A Guide to GFSS Clubs 2016-2017 Are you a ninth grader wanting to get involved in the Glenforest school community? Are you in Grade 10, worried that you will come out of high school with no leadership experience? Perhaps you are in Grade 11, too overwhelmed with planning for your future that you rarely have any time to find peace within the school. Hopefully you’re not in Grade 12, thinking “Eek. I haven’t done anything these past three years!”... Page. 3
Top 5 Brain Myths Debunked!
The Science Behind Emojis
The brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body. There are some “facts” that we have been learning about this amazing organ since we were kids that, well, just aren’t true. They are simple myths that have arisen from a variety of sources ranging from misquotations to soap opera clichés. Whatever the reason may be, the fact that these common notions aren’t true will definitely leave your brain spinning... Page 8
In the 21st century, emojis are everywhere. Social media, pillows, keychains, and, of course, the never-ending realm of text messaging. Besides their use for subtle courtship, emojis have emerged into the communication world for more than just the typical cheeky punch. With the tears of joy and red heart emoji consistently leading the charts, it turns out that a picture (or in this case, a little icon) does indeed say a thousand words... Page 10
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 2
Advice Index
Advice p2 Local p3
A Guide to GFSS Clubs 2016-2017 Six Friends Plan to make a Difference - One Cactus at a time Glenforest talks Mental Health: Mental Health Awareness Weekby B.O.S.S.
Community p5 Rate My Teacher The 70th Season of the NBA Ontario Elementary School Students + Math = (?) Peel on Gender Neutral Washrooms
Global p7
An Overview of the Rio Olympics #NoDAPL: How one tribe is taking a stand to Protect our Water
Science
p8
Top 5 Brain Myths DeBunked! SpaceX wants to bringyou to Mars Proxima Centauri B: The Next Great Frontier? Robos are Taking Over the Planet The Science Behind Emojis Mars: Your Future Home High Schools Attempting to Ring the Bell Later
Opinion p12 Colin Kaepernick’s Protest
Culture
p13
Fall Fashion Trends The Last Colony of Roanoke A Recap of the MTV VMAs
Horrorscopes p15 Comics p16
Credits
Juan: How about an espresso with a dose of sunshine? Meggie: Can we get to the point? Meggie: onestly, I think nowadays people underestimate the value of face-to-face communication. Step away from a messaging screen if that’s what you’re thinking. For something like this, straightforward conversation is likely your best option. Nevertheless, sort yourself out first - from the looks of it, you’re probably not sure what kind of way you like them. Is it like like, or an ‘eh’ like. Would you rather be friends? Are the mixed signals -Clueless making you uncomfortable? Do you like the idea of a more intimate relationship? Answer these questions for yourself first, and then take on the task of understanding how they feel. If you find yourself liking them in a romantic rather than a platonic sense - or even if it’s the opposite - talk to them! Open communication is key in relationships of all kinds, so just get a conversation rolling and see where it takes you. Don’t be afraid of just sitting down and having a talk. You may find that it is the simplest of routes that will lead you to your answers. However, I also know how difficult it can be to communicate. In theory, sitting down and talking openly and honestly sounds easy compared to telling the real truth. Don’t be harsh on yourself if you’re feeling too scared to approach this head on - it’s perfectly normal to feel afraid of confrontations like this. Regardless, the only way to understand the dynamic between two people is to have them sit down and discuss who and what they are to each other. We all struggle with this, but trust me, you will feel a lot better knowing the truth. Uncertainty is the thing that gives you those nervous butterflies in your stomach, and it is truth that will eliminate your uncertainty.
How do you tell whether you’re trapped in the friendzone or not? I have someone who’s sending me mixed signals. Help.
H
Juan: feel for you on a spiritual level, Clueless. In fact, I’ve been in your very position before, many times. You might be having that looming feeling: do I act upon your feelings and risk losing a friendship? Or do I keep them contained and never know what could have been? But the friendzone isn’t a tricky concept, per se. The key is to listen to your gut. When someone truly reciprocates your feelings, you just know. Sure, you can argue the ‘playing hard to get’ route to try and defend your love interest - but that’s a shallow take on relationships. Hint: don’t trust magazines that advise you to over-analyze every single little move your friend makes. In all honesty, if you have to use that much effort to prove a point, chances are, the odds aren’t in your favour. Be honest with yourself. Leaving your emotions bottled up now just to have them implode later will emotionally drain you. Just do it. I’m rooting for you!
I
Teacher Supervisor
Mr. Gordon & Ms. Axon
Editors in Chief
Jovana Pajovic Amanda Yang
Copy Editors
Julie Cho Michelle Wei Suzany Manimaran Shankhalika Srikanth Srushti Patel Annie Zou Ghaid Asfour May Huang Aamna Ashfaq Zaina Khan Anushka Goyal Ruth Zelleke
Layout Designers
Rebecca Lee Evelyn Ku Srishti Roy Suchithra Shenthil Rana Al-Fayez Sam Lu Saamia Ansari Vaishnavi Bhamidi Kim Nguyen Jaziba Azher
Photographers
Kim Nguyen Khushi Nansi Saleha Ansari Katherine Woods Maleeha Anwar Annie Zou Annie Liu Srishti Roy Shivam Pandey Sam Lu Taranpreet Ghuman Pranav Sairam Munaam Naveed
Cover Designer Rebecca Lee
Meggie: ou handle this by doing exactly what you think There’s this person I’m friends with, but being is best for you. You, you, are the most important friends with this person is so physically and thing. Your mental health should take precedence over anything. It affects your family, your physical health, mentally draining. It genuinely feels toxic to your other friendships, your school work - every aspect me. They’re going through some really hard of your life. But before you go headfirst into extracting yourself from this situation (from the sound of your things right now, but I don’t know how to be question, you know full well what needs to be done), there for them when I can barely stand to be I suggest that you carefully construct a plan that will cause the least impact on those surrounding you and around them - and I’d feel terrible about just your friend. It is impossible to not hurt some people, but getting up and leaving, I don’t know what to it is always ideal that as few people as possible get caught in the crossfire. Be sure to talk to some of your friends do. I feel so constrained and I need to get ahead of time to help them understand what you’re going through and why you’re letting go of this individual. out - how do I even handle this? -Lost But don’t forget that you also have someone who has been reliant upon you, and you cannot just leave them hanging. Providing this individual with different potential avenues to express their difficulties and talk over issues will be beneficial to you both. In the end, telling this person you need to leave, or that you need a break, will be extremely difficult. I know that in situations very similar to these, I myself have succumbed to remaining friends - but this has always had a downward spiralling effect, so I implore you to stick to your plan. No matter how difficult it is to look at them and tell them you need a break, please do it. No friendship is ever worth your mental health.
Y
Juan: sk yourself: what is friendship? And more importantly, why are you friends with this person? A true friendship grows stronger over time, while a toxic one feeds off one’s mental energy and time. If you’re feeling restricted, almost as if your ‘friend’ has a firm grip on your psychological hourglass, it’s time to leave. I understand that you’re aware of your friend’s difficulties, but everyone has highs and lows. Sometimes, you don’t have the authority to attempt and solve their problems, so seeking professional help or introducing them to support programs like the Kids Help Phone can have potential to lighten their mood. I understand that there’s this huge stigma associated with doing so - but it doesn’t have to be that way. In short, I believe you should temporarily step aside and let your friend reflect - no friend is worth losing your sanity over.
A
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 3
Local A Guide to
Clubs 2016-2017
A
By: Julie Cho
re you a ninth grader wanting to get involved in the Glenforest school community? Are you in Grade 10, worried that you will come out of high school with no leadership experience? Perhaps you are in Grade 11, too overwhelmed with planning for your future that you rarely have any time to find peace within the school. Hopefully you’re not in Grade 12, thinking “Eek. I haven’t done anything these past three years!” No matter who you are or what grade you are in, you can start to establish your career path, find new hobbies, and build up your resume starting from your own school. Glenforest celebrates its variety of clubs, student associations and various leadership opportunities. First, it is important to consider what fits into your areas of interest.
STEM If you are looking for academic opportunities in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields, then the Glenforest STEM Speakers Bureau might be the right club for you. It is a newly established club known for its large-scale conferences (like Xperience STEM, held in 2015), attracting big corporations and renowned politicians. Volunteer positions for planning their upcoming May 2017 conference will soon be available. Math geeks unite! Don’t hesitate to sign-up for the math club, where you’ll have the chance to take part in contests held by the University of Waterloo and other established organizations. Not the best at math? Science, computer science, as well as robotics club are perfect for those who like working in groups. Members have the opportunity to participate in national competitions, like the
Regional Science Fair and the accessible) to any of the clubs Canadian Computing Compe- outlined above, or join as a tition. general member of the Student Activity Council. Leadership If your strengths don’t lie Activism in the STEM field but you like Do you consider yourself the feeling of winning med- an activist? Do you dream of als, then maybe the Glenfor- advocating for human rights, est debate society is right for empowering youth across the you! Not only will you learn nation, and being the change valuable argumentative skills, that you want to see in the but you’ll be able to compete world? Look into joining in debate competitions that clubs like Model UN, Interare nationally recognized. act YFGA, Green Team, Me Who knows? You might even to We, Social Justice Action be able to convince your par- Committee, and Covering Litents to buy you that shiny new tle Heads. These initiatives all iWatchamacallit. aim to make a difference in the Don’t forget about community by either donating DECA, one of the biggest funds to charities like Free the and longest-running clubs at Children, or raising awareness Glenforest, which allows you for causes related to global isto gain real-life business ex- sues. perience through its regional, provincial, and international Arts competitions. There are also many clubs If you are looking for for artists, musicians, and leadership opportunities, you writers who want to show off can apply for executive posi- their talents. Art Guild and tions (coming soon or already Student Writers’ Guild will be
the right place for you if you want to find a relaxing space to paint or to read and write during lunch periods. Yearbook club and Talon Times both allow you to exercise your skills in writing and photography while being a part of a Glenforest production. If you are more of a performer, consider drama club, concert choir, jazz band, wind ensemble, and the a capella team among music-related clubs at the school. The Glenforest United Arts Committee, a newly formed society, allows students from all over the art field to get together and talk about potential careers in the arts and the representation of the discipline in our community.
ime Alliance, and Chess Club which all speak for themselves on what they have to offer. Of course, there are many more clubs available at Glenforest (in fact, the number seems to be growing every day), but it is now up to you to decide on what best suits your interests and to seek out those opportunities by asking friends or teachers about how you can get involved. If you want to find out when and where the club meetings are, you can check out their social media pages, the announcement board beside the learning commons, or contact an executive member.
Hobbies Lastly, for those who simply want to enjoy their hobbies, there are clubs such as READ, Bolly Dance, An-
Photo: Kim Nguyen
VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 4
Local
Six Friends Plan To Make A Difference
Photo : Katherine Woods
By: Katherine Woods
A
t the end of the 20152016 school year, I was lucky enough to be a part of an incredible group of six Grade 11 girls from Glenforest who placed first in the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge. Twinkle Mehta, Omolara Soyinka, Kate Sanchez, Leslie Xin, Amy Lu, and Katherine Woods (that’s me!) had the opportunity to enter a competition facilitated by the Biomimicry Institute and the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, open to both students and professionals across the globe. The judges looked at 86 submissions from 18 differ-
ent countries and, in the end, chose ten teams to receive cash prizes and a chance to bring their design to the market. Last year’s challenge was to create a solution to an issue in the world’s food systems using the principles of biomimicry to advance the design process. Many teams focused on waste, packaging, agricultural pest management, food distribution, and energy use. “Our team is fortunate to live near the five great lakes in Southern Ontario, an important freshwater reservoir. This often leads us to forget how privileged we are to have such a reliable source of water,” said
Omolara Soyinka, Head of Research and currently attending the Ontario Science Centre School. “We realized that in areas where rainfall isn’t frequent, a lot of valuable water is lost in the process of transpiration and evaporation when farming.” Our solution to this problem was Stillæ, a device that captures water in the air before it fully evaporates, and then uses that water to irrigate crops in both developed and developing countries. We took inspiration from the cactus, well known for its resilience to harsh climates. The holding tank of Stillæ is modelled
One Cactus At A Time
after the bulbous trunk of the Socotra desert rose, and its lichen, which inspired us with its ability to absorb moisture in the air directly through its cell walls. The concept of catching water between the blades was taken from the fogstand beetle. We also wanted to make our product run on green energy, so Stillæ is covered in hexagonal-shaped solar panels, inspired by the honeycombs of bees. Although it took a lot of hard work, late nights, and frantic Skype calls, the undertaking of such a huge project brought all of us closer together. The farther we got, the
Photo : Kate Sanchez
more important it was for the team to prioritize cooperation and organization. “It was a challenge,” admits Kate Sanchez, Head of Artistic Design. But don’t all good things come from pushing yourself to the limit of your abilities? “Being a part of the 2016 BGDC has been an incredible learning experience that challenged us to innovate on a global level while teaching us about the importance of product feasibility, profitability and social impact,” says team leader Twinkle Mehta. “We have been inspired to advocate for sustainable design solutions [...] and have come
to appreciate the true value of biomimicry in technological design.” The girls took home a cash prize of $3000 USD and a valuable lesson in teamwork, friendship, and the power of the cactus. I would recommend any students who are interested to try it out — you might get farther than you think! The theme for next year’s challenge is climate change. Learn more at challenge.biomimicry. org. Check out our video pitch for Stillæ at https://vimeo.com/166038763.
Photo: Kim Nguyen
Glenforest Talks Mental Health: Mental Health Awareness Week By B.O.S.S. G
By: May Huang
lenforest’s Building Our Safe Schools (BOSS) team held Mental Illness Awareness Week earlier this month, hosting activities like Just Dance, Zumba, yoga, and meditation for students to de-stress, raise awareness about the importance of mental health, and work towards breaking the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. But why is there a stigma in the first place? The dictionary definition of a mental illness is “any of a broad range of medical conditions that [...] impair normal psychological functioning and cause marked distress or disability [...] and are typically associated with a disruption in normal thinking, feeling, mood, behavior, interpersonal interactions, or daily func-
tioning.” These can range from conditions that cause mild distress to those that severely affect a person’s ability to function in daily life. Examples of mental illnesses include anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders, and bipolar disorder. Illnesses impacting mental health are often misunderstood because they usually aren’t visible and differ from person to person. In the mid-twentieth century, mental health was a taboo. It was not a subject of public conversation and people who were affected by mental illnesses were treated like criminals, as if they had done something wrong to cause their illness. Patients were “put away” from society — not for their own good, but to remove them from the public because mental illnesses
were widely considered to be contagious. While the exact cause of some mental illnesses still remains unknown, scientists believe that it is generally a mixture of conditions that includes genetics, family upbringing and environment, or exposure to stress and trauma (certainly not something patients bring on themselves). It wasn’t until the past decade that people started to talk about mental illnesses more openly. Unfortunately, there are still many parties who oppose the notion that mental illnesses are a real “thing”, even with the current evidence of scientific research from all around the world concerning mental illnesses, their effects, and how they can be treated. An argument that often
arises is that mental illnesses are “subjective”; that is, they cannot be physically seen or felt by another person (as opposed to a broken arm or leg) and are therefore fake and a “cry for attention”. People also call having a mental illness a “phase” of life. Sometimes a person feels “up”, and other times they feel “down” — that’s the ebb and flow of life. But according to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), “Mental illnesses are not the regular ups and downs of life. They cause distress, don’t go away on their own, and are real health problems that require effective treatments.” When someone breaks their leg, we wouldn’t tell them to just “get over it” and let it heal on its own, because they would definitely need a cast, crutches,
or other assistance while they recover. They may also need medication to ease the pain or physical therapy to regain full mobility of their leg. Similarly, each mental illness requires a specific treatment or mix of treatments to allow them to better live their lives with their condition. As the Workplace Mental Health Promotion (WMHP) states, “Mental illness is a lot like diabetes, heart disease, or a broken leg — you can live with it and recover from it, but recovery isn’t an end state.” In other words, recovery does not mean that a patient no longer has depression, schizophrenia or any other given mental illness. Recovery means that the person has stabilized and can live their life without feeling like they are being controlled by their mental illness.
Just as mental illnesses themselves are hard to understand, students often have difficulty discussing mental health when they are not given the right opportunity to do so. This is why organizations like BOSS and events like Mental Illness Awareness Week are so essential to our community. Not only do they help students affected by mental illness, but they also educate the general student population, allowing them to have a better understanding of the illness, hence reducing the stigma. To learn more about mental health, visit http:// www.cmha.ca/.
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 5
Community Rate My Teacher T
By:Emi Roni
he new school year brings the the scent of baked cookies wafting down from the business office, fresh stationary (only to be lost by the first week) and the buzz about classes and teachers. Most importantly, people posting their schedules on various social media platforms waiting in anticipation for news on the students and staff they will encounter for the duration of the school year. Facebook and Instagram feeds are flooding
with the caption “Classes?” and group chats will have 627 unopened messages discussing how sad or lit this year will be. Step 2 to this anticipating process is “researching” your teachers; asking past students and of course the online “stalking”. Most students admit to using the notorious website Rate My Teacher, where students can anonymously rate teachers in the categories of “recommended”, “easiness”, “helpfulness”, “clarity”, “knowledge”, “textbook use” and “exam difficulty”, while
Photo: Munaam Naveed
some even go on to include a written opinion. Sometimes, this can be a helpful tool in understanding a teacher’s personality and teaching style. But the comments range from sweet praises to vindictive and spiteful phrases. “Honestly brilliant”, “absolute worst”, “torments her students,” are just some of the phrases students haved used in the past to describe their teacher. All of these comments share one thing in common: their blunt nature, which may lead to negative consequenc-
es. Certainly a few teachers (at Glenforest and elsewhere) have read these ratings and the harsh bitter comments. Not only can this affect the teacher’s self-esteem and feelings, but it can tarnish their reputation as a respected educator, whether they are true reflections or not. Teachers are still teachers (and they’re human beings, with emotions, too!). In the end, it is important to respect them and their way of educating, as they always have their students’ best interests at heart. This topic has recent-
ly been gaining much media attention, and a number of people have begun protesting to shut the website down. Melbourne teacher Peter Wood is one educator who feels that what is published on the site can be “completely defamatory”. He told Australian media that teachers who agree with his views have had to support him “anonymously because they’ve felt they’ve been disenfranchised at their schools. Apparently some schools look at what’s written on this site and take it quite seriously.” Mr. Wood is tackling the website
from the inside by signing up to become a moderator on the site. Discussing how such online platforms can have deteriorating consequences, and taking action to regulate the content published, as exemplified by Mr. Wood, might be sufficient to raise awareness and bring forth change.
The 70th Season Of The NBA
Photo: NBA.com
By: Balaaj Durrani
T
he 70th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) league begins in October, and will be one of the most exciting seasons in recent NBA history. With the addition of new faces and the farewells of some old faces, this season will surely be just as exciting. This will mark the first season since 1995 that Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, or Kobe Bryant are not playing in the NBA. However, the fresh crop of young draftees, such as the Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram, and the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, will provide a jump-
start to the season. In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors, who achieved a record-breaking regular season last year (with a disappointing loss in the finals), are back with their new, albeit controversial signing, Kevin Durant. They seem to be in top shape, having added Durant to their already impressive trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. The San Antonio Spurs, who lost franchise player Tim Duncan, are still looking very solid, with Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Manu Ginobilli, and Tony Parker providing a sturdy framework. Perennial underachievers
the Los Angeles Clippers could pose a serious threat if their big three (Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and Deandre Jordan) remain in good health. Rounding off last year’s Top 4 is the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by potential MVP Russell Westbrook. Although they have lost Durant, if their new acquisitions like guard Victor Oladipo and their other starters can step up, they are very much in the mix for the playoffs. Other teams to watch out for include the Houston Rockets, led by the offensive juggernaut James Harden, the Portland Trailblazers, with both Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, the Utah Jazz, with an
impressive offseason in terms of signings, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, with their young core of Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, and Ricky Rubio. In the Eastern Conference, the defending champs the Cleveland Cavaliers show no signs of letting up, and if Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love can continue their form of the previous season, they should have no problem topping the conference. Then there’s the hometown heroes - the Toronto Raptors. Winning their first ever playoff series and making it to the Eastern Conference Finals shows that the Rap-
tors mean serious business. With Kyle Lowry and Demar DeRozan leading the team, new signing Jared Sullinger, and already established players such as Jonas Valanciunas, they should have no problem making the playoffs again. The Miami Heat, having lost a mainstay in Dwayne Wade, might struggle a bit this season unless players like Hassan Whiteside, Udonis Haslem, and Goran Dragic can step up. The Atlanta Hawks have gained and lost some valuable players. Al Horford has left for the Boston Celtics, but Dwight Howard is coming their way. They can make a playoff run if players like Dennis Schroeder
and Paul Millsap continue last season’s form. There are many teams to watch in this wide open playoff race; the Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards and New York Knicks all have both new faces and returning, improved faces. Even the Philadelphia 76ers, with a dead last finish in the previous season, have some talent in their roster, and if they can gel, they can do well. Overall, it will be a very unpredictable, wild season, but in the end, look for either the Warriors or Cavaliers to reclaim the title.
VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 6
Community
Photo: CBC News
Ontario Elementary School Students + Math = (?) By:Jovana Pajovic
W
hether their educators favour teaching math through the old-fashioned abacus or by delivering a quirky, John Keating-esque monologue on top of a desk, Ontario students in sixth grade are struggling to meet provincial standards. In August, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released results for the mathematics portion of their 2016 standardized test, which revealed that 50 per cent of Grade 6 students have failed to meet Ontario’s standard (a Level 3 or 4 out of 4). In fact, math performance on the test for the past five years has seen a decline for both sixth graders and third graders. This year’s results for stu-
dents in Grade 6 compares to 58% who met the provincial standard in 2012, and for students in Grade 3, the percentage of students meeting the standard has decreased from 68% in 2012 to 63%. Absurdly, the spotlight in this issue hasn’t been on the children, but rather on the blame game between parents, teachers, and the Ontario Ministry of Education. Who is responsible for the students’ shortcomings? The falling grades point to weaknesses in the Ontario elementary math curriculum. The previous curriculum for Grades 1-8, revised in 2005, is “based on the belief that students learn mathematics most effectively when they are given opportunities to investigate ideas.”
Though he supports the notion of a “discovery-based” math curriculum, professor Peter Taylor, the former chair of the Canadian Mathematical Society’s Education Committee, insists that more traditional learning methods must be instituted. He believes that elementary school is the time for students to fully comprehend the foundation for the advanced math that challenges them later on in middle school and high school. This includes practicing multiplication tables and studying basic algorithms for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. “You can make drill a lot of fun, actually. There’s a huge reason why they need automatic skills and there’s no doubt that calculators have taken away from these,” said
Taylor. Furthering the problem is the lack of educators who are specialized to teach mathematics in elementary schools. Math teachers for primary and junior grade students can double as teachers in subjects like English, art, or drama, and oftentimes, they do not have a formal educational background in mathematics. The dilemma that faculties of education face — that some teacher candidates suffer from “math phobia” and do not “get” math themselves — suggests that this problem is deep-rooted in an even wider portion of the education system than previously thought. “I’ve got some mathematically brilliant teacher candidates, but I’m also working with some who don’t know
how to multiply or divide,” observed Professor Mary Reid of the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). OISE has recently implemented a new rule that requires teachers to complete a diagnostic math test during their orientation. Below is an example problem based on Grade 7 math skills from that test: “Mary has read 120 pages of a novel, which is 40 per cent of the book. How many pages does she have left to read?” The answer is straightforward: Mary has 180 pages left to read. The confusion, however, lies in the fact that only 55 per cent of the teacher candidates responded correctly. In a response to the declining math performance on
the EQAO, the Ontario government has unveiled a $60 million “renewed math strategy”. The initiative includes having at least 1-3 “math lead teachers” in every school, giving students access to online homework help, professional development in math for staff, and pledging more support for 500 schools which are particularly weak in the subject. Perhaps most notably, students in Grades 1-8 are now required to receive at least 60 minutes of math instruction each day.
Peel on Gender Neutral Washrooms O
By: Michelle Wei
n August 31, the LGBTQ+ community let out a cheer as the Peel District School Board announced its initiative to implement “inclusive” or “gender-neutral” washrooms in Peel high schools. Tony Pontes, director of the PDSB, announced that by the end of the school year, every public high school in the region will have a gender-neutral washroom. There are 32 high schools in the Peel school board and over the course of the year, each one will renovate one of their existing facilities with the appropriate signs. “It will be for any student who needs that safe place,” said Pontes. The process has already begun in parts of Ontario; in York and Toronto, the public boards are introducing them into elementary and secondary schools, and in Durham, every school already has one. But despite the progressive attitude, critics have proven skeptical still, worrying
about an increase of harassment once the plan is put into action and questioning the purpose of relabeling washrooms in the first place. After all, is it not dangerous to allow men and women into the same private space? The truth is that gender-neutral washrooms have already existed for years, under the name of ‘family washrooms’ in community centers, campuses, and other institutions. The fear surrounding sexual harassment in gender neutral washrooms should be equally applicable to family washrooms – perhaps even more so, as family washrooms are intended for young children. For parents uncomfortable with the idea of letting their child into the same washroom as an older person of the opposite sex, or of students sharing a washroom with another gender, the solution is the same: don’t use the gender-neutral washroom. Separated girls’ and boys’ washrooms will remain open just as before, with only one in the
Photo: CBC News
school being renovated. What the creation of gender neutral washrooms does is to offer those who don’t necessarily identify as male or female in the conventional definition – non-binary, gender-fluid, transgender – a safe space where their identity is
not compromised for the sake of society. It is a step further away from phobia and closer to acceptance. As Tony Pontes said in his annual back-to-school kickoff speech: “It is not our role to ask why someone self-identifies [as transgender], it is not
about our personal beliefs and what bathroom they choose is not our business. Our job is that when they do identify, we make sure they have a place of safety — just as we do for every other student.” For the Peel District School Board, the next step
will be discussing the possibility of providing gender-neutral washrooms in middle and elementary schools.
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 7
Global
chael Phelps. Both athletes a gas station. Later, news sto-
W
An Overview of the Rio Olympics
Photo Credits: CBC
By: Suzany Manimaran have issued statements saying ries revealed that the group
ith an estimated international audience of about 3.5 billion viewers, the 2016 Rio Olympics was one of the most widely watched television events in history. The Olympics are one of the most important international events, not just because they are a celebration of human diversity and athletic ability, but because they are a symbol of international unity and triumph over adversity. This year’s Olympics were no exception, and with half of the world watching, they certainly won’t be soon forgotten. The Rio Olympics made history as the first ever Olympics to host a non-national, refugee team. The team consisted of ten displaced athletes ranging from Syria to South Sudan competing under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) flag. IOC president Thomas Bach said the athletes should be seen a symbol to "send a message of hope to all the refugees of the world", who numbered 65.3 million at the end of 2015. The Olympics will also be the last ever games for two Olympics legends: Jamaican runner Usain Bolt and American swimmer Mi-
that they will retire from the Olympics after Rio, Bolt with a total of 9 medals and Phelps with a total of 28 in their respective Olympics careers. But as always, the Olympics rarely come without their fair share of scandals. From the moment Brazil first won the Olympic bid, there had been concerns about building large expensive Olympic stadiums in a city with so many people living below the poverty line. The Olympics also saw a spike in police brutality in Rio, with native Favelas suffering the bulk of the violence. Many were surprised to find that Russia was still eligible to compete after the doping scandal that broke earlier this year. Their national team was banned from the Paralympics that took place in September, sparking controversy and protest from Russia and supporting nations earlier last month. However “Lochtegate”, as many tabloids had taken to calling it, stole the Russians’ thunder towards the end of the Olympics. Members of the American swim team — Ryan Lochte, Jimmy Feigen, Gunnar Bentz, and Jack Conger — had spoken to the media about being robbed at gunpoint at
had vandalized the gas station themselves and the “armed robbers” were actually security guards. Bentz and Fiegen had been detained by Brazilian authorities long after Lochte had departed for the US. In all the hubbub, the actual medal winners of the games were slightly overshadowed. It came as no surprise that USA won the first place by a landslide, claiming 46 gold medals, and a grand total of 121. Canada didn’t disappoint either, ranking 20th place overall with 4 gold medals and 22 overall. Four of our medals came from Toronto native Penny Oleksiak. The 16-yearold swimmer brought home a gold, a silver, and two bronze medals for swimming (while every other Canadian 16-yearold spent their summer eating chicken nuggets in bed and binge watching Stranger Things). Oleksiak also tied with American swimmer Simone Manuel for the 100m freestyle, setting an Olympic record of 52.70 seconds. The Rio Olympics were extraordinary in ways both good and bad, but one thing is for sure: they will be remembered for years to come.
#NoDAPL: How One Tribe is Taking a Stand to Protect Our Water
Photo Credits: The Guardian
ter crossings. Initially, it was in July against the U.S. Army Many have been at Sacred halt construction. He is now “Run For Our Water”, to hold
I
By: Shankhalika Srikanth supposed to traverse the Mis- Corps of Engineers, request- Stone Camp for over four facing charges of felony. The a rally in front of the U.S.
t is becoming the largest assembling of First Nations tribes in a century and it is still attracting increasing numbers worldwide. Over four thousand people have gathered at the Sacred Stone Camp near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation to protest the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which they say threatens the area’s drinking water and important cultural sites. The pipeline is being built by Energy Transfer Partner and is intended to transport crude oil from Bakken and Three Forks in North Dakota to Patoka, Illinois. It spans four states and over 200 wa-
souri River near Bismarck, the state capital, but after worries that a spill would contaminate drinking water, the crossing was moved to half a mile from the Standing Rock Sioux reservation instead. The Oceti Sakowin (Sioux tribe) have been holding peaceful protests against the pipeline since April, and were quickly supported by neighbouring tribes. Currently there are over 300 tribes stationed in Sacred Stone Camp from all regions of the United States and even Canada. Those without tribal affiliation have also been welcomed, coming from as far away as Europe and Asia. The tribe filed a lawsuit
ing a preliminary injunction to prevent construction of the pipeline, stating that they were not properly consulted. This was denied mid-September, but the tribe is appealing the decision. They have also put a case forward in the federal appeals court to cease construction. A verdict is not expected for three to four months. In the meantime, construction has been temporarily halted by the government’s request for a “voluntary pause” 32 kilometres east and west of Lake Oahe while the departments of Army, Interior, and Justice review the land permits. For the protestors, they are in it for the long haul.
months, and have set up temporary schools, cafeterias, and first aid centres, as well as organized trash collection and water delivery. The centre is the Defenders of Water school, where children study from donated books and learn traditional crafts and language. The reservation also has volunteers assisting with cooking and clothing, book, and food donations. The tribe hopes to have more permanent structures built soon for shelter during the winter. Relations between demonstrators and security forces have been strained. On August 31st, Dale “Happi” American Horse chained himself to an excavator to
first weekend in September, protestors were attacked with pepper spray and attack dogs. Six people, including one child, were bitten and 30 people were pepper sprayed. Up until now over 135 protesters have been arrested, primarily for trespassing. Law enforcement have started using anti-riot gear for peaceful demonstrations, and the police are using military-grade equipment. Despite the setbacks, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe have not backed down and have only increased in strength. In August, a group of youth ran 2000 miles all the way from North Dakota to Washington D.C., called
Supreme Court and discuss their case with government officials. At the same time, the movement against the pipeline is being supported by Hollywood celebrities such as Shailene Woodley, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ezra Miller. At the moment there appears no hope of resolution on the horizon. Energy Transfer Partner intends to build its pipeline, and the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its hundreds of supporters are determined to protect their land and their water. If nothing else, this conflict will have succeeded in finally bringing environmental and Indigenous issues to the forefront of the public consciousness.
VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 8
Science
TOP 5 Brain Myths Debunked!
Photo: Shutterstock
T
By Anushka Goyal
he brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body. There are some “facts” that we have been learning about this amazing organ since we were kids that, well, just aren’t true. They are simple myths that have arised from a variety of sources ranging from misquotations to soap opera clichés. Whatever the reason may be, the fact that these common notions aren’t true will definitely leave your brain spinning. The list is long, but here are 5 of the most popular brain myths: 1. We use only 10% of our brains. In 1907, famed psychol-
ogist William James claimed that “[humans] are making use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources.” A journalist later misquoted him as saying the average person develops only 10% of his mental capacity. As a matter of fact, you are using more than 10% of your brain while just reading this sentence! Different parts of your brain are responsible for controlling the movement of your eye, vision, putting together letters to form known words and interpreting those words. Brain imaging techniques show that we use every part of our brain, though not all regions are active at once. That is why damage to any area of the brain — such
as injury caused by a stroke — usually results in mental and behavioral effects. 2. A person’s personality reflects a left or right side dominance. You may have heard that you can be either “left-brained”(very creative), “right-brained”(very logical) or, in rare cases, both. But brain scanning technology has revealed that the two hemispheres of the brain usually work together to process any information. For example, the understanding of language, once believed to be something controlled only by the left hemisphere, is now understood to take place in both hemispheres: the left side processes grammar
and pronunciation while the right processes intonation. 3. Male brains are biologically better-suited for math and science, while female brains are better-suited for empathy. It is certain that there are some anatomical differences between male and female brains. For example, the hippocampus (the part of the brain involved in memory storage) is usually larger in females, while the amygdala (the part of the brain involved in the processing of emotion) is much larger in males. Quite contrary to what one would naturally think, isn’t it? Evidence suggests that this myth exists due to cultural expectations, not biology.
4. It’s all downhill after 40 (or 50, or 60, or 70…) Well, although many cognitive skills tend to decrease after a certain age, plenty of mental skills tend to increase with age. For instance, older people have a stronger vocabulary and a stronger understanding of subtle linguistic distinctions. They are also better judges of character. They score higher on tests concerned with social wisdom, such as how to settle a conflict. Besides, they get better and better over time at regulating their own emotions and finding meaning in their lives. 5. We possess only 5 senses. Sure, sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch are the
main ones. But we possess many more senses which help us in sensing the world around us and understanding our place in it. Although we aren’t aware of these senses, they are equally important to the body. For example, proprioception is the sense of how our bodies are positioned and nociception is the sense of pain. Life would be equally hard without any of these as it would be without one of the main five senses. Crazy, isn’t it? If you look at the thousands of wrong facts in all of science, the list would be endless! Perhaps “scientific” posts and studies reported by journalists are not the most reliable source of information.
Photo: Shutterstock
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 9
Science
SpaceX wants to bring you to Mars Photo: Washington Post
By Annie Zou As the future of mankind on planet Earth continues to look bleak, we are looking to the stars to find our future home. At the 67th annual International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, proposed a mission to colonize Mars. On September 27th the international community convened to solve human problems using space science and technology. In front of delegates and tech giants from around the world, SpaceX’s plan to bring humans to the
Red Planet was revealed. Bringing humans to space is not a new vision for commercial industries. Virgin Galactic offers, at the low price of $250,000, a spot on the waiting list to be among the first humans in space aboard a commercial spacecraft. However, Virgin Galactic’s flight would only put humans in space for a few short minutes. SpaceX wants to colonize Mars; more than 54.6 million kilometers away. from Earth. A visionary idea, the technology to accomplish that goal is yet to exist, the cost to become a passenger aboard the SpaceX Inter-
planetary Transport System is currently $10,000,000,000. “I really think there are two fundamental paths [for humans]: One path is we stay on Earth forever, and some eventual extinction event wipes us out,” says Elon Musk. Musk’s vision is to create a thriving Martian metropolis that would house millions. Mars is definitely the closest planet that humans could potentially colonize. The atmosphere contains carbon dioxide and nitrogen - ideal for plant growth - and has 37% gravity, allowing humans to leap to new heights, literally.
Another crucial component of the Mars mission is the methane found in the regolith, the rocky material covering the surface of the Martian planet. The fuel would be enough to power return trips to Earth. But how will they achieve this astronomical goal? The current plan boasts of reusable rockets, carbon fuel tanks, and supersonic retropropulsion engine system - technology that does not yet exist. But when it does, liftoff will take place at the home base of Cape Canaveral, the ship will be a 40 story tall structure with 42 Raptor engines capa-
ble of generating 127,800 kN of thrust to deliver the spaceship into orbit. The booster will then separate and return to the launchpad to deliver its second payload, fuel. Refueling the ship in space, its six engines will accelerate the ship to 19,014 mph. A solar power array capable of generating 200 kW will continue to provide power throughout the journey as it coasts between planets. As the ship enters the atmosphere, the heat shields on the ship’s belly generate friction, aiding the retropropulsion system (rockets that fire towards the surface of
the planet) to bring the ship safely to the Mars surface. And how much will a trip aboard the SpaceX Interplanetary Transport System cost? A prospective Mars pioneer can expect to spend three months travelling to Mars, and an estimated $200,000 one way ticket fare. That is, of course, when the technology is actually available to do so.
Photo: Horalek
Photo: Kornmesser
Proxima Centauri B: The Next Great Frontier? T
By Rana Al-Fayez
he search for life outside our solar system has fascinated humans for hundreds of years. Now, after years of study, astronomers may have found an Earth-like planet capable of supporting life right outside our cosmic backyard. Located only 4.22 light years away from Earth and thought to be approximately 1.3 times its mass, Proxima b is a rocky planet orbiting the nearest star to our sun, dis-
covered this past August. Its discovery sparked a flurry of excitement in the scientific community — not only because it bears striking resemblance to Earth in certain respects, but also because it may be capable of holding life. The planet lies within what astronomers call the ‘habitable-zone’ of the star Proxima Centauri, meaning that liquid water could potentially exist on the newly discovered planet. "We hit the jackpot here," said Guillem Anglada-Escude, an astro-
physicist at the Queen Mary University of London and lead author of a study on the planet in the journal Nature. He said the planet is "more or less what we have on Earth." Discovering Proxima b was a collaborative effort by an international team of researchers working at the European Southern Observatory in Chile. Although they did not actually see the planet, they were able to determine its existence and mass by using advanced telescopes to locate
and calculate the gravitational pull on nearby stars by a possible orbiting body. Proxima b is the closest potentially habitable planet ever detected outside of our solar system, at approximately 40 trillion kilometers away. Still, the prospect of visiting it remains improbable. Based on current technologies, scientists estimate that it would take a unmanned space probe about 70 000 years to reach the planet. We could however, have a direct image of the planet within 10 years,
and new technologies could tell us more about the nature and composition of the planet, including whether or not it has an atmosphere and is actually capable of holding life. Proxima b is on our interstellar doorstep, and it opens a new world of intense research, exploration and possibilities of astronomical proportions. The discovery will undoubtedly propel a wave of innovation and creative designing approaches for probing the planet further, and may pro-
vide the inspiration needed to discover new planets and stars. Even more thrilling, hopeful scientists say that Proxima b might someday prove to be vital to humanity’s future. There is no telling where human civilization will be in 5 billion years, but the discovery of Proxima b may bring us one step closer to inhabiting a planet other than our Earth.
VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 10
Science
Robots Are Taking Over the Planet W
By Anjali Thatte
hile robots have not started a revolution against mankind, they are being built and put to use all over the world for tasks that have traditionally been designed for humans. Using a combination of mechatronics engineering and artificial intelligence, many robots now have the ability to learn from experience and even mimic human behaviour. But just how varied are the applications for robots today? Sports In recent years, research has surfaced on the permanent
brain damage and concussions from which many football players in the USA suffer due to the tackling inherent in the sport. As an innovative solution to this problem, researchers from Dartmouth College have created the Mobile Virtual Player (MVP), a freestanding autonomous robot that can be used during practices to eliminate player on player contact. The robot is approximately the same height and width of the average American football player and can mimic the moves used by all positions on the field at the appropriate speed. Players tackle the robot rather than each
other. The MVP has already been put to use by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Many professionals believe that this robot is the long-awaited solution to all the medical concerns regarding the sport today. Healthcare Currently, there are 600,000 Canadians living with Alzheimer’s Disease. This figure will rise to 1.5 million in the next few decades, but there may not be enough caregivers to support Canadian seniors at that time. To aid the monitoring of Alzheimer’s patients, U of T students have created Ludwig, a purple haired robot that stands 2 feet tall and
mimics the behaviour of a real boy. Ludwig, named after famous philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, draws the elderly into conversations. He then analyses their language choices such as pronoun usage, diction seemingly forgotten and time gap between sentences to assess the severity of Alzheimer’s in the senior citizen. A retirement home in North Toronto has already welcomed the unconventional guest, and other homes are awaiting the results of more trials before adding more boy-robots to their staff as well. Weddings In 2010, Satoko Inoue
and Tomhiro Shibata were married by a robot registrant. I-Fairy robots are usually used to direct visitors in a museum or during tours. But this I-Fairy robot was given flowers and a modified program, making it ready to conduct the first wedding of its kind. The groom, a robotics professor, and the bride, an employee for i-Fairy, met through robotics and wanted their wedding to be a statement of how easily robotics can be integrated in everyday life. Robots are now also being used to help with other parts of the ceremony including working as ushers and ring bearers.
Photo: Datafloq
As fields in engineering and computer science expand and connect with other seemingly unrelated fields, robots are made using principles from industry, biology, and even the humanities. With the rapid progress being made in recent times, robots may soon become integrated into our daily lives. So, understanding the idea and limit of robots and technology in general plays a big role in integrating and making sure it is used for the right cause.
The Science Behind Emojis I
By Lily Li
n the 21st century, emojis are everywhere. Social media, pillows, keychains, and, of course, the never-ending realm of text messaging. Besides their use for subtle courtship, emojis have emerged into the communication world for more than just the typical cheeky punch. With the tears of joy and red heart emoji consistently leading the charts, it turns out that a picture (or in this case, a little icon) does indeed say a thousand words. Upon receiving a text containing an emoji, oftentimes a person’s face tends to mimic it, thus affecting mood. The brain associates each facial expression (or symbol) with certain emotions. For instance, sending a classic smile at the end of a greeting is generally deemed as friendly and easygoing. The wink face, on the other hand, alludes to much more. These subtexts, or hidden messages, create a sense of suspense, which is rewarded in the brain’s ‘pleasure centres’ after interpretation — the whole chemical process undergoing within the matter of milliseconds. Further research is currently investigating the specific areas of the brain and other parts of the body responsible for the reaction.
It may seem counter-intuitive that individuals who use more emojis have better communication skills — and not just that, but higher levels of empathy as well. After all, wouldn’t it just indicate a sense of laziness to simply put one’s thoughts into icons? Actually, emojis show a better understanding of others’ feelings. Friends who use emojis on a regular basis are generally considered to be much more personable than those who do not. Consecutive studies conducted in the UK tracking emoji usage discovered that friends who were emoji enthusiasts with an approximate 1:9 emoji-word ratio had consistently high ratings among peers in terms of agreeableness and sociability. Aside from personal use, emojis have also boomed in the marketing world, in cases such as branding by Burger King and Snapchat. How and why do food corporations incorporate the raging, ever-growing hype of emojis into their professional image? Part of Burger King’s marketing campaign for the relaunch of their Chicken Fries was the creation of an emoji keyboard for their product. As predicted, their sales went up by a notable 3.6% in one month (November, 2015), thanks
to its presence and appeal to the younger generation. Taco Bell, a fast-food competitor, followed up shortly, just months after BK’s launch, taking to Twitter for support of the taco iOS emoji. After several months of online petitioning, it was established, enlightening taco fans from around the world. Snapchat plays the emoji game a little differently. Following the installment of emojis into the app, its annual growth made a record of 57% in 2014 and is set to continue expanding by 27.2% this year — that indicates nearly one in five Americans using the social media app. The user-friendly platform also features stickers to decorate snaps and create engagement during these back-and-forth, visually engaging conversations. Is it the cool sunglasses smiley? Or the dancing woman? Whatever the emoji is, it is important to recognize its significance in developing and maintaining modern relationships, strengthening connections and hence communication. After all, it may just be the difference between an acquaintanceship and a friendship!
Photo: Log Angeles Times
Photo: Photo: Dimitri Otis/Getty Image
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 11
Science
Mars: Your Future Home Photo: Pics About Space
H
By Khyathi Rao
umans have lived on this blue planet for centuries. Generations upon generations have had the fortune to be part of such a diverse land and witness countless beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Trees, minerals, water – all are resources found only on our Earth. But as always, we as humans have used and abused our planet, taking advantage of our abundant natural re-
sources, from deforestation to the polluting of potable water. The result of this exploitation of resources is the all-too-familiar phenomenon of global warming. The discovery has only hit us recently, prompting many activists and citizens to begin researching ways to save Mother Earth. At the same time, there are those who believe that the time has come for us to look for a new planet to call home. One of them is Stephen Petranek, a
tech guru who gave the TED Talk “Your Kids Might Live on Mars” and the TED Book, “How We’ll Live on Mars”. “Remember when we landed humans on the Moon?” said Petranek in his talk. “When that happened, people looked at each other and said, ‘If we can do this, we can do anything.’ What are they going to think when we actually form a colony on Mars? [...] It will make us a spacefaring species. And that means humans will
survive no matter what happens on Earth. We will never be the last of our kind.” But, why do people like Petranek believe that the red planet has a habitable environment? It is quite a debatable question, with Mars having an average temperature of -63 degrees Celsius, gravity as strong as 38% of our own planet and almost no oxygen that is easily available. According to Petranek, this isn’t a cause for concern
in the slightest. He compares Mars to Antarctica, where humans have successfully lived for a maximum of a year. He says water can be found when the bountiful amount of ice on Mars is melted and treated. He does admit that we can be subjected to radiation, so we will have to stay indoors most of the time in specially built shelters and travel around in pressurized vehicles. And as for oxygen, the most important thing for our survival, it
can be obtained by a process called electrolysis in which electricity is passed through water to get oxygen. With all this hope and determination in their minds, scientists have started several projects to make this dream a reality. What do you think? Would you live on Mars?
VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 12
Science / Opinion
High schools attempting to ring the bell later By Ghaid Asfour
S
tudies carried out by the National Sleep Foundation show that teenagers’ bodies are programmed to stay up late and wake up later in the morning. Reut Gruber, a psychiatry professor at McGill University explained that the secretion of melatonin in teenagers’ bodies is delayed. Hence, the signal to wake up the morning is also pushed back, which is why teenagers cannot fall asleep before a certain time. It has been reiterated numerous times that teenagers need at least 9 hours of sleep to function properly and efficiently, and many articles, including one that was published in the Huffington Post, discuss the detrimental effects sleep deprivation has on teenagers. The attention has caused much debate regarding school start times. In fact, 44 states in the US have taken the initia-
tive to start school an hour after the regular time to give students an extra hour of sleep. Though parents may have been apprehensive about this decision, many say that this strategy has made it easier to wake up children in the morning. A 2015 study by the University of Michigan has found that 50 per cent of parents with teenage children support the change. Teachers have also reported that teenagers are feeling more energized and less drowsy in classes Moreover, school administrations have reported lower absence rates since teenagers are not missing early public transit routes and school busses anymore. This has been especially advantageous to teenagers who have commitments after school because even if they stay up late finishing homework, they would not have to wake up at 6:00AM the following morn-
ing to prepare for school. Despite the positive results of this decision and the academic improvement that students have been experiencing, many school districts refused to implement it because if school starts late, it would have to end late, which directly impacts sporting events and clubs. This becomes a problem particularly when people set their clocks one hour back during the end of daylight savings time. When sunset is at 5:00PM, it will be difficult to participate in after-school activities and return home after sunset. According to the CBC, several high schools in Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Ontario have considered the delay of school start times a few years ago, but the movement has been progressing fairly slowly. As first period starts at 8:30AM, Glenforest would have been among those schools.
yst Photo:Advisoranal Advisoranalyst Photo:
Colin Kaepernick’s Protest O
By Rumla Omer
n August 26th, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began to protest against the US national anthem, choosing to sit out instead of standing while the anthem was being performed. In a post-game interview, Kaepernick stated: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” His actions were met with mixed reactions. There
were many who were outraged by Kaepernick. An anonymous NFL executive went as far as to call him a “traitor”. On the other hand, Kaepernick’s decision to sit/kneel during the playing of the anthem was met by other footballers and members of various American sports leagues (and even high school leagues) with praise. Jelani Jenkins, Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills of the Miami Dolphins, for instance, followed in Kaepernick’s footsteps. Many
American veterans showed their support on Twitter with “#veteransforKaepernick”. Meanwhile, as Kaepernick continued to protest, Terence Crutcher, a 40-yearold unarmed man, was shot and killed by a Tulsa police officer on September 16th, 2016. Four days later, Keith Lamar Scott was killed. In a study done by The Washington Post, he was the 173rd black individual to be shot at and killed by law enforcement in 2016. The Washington
Post also puts the number of black individuals who were shot dead in 2015 at 258. Did these people deserve to die? My answer is no. They did not deserve to die. They were people whose deaths could have been easily avoided. But the discussion of these deaths gets pushed aside and forgotten. Whether you get offended by Kaepernick’s actions or not doesn’t matter. Just like he exercised his rights
by sitting out of the playing of the anthem, people have a right to feel the way they choose, whether they feel anger, pride or indifference. The problem doesn’t lie in the fact that people were offended by Kaepernick’s actions. The problem is that many of the people who criticized this athlete for his actions either neglected the reasons for why Kaepernick protested in the first place, or justified the killings of black individuals. When we protest these
Photo: News Slate Photo: Sporting
unjust killings and say that black lives matter, we aren’t saying that all lives don’t matter. When we say black lives matter, we’re simply saying that black lives are just as important as anyone else’s life. I think Colin Kaepernick did the black community right in highlighting an important issue, albeit in a controversial way. Until we end this injustice towards black individuals, we need people like Kaepernick to remind us that black lives do matter.
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 13
Culture
Fall Fashion Trends Photo: Huffington Post
E
by: Kesha Shah
very season comes with its own beloved traits and exciting new trends. For instance, pumpkin spice lattes, an atmosphere for artsy Instagram pictures, and the onset of the holiday season are what make Fall superior to the rest of the seasons. However, as we slowly transition from the hot, sweaty summer weather to the cool breezy fall nights, our clothes must evolve as well. Chances are that you have the foundation for a great autumn wardrobe already in your closet. So, before you pack away your delicate tank tops, cheeky miniskirts and slip dresses, here are
some tips you can use to transition your summer clothes into fall necessities and mitigate a fragile clothing budget. LAYER UP: Fall is the season for layering, a method that not only keeps you warm but allows you to easily transition your summer clothes into fall while keeping stylish. A very basic rule for layering in the fall is to layer long over lean. This means pairing up longer-length shirts such as cardigans, plaid shirts, and dresses over leaner bottoms like tights and skinny jeans. Additionally, layering a jacket or a turtle neck sweater over a summer dress will transform your summer must-haves to trendy fall fashion pieces. Many retailers are
selling sweaters with a built-in jersey, inspired by Justin Bieber’s casual looks. But don’t be discouraged, you can easily ‘Do It Yourself ’ with basic clothing items you already own to create an equally beautiful dupe of the popular look. Layering is a very easy method which allows you to extend your summer favourites such as tank tops and half sleeves into something creative that suits your style and personality, while keeping up with the season. INVEST IN A ET: Jackets can make impact on the overall an outfit. However, often spend hundreds lars on jackets each
JACKa huge look of people of dolseason.
An easy way to be mindful of your bank account is to purchase one statement jacket that goes with all your summer clothes but easily transitions into fall. There many options you can consider buying. Leather Jacket: Perfect to pair over your summer dresses and transparent tights for the fall. Military-Style Cargo Jacket: Can easily be paired over skinny jeans and any summer t-shirts/ tank tops with some edgy boots to add a hint of fall. Denim Jackets: Wear over a flirty dress or layer with a hoodie and a statement beanie. Bomber Jacket: This is the latest, most sizzling trend.
Bomber jackets are warm and can easily be used to make an outfit more chic and edgy. Trench coat: Can be paired with absolutely everything! Jackets are a wardrobe essential all year round. They allow you to create new combinations and make an outfit look more put-together and polished. BOYFRIEND JEANS: Boyfriend jeans have been a huge trend this summer. Everyone from celebrities to male models to school kids has been investing in these jeans. Fortunately, these distressed and cut-up denims can be easily transitioned into fall. You can pair them with a sweater and
a choker or dress them up using a cardigan and a pair of edgy booties. Boyfriend jeans come in a range of styles and are an effortless and timeless way to create a statement. The tempting window displays and on-going sales make it easy to splurge as the new season rolls in. However, you can easily recreate your favourite fall outfits inspired by your fashion icons by layering and simply using your summer clothes. In this way, you can transition into fall styles and add a little additional warmth to your fashion.
Photo: Elle
VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 14
Culture
The Lost Colony of Roanoke F
by: Zaina Khan
or those of you who’ve watched the latest season of American Horror Story, you may have heard of the lost colony of Roanoke, which also happens to be the first English establishment in the New World. The circumstances surrounding the incident which took place here seems like something out of a story book - or, more appropriately, a horror novel. Though this colony was founded in the 16th century, the mystery surrounding it remains. In 1585, Queen Elizabeth I’s favorite English explorer, Sir Walter Raleigh, sent
an expedition to the province of Virginia, named in honour of his queen. A settlement was built on Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina. Even though Roanoke Island was close to Virginia, today’s map of the US would show that Virginia and North Carolina border each other, but are different states. The men Raleigh sent didn’t fare too well due to Native attacks and food shortages, causing them to return the very next year. The Native attacks were to be expected, since the colonists repeatedly kidnapped tribal leaders and held them for ransom, while at the same time depended on the “savages” for
food and other necessities. A ship arrived with supplies from England just two weeks after the men left and found the colony deserted. The ship decided to leave 15 soldiers behind in order to maintain an English presence in the New World until another group of settlers could be sent. In 1587, Raleigh decided to send a new group of 115 colonists led by his friend John White to check up on the soldiers as well as settle there. Here is where this fascinating tale begins. The story goes that when White and the colonists arrived on Roanoke Island, they found the place devoid
of any human presence. Only a skeleton which could have been of one of the soldiers was found. Soon, problems, including a lack of food supply, started to trouble them. White decided to go back to England for these urgent supplies yet, due to repeated delays, he returned 3 years later. When he finally came back to Roanoke Island, he was greeted with silence. Not a single person was to be found in the entire settlement. They had all disappeared. Vanished. The only clue to their whereabouts was the word “CROATOAN” etched into a tree. There are several theories on what might have hap-
pened to all the settlers. There has been evidence showing that the colonists moved to a place called Site X, a spot which was recently discovered upon further examination of John White’s map of the area. This theory is also supported by findings of artifacts such as nails and ceramics of both European and Native origin in Site X. It’s also quite possible that the colonists were forced to move due to a natural disaster, the worst drought in 800 years. This drought occurred right after White left for England and is said to have been capable of destabilizing even the best of colonies.
On a darker note, it is speculated that the colonists could have been killed by the Natives, who were known to be hostile. This theory is largely supported by the dead skeleton which White found upon reaching Roanoke. This tale has inspired generations of ghost stories and continues to be, as BBC’s History Magazine calls it, "the greatest unsolved mystery in the shared histories of England and America.”
Photo: The Virginian Pilot
A Recap of the MTV VMAs N
Photo: MTV.com
by: Ruth Zelleke
ew York’s skies resembled a giant fireball after MTV’s Video Music Awards were held at Madison Square Garden on August 28th. Artists from all genres and styles came together to accept awards for the music video medium. With a whopping 11 nominations and 1 win, Canuck artists Drake, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara, and The Weeknd held their heads high with Canadian pride. Brampton native Alessia Cara hit off the award ceremony with a pre-show performance singing her hit song “Wild Things”. The singer surprised and delighted the audience as she started her song artistically by exiting out of a train station. Not long after her appearance, American pop artist Troye Sivanv joined her as he sang “Wild” with the help of Cara. The duo finish with Cara singing her most recent song, “Scars You're Beautiful”. Later in the show, the two artists re-appeared to present the per-
formance of the Chainsmokers and Halsey singing “Closer”. The nominations alone for Canadian artists were enough to make Canada proud of its musical talent. Justin Bieber held 3 nominations, including “Video of the Year”, “Best Pop Video”, and “Break Through Long Form Video”. The Weeknd held 2 nominations: one for “Best Male Video” and another for “Best Visual Intakes”. Alessia Cara held one nomination for "Best Pop Video”. Audiences acknowledged the amount of effort and commitment it took to produce their albums, as they watched the Canadians’ names plastered onto the screen. It was truly a Canadian gift. Aubrey Drake Graham, also known as Drake, brought Canada an important win for “Best Male Video”. Funny enough, the Canadian rapper was unable to accept his award because he was stuck in traffic. On behalf of his efforts, American artist Puff Daddy accepted his award instead. Later
in the show, Drake appeared on stage to present the famous American artist, Rihanna, with the “Michael Jackson Vanguard Award”. His speech left everyone head over heels as he introduced his girlfriend as a “living, breathing legend in our industry”. The female artist accepted her award giving Drake a hug, creating a warm atmosphere for her final performance, and just like that, the VMAs ended. Many commentators described this event to be the most heartfelt award ceremony of 2016. When coming together to appreciate other artists, the music industry truly proves itself to be one big family. Watch for Canadian artists dominating the next big awards program in music — the American Music Awards (AMAs), where Drake has already set a new record for the number of AMA nominations (13) — which is set to air on November 20th.
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 15
Horrorscopes
Zodiac Signs as Halloween Costumes Aries
MAR 20 - APR 19
You're a vampire! Like vampires, Aries are known to be passionate and energetic, but also wise in their ways. So whether you’re the sparkling-in-the-sunlight “Edward Cullen” kind or an old school romantic “Dracula”, make sure to break out those sharp fangs this Halloween!
Libra
SEPT 22 - OCT 23
Taurus
Scorpio
You’d be a zombie! Like zombies, Taureans are really “grounded” and down to earth. They’re relaxed, value loyalty and stability, and live by a “slow and steady” kind of philosophy. Don’t get on their bad side because, like zombies, Taureans can be really scary when they seek vengeance….or braaains.
APR 20 - MAY 20
OCT 24 - NOV 21
Gemini
MAY 21 - JUNE 20
Ah, Gemini. Probably sick and tired of the “two-faced” stereotype. But there’s some truth to it! The indecisive Gemini may have trouble picking between two costumes. Gemini represents both sides of personality: the good and the bad. Geminis are often conflicted between both, but end up being pulled to one aspect — so choose the side that calls to you!
JUNE 21 - JULY 22
NOV 22 - DEC 21
JULY 23 - AUG 22
You’d go in cosplay! Anything from Batman to Gandalf the Grey, Capricorns are some of the most individualistic signs in the zodiac, and as practical and resourceful as they are, they’d choose a costume they could reuse a couple of times.
DEC 22 - JAN 19
Aquarius
JAN 20 - FEB 18
Virgo
AUG 23 - SEPT 21
You would be a black cat! Virgos are practical, analytical and kind. As earth signs, Virgos are tender and timid, much like a silent cat. They would be enticed by the classic black cat costume because Virgos are reserved and modest, but it would be the best costume in the room as Virgos tend to be purrfectionists that fuss over the details.
You’d be a witch or a warlock! Sagittarians are extroverted, ever-curious fire signs. Like witches and warlocks, they like to take the abstract ideas in their mind and form concrete steps for making that dream a reality. Sagittarians are curious and value freedom more than anything else, so like a witch or warlock, they’d be enticed by the supernatural and unexplainable.
Capricorn
Leo
You’d be a goddess! Leos have dramatic, dominating personalities, and they tend to live large. Leos are confident, a little self-centered, and love attention, so they’d steal the stage at the costume party. Leos are vibrant gods/goddesses year round, but on one night of the year, you can dress like one too!
You’d be Medusa! Scorpios are bold and determined, but they tend to be distrustful of others. Like Medusa, Scorpios are assertive and fierce, and constantly suspicious of those around them. Their icy glare could turn anyone to stone, but often times it’s a precaution taken to protect themselves. For this fun costume, cut off the snakes from your life and wear them in a crown that shows that those who mess with you don’t tend to make the same mistake again.
Sagittarius
Cancer
You would be a ghost! As water signs, Cancers are emotional and intuitive. Like ghosts, they tend to have sentimental holds on things and people. Cancers tend to be moody, so they could either be an adorably shy ghost that everyone loves or a terrifying spirit that haunts old buildings, cemeteries, and the dreams of children.
You’d be a flapper! The ever-so-elegant Libra would choose nothing less glamorous. Ruled by Venus, Libras tend to covet the glitzy and the glamourous life of luxury, so they’d have the most magnificent costume in the room!
You’d be a mad scientist. You never know what to expect from the brilliant, original, and ever-so-inventive Aquarius. Aquarians are quick-witted and creative, and they’re always thinking up a million new and groundbreaking ideas. This Halloween, be something that shows how creative you are!
Pisces
FEB 19 - MAR 20
You’d be a mermaid! Pisces are gentle water signs ruled by Neptune and are closely associated with water. They tend to be highly empathetic, have a great deal of emotional intelligence, and are always there to lend a helping hand. A Pisces’ intuition and desire helps make them the perfect gentle mermaids friends!
Comics
By: Rizva Ahmed
By: Vince De
By: Christa Hu
By: Tania Khan
VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 FALL 2016 PAGE 16