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Advice
Index Advice
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Glenforest
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Community
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Editorial
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Opinion
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Lifestyle
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A spirited Terry Fox Day Mental Illness Awareness Week 2017 at Glenforest Toronto WE Day 2017 Highlight of the 2017 Invictus Games
Is Trump really making 'America great again'? The unjust cruelty of Trump's DACA cancellation IT: A review
How to make stress your friend Teen driving
Science
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Sports
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Global
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Neuralink: another one of Elon Musk's wonders Once in a blue moon: the 2017 solar eclipse Hats off to 'Chapeau'-valov! How centralized banking almost took over the world Catalonian referendum
Horrorscopes
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Comics
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Credits Teacher Supervisors
Mr. Gordon & Ms. Axon
Editors in Chief
Michelle Wei Rana Al-Fayez Evelyn Ku
Copy Editors
Srushti Patel Emi Lillian Zeest Kadri Aamna Ashfaq Anushka Goyal Albert Zhu Valerie Molodtsova
Layout Designers
Rebecca Lee Jaziba Azher Kim Nguyen Shree Murugesan Hunnain Atif Emily Nguyen Eric Zhang
Photographers
Kim Nguyen Annie Zou Pranav Sairam Saleha Ansari Pujita Verma Gobishan Vijikaran Siane Sahdra
Cover Designer Rebecca Lee
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COMING OUT I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to come out to my mother as pansexual. Her opinions on things like this tend to change all the time. I'm not sure yet if I would be accepted at home, and I'm also technically not out to my friends, even though I hint at it every now and then. Any advice on how to do this? - Standing Soldier
Photo: Kim Nguyen
A spirited Terry Fox Day By: Aamna Ashfaq
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pirit Day: a much-missed event held on September 29th, the same day as the Terry Fox Run in Glenforest Secondary School. This eventful day yielded several enjoyable activities for students to participate in, from three-legged races to digging for Skittles in a mountain of whipped cream. Terry Fox Day is an annual event that is held to raise money for cancer research. Every student knows the hero Terry Fox was and his legacy, the “Marathon of Hope” - something we commemorate annually. Despite being affected by cancer himself and having one leg amputated, Terry was determined to run across Canada in an attempt to raise money and awareness about cancer. It worked, and since then, Canada has raised $650 million in his name with his foundation growing to become the world’s largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research. The Terry Fox Walk started after lunch, with each class following a specific route. Some daring students even ran three kilometers in support for Terry Fox and cancer research. They reached the baseball diamond finish line first while the rest of the school soon followed suit. This was when Spirit Day officially started. On Spirit Day, Glenforest students wear an item of clothing corresponding to their grade colour to show school spirit. The grade nine students wore yellow, tenth graders wore green, eleventh graders wore blue, and the seniors wore red. Spirit Day showcased a sea of students representing all four colours, participating in activities and promoting school spirit. There were also nine different activities where all the students could participate, have fun, and collect points for their grades. Some activities included: 1.) Volleyball where students in teams of 4-6 played against each other. 2.) ‘Are You Even Canadian’ hosted by the Welcome Team where students are asked general questions about Canada. The first to get 5 points won a popsicle.
Sincerely, Talon Times Advice
3.) Water Balloon Toss where a pair of students stood a meter apart and moved one step back as they successfully tossed a water balloon across to each other.
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hanks for reaching out, this question is definitely a conflict I think that many other students will have in the future, or are having right now. A career lasts a lifetime and if you believe that business is the field you would be happy in and are interested in, then business should be I'm in grade 11 and am starting to ponder your field. Lots of parents typically want their son/ my career path for university. I am interestdaughter to become a doctor, engineer or lawyer, but this is because parents want their son/daughter ed in business but my parents want me to to be successful and live a happy and healthy life. go into med. How can I convince my parI strongly believe that you can still be successful without being in the medical, engineering or law ents into letting me work in the business field as long as you work hard to achieve your field? goals. As for convincing your parents, try talking to - Frazzled them after they have had a good day. Start off by bringing up the topic of your future and then tell them that you want to go into business instead of medical because it is the field that truly interests you and would make you happy. Don’t forget to tell the truth and tell them how you feel, this will make the situation a lot easier and remember that your parents want the best for you and want you to be happy. As long as you tell them that you really want to go into business, they probably won’t reject your decision if it makes you happy. Good luck! Sincerely, Talon Times Advice
Glenforest
ell first off, congratulations! You finally conquered your fears and summoned enough courage to share an important part of your life to the people you cherish. Coming out to someone is probably the hardest decision a person can ever make, probably because of the fear of losing them or making the relationship seem different. So good job, you are one brave soldier. Now if you are wishing to come out to your mom, you are at a greater advantage, simply because moms are moms! For the most part, accepting their child as who they are and supporting them is what most moms strive to do. I mean think about it, if you nurtured a child for majority of their life, you would most likely have the urge to protect that child at all costs. If your mother is the type to dismiss these topics, take it slow — the slower the better. You don’t want her to blow this out of proportion by overwhelming her with all types of stories.
The most essential part of coming to anybody is making sure they are listening and taking it seriously. So spare some alone time with your mom if you can, it can be taking a stroll down the park or even at home while you’re eating dinner. Tell her that this is something you have been dwelling on for a long time, and for her to give you the utmost respect and support. Tell her that you have grown up differently and that you may not be attracted to one sex or gender solely, but rather a person’s traits and overall personality. If she starts questioning anything, have reassurance. Whatever you say is what you believe in, so don’t allow her dismissive comments potentially alter the way you think. The way she reacts will be dependent on how confident you are. If she decides to support you, that’s great! This just means that your mother is more open-minded than how you may have thought she was. If she still seems uncomfortable with your decision, do not stress it. The last thing you would want to do is shove everything down her throat. Situations like these only work through one factor, time. Although she may not accept you at first, giving her time to think for her to think over about it is so important. In regards to your friends, telling them officially may be easier than telling your mother. This is probably because your friends, who are most likely in the same age group as you, have grown up learning about the LGBTQ+ community, and would have less harsh or irrational opinions on this. Your mother has most likely grown up in a generation where the LGBTQ+ community was discriminated against by mass. As for your friends, they have seen many gay, lesbian, or even pansexual people out in the media, in schools, and even in their family. So just tell them, just make sure you are in an environment that is quiet and appropriate. You don’t want to come out to your friends over facetime while they are at a concert. Well that is if you aren’t already at that concert. If your friends dare to facetime you at a concert that you had no invite to, that is more more worrisome and you probably would want to write to us regarding friendships and transparency. All jokes aside, I truly wish for the best on your journey and hope that everything turns out in your favor. Not only do I applaud you for your courageous decision, but I would love for you to continue to be the bright positive person that you are. If you are ever feeling out of place and not accepted, Glenforest has many responsible teachers and adults you may want to talk to, with the addition of Positive Space, a club that strives to help people of the LGBTQ+ community feel accepted and loved.
CAREER PATH
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4.) The Three Legged Race which saw two students’ legs are duct-taped together as they raced to the finish line. 5.) Cookie Monster where each person is given a cookie. The goal was to place the cookie on their forehead and slide it down to their face into their mouth without using their hands. 6.) Pie Face where a bunch of students were given a crust of pie with whipped cream. The goal was to finish the pie without using their hands faster than the rest. 7.) Musical Chairs where six or more students walked around chairs as the music played. The goal was to sit down on a chair when the music stopped. 8.) Freezies and Pizza where students were provided food and the money was taken in for donation. At the end of the day, everyone had a great time. This year’s Terry Fox and Spirit Day made up in full for the one held last year. The event was a huge success and Glenforest is proud to say that we contributed over $3 500 to the fight against cancer while celebrating school spirit.
Photo: Kim Nguyen
Photo: Kim Nguyen
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Glenforest
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Community
Photo: Student Life Network
Photo: Siane Sahdra
Mental Illness Awareness Week 2017 Toronto WE Day 2017 at Glenforest O By: Valerie Molodtsova
By: Zeest Kadri
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arlier this month, the BOSS (Building Our Safe Schools) team and the Jack.org team marked the beginning of Mental Illness Awareness Week with a series of exciting drop-in events, including a wellness room, a yoga workshop, as well as Just Dance. These events, held every lunch from October 10th to 13th, aimed to raise awareness on mental illness and give students the chance to participate
in activities which would benefit their well-being. The first day of the week featured a Just Dance event, where students came to the cafeteria and “boogied out their worries”. For the next two days of the week, a wellness room was held with a multitude of activities including slime-making, fingerpainting, therapeutic colouring, origami, as well as a napping corner. “The wellness room featured so many activities that
Photo: Siane Sahdra
people from all grades were able to enjoy. The room was a lot of fun and I could see it becoming an even bigger event in the future,” says Abdullah Irfan, who represents both BOSS and Jack.org. A relaxing yoga workshop held by Ms.Habib in the drama room marked the end of Mental Illness Awareness Week, leaving many students walking out refreshed and ready for the rest of the school day ahead of them. Originally, Mental Illness
Awareness Week was initiated by the Canadian Psychiatric Association in 1992, but is now cooperatively run by many member organizations and supporters all across the country, such as the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH). At Glenforest, BOSS and Jack. org aim to promote and facilitate a healthy school environment by hosting interactive and enjoyable school-wide events so students are able to lead balanced lives.
Photo: Siane Sahdra
Lidia Moonsamy, Co-President of BOSS explains, “At our school, it’s so easy to get caught up in a hectic lifestyle with clubs and teams, that you neglect your mental well-being. Events like these bring awareness to mental health and mental illness, as well as allow a space for students to speak about how they are feeling. It allows the community to feel unified and creates a more inclusive and welcoming space.” Both clubs also have a wide range
of events and workshops they hope to implement further on throughout the 2017-2018 school year. To learn more about Mental Illness Awareness Week, be sure to check out hashtags #mentalillness and #MIAW17 on Facebook and Twitter, and visit camimh. c a / m e nt a l - i l ln e s s - aw are ness-week/about-miaw/.
Photo: Siane Sahdra
n September 28th 2017, the Toronto air filled with voices of joy, excitement and the determination to head towards a better future during the event that will unite them all - WE day. Founded by Craig and Marc Kielburger in 1995, Free The Children is a worldwide charity, aiding third world countries such as Ecuador, Haiti, Sierra Leone, Kenya and many more. Free The Children's primary objective was to help youth in undeveloped countries obtain an education, an objective that culminated in the creation of WE Day, a worldwide event. WE Day is a televised project that reaches out to a
variety of idols who express their thoughts and share their concerns about global issues, in hope of creating a more open generation called Gen WE. The 2017-2018 WE Day attracted artists and film stars such as Kelly Clarkson, Hedley, Sofia Carson, Jacob Tremblay, and recruited speakers like Rick Hansen, Ban Ki-Moon and even the royal Prince Harry. Prince Harry spoke of the Invictus Games, and reminded that no matter how difficult and impossible the obstacles might seem "...we are stronger when we work together, we are happier when we work in the service of others.” The multiple speakers raised awareness of the current problems happening in the world, and ways that young
students can help in their community to make a global impact. One of the main issues mentioned included poverty and the lack of necessities in undeveloped and developed countries. Speaker Leah Denbok, a National Geographic photographer inspired by the work of Joel Sartore who captures black and white pictures of the homeless, spoke of the difficult lives of those without a roof. However, behind each picture is a story, and although people walk by the bundles of blankets sleeping on the side of a street corner, "...they just want someone to see them as human beings," says Denbok. Although education is an important matter in third world countries, families also
Photo: Student Life Network
lack many other necessities for a healthy lifestyle. This includes food, water, health and medical products and a proper living space. The Kielburger brothers have introduced the Rafiki Bracelet movement, in which women in Kenya assemble long, coloured, beaded bracelets that are sent over to the Free The Children Charity and, when sold, supply a Kenyan family with essentials for a year. The bracelets’ colour determines the type of essential sent. As mentioned above, families can be supplied with goods ranging from health to food, from education to clean water. Many worldwide speakers, such as Lilly Singh, have found this as an opportunity to travel to Kenya and make their own line of Rafiki Brace-
lets with the guidance of local weavers. The charity encourages schools to get involved by participating or holding small events that make a big difference. Multiple schools host bake sales as a treat for the students and also a great way to raise money. On the other hand, selling food might not be enough, therefore WE Day has come up with WE Scare Hunger, a food drive in the community that brings attention to the hunger children experience all over the world. Multiple sponsors, such as Robin Hood, support the food cause by donating large amounts of cooking necessities that are then distributed locally and globally. The Free The Children Charity has
partnered with companies like Ford to raise over 2 thousand pounds of food in the 2016 WE Scare Hunger food drive also driving the motivation for a brand new year. WE Day Toronto 2017 has brought back memories, accomplishments and most importantly, the hopes of a better future. The lives and fates of youth all over the world lie in the hands of what is called Generation WE, and the choices, actions and differences we make will be the ones that shape that better future. As said by artist Kelly Clarkson, "...all of you are proof that your generation is making a difference, and I am inspired by each and every one of [you]".
Photo: Joseph Michael
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Community
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Editorial
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Photo: City of Toronto
Highlight of the 2017 Invictus Games By: Srushti Patel
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he 2017 Invictus Games took place in Toronto from September 23rd to the 30th. The Games originate from England and were created by Prince Harry in 2014 as a means of honoring war veterans and their immeasurable drive and courage. The participants of these games are not athletes who have been training for years, but rather injured or sick armed service personnel and veterans who have suffered from the aftermath of military service. The Invictus Games are a parasport event which aspire to demonstrate soldiers’ and veterans’ motivation to overcome their
disabilities through the power of sport on their journey to recovery. The goal of the Games is to highlight and shine a spotlight on the sacrifices that the men and women participating have made to serve their country and to honor their dedication. Prince Harry, the sole creator of The Invictus Games, is extremely proud of the attention that the participants have received and was quoted saying, “Time and time again, competitors from around the world tell me that sport has saved them; that the Invictus Games have given them a new lease on life; and that to represent their country again with fellow comrades is something
they could only have dreamt of while lying in hospital.” Competitors from 17 nations came together to compete in events ranging from archery to swimming and wheelchair tennis. A few of the nations, apart from Canada, were Afghanistan, Denmark, United Kingdom, United States, Iraq, and Italy. The Opening Ceremony, a two-hour event similar to that of the Olympics, was held on September 23rd, where competitors and their families were welcomed and honored. Hundreds of cast members, including men and women from the Canadian Armed Forces and celebrities, gave extraordinary performances
to pay tribute to the competitors and celebrate the bravery of the service members. Alessia Cara and Kelly Clarkson were two of many performing celebrities who performed at the Opening Ceremony. It was the most watched program of the day on CTV and the number one primetime broadcast where 3.1 million Canadians tuned in to watch. Many competitors made their fellow Canadians proud as they represented the country and took home several medals. The first medal for Canada was won by Michael Clarke, a retired corporal that served six years with the military before getting paralyzed in a motorcycle accident. He
won gold in the 400 metre, silver in the 200 and 1500 metres, and bronze in the 100 metres wheelchair races. Bruce Matthews, who served in the Canadian Army and Air Force for 12 years, has had 13 major surgeries and struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, this did not stop him from winning a silver in the men’s shot-put event. Lastly, Natacha Dupis, who served with the army for more than 16 years, captured three gold medals in the in the 100, 200, and 400 metre events. The next day, Natacha placed fifth in the indoor rowing competition and won another silver in the one-minute sprint event. However, the goal of the
Invictus Games is not to win medals, rather it is to give war veterans a chance to represent their country and work along others as they start their journey to recovery. The inspiration and motivation found in the 2017 Invictus Games will be passed on to Sydney, Australia where the 2018 games will be hosted. Make sure to tune in next year to support the veterans around the world that have suffered from mental or physical injuries and to honor the sacrifices they have made.
Is Trump really making 'America great again'? By: Tehreem Iqbal
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hat makes a great leader of a country? Is it charisma or clever lying? What about strong problem solving and communication skills to take quick action leading to a better future? Does US president Donald J. Trump have those qualities? Over the nine months that the United States has been under his presidency, President Trump has lied countless times. Communication skills are integral in leading a country, and lying isn’t one of them.
ing on about women, and how they are not as great as men; making them effectively, in his own twisted view, lesser. He has even gone as far as saying women who appear to have certain physical features are unattractive, are responsible for housekeeping and raising children, and that women are responsible for provoking and dealing with their own sexual assaults. This implies that he simply sees women as objects with no right to stand up for themselves and should do as men say. “I told Rex Tillerson, our
wonderful Secretary of State, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man,” Donald J. Trump tweeted on Twitter, the social media platform he is known for using to make problematic and obnoxious comments, early Sunday, October 1st. He mocked the supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, referring to him as “Little Rocket Man.” Instead of talking it out with the North Korean leader, he insisted that harsh action, which would undoubtedly put the American people at risk, should be taken. Donald
Trump complains that violence, not only in America but around the world, is on the rise due to unfit leaders that fail to do their jobs successfully. And yet, he demands to respond with violence himself when in power. Mr. Trump claims that violence corrupts nations but decides that it is acceptable when he initiates it. When Donald Trump was elected into presidency, fifty-six percent of Americans believed that he was capable of leading the states. Now that number has dropped to forty percent after ¾ of the year has
passed since his inauguration. President Trump promises Americans that he will make the United States of America peaceful and united once more; however, his actions seem to go against his original slogan. Hopefully Americans will come to understand that their president has not only lied and tricked them into electing him but will continue to lie to them and will never 'make America great' again. Can a racist, misogynistic, hateful president successfully run a country?
The unjust cruelty of Trump's DACA cancellation By: Katarina Dearlove
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Photo: Kensington Palace
Integrity is crucial for reputation and character, both of which the US president lacks in part due to his dishonest ways. A president represents a nation and the United States is now viewed as a deceptive country with its government running immoral operations, despite the number of Americans who are well-principled individuals. The 21st century was meant to be a time when the world moved on from gender roles and focused on bigger, better innovations to come. Yet Donald Trump keeps go-
Photo: Royal Canadian Air Force
012 marked the year that DACA (Deferred Action for Child Arrivals) was established in America. DACA is a program comprising of 800,000 individuals collectively referred to as ‘the Dreamers’. Now, every single one of them will soon be under the threat of deportation. On September 5th, 2017, American President Donald Trump terminated DACA, which was a program that allowed undocumented immigrants arriving in America as children, the ability to legally live and work while applying every two years for renewal. Under Donald Trump’s Republican rule, there had always been uncertainty regarding the future of DACA as the brainchild of America’s
previous president, the Democrat Barack Obama. Many “anti-immigrant” Republicans deemed DACA to be an unconstitutional bypass of American immigration laws. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ speech regarding the nullifying of DACA validated this view through his usage of a diverse range of anti-immigrant rhetoric. He stated that accepting immigrants into the US had “put our nation at risk of crime, violence and even terrorism” and had also “denied jobs to hundreds of thousands of Americans by allowing those same illegal aliens to take those jobs”. Sessions’ statements, like the many made by Trump’s administration are false. Numerous studies have shown that there is a higher likelihood for a non-immigrant to
commit a crime in America than an immigrant. American economist Giovanni Peri states that DACA workers increase local productivity and create opportunities for other workers too. The cancellation of DACA is very distressing to the Dreamers, who view themselves as American citizens who have established their lives in America because of the program. Many are enrolled in school or are working, and possess American social security numbers and have started families. Jerry Kammer, a senior for the Center of Immigration Studies, proclaims, “We have young people (the DACA participants) who have developed American identities and American dreams and gone to American schools and live in American communi-
ties and breathed our American dream mythology and have become Americans.” Frankly, they are an integral asset that betters American society, but are deemed illegal because of the way they have entered the country. Denying the DACA participants goes against the Declaration of Independence, the very same document that many Americans swear by. The Declaration states that, "all men are created equal", and possess the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Trump’s administration is allowing Congress a period of six months to come up with a proposal to replace DACA and protect its participants, or deportation of the Dreamers will commence as soon as March 6th, 2018.
Photo: The New York Times
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Opinion
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Lifestyle
Photo: Pinterest
How to make stress your friend By: Anushka Goyal
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It : A review by: Albert Zhu
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ou’ll float too.
It is directed by Andy Muschietti and is based off of the 1986 novel of the same name. It tells the story of seven children - disparagingly labelled the Losers - who band together to fight the titular It, a demonic shapeshifting being who awakens every 27 years to terrorize the town of Derry, Maine. Although this new adaptation may seem like yet another typical, cheap horror film relying on popular source material to make bank, in actuality, It is an outstanding
movie made by a passionate team of filmmakers - and may very well be one of the best Stephen King adaptations of all time. It features beautiful cinematography, excellent acting, and a formidable understanding of horror. The first half of the film makes excellent use of sound design to create tension and masterfully build up to its scares - visceral, nightmarish images that evoke childhood fears of classic monsters. While indeed a predictable formula, it is executed well enough to be frightening - at least until the third act. The horror aspect of the film is
accentuated by the excellent acting from the cast, especially the children; all of whom are convincingly realistic both in their day-to-day interactions as children and in their interactions with Bill Skarsgard’s portrayal of Pennywise, who is creepy and unsettling as the demonic, shapeshifting clown. As a result, in terms of horror the film is suitably terrifying both as an adaptation of King’s iconic novel, as well as a standalone horror movie. What really separates It from your typical horror film is the emphasis on character progression and development, as well as the presence of an
Photo: The Verge
emotionally driven story at its core. The children in the film all have their own unique issues and fears that each of them eventually have to confront and overcome, a key element of the movie that helps to drive the plot forward. As the film progresses, we learn more about each of the Losers and not only what they fear, but why they fear it - something that makes each of the children significant and memorable. As a result, the movie becomes not only a film meant to terrify its audience, but also an emotionally rich story about overcoming adversity and one’s own fear, symbolized
in the climactic final battle against It; the demon that embodies fear itself. Something that was disappointing about the film was the conventional formula that it began to follow regarding its horror aspect. Many of the scares - especially in the third act - eventually lost much of the nuance that was present earlier in the film, instead relying on unexpected jumps to shake the audience. Although the imagery that follows is often unsettling by itself, the tension that was ever so subtle in the former half of the film is gradually lost, and some may find the horror in the third act
of the film tedious and boring to watch, rather than visceral and terrifying. Final verdict: It receives a 9/10. It is a film with beautiful cinematography, outstanding acting, and an emotionally thrilling story at its core. While the horror aspect of the film may leave some disappointed - specifically with the latter half - others will be pleased with It’s focus on character progression and coming-of-age themes; welcome departures from other films of the same genre.
Photo: Arapahoe News
tress - something we all have or will one day experience. Life in general seems to become a lot harder when we are confronted with situations that are stressful, and with with midterm report cards approaching, every student’s stress level is bound to increase in the near future. Knowing what to do when you are going through a challenging period of time can significantly reduce stress from the entire scenario. To begin with, a proper amount of sleep is an es-
sential. Sleep deprivation is directly linked to increased stress levels, especially in teenagers. With increased amounts of homework and irregular sleeping patterns, late bedtimes become very common. Make sure that you start homework earlier rather than later once you get home. Going to bed at roughly the same time everyday is a health essential for your body to have a regular sleeping pattern. In terms of procrastination, try to keep distractions to a minimum to ensure efficient use of your time. Keeping a ‘stress diary’
and regularly writing about the things that are stressing you out is an extremely effective stress management technique. In the diary, write down the date of the stressful episode, the event, and your feelings. Afterwards, give the scenario a rating (on, say, a scale of 1-10). After a few days, revisit the diary entry, think about your reaction in the situation, and brainstorm a more effective approach to the issue. Breaking apart your problems will help you understand the events that trigger your stress responses, and as a result, you learn to devise better coping
strategies for yourself in dealing with stressful situations. We all know that increased stress levels lead to decreased health. However, studies show that it isn’t the stress that leads to poor health, but rather the individual’s outlook on stress. When someone is stressed, their blood vessels become restricted - a reaction that is also associated with cardiovascular illnesses. As opposed to thinking of your increased heartbeat as a sign of fear, think of it as your body preparing itself for whatever is coming. When you think of stress as a positive emo-
tion, the blood vessels do not contract. In fact, the reaction is one similar to experiencing joy. Stressful situations stimulate the release of oxytocin - the ‘cuddle hormone’ - in your body, making you more social and relaxed. Oxytocin is also received in the heart, which helps the heart heal and strengthen itself. When helping others, the levels of oxytocin in your body increase, thus augmenting the abilities of resiliency. It is natural to think of stress as a negative part of life, but changing the way you perceive it can change your entire outlook on any given
situation. The results of stress are ultimately rooted in your mindset. If you think of stress as a benefit and a motivator that can push you towards your goals, it will act as such. So long as you find healthy coping mechanisms to be effective, there is no reason to become overwhelmed by being scared of stress. Using stress effectively can not only increase your self-esteem, but also open up a world of opportunities.
Teen Driving By: Emi Roni
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s a wave of children undergo the traditional sweet sixteen celebrations from enormous house parties to mediocre ice cream cake, a new set of drivers take the road. While the flash of a licence may hold some pride, it is important to understand the responsibilities that follow. In Ontario, a G1 can be obtained at the age of 16. This learner’s permit is issued once the individual successfully completes a written knowledge test about the signs and rules of the road. Once achieving the G1 license, teenagers can drive with the supervision of a fully licensed driver. After holding a G1 license for a minimum of 1 year, or 8 months if enrolled in a Driver Education program, they receive the G2 licence upon passing the road test. This relatively short period of time results in many young drivers being seated behind the wheel, rolling from place to place. According to the Minis-
try of Transportation, adolescents are given the privilege of driving to allow for greater independence and a sense of freedom. With great power comes great responsibility, but it appears that less and less adolescent drivers are accepting this new responsibility of ensuring public safety. The leading cause of death in adolescents in Canada is vehicular collisions. 20% of teenagers have a collision in their first year of driving, and 25% of fatal teen car accidents involve the consumption of alcohol. Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) regularly publish information about the risks surrounding driving, and raise awareness to limit distracted driving. Caution and attention can also be exercised by observing the media and the stories about the tragic collisions that have occurred, resulting in mental and/or physical harm to other drivers and passengers. Unfortunately, simply educating the public isn’t enough.
We as a community must take preventative measures to protect each other, particularly in dangerous circumstances that can be avoided. Many companies offer lessons, both in-class and on the road to practice being a defensive driver, while insurance companies offer financial incentives for doing so. Websites, brochures and pamphlets contain a great deal of resources, and discussing any confusion with trusted adults such as a police officer can be key to ensuring the safety of all members of society. I am also eagerly clutching the steering wheel, and practicing my 3-point turn in the local elementary school parking lot. I recognize that it is imperative we all take the time to learn how to be a dependable driver, by following the rules and laws that have been set for our wellbeing. Therefore, I hope that every student at Glenforest Secondary School does the same, so we will be one step closer to safer roads.
Photo: Insurance Journal
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Science
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Science
Photo: Kurzweilai
Neuralink: another one of Elon Musk's wonders By: Khyathi Rao
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here is only one word to describe Elon Musk’s projects - impressive. Constructed with cutting-edge technology, Musk’s latest project might be the most impressive of them all. Called ‘Neuralink’, the objective of this technology is to close the gap between human brains and computers, through an implant in the human brain. Revolving around ‘neural lace technology’, this project will merge digital intelligence and human intelligence to create something that humankind has not yet
witnessed. Neuralink is similar to other brain implants done for medical purposes, which aim to decrease neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, and is a last chance of hope for those who have tried every other medical procedure at hand. Additionally, some people have brain implants for increasing human cognition to surpass the average human’s thinking process. Elon Musk’s Neuralink partially addresses neurological disorders and increases human brain ability by making it digital. With Neuralink, Musk hopes to ex-
plore the possibility of reducing depression and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Surprisingly, Neuralink’s main goal is even more interesting. By implanting neural electrodes in human brains, Musk hopes to achieve a level of ‘communication’ between the brain and the computer. Similar to human-to-human thought transferring (telepathy), Neuralink acts as a human-to-computer communication medium, receiving the required information in the form of neurons and then converting it into a ma-
chine-friendly language, before being transmitted to the electronic device which performs the action. For example, instead of typing out a message to your friend, it can be sent automatically through a mere thought. Musk claims that this idea was inspired by his constant feeling of laziness every time he had to type. After all, who has the energy to type out so many characters, right? Musk’s ultimate goal is to make humans as powerful as artificially intelligent robots and machines. Neuralink just takes us one step closer to the goal. Recently, Elon Musk
and Mark Zuckerberg publicly displayed their opposing viewpoints on artificial intelligence. While the Facebook founder believes that AI is definitely bound to improve the lives of humans in the next decade or so, Musk claims that there is a good chance it will destroy the human race. Why? According to Musk, our technological advancements in the AI field are moving too quickly. We will soon reach a point in time, where machines are more powerful and can attain complete control over the human race. That said, Neuralink is Elon Musk’s way of prepa-
ration. It is not just a technological advancement, but a precautionary measure to ensure that humans are equipped with the necessary cognitive abilities that match the exceptional technology of artificial intelligence.
Once in a blue moon: the 2017 solar eclipse Photo: NJ
By: Michelle Wei
I
t was unfortunately hot on August 21. If it were any other day, the hundreds of people milling around the lawn of the Riverwood Conservancy’s Chappell House would have been happier lounging in the air-conditioned comfort of their homes. I, for one, could have done without the harsh light that not even the thickest layer of sunscreen could block, but considered the relentless heat a small price to pay for a rare front row seat to the stunning natural phenomenon about to take place. That Monday, I, along with
Photo: Vanity Fair
seasoned astronomers and pinholes-in-cardboard observers alike, watched the sky eagerly and waited with bated breath for the bright summer afternoon to darken. Making my way to the eclipse was an adventure within itself. The path to the Riverwood Conservancy was packed with children, parents who called in sick days to attend, telescopes, and volunteers. It took twenty minutes to drive the short stretch of Burnhamthorpe road leading up to the centre, heavy with traffic of the eclipse watchers. The eclipse viewing party, as the Royal Astronomical So-
ciety of Canada (RASC) promoted on their website, was scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM, but by 12:30 the gathered crowd had already extended well past the bridge leading up to the conservancy. By the scheduled start, the conservancy had run out of free solar viewers. “We didn’t expect this many people,” admitted a grinning volunteer. For the first time since 1979, Canadians were treated to the sight of a major solar eclipse as it made its way across North America. Only sections of the United States experienced totality, where the moon covers the sun com-
pletely, but here in Mississauga as much as 70 percent of the sun was blocked out. The 2017 eclipse, dubbed ‘The Great American Eclipse’, had eclipse chasers scrambling across the globe. Meanwhile, GTA residents got to kick back their feet and watch from their front porches. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, casting a shadow on a portion of the earth below and turning the day into night. Its counterpart – a lunar eclipse – is not, as one would think, the event in which the sun passes in front of the moon and the planet
implodes, but rather when the moon enters the earth’s shadow and seems to disappear. Although the trending Twitter hashtag #Eclipse2017 and the countless news articles make it hard to believe, solar eclipses are in fact quite common as astronomical events go. Theoretically, solar eclipses happen once a month because the moon’s orbit around the earth takes approximately a month to complete,. The phenomenon only becomes a rarity after consideration of the fact that only 30% of the earth is made of land; statistically 70% of eclipses happen over the open ocean. On top of
that, it is highly unlikely out of that 30% the eclipse would fall over your particular sliver of the planet. As such, a total solar eclipse only occurs on a given spot on the planet once every 375 years. The next ‘Great American Eclipse’ is scheduled for April 8, 2024. According to the RASC, the 2024 path of totality will cross southern Ontario and Quebec, central New Brunswick, western P.E.I. and central Newfoundland – Canada’s own “once every 375 years”. If you didn’t manage to catch this one, that’s alright; there’s only seven more years to go.
Photo: B&H
VOLUME 27 , ISSUE 1 FALL 2017 PAGE 12
Sports
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Global
Photo: Sportsnet
Hats off to 'Chapeau'-valov! By: Rehana Lalani
T
he summer of 2017 would not be complete without mentioning the accomplishments of a blue-eyed Canadian teen tennis powerhouse. Denis Shapovalov, known as ‘Chapeau’-valov for those who have trouble pronouncing his name, has taken Canadians on a jaw-dropping pro-tennis journey. Considering his innumerable accomplishments throughout international tennis tournaments at such a young age, Shapovalov is an inspiration to young athletes around the globe. Born April 1999, Shapovalov began playing ten-
nis from the age of five. His mother, who opened a tennis club in Vaughan, Ontario, has continued to coach him throughout his worldwide success. Shapovalov triumphed even before he was recognized on an international level by winning numerous tournaments, including the 2016 Wimbledon Junior Singles Title, which scored him an ITF ranking of No.2. The tennis sensation gained a tremendous amount of attention in the 2017 Rogers Cup held at York University, where he defeated highly-ranked tennis player J. Del Potro, in a round of 32. Seeing a young star defeat such an ex-
ceptional player had all Canadians rooting for his victory throughout the tournament. As Shapovalov achieved victory game by game, his skill brought him forward, and after exceedingly close sets and game-changing break points, the young athlete emerged victorious over the No. 1 ranked player in the world Rafael Nadal. Though Nadal stated it was ‘the worst match he’s played all year’, he had encouraging words for Shapovalov. “I wish him the best. He has everything to become a great player. He played with the right determination in important moments,” stated Na-
Photo: Toronto Star
dal. It seems many Canadians and tennis enthusiasts agreed, as Shapovalov has earned multiple nicknames for his achievements, including the fan favourite ‘Denis the Menace’. Shapovalov had a few words of his own to share as well. In an interview with Sportsnet Magazine, he spoke of tennis as a passion saying, “It’s incredible. I can’t even talk right now… It’s a dream come true for me”. As Denis Shapovalov conversed with the interviewer, he expressed his admiration of Rafael Nadal as a tennis icon, and being able to play against the world champion was an astonishing
feat.
However, throughout the player’s toilsome work and tension-filled matches, Shapovalov’s greatest dream was not self-success, but rather the hope of a future filled with appreciation of the sport. When being interviewed by ATP World Tour Sports Association, the tennis star said “... my biggest goal in tennis is to make the sport big in Canada and have a lot of kids playing tennis. I want to make tennis a close second to hockey in Canada.” Shapovalov hopes these words will inspire children to play tennis and pursue their dreams, and his actions in re-
Photo: Business Insider
Catalonian referendum cent tournaments have shown what skill, determination, and rigorous training can help one achieve. He has proven that no matter one's age, success is possible if you put your heart into everything you do. As final words of advice to all youth around the world, Shapovalov stated, “I play for myself, my team, and my country. Those three things I always take with me on the court. I play with my heart.”
Photo: National Post
By: Mateja Perc
T
he residents of Sant Cugat Del Valles - a charming town just north of Barcelona - can be found banging pots and pans every night on their balconies. Although it may not seem like it, this performance is a form of protest against the Spanish government and is just a small example of Catalonia’s desire for independence. Catalonia is located in north-eastern Spain and is one of the country’s seventeen autonomous regions. It is distinct from the rest of Spain in its culture, with a separate language (a mix between Spanish and French called Catalan), its own flag and even a distinguishing national anthem. It is also one of the wealthiest regions of Spain, accounting for up to 20% of the country’s GDP and 25% of all exports. Perhaps it is these distinctions which have been the source of a continued discontent among Catalans about their association with Spain. For years, there have been pro-indepen-
dence groups in Catalonia which have lobbied for a completely independent state. In 2006, Spain’s central government and Catalan authorities even made an agreement to give the region more liberty, and Catalonia has enjoyed the freedom to control its finances, healthcare and education since then. A key point in turning away from the relatively peaceful environment of 2006 was the 2008 financial crisis, which brought about austerity measures that left many Catalans feeling as though they would be better off by themselves. Them, in 2010, Spain’s constitutional court revisited the 2006 charter and struck down 14 of the statute’s 223 articles. One of the measures the Spanish government took was restricting Catalonia’s attempt at placing the Catalan language above Spanish in usage. This act by the national government unintentionally re-ignited the anger of many Catalonians, evidenced by a protest of one million people
in the streets of Barcelona. It may have also been the catalyst that resulted in a pro-independence party winning the regional elections in 2010. In an attempt to gain independence, the Catalan government led an independence vote in 2014 which yielded an 80% approval of secession, but had less than 50% turnout. Perhaps as a result of the turnout and pressure from the national government, Catalan authorities decided to scrap the vote and deemed it an “unofficial opportunity for locals to express their opinion about Catalonia’s future”. Although 2014’s vote was deemed a failure in the eyes of many, pro-independence citizens were seemingly given another opportunity to assert their desires on June 9th, 2017, when the Catalonian president Carlos Puigdemont announced a new vote on independence which would take place on October 1st. This was met with assertions from the Spanish government that Catalan independence would be
unconstitutional and would not occur under any circumstance. In the days leading up to the vote, the Spanish government sent national police forces - known as Guardia Civil - to Catalonia to attempt to thwart and suppress the voters. The Guardia Civil arrested and fined many government officials and protests in the streets escalated quickly, leading to hundreds of injuries. Despite this, the voter turnout for the independence vote was surprisingly high, at 43% with 2.2 million people having voted. 90% of the votes were for an independent Catalan state, although critics of the referendum have said that those who would vote against secession were suppressed the most, as they would not risk going out to vote. Now, several weeks after the October 1st vote, the future of Catalonia is still uncertain. Catalan officials have yet to declare Catalonia as an independent state (which they said they would do within
48 hours of the vote), and attempts at holding parliamentary meetings in Catalonia to discuss the issue have been thwarted through court bans from the Spanish government. The Spanish government remains firm in its stance that the only solution is one of legality. Upon being asked about peaceful solutions, the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has said, “Yes, there is, and the best one would be a return to legality and the swiftest possible confirmation that there won’t be a unilateral independence declaration, because that way still greater harm could be avoided.” Not much is known about the future of the state, but the vote has already caused long-lasting effects, with many major businesses - most notably banks - moving their headquarters from Barcelona to Valencia. The Spanish government has even approved a decree that would make it easier for companies in Catalonia to “move the location of their official registration out of the
region.” There is also the question of the happenings in Catalonia sparking outrage from other regions which want independence - both in Spain and the rest of Europe. Separatist movements range from small towns to entire regions which have cultural differences. For example, countries such as Italy, with states which have very distinct linguistic, cultural and historical differences, tend to have numerous independence movements. For this reason many European countries have backed the Spanish government in being pro-unity. The future of Catalonia may be unclear, but there is one thing for certain - these protests in Spain can serve as a useful lesson and serious example to all countries with residents that have major cultural and historical differences: Pay attention to the concerns of all your citizens.
Photo: Amazon News
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Global
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Horrorscopes
Zodiac Signs: Halloween Aries
Libra
With their outgoing nature, Aries has a fearless spirit that is sure to take them far this Halloween. Be careful not to stray too far, though, you never know what is lurking in the dark.
SEPT 22 - OCT 23
MAR 20 - APR 19
Taurus
How centralized banking almost took over the world By: Safwaan Shaikh
W
hen it comes to money, many of us assume that the government controls and distributes the monetary funds of our country; however, in reality, it’s actually private reserves that are behind our country’s economy. Those behind the idea of monetary funds such as paper currency and credit were not our government, but rather individuals who offered this idea in exchange for something else. The most successful peon in this department was Mayer
Amschel Rothschild, a man who established his banking business in the 1760’s. Unlike previous bankers, Rothschild managed to create his wealth by having his children spread his influence across the country while at the same time establishing an international banking family through his five sons who settled in in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, and Naples. By the 1890’s, the Rothschild family arguably owned the largest private wealth of all time with assets across industries such as oil, energy, financial services,
and much more. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Rothschild family had been behind almost every single banking system in Europe, effectively making them the shadow behind Europe’s collective economy. The problem with this, however, was that the countries that had taken loans from them had to eventually find out how to pay the Rothschild family back. They gave away more valuable resources such as land for paper currency and this took away from the economy. The world was just about to enter
the First World War and was not ready for the aftermath of such a catastrophic event - or anything else, for that matter. The Rothschild family and all other banking groups formed the federal reserve which was not just a banking system, but an association more powerful than the rest of the world! This was a cycle of control until WWI started and the world realized what little importance monetary funds had. There wasn’t much that countries could do however and by this time, the federal reserve had spread all across the world
including Canada. However, the Second World War changed everything. Countries decided that no privately-owned banking system should be in charge of the currency and so all of the countries, one by one took their country back. Eventually, countries realized that there wasn’t much the federal reserve could do in opposition to the government and newly formed bodies of control such as the UN. By the end of WWII, almost all countries had made it so that they owned their central banking
system. The world was in a chaotic state after this for a multitude of reasons, but after a long period of slow progression, the federal reserve had finally been eliminated. Although the founding families still receive some monetary funds, they no longer control the exchange of money.
APR 20 - MAY 20
OCT 24 - NOV 21
MAY 21 - JUNE 20
NOV 22 - DEC 21
JUNE 21 - JULY 22
DEC 22 - JAN 19
Confident and ambitious, Leo’s are the ultimate costume-makers and can turn even a zombie-themed party into a blast. Their Halloween style is sure to be the talk of the (ghost) town.
JAN 20 - FEB 18
Photo: Bank of Canada
AUG 23 - SEPT 21
Aquarius is loyal, honest and fiercely determined. Their gentle yet cunning nature makes them the best person to have around while raiding the supermarkets for discounted post-Halloween candy.
Pisces
Virgo
Virgo is stable and dependable, and their downto-earth spirit would much prefer a homegrown halloween. Step out of your comfort zone, and take some risks this month. You may just find thrill in the most unexpected of places; Graveyards are a great place to start.
Practical, patient, yet mischievous, classical tricks and treats are a Capricorn’s kind of Halloween. Friends of Capricorn: watch out. Their tricks can often take too much inspiration from classic horror movies.
Aquarius
Leo JULY 23 - AUG 22
Sagittarius is temperamental, fiery, and a force to be reckoned with among their zombie-like peers. This month, break free from the confines of your coffin and take advantage of the spooky spirit. Use your wild energy to scare your friends and encourage them to take risks.
Capricorn
Cancer
Individualistic, intuitive and moody. If you're single, dear Cancer, someone's definitely got their eye on you. So instead of removing those cobwebs on the ceiling, convince yourself that they're festive Halloween decor and invite some people over!
Scorpio is known to be unafraid and cunning, and often radiates a cold, death-like exterior. Much like candy apples, however, their hard exterior gives away to a sweet and bright spirit. Lift your spirits by reconnecting with old friends.
Sagittarius
Gemini
Geminis are quick and intelligent; their Halloween costume is sure to be the most hilarious. Their ghastly Halloween style is dark and mysterious, and they can often be found wandering the nearest cemetery.
Between your birthday and Halloween, October is overflowing with celebration. Your social and trusting nature will have you clinking glasses and carving pumpkins all month long, but take care, you never know who is hiding beneath those masks.
Scorpio
Taurus is kind, understanding and sweet as candy. They throw the best Halloween parties. Watch out, their gentle exterior can often be a mask for something much more sinister.
Photo: Keravnos Law
Zodiac symbols from pinterest
FEB 19 - MAR 20
Pisces are wise and artistic, and would prefer to stay home this Halloween night. Their carved pumpkins are the best in the neighborhood, and their costumes are always clever and thoughtful. Trick-or-treaters beware: Poison is a Pisces secret weapon.
Comics By: Diego Soriano
By: Victoria Shyshkin
By: Sophia Naveed
By: Rania Wali
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