. For anyone who may be interested on the subject of politics, Japan’s modern government system is certainly an interesting rabbit hole to go down.

In Support of Car Shares

Hudson ’24 Science and Tech Editor

Motor vehicles are a terrible asset. On average, their value depreciates by a 10% instantly upon being purchased, and by 60% after only five years. They are one of the most expensive belonging to upkeep with fuel, insurance, maintenance, and, oftentimes, the necessity of paying off the initial price with interest over time. For their price, vehicles also spend a lot of time unused. Between driving to work and potentially engaging in one or two activities each day, most people’s cars sit around for at least 22 hours each day—more than 90% of the time.

Nonetheless, people still need cars, at least for the time being. Winnipeg was designed with cars in mind. Even though bike lanes continue to be built, suburban sprawl makes them difficult to use effectively.

Some people are unable to use public transportation options, and cars still have their uses in hauling and moving long distances quickly. The solution for many is car share services.

advance and having multiple users book out for the same car to be used for roundtrips, or by having users spontaneously access vehicles and leave them wherever inside a usage zone (or at particular checkpoints).

Carshares are exactly what they sound like: they allow multiple people to share a vehicle, splitting the cost of ownership and all reaping the same benefits. Most work either by having users book the vehicle for a designated period in

Not only are they remarkably inexpensive for users, but they also give people access to vehicles which they may only need very rarely, such as a work van or truck for moving goods.

In Winnipeg, the largest carshare program is Peg City Car Co-op. It is run by its members, meaning its rates are fair and its service is well-maintained. Over the past thirteen years, it expanded quickly and continues to grow to meet new demands. Having begun with just five volunteers and three cars, it has blossomed into a car sharing community with 130 vehicles and over 3000 members.

It is worth considering alternative modes of transportation as getting around remains one of the most needlessly expensive necessities in our car-dependent city. Cycling and taking the bus are decent alternatives to driving, but sometimes cars are still needed for almost everybody. This is why carshares exist.

The Types of Computer Malware and How to Stay Safe

Contributor

Online safety is not taken seriously enough in the modern world. Every day, around 560 000 computers are infected by one of billions of malware programs. With so many people falling prey to these cyber-attacks, how can we fight this malware and protect our digital life?

Educating ourselves on malware helps us spot typical attack paths and avoid interacting with attackers in the first place. There are many types of malwares which pose a threat to electronic devices.

The five most common types of malwares are viruses, ransomware, phishing attacks, trojans, and spyware. Viruses are the most common form, spreading through self-replication. Once installed, they infect other devices on the same network. Viruses often need user interaction to deploy successfully but run wild after deployment.

Ransomware, as the name implies,

is used to hold information hostage, allowing cybercriminals to demand ransom. This is commonly done by encrypting all the victim’s data and putting it behind a paywall. Companies all over the world suffer from ransomware attacks and are forced to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to get their information back.

Phishing uses deception in the form of a normal link or message link, re-

questing you to sign into an account such as Amazon or Google, recreating the sign-in page that would normally be on the original website. This allows the deployment of malicious software onto the user’s computer.

Trojans, just like phishing, disguise themselves as trustworthy applications, such as an antivirus program, to trick users into downloading it. It is usually a downloaded form of

malware taken off the internet or installed by other malicious programs.

Spyware is a type of malware that spies on a user’s computer activity. This includes keystrokes, capturing screenshots, web browsing activity, and record audio and/or video. Spyware is installed on the victim’s computer without their knowledge. It can steal sensitive information, such as user passwords, credit card numbers and other data.

As cybercriminals continue to find loopholes and vulnerabilities in all systems, we must remain vigilant to threats.

You can prevent the infection of your own devices by keeping your systems up to date and educating yourself on the different ways which cybercriminals infiltrate devices. The systems we use are constantly being updated to fix bugs which certain viruses abuse. By keeping our systems up to date, we can keep ahead of most malware.

As technology continues to become embedded into our daily lives, its ever more important that we stay updated on how to combat threats to our digital lives.

Manit Sethi ’26

Jalen Ngonda: The Future of Soul

Castiel Haripersad ’25

Copy Editor

Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Nina Simone, and Marvin Gaye –what do they all have in common? They were all transformative Soul artists of their era who served as inspiration to a young Jalen Ngonda, a singer-songwriter trying to bring Soul music to a new generation and revive interest in the genre.

Soul music is a subgenre of R&B (Rhythm and Blues) with a bit more orchestration. It is usually regarded as a type of blues music due to its origins in African American Gospel music. During his time in Washington DC, Jalen Ngonda grew up listening to 60s Soul classics like Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and Mary Wells, who later heavily influenced his music.

Currently based in Liverpool, Jalen Ngonda has been making waves in the Soul community. Bringing interest to both old and new listeners, Ngonda is becoming one of the many new artists who are introducing Soul to a whole new audience. Jalen began his career by creating videos that highlighted his musical talent. He was later signed by Daptone Records, a record label that represents a whole host of Soul revivalists. This year, Daptone released Jalen’s debut album, Come

Around and Love Me. The album is reminiscent of Marvin Gaye’s wispy tone, featuring brief orchestral pieces like those of Otis Redding and The Temptations.

While Jalen’s album has received praise, one common criticism is that it closely resembles its source material and contributes nothing new to the genre of Soul. This may be true, but unlike many other genres, Soul artists very often revisit previously written songs by other artists.

Winless No More: F1’s Lando Norris

Rodmehr Filizadeh ’25

Business Editor

Continued from page 1.

Norris acclimated well to the rigour of F1 and secured his first podium in 2020 at the Austrian Grand Prix, finishing third to become the third youngest podium-finisher in F1 history. Though laden with talent and admittedly quite successful at the F1 level, one accolade had still trumped Norris as he headed into the 2024 F1 season – a win.

Norris had already secured his first podium of the season when the Miami Grand Prix rolled around after finishing third at the Australian Grand Prix. Norris’ weekend got off to a rocky start. After finishing ninth in qualifying for the sprint race, Norris was forced to retire after a three-car collision at turn 1 on the opening lap. However, Norris regained form when qualifying for the race, finishing fourth – one position higher than his Maclaren teammate,

Oscar Piastri. The race began fairly uneventfully – Red Bull’s Sergio Perez made a bold move in turn one on the opening lap and narrowly avoided contact with the front of the field. The race continued until the first pit-stop window. The frontrunners came in for their initial pitstops, a crew which included Norris’ teammate, Piastri. Norris, who was yet to pit, assumed control of

Soul music evokes an unpolished emotional sound, mainly because artists often sing about love. In an interview with NPR’s Scott Simon, Jalen said, “Not all of us have money and riches, and not all of us have significant problems, but we all have love, and I think that’s why it’s so easy to write a love song. “Soul music often speaks about love in a timeless sense, making the listeners resonate with the sound.

Come Around and Love Me received high praise from audiences all over the world for bringing Soul to the forefront with its catchy rhythm and universal themes. Jalen is currently on his World Tour, performing in the US, Canada, and various cities across Europe, including Glasgow, London, Rotterdam, and Paris.

Come Around and Love Me only seems to mark the beginning of Jalen’s journey. With several other remarkable tracks and singles behind him, his future is promising as a Soul revivalist.

takes Crown

crews to take care of the debris on the track. All cars clump together, meaning that if a vehicle pits during this period, they can essentially lose no time due to the fact that the rest of the grid is travelling slower and because the grid must bunch up before the race resumes. Norris took this time to pit, putting on new tires. He regained the lead after the pit stop, followed by Red Bull’s Max

the race. On lap 28, a collision took place between Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and William’s Logan Sargeant, which caused a ‘safety car’. During this period, a pace car comes onto the track and all cars must follow behind at a low speed to allow

Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, forming the top 3 heading into the restart. On lap 32, the safety car came to the pits and the race resumed. Norris was forced to defend valiantly against the pressure from three-time champion Max Verstap-

pen. Norris would maintain the lead to cross the finish line first, winning the Miami Grand Prix for his maiden win in Formula 1!

Norris’ first win came after 110 starts in F1. Over those 110 races, Norris had amassed 15 podium finishes. Norris’ 15 podiums tied the record for most podiums in F1 before securing a first win – a record he shares with four other drivers including two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen. Fans had even dubbed him “Lando No Wins”. This makes Norris’ win a landmark achievement –joining an elite group of individuals who have reached the top step of Formula 1’s prestigious podium. It comes at a unique time in F1, with Red Bull and Max Verstappen looking dominant once again. Norris, along with former teammate, Carlos Sainz, are the only two drivers other than Verstappen to have won a race this season. Of the first seven races of the season, Verstappen has won five. Nevertheless, Norris’ first win is an achievement that has long been incubating and will undoubtedly be cherished by the young Brit for the rest of his career.

The Oakland UN-Athletics

Luke Perrett ’24 Sports Editor

The Oakland Athletics have historically been known for their nine world-series titles, the book and film Moneyball, the strange elephant on their jerseys, and their stadium: the decrepit Oakland Coliseum. The end of the 2023 season brought with it news that the A’s would be moving to Las Vegas, sparking outrage from fans upon ownership.

Recently, it has been announced that while their new home is being built, the team will play out of a minor league baseball stadium in West Sacramento called Sutter Health Park, home to the San Fransisco Giants AAA affiliate River Cats. If that is not embarrassing enough, the stadiums capacity is 10 624, and the As are only averaging 6 000 fans per game, so fitting everyone in shouldn’t be an issue.

Players have also voiced concern over the move, with outfielders Esteury Ruiz and Brent Rooker feeling the consequences of speaking out. After starting the season with a .429 batting average, Ruiz was sent down to the minor leagues for two weeks in April, a very questionable move by management. Why did this happen, you may ask? Many speculate it

are feeling the same way but are too nervous to speak out in fear of being demoted.

Despite the news surrounding relocation, the team has managed to put forth a strong effort at the start of the season, currently 20-30 in the AL West, only 7.5 games behind the leading Seattle Mariners.

was because he was wearing a bracelet produced by “Last Dive Bar”, a local fan group that organizes protests outside of the coliseum. Similarly, star Brent Rooker was benched for games near the start of season, as he could be found wearing the same accessories as his teammate. This leads fans to wonder if other players

Lucky for the Athletics, the AL West is one of the weakest divisions in the league this season, which may give them a sliver of hope. To make the playoffs, the Athletics need a significant turnaround. They must win roughly 68 of their remaining 112 games to reach 88 wins, which is typically enough for a Wild Card

The PWHL’s Opening Season Entertains

spot. This means they need a winning percentage of approximately 60.7% for the rest of the season, a big jump from their current 40% pace. To do so, key players like pitcher Ross Stripling will need to step up.

Although the season has been subpar, certain players have stood out. Brent Rooker leads the team in home runs (11) and OPS (.944). Shea Langeliers has also had strong performances with 10 home runs and a .787 OPS. Pitcher JP Sears has also had a decent season, with a 3-3 record, 4.31 ERA, and 39 strikeouts. With those three players on oneyear deals, it will be interesting to see if the A’s will move them at the deadline for picks and prospects.

This season will most likely end in disappointment and angry fans, as ownership is full force ahead with the relocation. For the sake of the fans, every baseball fan can only hope that the A’s can play above 0.500 in their final season in Oakland and secure a win in front of the fans at the final game in the historic coliseum.

Luke Perrett ’24

Sports Editor

For a league that was behind schedule, didn’t begin games until January, and doesn’t have any team names or logos, you would think that it would be a disaster waiting to happen. However, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) defied all odds in their inaugural season. To start things off, the 6 teams (Minnesota, Boston, New York, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto) were revealed on August 29, 2023. Before the inaugural draft, each team could protect 3 players. Notable names included Sarah Nurse for Toronto, and Marie-Philip Poulin for Montreal. For the entry draft, Minnesota was awarded the first overall selection, which they used to draft Minnesota Golden Gopher Taylor Heise.

The season saw Toronto finish first by a margin of six points, led by star Natalie Spooner. Close behind them with 41 points was Montreal, and then Boston and Minnesota with 35 respectively. The league introduced

a playoff format similar to the SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League), where the highest seeded team gets to select their opponent for the first round. Playing by the numbers, Toronto chose Minnesota, creating a Montreal – Boston rivalry series. #3 seeded Boston took quick care of Montreal in a surprise

Minnesota, who were neck and neck in the final league standings. Boston narrowly edged out Minnesota in game one with a 4-3 victory, but Minnesota won their next two in a row to push Boston to the brink of elimination. Game four can only be described as a goaltender’s game. There were a total of 66 shots on

3-0 sweep, whereas the Toronto –Minnesota series was completely different. Toronto would go up 2-0 in the first round, but Minnesota would win three straight games, including two shutouts from goaltender Maddie Rooney.

This set up the final series to be a #3 vs #4 matchup up of Boston and

goal in this double-OT game. With only a few minutes left in the 2nd overtime, Taylor Heise broke into the zone for a 2 on 1, where she appeared to slip into Boston goalie Aerin Frankel. The puck broke loose and Boston’s Sophie Jaques found the back of the net. Minnesota had won… or so they thought. Watching in horror with their hel-

mets off and stick on the ice, they learned the goal was called back. No more than a few minutes later, Alina Muller sniped one to keep Boston’s hopes alive.

Game five sold out within 10 minutes of game 4 finishing, which makes sense for the most important women’s hockey game of all time up until this moment. The first period was quite even, but in the second Minnesota stepped on the gas, outshooting Boston 16-7, including the eventual game winner from Liz Schepers, her first career goal. Halfway through the third, Michela Cava would net her fourth of the playoffs for the insurance marker followed by captain Kendall Coyne Schofield’s empty netter.

This season was monumental for showcasing the importance of women’s sports, and how they can be equally and even more entertaining than their male counterparts. With the recent surge of popularity in the WNBA, and new announcement of the Northern Super League (NSL), women’s sports are bound to explode in popularity. It is expected that in August the team names, logos, and jerseys will be revealed.

Student Pastoral Team

Gabriel Arias ’27 Contributor

This school year was very momentous for the Student Pastoral Team! The SPT played a significant role in creating a spiritual atmosphere for the students and with every meeting, more students joined, and every organized activity supported our mission. All the heavy work done with our minds, bodies, and love was for the greater Glory of God and we are incredibly happy to have achieved enlightening success!

The team coordinated many prayer services and adorations in the school chapel. These services included the celebration of Advent, a tribute to Yash Varma, and the Adoration of the

Blessed Sacrament on the first Friday of every month. We also designed, printed, and cut out hundreds of prayer cards to give out to students.

Many SPT members volunteered in different retreats such as THINK-fast and the SPT Lenten retreat held at the school during the Lenten season. Our various retreats throughout the school year gave us opportunities to take a break in the midst of a hectic world to think deeply about our relationship

with and love for God. We also took part in the 100,000 Lives Flag Display Event held at the St. Boniface Cathedral in honour of the hundreds of unborn babies lost every year. We hosted the Nativity Scene Contest near Christmas, began Way of the Cross on Wednesday mornings during Lent, and arranged an upbeat Pentecost Praise and Worship mid-May.

We would like to express our gratitude to all members of the SPT for the work

put into the mission of faith. We also want to thank Mr. Martinez and Mrs. Jackson for their wonderful help in being the team leaders! And lastly, a big thank you to all St. Paul’s students for being a part of something great. If any students are interested in joining the team next school year, please contact Mr. Martinez. We wish all students a blessed summer break, and one where you continue to develop in your faith!

407 Votes and Four Teams: The Student Council Election

Maksim Thomas ’25

Contributor

Continued from page 1.

BIG MAC’s campaign resonated especially with the younger St. Paul’s students, evidenced by the fact that three quarters of their votes came from students in grades nine and ten. Their many promises included allowing grade nine and ten students to leave the school during lunch, ping pong tournaments, and food trucks outside the school on special occasions.

The runner up team of Evan Peters and Aidan Kuo performed consistently in both rounds, but failure to attract PD and MOG voters on the second ballot led to their falling short of victory. Only 23 voters changed their ballot to PEAK in the runoff, compared to the additional 104 votes towards Big Mac. Neither team lost votes in the second ballot, indicating that St. Paul’s students had a strong loyalty to their original candidates. PEAK focused on a variety of promises including new & improved events, unblocking social media on the school WiFi, quality of life changes such as a student feedback forum, and more

ping-pong balls in the student link; hoping that small, realistic promises would win the day. Though quite diverse, the lack of one big promise and target focus may have hurt their

The two remaining teams, PD and MOG, by no means lagged behind. Both teams were within 30 votes of the PEAK and barely missed the cutoff. In third place was PD with

chances with imprinting their message on students’ brains. PEAK finished second in both rounds, racking in 100 and 123 votes in the first and second ballot respectively.

92 votes in the first round. They especially succeeded with grade nine and eleven voters, though fell behind on their grade ten vote (an area dominated by BIG MAC). Candidates Payne Wood and Drew Rus-

sell made larger promises including a team bus, which many grade elevens and above may remember was previously promised by another student council, though was left undelivered. However, this did not dissuade the grade elevens, as PD tied with PEAK as the main option chosen by the grade. PD also promised various school spirit events such as grade wars and more intramurals.

Finally, MOG, led by Sam Asabil and Kidus Michael, finished with a close fourth place. They succeeded in the grade nine vote with 37 votes, but floundered in attracting their fellow grade, only achieving 22 grade eleven votes. Their platform consisted of a hockey rink on the football fields during the winter, early summer dress code, and student of the month. Unfortunately, their promises were ill timed as summer dress code had already come early that year. The hockey rink also ran into questions about maintenance and funding, as well as issues over whether admin would approve this in the first place. They finished in the first round with 88 votes.

All teams were worthy candidates, providing fierce competition to the victors. BIG MAC eventually brought it home with their domination of the grades nine and ten vote. If you see Mark Nashed and Issy Samuel, congratulate them on their victory, and make sure to remind them to follow through on their promises.

Everyone Welcome at SPHS

Davis Cordeiro ’27

Contributor

June is here and with that comes a very important time for the LGBTQ+ community, a time for recognition and reflection in the world on how we can all come together and accept each other for who we truly are. Throughout history the LGBTQ+ community has been discriminated against for many reasons and are still treated poorly to this day by people for just being themselves.

This is why HRI ran a special event this month specifically for the acceptance of this community. This month is a time to recognize the past ordeals we have had and how we can improve our relationships in the future by

working together and understanding each other.

I am in Grade 9 and the number of times I’ve heard the F-Slur just tossed around like another word is surprising because it is not just an ordinary word. It is a word used to discriminate against the community just like any other slur, and it doesn’t matter if you don’t mean harm or don’t use it to insult someone who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

One huge issue that took place in the community was the AIDS crisis. AIDS is a contagious STI that rampantly spread throughout the Gay community in the 1980s, and nowadays we recognize that it is able to be spread in all peoples. But at the time it was thought that this very deadly STI could only spread in the LGBTQ+ community. This severely increased the false stereotypes towards the community, and it was very tough for anyone who was openly gay at the time due to the fear of the community.

Evan Peters: Superstar!

Sean Ehmann ’24

Head Copy Editor

When he walks through the halls with his unassuming appearance, and vanilla blond hair, you might not give him a second thought. But Evan Peters is the ultimate “don’t judge a book by his cover” story. Listen to him or be forced to listen to him for a moment, and you might just never stop. If you listen, he’ll tell you about a journey that’s taken him across five continents, that has seen him claim the title of world champion and make countless new friends along the way.

Evan Peters was born on September 5, 2007, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to parents Darren Peters and Victoria Cole. As he moved into his school years attending St. Charles Catholic School, one trait quickly became apparent – his ability to speak, a gift bestowed upon him from above, endowing guile and charisma on onlookers.

Entering St. Paul’s in Grade 9, Evan made a decision that would change the course of his life: joining the speech and debate team. With his natural magnetism and verbal prowess, he was an instant success. His first national level competition

Many things have happened in the world that have spread a negative perception about the LGBTQ+ but if we use this month to reflect on our past and how we treated each other we will

be able to recognize the faults we have had and leave those in the past so we can make sure the future is a better place.

came in 2022, where he placed 8th overall, with a second place finishing in the persuasive and impromptu speaking categories. Peters described that experience as “enlightening”, saying, “It showed me that I had the skills to compete at a national level and international level.” Entering Grade 10, and by extension the senior ranks of high school debate, Peters took on Oscar Lavitt as his new debate partner and the new pair found quick success, placing fourth at the Manitoba British Parliamentary Provincial Debate Championships.

Individually, he competed at the National Public Speaking Championships at SJR in the Fall of 2022. With a speech entitled, “The Truth Behind the Bean”, an exposé on unethical practices in the coffee industry, Peters hand-gestured (a signature trait of his speaking style) his way to a second place finish in the persuasive category, and a seventh place finish overall, earning a berth at the World Individual Debate and Public Speaking Championships (WIDSPC) all the way in Durban, South Africa, a competition no St. Paul’s student had ever previously qualified for.

Going into WIDPSC, Peters described his mindset as “let’s just have fun,” stating “I didn’t think I’d win”. However, to Evan’s surprise, but not to those who had watched him speak, he not only qualified for the grand finals, but took first place, earning the title of world champi-

on. Alongside persuasive speaking, Evan contested impromptu debate, interpretive reading, and impromptu speaking, placing top 10 overall. Following his return from South Africa, Evan set the Manitoba debate scene on fire, placing highly at provincial championships, but more importantly, serving as the spark for a new St. Paul’s debate Renaissance.

Recently, in early 2024, Evan competed at the Canadian Public Speaking Championships, earning the national overall title. This earned him a ticket back to WIDPSC, and a shot at defending his world title in Canberra, Australia. In contrast with his more timid and unsure mentality going into WIDPSC ’23, Evan felt ready to take on the world this time around. He prepped his speech “Honey Laundering”, aiming for the global stage of the grand finals. To no one’s surprise, he made it to that stage, alongside two rivals: fellow Canadian Millie Steinman as well as South African Matthew de Jager. Taking the stage, Evan performed eloquently hitting his high and low notes as well as nailing his trademark hand gestures to a tee. However, it wouldn’t be enough, as Evan would see his world title fall through his hands and land on the head of Torontonian Millie Steinman.

Reflecting on his experience, Evan felt “disappointed but content that he had given it his all”. Just a month later, he rebounded with a successful performance as St. Paul’s sec-

ond-best speaker at Canadian Parliamentary Debate Nationals. As he moves into grade 12, and his final year as Crusader debater, Evan’s eyes are set on making it to WIDPSC ’25 taking place in Malaysia, hoping to reclaim his world title, and perhaps even winning overall world champion. Whatever he chooses to do in 2025 and beyond, Evan Peters has surely left a speech and debate legacy not just at St. Paul’s or in Manitoba, but across the globe.

Ms. Higginson’s 25 Years

Landon Pinette ’26

Contributor

As students, we often forget to appreciate our teachers. We forget how much time, effort, and dedication they put into each lesson and how day after day they show up to class with a smile on their faces, ready to tackle yet another topic. One teacher who needs appreciation for their twenty-five years of service and teaching in our school is Ms. Higginson.

Ms. Higginson fell in love with St. Paul’s while working here as a student teacher in 1996. Originally teaching math, she later transitioned to science, primarily chemistry. She

says that she loves St. Paul’s because the school treats teachers like they are professionals and because of the supportive coworkers here, many of whom she has become close friends with. Over the years, Ms. Higginson has also come to enjoy how St. Paul’s develops their students from the time they are in Grade 9 to the time that they graduate.

Ms. Higginson’s time here has not been without excitement. She recalls many mishaps that have occurred over the years, including electrocuting herself twice in front of her class, exploding a beaker, having ceiling tiles catch on fire, and best of all, creating the “modern art piece” in Room 118: a hole was burned in the countertop. It is the accidents like these that make a lasting memory in the minds of students. Unfortunately, not every day is full of exciting explosions. Ms. Higginson describes how difficult her courses can be, especially Grade 12 chem-

istry. She is always reassured that when many of those students return to St. Paul’s, after university, they will thank her for pushing them as hard as she did.

After all this time, Ms. Higginson says she still feels like a “newbie”, something that is surely a testament to her dedication as a teacher. Looking forward, she is constantly trying

to improve how she teaches topics.

Ms. Higginson still looks back fondly on her time at St. Paul’s and can’t wait for what the future will bring. We can say confidently that it has been a pleasure to have you here and we truly do appreciate everything you do for us. Thank you, Ms. Higginson!

Father Boutilier Bids Farewell to St. Paul’s

Isaac Lavitt ’25 Chief Editor

For over 40 years, Father Boutilier has graced the corridors of St. Paul’s, endowing wisdom, spirituality and JUGS upon freshmen and seniors alike. However, that time is quickly coming to a close. At the end of this year, Father Boutilier will be moving on to new opportunities, as Father Con from St. Ignatius takes his place as school chaplain. As we bid farewell to a monument of Ignatian values and school community, we must examine the impact that Father Boutilier has left on the school, from staff, students, and alumni.

Father Boutilier arrived at St. Paul’s in the summer of 1985, and quickly became entrenched in the school. Yet 1980s St. Paul’s was a different place than today. Run exclusively by Jesuits before Vatican II, the school had only recently begun to hire non-clergy teachers. The conversion of the Monaghan wing from Jesuit living space to classroom and preparation areas reflected

a changing purpose for SPHS. Further, the 80s saw the introduction of the bursary program, fostering a new crop of students. Throughout his time at St. Paul’s, Father Boutilier has watched the construction of the Multiplex, the Angus Reid Wing, and the opening of the school to larger numbers of students. As part of the “old guard” of Jesuits Boutilier has presided over a time of evolution and change at St. Paul’s.

Serving over three separate placements, his 22 years of service are the fifth longest of any Jesuit, beaten only by Father Holland, Father Murray, Father Monaghan, and Father Cotter. Yet, his true testament is the effect he has had on students. Fond moments of “Boots” include his love of the choir at mass, his prayers over and with the Student Pastoral Team, his guidance of students taking the Spiritual Excercises, and his direction in Latin and Italian to the Maroon and White Society. “Madonna!”

Outside of St. Paul’s, Father Boutilier’s impact abounds. With fifty years as a Jesuit, he celebrated his Jubilee at the Provincial Dinner in Toronto. Further, he is cited in several Winnipeg Free Press articles, clarifying Church doctrine on relics to secular readers. The alumni of St. Paul’s

also honour their chaplain as he moves to a new calling.

Father Boutilier has been a monolith of St. Paul’s, watching

over a period of transition in the school. As he moves to further his impact, we wish him the best. May he continue to bless all who encounter him.

Mussels to Money: St. Paul’s Student Wins Big!

Isaac Lavitt ’25 Chief Editor

It is rare for any person, let alone a high school student, to create meaningful change to the world. However, our very own Baljot Rai has not only made this impact but has done it in three fields: a trifecta of focus and resolve. From creating an innovative solution to destructive algae blooms, to promoting religious equity within prisons and being an advocate for reconciliation, Baljot’s impact abounds. As a result, Baljot has been reported to win one of the largest amounts in Canadian undergraduate scholarships for a Manitoban student, with a whopping total of over $450,000!

Baljot’s scholarship streak began with the Loran Scholars Award. Known to be Canada’s most prestigious scholarship, the Loran Scholarship recognizes young Canadians who have exhibited an exemplary dedication to service and leadership and have shown integrity and strength of character. This year, over 10,000 impressive applicants started the grueling 7-page application about their journey of growth and impact. 5,300 made it through the application process. After various

stages, the list was narrowed down to the final 90 competitors for the Loran Award! After participating in Loran Nationals in Toronto this February, where Baljot engaged in nearly a dozen interviews, Baljot came home nervous but anticipating a life-changing phone call. A week later, he received news that he was officially a 2024 Ralph M. Barford Loran Scholar!

Baljot was recognized for his commitment to understanding the various needs of the community and taking meaningful action to fill the gaps and underserved populations of our country. Notably, he is the founder of the ‘One in All’ project, through which he leads interfaith action and works with community organizations to provide spiritual and religious resources to prisoners who don’t receive adequate accommodation to practice their faith. Recently, with a group of HRI students, he has been working with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to expand the reach of this project to Indigenous inmates. He was also recognized for his leadership in promoting truth and reconciliation, inclusivity, and philanthropic endeavors.

Through the Loran Award, Baljot will receive an annual $11,000 tuition waiver, $11,000 living stipend, and $7,000 for each of his summers, when he will be pursuing exciting internships ranging from positions

A Note From The Editor

Baljot Rai ’24

Chief Editor Emeritus

From many long nights in the newsroom, to anxiously waiting for the large boxes full of the newest edition of The Crusader News, this year has been one that’s seen great growth and development for the newspaper! From writing my first article about Earth Month back in ninth grade, when the newspaper was under the leadership of James Brennan ’21 (who was arguably one of the more notable people in this history of The Crusader), to serving as Deputy Editor last year, and as Chief Editor this year, my journey with The Crusader has been long-winded!

Regardless, reading through hun-

at non-profits, corporate organizations, and policy-making bodies. Baljot will also be joining a network of bright, like-minded youth with a similar commitment to creating meaningful change!

Baljot was also awarded the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, which recognizes youth, who like Terry Fox, use their personal challenges as empowerment for change. A focus for this award was also Baljot’s commitment to equity for those of minority faiths – an issue that is very close to him as a practicing Sikh. The Terry Fox Award also provided Baljot the opportunity to meet with leaders such as Justin Trudeau, Jagmeet Singh, and Greg Fergus. Through the Terry Fox Award, Baljot will continue to work with the marginalized for meaningful change.

The Schulich Leaders Award recognizes leaders in STEM, who have used their abilities in scientific research to create a meaningful change. Valued at $100,000, Baljot was awarded this scholarship at Dalhousie University in Halifax, the University of Victoria, and the University of Manitoba. Baljot impressed these various panels through his research on freshwater issues. “Globally, over 40% of freshwater bodies suffer from the growth of toxic blue-green algae, harming ecosystems and economies,” describes Baljot. His research

used waste zebra mussel shells (an invasive species) to develop a biological adsorbent capable of adsorbing phosphorus – the main culprit causing the growth of blue-green algae. The developed biosorbent can also be repurposed as a fertilizer, creating a sustainable solution to our blue-green algae crisis. Unfortunately, due to restrictions placed by his other scholarships, Baljot was not able to accept the Schulich Scholarships.

Baljot’s research also earned him the national Sanofi BioGenius Prize, which celebrates the best research projects across Canada on the subjects of life sciences and biotechnology. He also received scholarships to Western University, Dalhousie, Carleton, University of Ottawa, University of New Brunswick, Mountain Allison University, and a cash prize for his research.

Baljot is truly a treasure of St Paul’s, embodying the Magis and a Grad at Grad. Yet Baljot’s true testament is his impact on others. Within the school and beyond, Baljot inspires others; he is a true leader and mentor to St. Paul’s. Therefore, from his impact and recognition, we most hope that Baljot continues shaping the world for the better!

dreds of articles, making edits, putting the articles through an endless process of going back and forth from one editor to another, and meticulously creating the layout, the editors of The Crusader have done a phenomenal job putting forward a cohesive, refined edition four times throughout this year! For their service, and the leadership of Mr. Laurence Broadhurst, who with steadfast dedication perfected every edition, I am eternally grateful! I would also like to extend a big thank you to our team of nearly 55 contributors, who put forward many articles which sustain The Crusader, and make it a publication cherished by our school community!

Reflecting on my experience at St. Paul’s, perhaps the most pivotal and transformative part of my journey has been participating in the variety of extracurriculars St. Paul’s has to offer – it truly is something unique! From developing as an advocate for reconciliation through the Human

Rights Initiative, to developing as a leader through the newspaper, and a servant to the marginalized in the Maroon & White Society, it’s the gift of being open and the endless opportunities which are the most valuable parts of the St. Paul’s High School!

I would also like to thank the class of 2024 – our group of brothers has endured much throughout our four years here, but we have continued to persevere and have blossomed into a wonderful mosaic of leaders, musicians, athletes, comedians, and everything in between! To all of the wonderful staff members at St. Paul’s – the librarians, the counsellors, campus ministers and administrators, the teachers and all faculty and staff – thank you for fostering an environment where each student is nurtured, feels welcomed, and is pushed into thriving! Thank you also for the love and care you show to all of us – you make St. Paul’s a truly special experience.

And last, I would like to express my gratitude to the Lord, who by His grace, has made all these things possible!

As we approach the centennial of St. Paul’s High School, I am proud to announce (to no one’s surprise) that Isaac Lavitt ’25, will be our next Chief Editor! From his graceful composure to his jubilant personality and impeccable writing and leadership skills, I am confident that he will take The Crusader to new heights!

It was a pleasure serving as the 77th Chief Editor of The Crusader News, and to grow and blossom within these halls to whom I say my parting words.

God bless and farewell, Baljot S.R.

Julian Brennan ’24

Troy Boughton ’24

Niko Canicula ’24

Mehtoj Gill ’26

Jason Stern ’26

Mateo Caronte ’26

Games Section

Word Search

Word Jumble

Unscramble these anagrams, placing one letter in each shape, to find 5 ordinary words.

Now arrange the circled letters to form the message above!

Luke Perrett ’24 Toe Toe Moo ’24 Word search by Sean Ehmann ’24

Across

2. Our esteemed cartoonist

4. St. Paul’s inclusion campaign

6. Title of our mascot

7. Home of the Slurpee

8. It begins on June 22 for Crusaders

11. To yearn, or not short

12. Who a senior has become

14. A large concern according to contributor Manit Sethi

17. We bid them to our grads

20. Our chaplain with 22 years of service

21. Opposite of entrances

23. A common college exam

24. Provincial championship team on the green

25. A debate superstar!

26. Narcissus’s lover, or a repetition

29. Actor, singer, and speech contest eponym

32. Fabled fabler

33. “The Hammer”, our retiring teacher and coach of 40 years

34. A big wig

35. PWHL champions

37. F1 driver who is no longer winless

38. Victorious SPHS campaigners

39. NBA finals competitor

40. Judgement Under God, or Latin for “yoke”

41. Academic judgement, determining 30% of your mark

Down

1. A yearning for the past

3. What carsharers do not do to their vehicles

4. Until the end of time, or the start of a Taylor Swift Album

5. The 2024 NBA champions

6. You do it on your cell phone

7. A word without a defined meaning, however experts describe it as brainrot

8. The governing body of SPHS

9. The search for something greater in Jesuit lingo

10. Stanley cup competitors, but not at Target

13. Opening of the show

16. Katy Perry song, or a lion’s cry

17. June 16th’s occasion

18. An evildoer

19. 2020 vision

20. Loran Scholar and one of Ace Burpee’s 100 Most Interesting Manitobans

21. The unending march of temporality

25. Sty-dweller

27. Something new in Episode 4 of Star Wars

28. A one-party state according to editorialist James Bailey ’26

30. Cross country athletes, or their shoes

31. St. Paul’s tree filled courtyard

36. Ad Maiorum Dei Gloriam

Photo Credits

Arias ’27 – SPT – Sheryal Khokar

Ashcroft ’24 – NBA – Getty Images Bailey ’26 – Japan – EPA

Ehmann ’24 – Evan Peters – Evan Peters, Evan Peters

Filizadeh ’25 – Norris F1 – FiA, Peter Casey/USA Today Sport via Reuters Haripersad ’25 – Ngonda – Gus Phillipas/ FUV

Hudson ’24 – Car Sharing – Peg City Car Co-op

Lavitt ’25 – Boutilier – Affan Faiz, St. Paul’s High School, Affan Faiz, Affan Faiz

Minuk ’26 – Georgia - Vano Shlamov/AFP via Getty Images, Vano Shlamov/AFT via Getty Images

Perrett ’24 – Oakland Athletics - Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Perrett ’24 – PWHL - Troy Parla/Getty Images

Pinette ’26 – Higginson – Sean Ehmann, Sean Ehmann

Sethi ’26 – Cybersecurity - Maxim Tolchinskiy/Unsplash

Thomas ’25 – Student Council – Israel Samuel, Israel Samuel

Final Page – Joel Adair

Upcoming Events

Comic by Toe Toe Moo ’24

Cartoonist

The Staff of The Crusader News

Moderator, Mr. Laurence Broadhurst

Chief Editor, Isaac Lavitt ’25

Chief Editor Emeritus, Baljot Rai ’24

Head Copy Editor, Sean Ehmann ’24

Head Layout Editor, William O’Donnell ’24

Assistant Layout Editor, Mikhail Precourt ’24

Website Editor, Andrew Mainella ’24

Arts & Culture Editor, Sawyer Ramsey ’24

Business Editor, Rodmehr Filizadeh ’25

Politics Editor, Nathan Poklar ’24

Religion Editor, John Ergon Golpe ’24

School Life Editor, Samay Dadlani ’24

Science & Tech Editor, Hudson ’24

Sports Editor, Luke Perrett ’24

Arts & Culture Copy Editor, Evan Peters ’25

Politics Copy Editor, Alden Minuk ’26

Business and Science & Tech Copy Editor, Castiel Haripersad ’25

Crossword

Answers online at thecrusadernews.ca

Crossword by Isaac Lavitt ’25

School Life Copy Editor, Daniel Stipanovic ’25

Sports Copy Editor, Nazar Bobelyak ’25