Letter from the editors
VOLUME 31, ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2022 PAGE 2
Index Advice
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Glenforest
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Science
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Student Voice The “High School Experience” from a now Graduated IB Student The Talk of the Town: The GFSS Carnival Get outside, for the sake of your eyes
Community
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Culture
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The Rise in the Sexual Assault Cases: A Concerning Trend Wildlife Photographer of the Year: An eye-opening exhibit that you don’t have to be an expert to appreciate Depp vs Heard Trial Staying Active This Summer Fast food around the world DB Cooper: What Ever Happened? New Zealand Man Brings an Emotional Support Clown to a Work Meeting How is Amazon expanding their business? Summer bucket list: five fun activities for you to do in the summer!
Crossword
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Comics
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Credits Teacher Supervisors Ms. Alim
Editors in Chief Emily Cao Alex Truong Alex Lu
Cover Designers Alice Guo Leon Yang
Student Voice Navam Thind Hannah Wang Samantha Chen
Journalists
David Lee Hannah Wang Victoria Gotcheva Krisha Veera Ivona Lu Latinovic Ashwin Kailayaruban Zerina Bakrac Alex Truong Nitya Kharidehal Navam Thind Nayeema Rahat Jahan Sophia Zhang Continued on page 16
This year has been a bumpy road. For starters, this club wouldn’t even exist anymore if we hadn’t stepped up as the editors-in-chief. We got to exercise our (unwanted) soliciting skills, knocking door-to-door, looking for teacher supervisors. And before our Spring issue, our printing company went out of business, so we had to scramble to find a new one. In short, it has not been smooth sailing. But what do you know, we’re still here, and now we’ve printed the last edition of Talon Times of our high school careers. So, as per tradition, it’s time to thank all of the people who have helped us get here. Thank you to Ms. Alim first and foremost, our supervisor who changed her mind and agreed to her job 24 hours before the club fair (i.e. the date we needed a supervisor by). Without her flexibility and conscientiousness, we would not have made it past recruitment. Thank you to Mr. Gordon, who handled our Winter edition and showed us the ropes before fully handing the reins over to us (for better or for worse). We hope we’ve lived up to his expectations. Thank you to Mr. Kidd, who agreed to let us use a somewhat exorbitant amount of money to print the paper this year. A special mention goes out to all the people who asked us where the crossword was for the Spring edition. The crossword for this issue is dedicated to you guys. And last but certainly not least, our deepest thanks to the Talon Times team: the writers, editors, photographers, artists, and layout designers who create our paper. This club would not exist without your continued dedication. As your editors-in-chief, we were repeatedly amazed by the talent and ingenuity that you brought to the table. This is it for us, but we hope you’ll continue to impress the leadership team next year, and however many years to come for you as members of the school newspaper. We wish you all the best as we hand the baton over to Amy, Hannah, and Sophia, your editors-in-chief for next year. So long, kiddos, Alex, Alex, and Emily
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Advice How to Survive High School Due to a lack of serious questions, we decided to have our team give their own unsolicited advice! In this issue, two of our advice columnists unearth the ups and downs of their high school experience to help you make it through this strange time in our lives. However, this new section doesn’t mean that we won’t be answering advice prompts anymore. If you have any questions you’d like to ask our columnists next issue, submit them via our advice box in the library or the form on our Instagram: @gfss.talontimes—link in bio!
Response 1: Let’s get this out of the way, high school is both incredibly difficult and fulfilling. In lieu of this, it’s vital to be smart with how you go about things. The most important piece of advice is to manage your time, taking who you are as a person and what you can do into consideration. If you know that you’re a slow typer and you have an English essay coming up, or that your strongest subject isn’t the one you’re studying for, give yourself more time — it could be a week of studying or starting an assignment early. Often, you will find yourself putting out work that isn’t what you are proud of or straining yourself because of work piling up. When you understand your habits, you’ll be able to space out your workload and get a healthy amount of sleep. Now, you can take what you know and add on to make it holistically sound. This can be done by having an agenda (either online or a physical one) or setting reminders on your phone throughout the day for when you need to start working on a subject. High school is brutal because of its fluctuations — sometimes, you might get a bunch of work due around the same time, and sometimes, you’ll get a free week. Things can get overwhelming, so knowing what you have available to you is very important. Never be afraid to reach out to your teachers, and especially your guidance counselors — they’ll always be there as a second opinion or an outlet to talk to. Surviving is easy to do, but it’s ideal to be in a good position rather than the contrary. I hope this has been helpful! Regards, Tenzin Ghaki
Response 2: If I could have a conversation with my younger self, I would tell her that her plans for the future will change over time and that she should aim to always remain open-minded. Going into high school, I thought that I had a very clear and definite plan for what I would be doing after graduation. This affected the attitude that I held towards certain school subjects and the amount of effort that I put into them. When rethinking my decision in Grade 12 about which university programs to pursue, I felt that there were some that were automatically out of the running as I had not taken the time to properly learn the material in their prerequisite high school classes. Because of the mindset with which I approached certain subjects, I also overlooked how interesting some of the topics and assignments actually were. Another piece of advice that I would give my younger self is to join the clubs that are appealing to her in Grade 9 or 10 rather than waiting until later. Although better late than never, I feel that I would have gotten a lot more out of the school groups that I eventually became a part of if I had been involved in them from earlier on. Having more time to become familiar with the clubs’ structure and organization might have helped me to make a greater impact through the work that I did and hold more executive positions. As a result, I believe that I would have come out of high school with stronger leadership skills and had more to write about on university and scholarship applications. There is, of course, also the regret of not having joined certain clubs at all. Overall, these are two of the main things that I would tell other highschoolers: Stay open-minded and don’t procrastinate on getting involved. Regards, Victoria Gotcheva
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Glenforest
Student Voice
1) What did you think of the Carnival event? Do you wish for more events like such in the next school year? What was your favourite event or activity? Samona, Grade 11: “I thought the Carnival was really fun, but I also thought that it was really hot — maybe they would’ve done better if they organized some tents. Additionally, I think the club booths should have been more interactive and worked together more often. I also ran a booth for the Glen Haven kids and I tried my best to find a way to engage them.” Hafsa, Grade 9: “I thought the Carnival event was fun. I would say my favourite activity was the Henna, I thought it was pretty cool and the dunk tank was also fun to watch. I’m definitely looking forward to more events like this next year!”
Photo: Samantha Chen
Mrs. Jones: “It seemed like students had a lot of fun at the Carnival and many students went out to interact. I was able to enjoy it too. I supervised and watched everyone, and it was a little hot but it was still nice. I wish for more events like these next year, and I especially enjoyed watching the dunk tank even though I didn’t participate myself.” Mrs. Sotiropoulos: “I think the Carnival event was so much fun; my students were so excited coming out and going back in. I supervised and it was nice to see teachers going into the dunk tank and getting soaked, and if they didn’t, I would’ve pushed it myself! Haha! I thought it was fantastic and one of my favourite activities was the inflatable courts. I definitely wish for more events since you guys deserve breaks as students, and it makes high school fun, engaging, and memorable.”
Photo: Samantha Chen
2) Do you have someone you want to vote for in mind? Why? What are you wishing for them to pursue? Do you think your preferred candidate will win? Utkarsh, Grade 9: “As a SAC candidate, I don’t have any strong opinions since I’m campaigning. I know that a lot of people didn’t like the walls being painted blue, so teacher and student transparency is important in my campaign, since I think staff should’ve told students about it so we could give them feedback. Since I’m running for Vice President, communication is important and students should get a word about the changes made in school. I’m also pretty sure I’ll win, I mean, my only competition is Mirabel, honestly.” Stuthy, Grade 11: “Being a candidate in the upcoming SAC elections, I’m a little nervous about how it’s turning out but I’m having fun going around the school to interact with students. Overall, I’m wishing to give students the high school experience that we were robbed of because of COVID, so I’m trying to organize more school events and involve more students.”
Photo: Samantha Chen
Alisha, Grade 11: “I have a bunch of people I want to vote for! I feel like they make a big difference in my school and all of them are basically in Grade 11 as I work with and have classes with them. Since I’m in grade 12 next year, I would like more engagement with many clubs and big school events since COVID is settling down. I’m also positive that the people I want to vote for will win.” Ali, Grade 9: “I think the election’s information is a bit confusing, you don’t really know who’s running and for what position sometimes. I do have people I want to vote for, but it’s been chaotic, I feel that there should be a specific time for campaigning.”
Photo: Samantha Chen
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Glenforest
3) What was the most challenging part of this school year? Were you able to overcome it? If so, how? What advice would you give yourself for next year? Aakaash, Grade 11: “Adapting to Grade 11 was difficult, but I was able to overcome it. I’d give myself the advice to get work done sooner and space things out.”
Photo: Samantha Chen
Alexandra and Ziena, Grade 9: “We both think the teachers put a lot of pressure on us, and I wasn’t able to overcome my fear of teachers, but I’d give myself the advice to not take things too seriously and to not stress out.”
Photo: Samantha Chen
Tio, Grade 10 & Kira, Grade 11: “The most challenging part of the school year for us was finding volunteering hours, as it was hard for us to find opportunities. It’s been difficult. Even then, we found some and got our hours. But for next year, I’d advise myself to get out of my comfort zone and explore new things in case I find something I like.”
Photo: Samantha Chen
Robert, Grade 10: “The most challenging part of my school year was the online learning, and I was kind of able to overcome it, but it was hard. For next year, I’d like to focus more on English since I’m not that good at it, so I’d like to get better at that.”
Photo: Samantha Chen
Max, Grade 12: “The most challenging part of the school year for me was not failing calculus, and I barely overcame it. I would advise myself to not pick calculus next year.” Catheline, Grade 12: “For me, it was academic-related since social and popularity things don’t really matter, so for the most part, keeping my grades up since Grade 11 Chemistry hit me hard. I would advise upcoming Grade 12 students to have better time management as it’s so important.”
Photo: Samantha Chen
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Glenforest
The “High School Experience” from a now-Graduated IB Student By: David Lee
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o was it worth it? Well first off, my personal experience is not the same as those of my peers, so this is really just me speaking from my heart and not for the entire graduating class. To me, the “high school journey” has always been one that’s been romanticized, by Hollywood especially, making me, along with many others, go into this expecting the “best years of my life”. Yeah, this wasn’t that. I got here expecting sex scandals, drug rings, and a dating life, but I instead got countless hours of studying and, of course, COVID. I’m not saying my 4 years were uneventful, because they definitely were, but just not in the ways I expected. It surprised me how much I could change in such a short
period of time. More than anything, I think my experience here made me understand myself and grow as a person (hopefully for the better), because of the environment I was put in and all the interactions I had with those around me, regardless if they were good or bad. I think it was worth it in the ways that really mattered, even if it wasn’t exactly the most flashy and engaging experience in the world. As for the academic side, speaking as an IB student, I’d be lying if I said it was easy. Sure, it was overexaggerated, but there were definitely stretches throughout the year that pushed me physically and mentally. Whether all the work was worth it is still something I don’t know. But what I do know though, is that it left me with a much-improved
work ethic, better time management skills, and made me a far better student — a student I could be proud of. Do I have regrets? Of course. I think the biggest thing was not taking the first step with a lot of the people around me, not because I was scared, but because I just didn’t bother to take the time to do so. Just this year alone, I’ve met some great people, and it kills me to realize I could’ve known them for so much longer if I had just said “Hi” earlier. Maybe these past 4 years would’ve been a lot more entertaining, and maybe some of my friends could’ve been something a bit more than just friends. What hurts isn’t really the things I did, but rather the things I didn’t do. More specifically, the relationships I could’ve had, but didn’t.
Though it might be a bit naive to say this, I do think every experience, or even the lack thereof, improves you as a person and serves a purpose. As I’m entering a new stage of my life, I have
a much deeper connection with myself and the world around me, and I’m no longer living in my own bubble anymore. I can now honestly say I’m appreciative of every second during my time here
in this school. But onto the next, and hey, there have been ups and downs, but to answer my own question: yes, this was totally worth it. Photo: Glenforest
The Talk of the Town: The GFSS Carnival By: Nayeema Rahat Jahan
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iggest activity of the year, you say? Perhaps. However, what was it really? The chance for the undecided weather to reclaim its fearful position? A chance to miss class consequence-free and not be marked absent? The Carnival was essentially the biggest event of the 20212022 school year at Glenforest. It was anticipated as a great chance to blow off some steam for students and teachers alike, a reward for those finishing exams and those in the midst of finals and cumulatives. Whether it be for the chance to miss a few hours of class, or to take advantage of Glenforest’s endless supply of freezies, the Carnival was here and happening. As expected from the long list over the intercom prior to the Carnival, there were quite a few activities for everyone to explore and try out. From SAC, there were the “Minute To Win It” games, which other than being difficult on their own, proved to come with a side of extra challenges. Forget getting the cookie in your mouth and the smarties from one plate to the other, the more prominent challenges were keeping every-
thing within the confines of the table and making it out with a vision free of dust (take it from the writer, glasses helped). A hit among the entirety of the student population seemed to be the Dunk Tank station, which was probably expected. Although, in the heat, who wasn’t jealous of the teachers getting a refreshing wash of cold water to pace out their afternoon? Serving as an attraction for the “teen” population was BOSS’s tattoo stall, with rather nice, almost realistic quality tattoos (affirmed by the writer, the tattoo is still there in all its glory). A rather popular alternative to the tattoos was the Henna Stall, courtesy of the MSA, with a consistent crowd that never seemed to thin out. Perhaps a hidden gem of the Carnival, was the refreshing game incorporating water play and luck, hosted by the Robotics club. It was a simple game, but provided for a nice entertaining refresher and was a perfect game for anyone remotely vindictive. Bringing back an everlasting classic, GAMA hosted a competitive game of musical chairs, accompanied by some rather interesting and entertaining
commentary. Any outdoorsy summer event calls for inflatables, and the Carnival was no exception. They were hard to miss as perhaps some of the biggest activity equipment on the field, one of which was a basketball court. Keeping it simple and generally appealing to most, the Athletic Council hosted a volleyball game, one of the only team activities. Of course, one can’t have any event, let alone a carnival, without the convincing aspect of food. As always, Glenforest provided an endless supply of freezies in addition to ice cream, popcorn, and samosas, which were all adequately appreciated. A widely favored, yet unexpected station of the Carnival presented itself in the second half, the splash pad. The day being one of the hottest yet made for the perfect chance to splash around and enjoy the gift of an abundance of water. In fact, the splash pad might have been the greatest hit of the entire Carnival. As fun as the Carnival may have been, there were certain restrictions to the success of the Carnival. For one, two and a half hours was quite a lot of time to tolerate outside in the state of the weather and quite frank-
Photo: Ayaan Nawab
Photo: Ayaan Nawab
ly, placing the event on a Tuesday, smack in the middle of a busy school week was rather odd, as I’m sure many would agree. Weather, as quite clear already, proved to be a constraint in enjoyment. In the future, some things to consider in the
opinion of the general student population, would be the placement and navigation of activities. Many stations were difficult to find due to everything being spaced out so much, and without any prior knowledge of where specific activities were, it was a bit of a
hassle getting around. With that being said, this Carnival was sufficiently enjoyable considering the slump that we have been in for the past little while now, and in the words of many, “it was nice to be able to do things again”.
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Science Photo: bmx22c
Get outside, for the sake of your eyes By: Alex Truong
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ave your parents ever yelled at you to “get off your phone”, “stop playing video games”, or some variation of the sort? With the ever-increasing presence of digital technology in our lives, there’s a good chance that they have, and probably followed with some vague warning about how you’re going to regret ignoring them in the future when your eyes go bad. Unfortunately, your parents are somewhat right about that (as they usually are about most things). In fact, we’ve actually seen a drastic spike in nearsightedness, also known as myopia, during the pandemic. In a recent study of over 120 000 quarantined children, Chinese researchers found that the prevalence of myopia and other vision issues had nearly tripled compared to the rates of the past five years. Many attribute this spike to an increase in screen time owing to the introduction of virtual learning, but some recent studies have suggested that the more important issue may be the side effect to all the screen-watching we’ve been doing recently: a lack
of time spent outdoors. While a direct, causal relationship has yet to be found, researchers from the University of Cambridge concluded that, in children, “for each additional hour spent outdoors per week, the chance of myopia dropped by approximately two percent”. This 2011 study served as a launching pad for the work of a growing group of researchers worldwide who believe sunlight to be the key to keeping childrens’ eyes in working condition. According to Dr. Christopher Starr, an ophthalmologist from Cornell University’s school of medicine, exposing the eyes to sunlight may cause them to release dopamine, which serves as an inhibitor to eye elongation. Without a sufficient amount of dopamine, the eyes continue to grow to a point where their lenses and retinas are no longer properly aligned, which results in nearsightedness. In extreme cases, the retina can be stretched to the point where it tears and detaches from its normal position, often leading to permanent blindness. To counteract this, it is recommended that children get two hours of direct exposure to sunlight
a day. However, with summer now in full swing, that much exposure to the sun can also cause damage if you aren’t careful, as ultraviolet (UV) radiation is most intense during this season. While most people are aware of the harm that UV light can do to their skin, there are also many eye complications that can develop due to UV overexposure as well, such as cataracts or eye cancers. These diseases
often appear later into one’s life, but spending too much time in the sun without being properly protected can drastically increase the risk of contracting them. To lower the chance of developing these eye issues, optometrists recommend wearing broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Avoiding the outdoors during midday to early afternoon can also reduce your exposure to UV rays, as that’s when sunlight
is normally the strongest. As teenagers, our eyes are still growing. In fact, they’ll continue to do so until around 20-21 years of age, so even if you’ve already developed rather advanced nearsightness, it’s still a good idea to get an adequate amount of daily sunlight to prevent it from getting any worse, among the other benefits of getting some occasional sunshine. Research into the relationship between the exact
mechanism between sunlight and myopia is ongoing, but there is already a strong body of evidence supporting its benefits to our eyes. So next time your parents nag you about getting off your screen, just take it outside where they can’t bother you about it anymore. It’s good for you, as long as you keep everything in moderation — both screentime and sunshine!
Photo: David Travis
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Community
The Rise in the Sexual Assault Cases: A Concerning Trend By: Nitya Kharidehal
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n the past year, there has been a sudden influx of sexual harassment cases across school boards. Or rather, victims have been more willing to report a case. This is a courageous move on the victims’ part, sharing their stories and helping bring justice to themselves and others. However, their efforts have been largely dismissed by school boards, such as the PDSB. Recently, there have been several protests and complaints regarding the school board’s treatment of sexual assault cases, and rightfully so. Several schools have mistreated the victims, often asking for proof of assault. Instead of working towards creating a safer space for their students, schools have been focused on brushing the cases under the rug. This approach sets a dangerous and concerning precedent for the future. Aside from their homes, schools are the places students spend most time in. Therefore, it is imperative that students feel safe and comfortable in this setting. To do so, schools could offer services to support victims. For instance, conducting a support group where victims can share their experiences could help them cope with their emotions and trauma. However, this is not only limited to sexual assault victims. The general public could also benefit from some education on sexual assault, and how they can help stop it. It is ex-
tremely important to show victims that they are not alone. Awareness and education is a great first step, as it shows the gravity behind it. Schools can also create infographics and conduct meetings to discuss sexual assault. In terms of academics, the curriculum could include material about sexual assault in the health course. As this course focuses on biological and sexual health, including it here ensures every student will learn about it. The protests surrounding this issue have gained a lot of traction, both on social media and otherwise. Students are outraged at the blatant display of ignorance by the authorities. The sudden negative attention has, of course, pushed the PDSB to apologize and promise to take action regarding the same. The PDSB has contacted students from various schools, such as the Applewood Heights Secondary School, for their input. As far as their promises go, any major action is yet to be seen. Gioia Squillacioti, a student and activist from AHSS said, “There have been meetings between the board and students, but the implementation of our suggestions is minimal.” According to Gioia, who works with a group of students to educate the board, these students have helped create a website that is available on the BYOD page. While this is a good start, she hopes the PDSB improves further.
Photo: Romana Siddiqui
A huge part of helping students is knowing what not to do. When a case is reported, it is peoples’ responsibility to ensure they are saying and doing the right things. Listening patiently is one of the key things to follow. Rushing things or showing disinterest can discourage the victim from speaking up, which is much more harmful. Staff and students should concentrate on conducting meetings and being respectful.
Some schools have started to conduct school-wide assemblies to address the issue, which opens up room for discussion. Most importantly, schools should prioritize starting a conversation about consent, and how they can help support the victims. A fairer system and a just investigation is a necessity in every school. Students have also recommended some resources to help with these situations. Aside from the website on
BYOD, looking at documents provided by the government was also suggested to recognize and learn more about sexual assault. Contacting a mental health service or helpline (such as Here 24/7) can also help students cope with their emotions. Seeking professional help, if available, is also always a good option. Until drastic events take place, students are under the impression that their school is well equipped to
deal with these issues. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case in the PDSB so far. This issue is one of great importance, and we can only hope the PDSB pays more attention to it. In the meanwhile, we must continue educating ourselves and supporting the victims around us.
Photo: City of Brampton
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Community
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: An eye-opening exhibit that you don’t have to be an expert to appreciate
Photo: Qiang Guo
By: Victoria Gotcheva
A
few weeks ago, I went to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Receiving more than 50,490 photo submissions this year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is considered the world’s most prestigious nature photography competition, and it showcases the work of people from all around the globe. Since I had visited the exhibit five years back, I had a vague idea of what to expect. However, given the fogginess of my memories from my 2017 visit, I had no strong predispositions going in. Despite my limited knowledge about
Photo: Justin Gilligan
wildlife and photography, I found the exhibit very insightful and captivating. I also thought that it was well-organised and that it achieved its goal in raising awareness about the importance of protecting the natural world. The exhibit featured 100 of the most highly-commended photographs from the competition, and the photographs were spaced out on the walls in such a way that ensured that I was never stuck behind a crowd of people in an attempt to view a photograph. The photographs were organised into categories that included behaviour, environments, aquatic worlds, and perspectives. Although there were stunning photos
in each, one of my personal favourites was Young Photographers. The selections from the Young Photographers category were sorted based on the photographers’ ages, and it was incredibly uplifting to see that there are people even younger than 10 years old who care deeply about documenting the beauties of the world around them. Many of the photos showcased species that I had never heard of before, like Bohemian Waxwing birds, while featuring a brilliant array of bright colours. I also found it inspiring how much curiosity and attentiveness the photographers had displayed in order to capture rare moments in time. One
young boy, for instance, was able to document three roseringed parakeet chicks’ first peek outside their nest. Overall, I thought that the exhibit did a great job including photos that would make people think about and remember significant issues involving the natural world. One photo that stood out to me in particular in this respect was “A Distressing Matter” by Michael Watson, which depicted a seal screaming in pain from being cut by a rope. It was heartbreaking to see the consequences of irresponsibly-discarded fishing gear and even more devastating to read in the statement below the photo that the seal had gotten entangled when it was just a pup. However,
Photo: Michael Watson
there were also photos with a more optimistic mood depicting work currently being done to amend such issues too; Justin Gilligan’s “Rich Reflections”, for example, showed how careful human management helps preserve a vibrant seaweed jungle in Australia. In addition to being able to appreciate the photographs because of their content and composition, the diagrams above certain photos explaining the techniques used to capture the shots allowed me to admire the photographers’ innovative approaches. I came away from the exhibit having learned about photo stacking, forced perspective, and camera traps. The diagrams also satisfied my
curiosity about how a grizzly bear could be captured peering right into a camera lens, for example. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit opened my eyes to all the beauty that lies within the natural world, as well as the threats that animals and other living organisms are facing around the globe. I hope to visit the exhibit again next year and would highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of how much knowledge they have about wildlife and photography going into it.
VOLUME 31, ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2022 PAGE 10
Culture Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard: the implications By: Ivona Lu Latinovic
Photo: NBC News
W
e are all well aware of the infamous trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard that has been going on for the past 6 weeks, with the trending Tik Tok audios, viral court clips, and social media posts. However, where is this coming from? And what is the backstory regarding Depp and Heard’s relationship? What does this case mean for other victims of domestic or sexual abuse? In 2009, Depp and Heard met while filming a movie called "The Rum Diary”. In 2012, according to court documents presented by Amber’s team, Depp and Heard began dating. In 2015, the two got married in a private ceremony, and just a year later, in 2016, Heard filed for divorce, later accusing him of verbally and physically abusing her. In 2018, she wrote her infamous oped for The Washington Post about the alleged abuse she endured, where she wrote, "I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out." Following this op-ed in 2019, Depp sued Heard for defamation
Photo: Brendan Smialowski
seeking $50 million, claiming that even though Heard did not name him, the piece damaged his reputation and career as she was referring to the time period two years prior. After Depp had sued Heard, she countersued him for $100 million. Soon after, he claimed that the article was a ruse for Amber to gain supporters and positive press, and that she was not the victim of domestic violence, but instead the abuser. Since April, the defamation trial has gone viral on social media platforms with appearances on TikTok with trending sounds such as “My dog stepped on a bee”, “Were you there?”, “Did I read that correctly”, and many more. What does this mean for other victims of domestic abuse? With this case being so heavily publicized, people did not realize the consequences that would follow for the hundreds and thousands of other domestic abuse and sexual assault victims. While some of us thought these videos were harmless, and maybe even funny, many did not stop to think about how other victims would react. The many
opportunities for conversations surrounding domestic abuse were overshadowed by TikTok edits and trending sounds that made light of the trial. The response from the media gave us a perfect example of how patriarchal ideologies are so deeply rooted in our lives and society, with cases such as this one. The way that the media spun this case was unsettling and disappointing. Instead of creating opportunities to discuss abuse, this case has fueled negative stereotypes surrounding both women and men: the ideas that women are liars, and that men can never be victims of domestic abuse. The way the media responded to these allegations of abuse makes it hard for victims to come forward with their stories, fearing that the response might be the same as it was for this case. People have already started calling female victims of sexual assault or domestic abuse “Amber Heard” as a joke, accusing them of lying about their situation. This shows that the public's reaction to the Depp v. Heard trial was
Photo: Jim Watson
riddled with misogyny, and that this case has been used for campaigning the public to not believe women, which is the opposite of what should be happening. Instead, we should be finding the truth and serving justice. While this trial may have had its negative components, there is still good that came out of this case: it showed the public that men can also be victims of abuse. Stigmas such as be-
ing “alpha males” and needing to hold power surround men in society, and when a case like this one, with the abuser being female, is so heavily publicized, it makes other men more comfortable with coming forward. It also pushes the public to be more comfortable in understanding abusive relationships where the man is the victim. Overall, the outcome from this trial had both negative and positive outcomes,
ranging from the consequences victims suffered from this trial to creating conversations about men suffering from abusive relationships.
VOLUME 31, ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2022 PAGE 11
Culture
Staying
active this summer Photo: Peter Rudwall
Photo: iStock Photo
By: Hannah Wang
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anting and sweating uncontrollably as you continuously creak the floors of your room from jumping jacks; ah, the unpleasantness of following along with a workout video on YouTube where their “Beginner’s Workout” is inspired by non-stop military exercises. Despite all the terrible ways that people have
brainstormed about getting fit, there are many other, more enjoyable ways to get started on your fitness journey, which are rarely talked about, that you can begin using this summer! Looking into the free Planet Fitness Summer Pass with unlimited benefits isn’t a bad idea. If you’re not the type to actually work out, enjoying your favourite sport with friends can
Photo: Peak Performance & Recovery
always do the trick. Even then, nothing can ever be achieved without sticking to your plan, but no worries. That’s what this article is here for: to help you attain good health, participate in activities, and help you achieve your ideal version of fitness this summer of 2022. A completely free gym membership with unlimited access to machines, equip-
ment, huge mirrors, and much more. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, signing up for a free student membership at Planet Fitness is the best way to go. You can head over to their website for more information. It’s definitely worth trying the gym out at least once in your life, as it brings a whole new atmosphere to your resolutions. Maybe your idea of working out has been influenced by the boring and dull routines that are done at home, but I assure you, at a public gym, the sight of people working out all around you will motivate you and make you feel like hopping on the treadmill or sitting at an abdominal machine. Additionally, having access to equipment around the gym is very helpful if you’re looking to achieve a specific result. There are machines that can work out almost every part of your body! If you’ve always been scared to go to the public gym, you have an opportunity to give it a shot for free this summer. However, if it’s not up to your standards, keep reading to
find out other ways you can achieve similar results. Do you enjoy a particular sport or are you a part of a school sports team? During your free time, do you tend to enjoy standing up and having fun while staying active? If so, a wonderful way to become more fit this summer is to pursue your favourite activity more often! This doesn’t have to mean going to the gym and performing a certain exercise. It can be simply enjoying your favourite sport while also receiving long-term benefits from it. On the other hand, if you’ve never really been into sports, there’s no harm in trying something out, like swimming in the summer heat or bumping a volleyball to a fellow friend. Whether you’re biking around your neighbourhood; skipping ropes; or walking, jogging, or sprinting through the perfect forest trail, try to set aside some time for these activities as they contribute a lot to your health! Regardless of which activities you feel the most passionate about, doing them as much as you can this summer will
really fuel your body. Getting fit can also mean having fun — it’s not all about sweating and enduring exhausting torture like you would in a beep test. Nevertheless, exercising your will is just as important as exercising your body. I know it can often be difficult, but staying consistent is the absolute key. Becoming unmotivated can happen in the blink of an eye; one day, you could be jumping up and down with a smile on your face, and the next day, you could be complaining about how you think it’s all useless. If you’re interested in going to the gym, setting a schedule and a workout plan is a good start. If you’re leaning towards activities, maybe set a time with a few friends who are interested in the same sport and agree to meet then! Regardless of what you pick, make sure to continue your journey for the duration of the summer, whether it’s heading to the gym, picking up a racket, or something else entirely.
VOLUME 31, ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2022 PAGE 12
Culture Fast Food Around The World By: Ashwin Kailayaruban
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ast food is quick and efficient. It allows us to get in a meal during a busy schedule or as a guilty pleasure. However, there is a lack of variety in Canadian fast-food franchises. It seems that most places simply serve the usual options of burgers, fries, tacos, pizza, shakes, or cake. However, not all countries are limited to such a basic menu. The world is made of many different cultures, and food is reflective of that. Due to such differences, many nation-specific fast food chains incorporate various cultural cooking techniques or ingredients into traditional fast food meals, or create completely new items inspired by their native culture. Creating items for the
menu takes a lot of thought, and it can be a tedious process which could require years to complete. Panda Express, a popular fast food franchise that specializes in Americanized Chinese cuisine, starts with an idea. After an idea has been selected, the culinary team will take the time to create an illustration of the product and a list of potential ingredients, along with a rough creation of the product, which is then presented to a small group of consumers known as a focus group. For Panda Express, the creation of products is heavily inspired by traditional Chinese dishes, to which they add an American flair. Through a series of consumer tests, the product is revamped until the culinary team thinks it
is ready for sale. But how does this relate to cultural fast food items? Product localization is the act of customizing a product to cater to the target market in a specific region. This is evident in the menus of big franchises in other countries. An example of this is the McDonald’s Poutine available on the Canadian menu. Canadians know this dish as one of the best comfort foods available, which McDonald has realized and capitalized on by bringing it into the Canadian market in 2017. However, poutine is not available on the regular menu in the United States, and it is only occasionally on the international seasonal menu. Now, let's look at some of the most unique fast food menu items in existence. Firstly, KFC Philippines of-
fers customers a Shawarma Rice Bowl which consists of rice, pieces of Colonel Sander’s famous chicken, garlic yogurt sauce, diced tomatoes, and cucumbers. Altogether, it makes for a unique fusion dish that may seem to give Lazeez and Osmow’s a run for their money. McDonald’s Spain offers macarons in six different flavors: strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, and button pistachio — all of which pair perfectly with a cup of McCafe coffee. Pizza Hut India offers a pizza which uses vegetable kebab, a dish that is made by stacking vegetables and/or meat, as a topping, with the kebab almost acting like a substitute for the pepperoni. Accompanied by a tandoori sauce, it is a unique take on Canadian veggie-lover pizzas. Burger King Japan sells
Photo: Shutterstock
an all-black burger called the “Kuro Pearl Burger”, which consists of the typical lettuce, tomato, onions, and patty. But what really makes the burger unusual is the color of the bun and cheese. The bun and cheese slice is dyed in bamboo charcoal to turn it black, and it doesn’t stop there: The onions and ketchup are infused with squid ink as well. It is truly something Darth Vader would devour. The final dish available originates from McDonald’s South Korea. It is a chocolate pie, and it is a great way to end a meal at the Golden Arches. Most fastfood restaurants, like Popeyes, sell apple pie, but imagine biting into a hot chocolate pie, whose crispy chocolate outer layer conceals a warm chocolate sauce. This could seriously put Domino’s already-amazing lava cakes to
shame. Fast food is so vastly different in different regions. Different cultures prepare, cook, and consume food differently, and this can be seen in some of the fast-food items available around the world. So, the next time you travel to a destination outside of Canada, try and visit a fast-food restaurant. You can use it as an opportunity to try a unique dish that reflects the native culture.
Photo: Rachna Venkatesh
DB Cooper: What Ever Happened? By: Riya Piryani
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n November 24, 1971, an unassuming man named Dan Cooper approached the Northwest Orient Airlines desk in Portland, Oregon. What happened next shocked the whole nation. Beginning one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in FBI history, Cooper used cash to purchase a one-way ticket on Flight #305 to Seattle, Washington. He was described as a calm man in his mid-40s dressed in a business suit with a black tie and a white shirt. As the flight was about to depart, Cooper ordered a bourbon and soda. To calm his nerves? Maybe, but no one actually knows. A little while later, the hijacking began. Cooper delivered the stewardess a message mentioning he had a bomb in his briefcase and requested that she sit with him, shortly after 3:00 p.m.
He then opened the attaché case, including various cables, red sticks, and a battery. Soon, she delivered a new message to the plane's captain, demanding four parachutes and $200,000 in twenty-dollar bills (approximately 1.2 million dollars today). When the plane touched down in Seattle, the hijacker traded the money and parachutes for the 36 passengers. Cooper retained numerous crew members, and the aircraft took off again — however, this time heading towards Mexico City. A little after 8:00 p.m., somewhere between Seattle and Reno, the hijacker accomplished the unthinkable: he leapt out of the back of the plane with a parachute and the ransom money. The pilots landed safely, but Cooper vanished into the night. This caused great controversy over the years. What ever happened to the man calling himself "Dan Cooper"? His fate is still un-
known to this day. The FBI initiated NORJAK (Northwest Hijacking), which would become "one of the longest and most extensive investigations" in its history. Many people assumed Cooper, dressed in a business suit, trench coat, and loafers, did not survive. The winds were more than 322 kilometres per hour at that altitude, and the parachute he was using could not be guided. Furthermore, he would have landed in a mountainous, highly forested location. After years of following dead ends, detectives got a break in 1980 when a kid discovered a rotting box containing $5,800. It was discovered near the Columbia River north of Portland, around 32 kilometres from the approximate location of his fall. The serial numbers on the money (all $20 notes) matched those of the ransom. However, despite a thorough search, nothing else was uncovered.
Photo: FBI
However, it is possible that DB Cooper survived. The FBI said that it investigated 800 suspects in the first five years, with nearly all of them being dismissed. Some were ruled out based on DNA obtained from the tie Cooper removed before jumping. One prime suspect was Richard Floyd McCoy, who was arrested for a similar crime several months later. However, he was dismissed as a suspect,
mainly because he did not fit the descriptions offered by two flight attendants. (While serving his sentence, McCoy made a fake gun and escaped but was killed in a shoot-out with police). Although the FBI continued to receive tips, in 2016, the agency formally discontinued its investigation, citing that its resources could better be used on other investigations. However, if DB Cooper was to
be found today, he would be indicted under the Hobbs Act. Many questions have been posed throughout this case. Where did the initials "DB" come from? What happened that one night? But for now, the daring hijack and disappearance remain an intriguing mystery for law enforcement and amateur sleuths alike.
VOLUME 31, ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2022 PAGE 13
Culture
New Zealand man brings an emotional support clown to a work meeting By: Sophia Zhang
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ne day in 2019, Joshua Jack, a copy writer at the media company of FCB New Zealand, received an email from his workplace. It was not a regular work email — this email was from his agency employer, and its contents featured a serious letter expressing the need for a meeting to be held between Jack and his employers to discuss Jack’s role in the company. In the email, the human resources department even suggested bringing a support person to the meeting, which is an option that is obligatory by law in New Zealand. For those of you who don't know, this New Zealand law mandates that every employee has the right to have access to a support person in a variety of different occupational settings. These settings can range from disciplinary meetings to other formal meetings,
and the support person can be a family member, a friend or even a lawyer. As long as this support person can help reduce the employee’s stress and assist them through their difficulties, they are allowed to attend meetings alongside the employee. When Jack read of the support person offer, he thought that the meeting would either be about his promotion, or worse, his dismissal. Either way, he thought it would be best to “bring in a professional” to help provide him with emotional support in case his fear turned into a reality, which is why he hired Joe the clown for roughly 200 New Zealand dollars. In Canadian dollars, that would be approximately equivalent to $166. On the day of the meeting, Jack arrived at his workplace with the clown in tow. Unfortunately, as soon as the meeting commenced, Jack’s employers
let Jack know that the worst case scenario had come into fruition. Jack was going to be dismissed due to redundancy. At the news, Joe the clown nodded his head sadly and mimed crying, as if he too was going to lose his job. "Professionalism at its finest, really," Josh remarked in an interview with BBC news. Throughout the rest of the meeting, the clown performed his clown duties. While Jack’s bosses and Jack discussed the logistics of Jack’s lay off and filled out paperwork, Joe the clown made balloon animals. Joe’s crafting speed was hindered due to the loud squeaking noises associated with the art, and according to Jack, “We did have to tell [Joe] to be quiet from time to time.” In the end, Joe only managed to create a balloon unicorn and a balloon poodle. Fortunately, the meeting concluded on a high
Photo: Funny Clown Photo Editor
note. Jack’s bosses were amused by Joe’s antics, and said that they were thankful that Jack decided to “spice up the meeting” and “could see the humorous side.”
From his experiences, Jack would highly recommend bringing in a clown as a support person. "If you've got family, friends, step mums, step dads, step kids,
bring them by all means," Jack said. "But if there's a clown available, especially Joe, I'd definitely recommend it."
How Amazon is expanding their business By: Krisha Veera
ment to be added on. Today, computing is the on-deAmazon’s ambitions extend mand availability of comoday, the brand Ama- far beyond retail. puter system resources such zon makes us envision as data storage and coma dominant online mar- Amazon Prime & Prime Vid- puting power. Originally, ketplace with thousands of eo this field was dominated products for all uses. HowTo pull in regular shop- by Microsoft through its ever, what many are un- pers, Amazon Prime was Azure platform. However, aware of is all the ways that added. Over the years, this Amazon's cloud computing Amazon has grown. The 2-day shipping membership has managed to make major company has been able to evolved to include Prime deals with Disney, Netflix, break through several sec- credit card and Prime Vid- and Spotify. tors such as streaming ser- eo. Today, Prime Video convices, cloud computing, and tains hundreds of TV shows Groceries and Household even grocery and everyday and films, which are acces- Supplies household items. sible on pretty much every In 2014, Amazon startLike many tech com- device you can get your ed the AmazonFresh propanies, Amazon began in hands on. gram to stock and ship a residential home when groceries. Through this Bezos realized that the In- Amazon Web Services program, Amazon started Through AWS (Ama- a competitive relationship ternet would become a massive hit. In 1995, Amazon zon Web Services), Ama- with big-box retailers like was an online bookseller; it zon has entered the world Walmart and Target, and provided buyers with books of cloud computing. Cloud new delivery apps like Inthat were inexpensive and convenient to buy. Nowadays, buyers aren’t restricted to brick and mortar retailers and Amazon rapidly became known as the “Earth’s Biggest Book Store.” Over the years, the company's e-commerce dominance allowed for other products such as clothPhoto: Thibault Penin Photo: Christian Wiediger ing, toys, and sports equip-
T
stacart. Along with AmazonFresh, Prime Pantry was also launched. With this addition, Amazon began competing with superstores by giving their Prime members an easy way to collect and purchase household supplies. The more well-known retail move was Amazon's purchase of the Whole Foods grocery chain. Rather than starting from scratch and struggling to compete with larger, more well-established superstores, Jeff Bezos decided to purchase the chain and use their grocery pick-up, delivery perks, and in-store discounts as rewards for their Prime subscribers.
Photo: Tara Clark
Experimental Retail Stores While Amazon is attempting to enter the retail market, they have also opened up some experimental retail stores in Seattle, Chicago, and New York City, known as Amazon Go stores. These stores replace cashiers with a computer vision system that automatically detects when a customer takes products off the shelf and checks the products out as the customer leaves the store. By increasing the number of Go stores opened, Amazon will be able to compete with local pharmacies like CVS and convenience stores like 7-Eleven. Looking towards the future, Amazon is also be-
Photo: Clark Street Mercantile
ginning to encroach on the pharmacy industry. Currently, pharmacy chains are seeing retail revenues suffer because of Amazon’s convenient “everything stores.” In 2016, Amazon received its licenses to sell pharmaceutical products and drugs from various state boards across the United States. As the process of filling a prescription at a local pharmacy is often inefficient and time-consuming, Amazon's decision to move into the pharmacy sector could be met by many happy and frequent patients.
VOLUME 31, ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2022 PAGE 14
Global Summer bucket list: five fun activities for you to do in the summer!
By: Zerina Bakrac
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here is something about the summer that brings out the life in us, isn’t there? Getting away from the cold, snowy weather of winter and entering the sun-filled, warm, breezy days. You’ll probably be looking for some fun activities to do this sunny season, and I have 5 fun things that you and your friends could try. Besides going to the beach or summer shopping, here are several activities for you to do: The first fun activity on the list is going to an amusement park! You can go to an amusement park with either your friends, or a significant other if you wish. For example, Canada’s Wonderland features many exciting rides! It’s a very memorable experience as you can ride roller coasters such as the ‘Leviathan’ or ‘Yukon Strik-
er,’ and if you don’t really like to go on roller coasters, they have many other rides for you to try out such as “Viking’s Rage,” which is a ship that rocks back and forth in the air! Don’t forget about the food and drinks they have to offer (though it can be pricey). If you and your friends get hungry or even begin to crave a snack, you can always purchase some food or drinks at their featured restaurants. Last but not least, Canada’s Wonderland also features a very cool water park! In the hot weather, you and your friends may go cool yourselves off in the water as you make your exciting memories. You may also choose to attend a concert this summer! Concerts are a great way to see your favorite artists live while having a
lot of fun. They can help you release a ton of adrenaline and of course, give you some of the best memories of your life. Though tickets can be pricey sometimes, depending on the artist, there’s nothing wrong with going to a concert of an artist that you don’t even know! You could research them for a bit and then deliberate with your friends on whether you’d want to attend or not. Taking risks is fun if done safely, and who knows, maybe you’ll end up liking the artist you see. Concerts are also a great place to meet new people and really expand your friend group if you’re looking for some friends who like the same artist as you. Concerts also feature some merchandise from the artist, food, and even drinks most of the time, so if you need
to hydrate, you can simply go purchase a beverage. Concerts are an amazing way to make unforgettable memories with your friends or family, and it’ll be one of those stories that you can tell almost everyone you meet. Going stargazing is a beautiful and serene activity for you to do with your friends. You could travel up a little hill, go to a park, or even just sit near a school to look up at the stars and see the beauty that lies within our sky. Stars are very luminous and stunning sights to see, and we are very blessed to be able to look at them and really take in their beauty. Stargazing reconnects you with nature, sparks your creative mind, and it is a perfect stress reliever. I personally love stargazing because it provides me with inspira-
tion when I'm writing new poems or songs. Going stargazing with friends can be a very enjoyable experience and it is an activity that you should try. Mini-Golfing with your friends can also be a very fun experience. Even if you may not be good at getting the golf ball into the hole, it can make the experience even more enjoyable as it will inevitably cause some laughs to occur. It can also help you develop a range of new skills! So go to a golf course, grab a golf club, a golf ball, and go mini-golfing with your friends! The last activity on the list is having a water balloon fight with your friends. We all know how humid it can get during the summer, and if you’ve been outside lately, we’ve already had some pretty humid weather. Host-
ing a water balloon fight with your friends is guaranteed to make you all feel cool and refreshed during the summer weather, and of course, seeing who can hit the most people with water balloons is loads of fun. So get out there and try any one of these 5 activities. I guarantee you’ll have a great time. Have a good summer!
VOLUME 31, ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2022 PAGE 15
Crossword
Across:
Down:
4. What is the 3rd activity Zerina recommends you try this summer? 6. Which neurotransmitter is “an inhibitor to eye elongation”? 8. Which club ran “a hidden gem of the carnival”? 9. Actually a berry 13. The brightest flower 14. Your friend probably dared you to summon this alcoholic drink in the bathroom in elementary school
1. Who took the photo “A Distressing Matter”? 2. This fruit is debatably wet 3. This band's name abbreviates to a distress signal 4. The Norse god of summer used this self-controlled weapon 5. The most valuable fish 7. Not actually a berry 10. A food and a pool toy 11. A household pet used to name this period of hot, humid weather in the summer 12. What colour is Burger King Japan's "Kuro Pearl Burger"?
Solution on IG: @gfss.talontimes
VOLUME 31, ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2022 PAGE 16
Comics Tick Season: By: Alice Guo
Beginner's Guide to the Summer: By: Crystal Zhu
Copy Editors
Credits: (Continued)
Nitya Kharidehal Navam Thind Nayeema Rahat Jahan Sophia Zhang Alex Truong Emily Cao
Layout Designers
Alex Lu Shahzaib Siddiqui Amy Tang Krish Singh
Photographers:
Meesha Hasan Abinaya Sivashanmugathas Rachna Venkatesh Samantha Chen Varun R. Dhanam Ayaan Nawab
Advice Columnists Tenzin Ghaki Victoria Gotcheva
Comic Artists
Alice Guo Crystal Zhu
