Features & Cover Illustrator Eseniia Bondar eseniia@ufvcascade.ca
News Editor Rachel Tait rachel@ufvcascade.ca
Jr. News Sky Terrones sky@ufvcascade.ca
Copy Editor Cassie Williams cassie@ufvcascade.ca
Opinion Editor Sam Penner
sam@ufvcascade.ca
Digital Media Assitant Wilson Agyapong wilson@ufvcascade.ca
Illustrator May Beeney
Illustrator Natasha Zilcosky
Staff Writer Chifaa Bouzid
Staff Writer Parul Bhola
Varsity Writer Micah Della
Columnist
Columnist Faby Cruz Alderete
CONTRIBUTORS
Editorial // Wrapping up 2024 with issue 32.13
CATHERINE CAMPBELL
Welcome to The Cascade, your source of news, culture, and student life at the University of the Fraser Valley.
What a special time of year: the end of the semester, and the end of the year! Here at The Cascade, we’ve been working hard between final assignments and studying for exams to bring you an issue that’s cozy, comfy, and comprehensive — and hopefully helps you take your mind off the end of semester chaos.
See what’s been happening on campus on p. 17 with the Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub’s Swiftie Scholar, a recent academic conference on all things Taylor Swift, with a critical eye on how this mega star influences everything from publishing to parasocial relationships. Then, on p. 19, get an insider look at UFV’s Tabletop Games Club, where students are invited to join in, make friends, and have fun!
If you’re looking for a recap on what’s been happening with sports on campus, head over to p. 14 to get to know Aaron Hyde, a member of the Cascades rowing team, or
to p. 16 for a comprehensive overview on the Cascades women’s basketball team’s recent gameplay.
On p. 19, get those tastebuds going with a delicious recipe for Indian-style peri-peri chicken, and on p. 17, take a deep dive into coats that will keep you toasty warm this winter. If you want to turn inward, find your way to p. 8 to read about a new take on New Year’s resolutions, or hop on over to p. 6 for a rundown on what sober curiosity may look like for you.
Then, the pièce de résistance of issue 32.13 on p. 10-13: a personal, introspective, and comprehensive dive into the Wicked (2024) film adaptation, its Wizard of Oz (1900) origins, and how it’s been a touchstone for one of our staff members.
We hope that, in between final exams and everything else, you’re able to take some time to rest and recharge. We wish you a happy holiday season!
P.S. Do you have thoughts on this issue, or want to contribute your own words? Send an email to managing@ufvcascade.ca — we’d love to hear from you.
The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper. It originated under its current name in 1993, and achieved autonomy from the university and the Student Union Society in 2002. This means that The Cascade is a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published in an entirely student-run setting. It also acts as an alternative press for the Fraser Valley. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds, and is overseen by The Cascade Journalism Society Board, a body run by a student majority. The Cascade is published every other Wednesday with a print circulation of 800 and is distributed at Abbotsford, Chilliwack (CEP), Clearbrook, and Mission UFV campuses and throughout the surrounding communities.
The Cascade is open to written, photo, and design work from all students; these can come in the form of a pitch to an editor, or an assignment from an editor. Pitch meetings will be digital for the remainder of the semester. Please email managing@ufvcascade.ca to be put on the assignment email list.
In order to be published in the newspaper, all work must first be approved by The Cascade’s editor-in-chief, copy editor, and corresponding section editor. The Cascade reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length. The Cascade will not print any articles that contain racist, sexist, homophobic, or libellous content. Letters to the editor, while held to the same standard, are unedited, and should be under 200 words. As The Cascade is an autonomous student publication, opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, The
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NEWS BRIEFS
DONALD TRUMP ON A MISSION TO PUNISH CANADA AND MEXICO
UFV // November 2024 Senate recap
New programs and student enrolment
As 2025 approaches, Argentinians living with HIV, STDs, hepatitis, and tuberculosis fear Milei’s government-planned budget cuts for their necessary medical treatment.
Despite the 236 per cent year-over-year inflation, the 21 million Argentine pesos of the 2023 budget stayed the same in 2024, resulting in shortages of reagents and preservatives, which are critical as preventive measures.
If the bill passes for 2025, this could prove even more detrimental for the now 23 million Argentine pesos proposed budget, representing roughly a 76 per cent cut.
On Nov. 5, hundreds of Argentinians took to the streets to speak out against the bill. Claudio Mariani, a member of the Frente Nacional por la Salud de las personas con VIH, Hepatitis y Tuberculosis, warned how dangerous this is for those who are sick.
“The country is headed toward a planned genocide for all the people who suffer from any health issue.”
The 2025 budget would mean fewer medicines, supplies, and prevention measures, threatening to increase the mortality rate and turn this into an epidemic.
In the meantime, Milei highly regards his effective path toward economic stability with the motto of “governing with macroeconomic prudence.”
Donald Trump has issued a warning to Canada: beginning on Jan. 20, 2025, he stated that he may impose a 25 per cent tariff on all products coming from Canada and Mexico. Trump made it clear that the tariff will stay in effect until both countries completely stop the flow of illegal drugs and immigrants across the U.S. borders.
In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canadian officials had phone conversations with Trump about the possible negative impact on the Canadian economy, especially concerning oil exports.
Trump’s warnings have raised concerns about the economic damage this could bring, as estimates suggest impacts ranging from a 0.5 per cent in GDP to a five per cent decline, depending on the specifics of the tariff plan.
Earlier this year, the federal government took steps to address U.S. concerns by re-establishing a visa requirement for people from Mexico travelling to Canada.
Trump’s threat significantly raises tensions between the two countries. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and others have warned that this could seriously affect jobs and workers in both nations.
Trump has threatened trade issues as negotiation tactics before, so it is uncertain if he will act on it this time.
Senate is the academic governing body of UFV, with the university President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Joanne MacLean as chair. They are responsible for making decisions on everything academic, including: approving new courses and programs, approving changes to programs, and setting entrance requirements and the academic calendar. The Board of Governors, which looks at the business side of the university, is advised by Senate on matters of mutual interest.
All at the university are welcome to attend Senate’s public meetings, which are held once a month. Senate makes decisions that impact the daily lives of both students and faculty. This article will recap the main agenda items of the hybrid Senate meeting which occurred on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024.
Principles and Applications.
Further, Mandigo made motions for the implementation of three new programs at UFV: the cyber security post-baccalaureate diploma; the artificial intelligence and machine learning post-baccalaureate diploma; and the software engineering post-baccalaureate diploma. All were voted on favourably and carried.
According to the program proposal, these new academic diplomas aim to empower students with the skill sets to do well in their field.
“Through these programs, students will have the opportunity to gain skills that are relevant to information systems industries.”
The programs are also designed to satisfy the need for more IT experts to work on a local, regional, and national level. These programs are expected to be implemented in Sept. 2025.
On Nov. 21, the Liberals announced that there will be a break from paying GST and HST tax beginning on Dec. 14, 2024 and ending on Feb. 15, 2025. The government also advocated to give Canadians $250 if they made under $150,000 in 2023.
However, On Nov. 25, it was decided that only the holiday break from taxes will be implemented, as Jagmeet Singh of the NDP is pressing the Liberals to give seniors and people with disabilities the $250 payout. Items that are eligible for the tax exemption include books, baked goods, snacks, wine, video game consoles, restaurant food and drinks, children’s clothes and shoes, diapers, and similar, non-necessary products. Items that are not included are housing, heating, utilities, groceries, internet, and cellphone bills.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) were advocating for more permanent relief for Canadians, especially in the areas of housing, heating, utilities, and other necessities.
According to The Globe and Mail, the NDP was disappointed by the Liberals’ failure to include necessities and that the break is only a temporary relief from taxes.
In an update on the Canada Post strike, The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) submitted a complaint to the Canada Industrial Relations Board regarding labour rights violations. The complaint came after Canada Post’s official statement on Thursday saying they would be terminating the employment of the workers on strike.
Canada Post spokesperson Lisa Liu clarified that these staff cuts are temporary, as permitted by the labour code, and declared these disturbances justified measures.
“Our business has been significantly impacted leading up to and throughout this labour disruption. We have taken steps to adjust our operations.”
CUPW denounced this action as an “intimidation tactic,” encouraging members to remain calm. Jan Simpson, national president of CUPW, stated on Nov. 27 that while Canada Post claims to be working on the negotiations with “greater urgency,” it’s a higher priority for the workers to reach an agreement.
“Canada Post management talks about the urgency of reaching a deal while they still sit in their offices or at home collecting their six-figure salaries and bonuses … No CUPW member from Canada Post, union leadership included, are receiving a salary right now; things could not be more urgent for our side.
David Johnston, university registrar, gave an in-depth presentation on UFV’s current student enrolment and where they are in their Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) plan goals for 20232030. Johnston stated in his PowerPoint presentation that UFV is doing well in terms of enrolment figures. According to the seven year enrolment plan, the goal is to have 17,600 students enrolled by 203031, with 22 per cent of that figure allotted for international students. Currently, there are 8,756 domestic students and 2,539 international students, with a total head count of 11,297 students enrolled in the Fall 2024 semester.
A motion was made by Dr. James Mandigo, provost and vice president academic, to discontinue the Master of Arts Criminal Justice program at UFV. The main reason for this decision was based on the limited number of students who were taking the program from 2017-2024. A memo from Chris Campbell, associate director of Program Development and Quality Assurance, to Dr. Mandigo, indicated that since 2017, there have been low enrolment numbers in the masters program. As of 2024, there are no students pursuing the program. The senate board voted on the motion; it was voted on favourably and carried.
Dr. Mandigo made a motion to implement the Journalism extended minor that was voted on favourably by the Senate board and the program will begin in the Fall 2025 semester. Some of the courses offered will include CMNS 175: Writing for the Internet, CMNS 311: Investigative Reporting, and CMNS 320: Editing
Dr. Mandigo wrote in his Provost Report about how imperative it is to incorporate interdisciplinary practices in student education to help prepare them for industry expectations.
“The importance of taking interdisciplinary approaches is one that is often highlighted as being critical to help prepare our students to tackle the challenging issues society is facing in an ever-changing complex world.”
RACHEL TAIT
SKY S. TERRONES
NISHI CHANNA
RACHEL TAIT
SKY S. TERRONES
Illustration by Eseniia Bondar
UFV celebrates the holidays with the Angel Tree
As the holidays approach, UFV students help their fellow classmates give presents to their children
SKY S. TERRONES
Every year during the holiday season, UFV’s Student Union Society (SUS) brings cheer and support to students through their Angel Tree program, which provides gifts to students who have children under the age of 16. This year, registration opened the first week of November.
The Angel Tree program began in 1979 in Lynchburg, Virginia. It was started by Lt. Colonels Shirley and Charles White, who collaborated with a new shopping mall for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign. The pair were offered a Christmas tree display that they used to hang angels — children people could buy gifts for — with children’s clothing sizes for people to support.
Shirley White explained that they were inspired to take on this initiative to help children who wanted to wear new clothing back to school after the holidays. This display later resulted in 472 children receiving clothing, with the initiative continuing to expand, with millions of kids getting support.
Bilal Faisal, SUS vice president of students, explained the Angel Tree program, the registration process, and how to sponsor an angel.
“We ask UFV students who are a parent … [to] submit any wish that their child has.”
Faisal clarified that these wishes can range from toys to chocolate bars. SUS will then take the requests and post them
International //
on their website.
Faisal shared that the SUS Angel Tree project has been occurring at UFV for six years. The two requirements to apply are to be a current UFV student and that your child is 16 or under. Once accepted, the wish is collected by SUS and added to their website so anyone can choose to sponsor a child and buy them a gift.
“You see all the angels … their names, how old they are, and what their wish is. So that’s how you select them … One person fulfills one wish for that person.”
SUS implemented drop-off locations for gifts on both the Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses for those who choose to sponsor an angel. The wish drop-off is open until Dec. 4, after which the SUS team sorts and prepares them to be picked up on Dec. 10 – 11.
Faisal, who has been part of this project for two seasons, mentioned that, in 2024, 198 students registered, out of which 186 were accepted, as 12 did not meet the pre-established requirements.
“Sometimes, when they don’t match those criteria, that’s when we have to, unfortunately, reject those applications.”
By Nov. 22, 171 out of the 186 angels had already been sponsored, and with only 15 left, SUS expected to meet their goal on the week of Nov. 25. This was indeed achieved on Nov. 27. Faisal mentioned that meeting their intended goal has been achieved in past years, too.
“[In] 2023, we sponsored 159 angels, and all of them were sponsored … [in] 2022, we sponsored 253 angels. That’s the
thing: the project is just going on and on, and it’s such a big project.”
Faisal also shared his appreciation for the Angel Tree project and how much it helps the students who signed up.
“It’s a great way to give back to the community in [the] holiday season, and it takes the burden off the parents because they are students as well.”
On the SUS website, parents of past angels shared their appreciation and gratitude for the project and the people who contributed to the cause.
“Thank you so much for the gifts for my children. I have been struggling financially as I am an older student with two kids trying to better my life. School has been extremely hard on the family and these gifts were the only gifts Santa brought my kids this Christmas,” said Deanna.
Overall, these successful and heartwarming projects advocate for a unified community.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) rundown
APEC
rushes to solidify their trades before Donald Trump takes office
SKY S. TERRONES
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) convened this year in Peru from Nov. 10 to Nov. 16 amid protests and transportation strikes, which are due to organized crime and extreme citizen insecurity. This APEC meeting was hosted in hopes of achieving the goal of “free and open trade & investment” across the Asia-Pacific region. APEC — initially consisting of 12 members in 1989, that
now total 21 members — gathered to promote trade and economic growth between these economies.
Among the leaders in attendance were the host, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, U.S. President Joe Biden, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, among others.
Despite the summit’s conversation
focusing mainly on future economic tactics and sustainability, Saturday ended with leaders discussing their worries about Donald Trump’s protectionist threats. With up to 20 per cent tariffs on imports to the U.S. — with up to 60 per cent in the case of goods from China, and even 100 per cent for Mexican-made goods — the economies have been driven to consider alternatives in trade beyond
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SNAPSHOT
I can totally knit a blanket five hours before finals!
Hmm … my room could use some tidying. Even better, let’s rearrange it! Maybe I’ll fold that Eiffel Tower of clothes that has been sitting in the corner of my room for months. Or I could learn to make a hand-knit blanket from chunky yarn and finish it just before finals?
Why is it that when finals approach, or we have a big project due, everything else seems more interesting than what we should prioritize? Some people won’t even procrastinate; they will procrasta-work, doing endless other tasks — except what really needs to be done.
Even I have fallen victim to this. Instead of doing homework, I will pick up a new language on Duolingo, bingewatch a show, read a novel, or get lost in endless doomscrolling.
Why do we do this — are we afraid to work? Is it a fear of failure? Or does our mind keep stalling because it doesn’t want us to stress, even though putting off what we need to do increases this stress?
Next time you are stuck in an endless spiral of procrastination, think about the root of your inability to focus and take steps to keep yourself accountable. We’re in this together.
BY NISHI CHANNA
Photo by Patryk Dziejma on StockSnap
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
the U.S.
Dr. Bryce Wakefield, the chief executive of the Australian Institute of International Affairs, commented on the possible consequences of Trump’s commitment to cancel major climate initiatives and his backtrack regarding free trade.
“You can predict a lot more coordination between mid-sized economies as they attempt to diversify their relations away from the United States during such a fraught period … A lot of that investment may now be redirected towards countries with resources crucial to the
Column //
green economy…”
Wakefield also said this could potentially give Australia an advantage due to its richness of eco-friendly resources and willingness to solidify liberalized trade.
“We are great champions of free and open trade, and it gives Australia an opportunity to reaffirm that.”
Australia is not the only country likely to gain from this deal. Trudeau pointed out that Canada had already handled Trump’s first presidency with “significant success” and remarked that trades can and should be mutually beneficial. This knowledge and experience in dealing effectively with Trump has put Trudeau
in the spotlight for providing guidance on navigating deals with the U.S. president. However, the highlight of the summit was Jinping, who was pictured next to Boluarte in the annual photo of the APEC members. Jinping partnered with South Korea’s President, Yoon Suk-Yeol, to collaborate on protecting the international free trade system. He also had his first meeting ever with Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and most notably launched a 1.3 billion dollar megaport in Chancay, Peru, to ease trade from South America to Asia. This project has not only brought worries from U.S. officials, but was also frowned upon by locals due
to the industrialization of the sea.
Julio César, a 78-year-old fisherman, commented that areas that used to have fish have now been destroyed, but the responsibility lies on the Peruvian government.
“Our fishing spots no longer exist here. They’ve taken over a part of the sea … I don’t blame the Chinese for trying to exploit this place to the maximum, I blame our government for not protecting us.”
Regardless, the project is expected to make a significant profit and become a stepping stone and turning point for open trade and the global economy.
Professor Profile: Jess Wind
NISHI CHANNA
Jess Wind (they/them) is an Assistant Professor of Arts and Integrated Studies at UFV, and is currently working toward their doctorate at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Previously, Wind was a freelance writer and helped produce a local arts publication, Raspberry Magazine, from 2017 to 2021. Wind recently took time to share their PhD research with The Cascade Wind’s research looks at how racism and resistance affect Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) communities, with a focus on the challenges of creating content in a capitalist, Eurocentric, and colonial society. They explained how the focus for their PhD has to do with gender and calling unnamed whiteness out within that community.
“I argue the practice of developing homebrew content positions creators as active labourers in D&D’s political economy, with the power to subvert dominant hegemonic discourses about race, gender, sexuality, and ability in gaming cultures.”
Developed in the 70s by Ernest Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, D&D is a game that can be played in person or online and requires multiple players to help tell a story. Players create fantasy characters they portray in the game and the Game Master is in charge of the imagined world, all the non-player characters and they create the setting, giving the players encounters, situations, and problems to solve. The story’s direction changes based on the choices the players make. The first version of the game closely resembled tactical war games with a fantasy theme, while the current model emphasizes storytelling and provides more rule flexibility.
Wind explained that, in D&D, the term homebrew refers to players modifying or expanding the rules and content published
by the current owners of the franchise. It can include creating new rules, characters, items, monsters, or entire ready-to-play modules and settings.
When asked why they picked D&D as a research topic, Wind said it all began in 2015 when they started playing D&D to relax and take a break from researching for their masters.
Wind reflected on what they were thinking when they were looking into getting a PhD in 2020.
“I was really thinking about the kinds of community and relationship building and storytelling opportunities that D&D affords.”
When asked to expand on this dramatic landscape shift, Wind had this to say:
“[Various discourses] in the media and our landscapes [started showing the] need for diversity and equity in labour environments.”
Wind added that companies were firing their top executives and saying they would do better. At this point, D&D
was also becoming more widely known, leading to D&D owners having a similar conversation regarding diversity. Wind also mentioned that a press release from Wizards of the Coast regarding diversity was issued in 2020, acknowledging its medieval colonialist legacy. The article has since been removed.
“They were recognizing the legacy of racialized logic in the game and the lack of diversity in the people creating the game.”
Wind added that from then on, people started talking about how they changed the game’s rules to make it more diverse. According to Wind, homebrew creators or players started making meaning from D&D and the intersections of how society impacts the game; people were finally looking at the need for equity, diversity, and inclusion in gaming communities.
Wind chose D&D because it displayed how culture and tensions in the real world mirror themselves in the media they consume and the games they play. During
this time, while people and organizations were trying to be more diverse and inclusive, D&D players also tried to make more diverse worlds that represented them.
“My findings point to a shared logic of resistance among those who create homebrew content. By examining homebrew content as a legitimate extension of D&D’s transmediated franchise, and by framing homebrew content creation as a form of transformational media engagement, we are better able to examine discourses surrounding inclusion and diversity in the D&D player community.”
Wind recommends Dungeons and Dragons as a platform for anyone interested in forging relationships, making memories, and telling their stories.
“If you have ideas and you need to put them somewhere, D&D is a really great place.”
Photo by Jess Wind
Lifestyle // Could you be sober curious?
How and why young people are drinking less than previous generations
CAITLYN CARR
Student life is hard. Whether it’s studying for midterms or finding a parking spot on campus, every day seems to bring a new challenge. The seasonal depression that hits right in the middle of the semester. The all-nighters spent doing homework. The financial burden of a well-rounded education. All of these combined with various personal issues can make student life difficult, and occasionally, you might want something to take the edge off. It could be something like playing video games, spending time with friends, or maybe it’s the odd drink. That being said, it appears that numerous millennials and Gen Z’s have been dismissing that last option, becoming more in favour of non-alcoholic alternatives. In a recent Leger study, it was found that 26 per cent of Gen Z and 31 per cent of millennial participants in Canada have reduced their alcohol intake, but why?
What does it mean to be sober curious? The expression was coined in 2018 by Ruby Warrington in her book Sober Curious (2018) and its impact has only grown since. Those of you who have been keeping up-to-date with the popular Netflix series Emily in Paris (2020) might
already be familiar with the term. As Lily Collins’ titular character describes participants of the sober curious movement: “They’re not sober. They’re just exploring not drinking.” A missing, yet crucial detail is that, while exploring not drinking period is welcome, participants can also choose to simply explore drinking less
Not to be confused with being sober, being sober curious means being mindful of how you interact with alcohol and exploring possible changes to your drinking habits.
There’s a number of reasons why you might be considering the idea. It’s possible you’re trying to save money or you just can’t stand the taste. Maybe you know someone struggling with addiction and don’t want to risk going down a similar path. If you’re like me, you’re trying to be more health-conscious, but who knows, perhaps it’s another reason entirely!
It’s no secret that when you invite alcohol into your body, it usually brings with it a list of health risks including liver disease, heart disease, and even cancer. Not only that, but there’s also a number of mental health related reasons why someone might consider being sober curious, especially considering that alcohol is a
depressant. Drinking alcohol comes with a level of both mental and physical risk and part of being sober curious is making informed decisions regarding your relationship with drinking.
Interested in becoming sober curious? Here are some ways you might go about it:
Be conscious of your drinking habits. Before pouring yourself that glass of wine, take a moment to think about how many glasses you’ve had that week. How many bottles are currently sitting in your recycling? How much time and money have you been spending at the liquor store? It might be worth it to dig up past transactions and do a bit of math to get an exact number. As well as how often you drink, ask yourself why. Do you feel pressured by others or worried that you won’t fit in otherwise? Do you like the taste or has it become a coping mechanism? Whatever your reasons, it’s important to be aware of them.
Indulge in alcohol-free hobbies. Taking a well-deserved break from homework? Consider picking up some new interests like reading, exercising, crocheting, or playing a musical instrument. There are a lot of sober options out there to help keep your brain stimulated, and not only that, but there are events happening both on and off campus all the time! Whether it’s a book launch, festival, concert, or sports game, there’s usually something worth checking out.
Outline your plan. What does drinking less look like for you? Maybe it looks like not drinking for a set amount of time, or perhaps you decide to only drink on certain days of the week. Who knows, maybe you choose to replace that cocktail with a mocktail indefinitely. Whatever best suits you and your goals is the way to go.
One last piece of advice I have for you is to be mindful of potential challenges that may arise when lowering your alcohol intake. Are you experiencing any cravings? Do you find social events where alcohol is present difficult? When driving past the liquor store, do you feel a sense of longing? Making note of these things now can be helpful in lessening the risk of dependence later. As you power through the rest of the semester, consider exploring how the sober curious movement could fit into your life.
It’s important to note that being sober curious is not a replacement for professional help. If you think that you might be struggling with alcohol dependance, contact Abbotsford A.A.’s 24-hour help line at 604-615-2911.
SNAPSHOT
I hate(d) my roommate
In February, my then best friend moved out, and a new girl — who I didn’t know, didn’t choose, and didn’t want — moved in. Resentment blinded me. I hated co-existing with her.
Fast forward to yesterday: I had an excruciating headache. That girl I once despised sat beside me, massaged my head, and listened to me cry until I fell asleep.
After I thanked her, she told me: “One should have someone to share everything with; it’s you for me and me for you.” I realized then that she’s not just my roommate, but the sister I never had.
We’ve shared it all — wiping each other’s tears, cooking each other food, and providing comfort through hard days. As she turns 20 this November, I wish her all the happiness in the world.
The girl I once despised is now my reminder of what a kind person embodies. She is the most selfless and purest person I’ve ever met and I am endlessly grateful for her. I have heard that female friendships are fragile, but once you find the ones that feel like sisterhood, you need to hold onto them; they’re precious.
BY PRATI KAPOOR
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
Illustration by Olivia Sommer
SNAPSHOT
O Christmas tree, are you real?
Are you a real or fake Christmas tree person?
My favourite holiday tradition was my family and I making the trip out to the Christmas tree farm in search of a tree we could decorate with pride. It was cold and we often trekked through the mud, but there was something special about wrapping up warm to walk down the lanes with a hot cocoa in hand. We would always choose a tree that “spoke” to us — even if we barely got it through the door. Each Christmas tree had character, big or small, tall or short — a hand-picked tree made the season feel complete.
The constant cleaning of pine needles and watering eventually caused my family to opt for artificial. Even after a few years of owning one, pulling the tree from storage just doesn’t feel the same. We no longer make the drive out to that farm. There’s no experience; just a box ready to be taken off the shelf. Plus, the plastic branches, the twinkling lights that remain in the same spot, and the scent of dust instead of fresh cedar filling my house is not nearly as appealing. Needless to say, I miss our real tree.
BY VERONICA POWELL
The Environmentalist: geoengineering
The future of climate solutions or a dangerous gamble?
What if we could stop climate change in its tracks? It might sound impossible, but cutting-edge engineering could make it a reality. Welcome to The Environmentalist, your column for understanding the natural world. Today we will be exploring geoengineering and the dangerous gamble that might just save planet earth. For context, there are two main approaches to climate action: adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation includes the activities that involve adjusting to present and future climate change effects, like sea barriers that prevent flooding. Mitigation involves reducing climate change by tackling its sources, like how an increased use of renewable energies would reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Geoengineering fits into both mitigation and adaptation methods. Geoengineering has been defined as the intentional large-scale manipulation of the environment to oppose negative impacts of worldwide climate change. Geoengineering encompasses two main types of actions. The first action is removing and storing atmospheric CO2,
also known as carbon dioxide removal (CDR), which would result in lowering the Greenhouse Effect, reducing effects of global warming. An example of CDR is direct air capture, which involves machines removing CO2 from the air and utilizing it as a source of energy or storing it underground. The second action is reflecting sunlight away from earth, also known as solar radiation management (SRM), which would result in less solar radiation heating our planet.
You might be asking yourself, why go to such drastic extents? Climate change is getting worse and the current actions being taken are not fast enough for what our current situation requires. We keep seeing temperatures rise, extreme weather events, melting ice caps, and rising sea levels. Geoengineering offers potential opportunities to have a positive impact on our climate. Moreover, there are myriad benefits, the main ones being that geoengineering doesn’t aim to stop climate change, but actively reverses it by returning a more stable atmospheric CO2 concentration. It is also said that the
results would be rapid and have the potential to create a variety of new jobs.
Sadly, it is not all sugar, spice, and everything nice. Most of the research done on the topic is only theoretical and based on computer simulations, so there are many uncertainties. We don’t really know what the consequences of these actions might be and a huge portion of the necessary technology does not exist. On top of that, it might be financially infeasible. There are also ethical issues, since it is unclear who would be primarily affected and who would decide the application of geoengineering.
Luckily, there has been a lot of development in geoengineering. The carbon capture sector is growing, so it is not the time to lose faith; especially since we are in desperate need of effective climate solutions. As The Lorax once said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.” So, let’s care.
FABIOLA CRUZ ALDERETE
Photo by Thirawat / Adobe Stock
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
Tech Talk: tech gifts for students!
Gadgets every student should have as part of their tech arsenal
SEAN HORN
Like many students, I have a laptop that I bring with me to class. However, I have noticed some classrooms don’t have many outlets accessible for my power brick. This can sometimes result in students fighting for spots closest to the walls to have access to that sweet, sweet power. With the holidays around the corner, this could be inspiration for a great gift.
I won’t assume too much about your technology, dear reader, but most non-gaming laptops are using USB-C chargers. If this is the case, then rejoice! You are no longer tethered to the walls
or the back of class in order to keep your laptop juiced up: you can ask Santa for a portable power pack. As I mentioned in our last issue, the amount of power your device needs will vary. For charging, a general rule of thumb is this: laptops (with USB-C power connections) are 65 watts (W), tablets are 20W, and phones are 10W. The good news is, you can definitely find battery packs that are able to charge a laptop and a phone simultaneously. But if you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can get a battery pack that will charge almost everything, including a standard AC outlet. However, I wouldn’t trust it
Lifestyle // Rethinking resolutions
To all the failed resolutions I’ve loved before…
SAMANTHA PENNER
It’s that time of year my journal hates to see coming: It’s almost New Year’s … again! And what do we do for New Year’s? We make resolutions that we will ultimately fail to accomplish. Too ambitious, then too disappointed? You’re not alone of course, but seriously — what’s the deal with all this pressure?
I’m of two minds when it comes to resolutions. One side of my brain feels rather pessimistic: resolutions feel urgent in January, but when the following December rolls around and I’m lacking results, I feel foolish. There’s so much pressure to self-punish in order to see results — new diets or tough exercise regimens thrive on self-loathing — and so many resolutions feel like they’re destined to fail due to inevitable short lifespans. Some are so unrealistic that they’re guaranteed to be a major let-down; I always set my expectations too high, and when there is no one to blame but myself for their failure, the sting is that much worse. These resolutions tend to be made in order to prove something — but prove something to who? We don’t need to change ourselves, but we should feel comfortable in wanting to strive toward personal goals.
The other side of my brain is rather reflective and sentimental when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. I think of New Year’s as a time to review the past year’s fond memories and look forward to the excitement of the coming year. There’s something very human about wanting to create resolutions for ourselves, so why
deny it entirely? I think we should want to improve and grow as people, so really, making resolutions is exercising that part of our humanism. There really is no harm in motivating yourself to improve; the real problem is how we treat ourselves when we fail. In my opinion, the internal pressure is where we go wrong.
This year, I am working to set resolutions that enhance my self-growth. I know it sounds cheesy, like another quest bound to fail when the goal is exactly the opposite, but I think that this sets a realistic baseline. Self-growth can be anything,
entirely, as most devices using an AC outlet may require more power than the portable battery pack can provide.
I’d recommend power banks from Ugreen, Anker, and Sharge. I truly find them to be the highest quality for the price. Ugreen and Sharge both have offerings that can range from 65W of output with two or three ports to 140W. Anker has one that provides a whopping 200W — more than enough to charge all your tech while you’re away from home. You will want to make sure you get a battery that has more than one port; each port usually has a limit to accommodate the
device that’s plugged in.
You also need to get a proper USB-C cable to charge your devices. Not every cable is rated for power delivery — USB 3 or USB 4 PD is what you want to look for if this is your goal. If your laptop is pulling 65W from the battery but the cable can only carry 20W, you’ll destroy the cable. Your best bet: get a new USB-C cable rated for 100+W of power delivery. These can be found on Amazon for pretty cheap, usually coming in packs of two to suit all your needs.
Happy charging!
major or minor, and therefore sets you up to succeed. Every year brings something new — something to learn from, a story to tell — and every year provides room for growth. So, if we enable ourselves to give credit to the minor achievements, the major will feel even more significant.
I propose we create our own personal parameters around what makes the journal of resolutions. My philosophy is: make you feel like you. Choose goals that enhance who you are at your core, changes that will make you internally rich.
To achieve this, we should work to
evaluate every resolution we intend to make, striving for goals that make us feel good along the way, not just when (that’s right, when!) we reach the end goal. I want to focus this year’s resolution on claiming goals that motivate me to make me feel like myself — getting into nature, re-read my favourite book, enjoying live music, learn something new, spending quality time with friends, game nights, and cooking more. I want to focus on things that seem obvious and achievable, but that I neglect when things get busy, ultimately depriving myself of what I love. These small victories will add up to a year of success to look back on when next New Year’s rolls around and the reflection process begins all over again.
I am sure all of this sounds super cheesy — maybe even delusional. I intend to be progressive, but maybe I’m gearing up for another backslide … In reality, I’m just trying to be light-hearted with it. Striving for things that make you happy while not putting too much pressure on yourself is no easy feat. But if we start when the year is new and things are at their most fresh, we might just stand a chance.
So, I say we embrace the New Year’s reflection period and resolution frenzy — it’s all part of the journey. Get a little poetic with it; let the sappy feelings rejoice!
Happy New Year’s everyone, and cheers to the next.
Illustration by Natasha Zilcosky
Former GDD sessional’s open letter to UFV
Imroze Singh on UFV’s equity,
KIARA OKONKWO
On Nov. 14, former Graphic + Digital Design (GDD) sessional instructor, Imroze Singh, penned an open letter criticizing the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives at UFV, outlining his experience teaching at UFV. The caption to the letter on Imroze Singh’s LinkedIn reads: “I am ashamed to be associated with UFV. Your EDI performance is TRASH! You are perpetuating harm — and that is something no amount of performance can hide.”
UFV’s President’s Task Force on EDI was implemented in 2019. The available 2020/2021 Action Plan outlines UFV’s four overarching goals that approach the issue of equity and access for students, staff, and faculty, aiming to embed EDI principles into the institution.
Singh graduated from UFV with a GDD degree in 2021. He went on to pursue a masters in Inclusive Design from Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health. He took the time to chat with The Cascade to provide further insight into the circumstances that led him to share the open letter after learning no courses were available for him in upcoming semesters.
“I started teaching at UFV at the beginning of this year. I had done a few guest lectures here and there — that was late September, early October, of last year. Then, the opportunity came [up] for a sessional position. I applied, and I interviewed, and I started in January 2024. I taught GD 304, [User Experience Design]. And at the same time, I was also teaching visual arts in the School of Creative Arts.”
Excited about the opportunity to teach at his alma mater, Singh emphasized the importance of the GDD department at UFV.
“There are not that many design schools, especially from the Valley perspective. If [UFV] didn’t have a design program, the closest one would be Kwantlen, which is in Surrey and Richmond, and then the big ones are [at] Capilano and Emily Carr, and they’re highly competitive.”
Singh had much to say about his interview process.
“I felt like [the] majority of the interview was overshadowed by questions about EDI, as in, how they are trying to make an inclusive environment [and] how they’re trying to Indigenize their way of thinking. But at the same time, I didn’t
diversity, and inclusion initiatives
hear any practical way of doing it. It was ‘our strategic thinking’ or ‘our strategic plan is this.’ I didn’t hear any practices or how to implement [those] strategies.”
As a visible minority and racialized student at UFV, Singh said he has always been outspoken about the obstacles he faced. Coming on as a sessional, Singh was informed by his experience and aimed to meet the needs of students.
“I always brought up the point that [a] majority of UFV revenue comes from international students … How many international students are taking GDD courses? Is there infrastructure being provided for them?
“I’m an immigrant myself, so I see the hurdles that come up, and I know what it feels like being taught in a [different] language … I was always very conscious of how I will be perceived. There were only a couple of times during [my] GDD diploma that I took a risk of bringing in the Punjabi angle; my Punjabi identity, my immigrant identity…”
Offering an example of his inclusive praxis, Singh spoke of the VA 119 course he taught.
“We were exploring traditional mediums … but, [we were] also creating podcasts. Out of 21 students, 19 of them were international students … I told them, if you feel comfortable speaking a
different language, use that. A lot of the students explored creating in Punjabi. There was a Thai student who did a podcast completely in Thai.”
When asked if Singh believed UFV is committed to EDI, his answer was pointed.
“No, I don’t think they are … in order to make change, there needs to be structural change, and the people who are in charge of those [changes] are the ones who actually created those structures in the first place … even if a racialized person wants to come in and make an EDI change, the system works against them, because the system was never set up for them.”
Singh also spoke about the lack of support he received from the GDD department in implementing industry-standard design software, Figma. He went on to criticize GDD for the lack of IT support given to students who are not working off of a MacBook Pro, raising the question of financial strain on GDD students.
The Cascade has reached out to the College of Arts and GDD department for comment. At this time, neither department was able to provide a statement. We are hopeful to receive more from them on the matter in our January issue.
Edited for length and readability.
UFV’s EDI Guiding Principles
1. UFV is enriched and strengthened through diversity and inclusion. The UFV community aspires to be diverse, fair and open, and we aim to ensure our personal commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident.
2. We commit to developing and maintaining an equity, diversity and inclusion action plan in consultation with students, faculty, staff and administrators, and particularly with individuals from under-represented groups. We commit to demonstrating accountability for progress over time.
3. We commit to identifying and addressing barriers to equity of access and opportunity, and to providing supports for the recruitment and retention of students, faculty, staff, senior university leaders, and university Board and Senate members, particularly from under-represented groups.
4. We commit to ensuring that members of the UFV community are provided support in their educational progress, career progress, and success in leadership positions at our institution.
5. We seek ways to integrate inclusive excellence throughout our university’s teaching, research, community engagement, administration, and governance. In so doing, we will engage and educate the UFV community in order to raise awareness and ensure shared ownership, responsibility, and procedural fairness.
6. We are guided in our efforts by evidence and effective practices. We commit to fostering a learning community that identifies and removes barriers and obstacles to enable members of under-represented groups to thrive.
7. We commit to transparency in our work. This includes providing the UFV community with regular progress updates and access to the data that supports our ongoing work, and being open and clear in our decision making process. Additionally, we commit to seeking and considering the input of all UFV stakeholders.
8. The Task Force is committed to gathering and analyzing information to inform development, implementation, and ongoing review of a UFV Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy.
9. We commit to operating ethically and modeling ethical behaviour in all of our work. This includes ensuring that we as individuals, the Task Force as a whole, and members of Working Groups exhibit the highest commitment to our principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Photo submitted by Imroze Singh
WICKED THE DREAM THAT DEFIED GRAVITY
From theatre to film, the dream of Wicked’s (2024) movie adaptation through a journey of survivalist leitmotif
SKY S. TERRONES
What does it feel like to fulfill a dream?
On Nov. 22, 2024, almost 10 years after the announcement of the Wicked (2024) film adaptation — and after surviving many setbacks — the long-anticipated movie finally arrived. Not that I waited until this date, of course. As soon as the early screening news dropped, I booked my tickets for the Nov. 20 premiere. How could I not? After all, this was indeed my dream.
What is Wicked ? Wicked is an alternate take on the beloved fantasy story of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) and its subsequent 1939 film adaptation. However, in Wicked, the protagonist isn’t naïve, small-town girl Dorothy, but rather the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, who is sentenced to death by Dorothy via a bucket of water (if you don’t know, witches are highly allergic to water).
Gregory Maguire’s fantasy novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (1995) is a revisionist retelling of the original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz book, and affectionately referred to by fans as the ultimate fan fiction. The novel encourages us to look beyond what our eyes see, beyond the narratives we are fed, and beyond those in power telling us who the wicked ones are.
The book asks questions such as: who was this green witch when she was young? Was she always “wicked,” or was it a choice? What if she had met the Good Witch of the South,
Glinda, at school? What if they were enemies forced to be roommates, and what if they actually became friends? The Wicked novel is dark, explicitly adressing themes of sexual assault, war, and racism, far from the lighter tones of its 2003 musical theatre adaptation. Composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, and script writer Winnie Holzman might have been softer in their delivery than the novel, but their changes made Wicked easier to digest and targeted a wider audience than the book had — which doesn’t make it better or worse; it’s just different.
In a way, that’s the beauty of adaptations. It allows us to explore how a piece of media translates from one medium to another, how it is portrayed at different cultural, political, and social moments in time, and what that means to audiences both presently and historically. The music, as it turns out, was ultimately how
I found the story of Wicked, or rather, how it found me.
I’ve always loved music, but it wasn’t until the week of my 15th birthday, when I got sick and temporarily lost my sight, that I truly grasped the vastness of sound. Back then, I had already been carving my path toward the film industry as a tiny, mighty screenwriter, but passion doesn’t protect your dreams, and words of comfort matter little when all you see is darkness.
And yet, in darkness, I found my one true love: musicals.
I couldn’t see, but I could hear. And what’s a better way to listen to a story than a musical?
After listening to Broadway legends Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Kristin Chenoweth (Galinda/Glinda) interpret the symphonic perfection that is “Defying Gravity” — Wicked’s most revered song and designated
one of the most difficult Broadway songs of all time — I was instantly hooked.
Wicked’s musical narrative and layered story explores how it feels to be othered, but also what it’s like to find a soulmate in the process; it explores the disillusionment of crushed dreams, and the dissonance between the harsh truths of life and what we were once told was true — all things that resonated with my young, sick, and dramatic self. The story made me feel seen and inspired me to find the courage to let go of external expectations and embrace all of myself.
So, I made a bucket list. At the top of that list was to visit New York’s Broadway and see Wicked. Against all odds, I dared to dream as big as one does when one internalizes that life truly isn’t forever and that there are still things worth experiencing. This dream kept me going.
Almost four years and a furious saving plan later, there I was in New York City, roaming the busy, cosmopolitan streets and feeling like I had stumbled into a movie. Times Square looked exactly like it was shown in every film I saw. My mother and I walked around until we arrived at the Gershwin Theatre, ready to buy tickets for Wicked on Broadway. Finally. I still remember when the first notes of “Overture/No One Mourns the Wicked” hit. As I let my tears fall, I basked in the awareness that despite my sickness, I was still here, alive. I could see and hear, and I was fulfilling my dream. There is nothing quite like the profound sensation of completing a dream, even if it only lasts for a beat.
The show was incredible — I fell in love with it even more after watching it in person. My favourite song, “Dancing Through Life,” had a section beyond what I had heard in the
soundtrack. A dance between the leads: a dance of bravery, of mutual understanding, of shared humiliation, but also the strength to overcome it. Of course, being part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, I couldn’t help but notice the queer-coded undertones it had, something that most definitely came right from the book’s more liberal thematic development.
The discrimination against outside-the-norm characters, the spiel of hatred that sought to silence and strip the rights of a misunderstood and vulnerable part of society were cleverly depicted, and coming from the corruption, cruelty, and conservatism of a country like Peru, how could I not feel a kinship with these themes? This is not to say this story is only for those facing these struggles, but this is how it spoke to me.
Clearly, I wasn’t the only one struck by its greatness, as my mother — who was not
particularly versed in English and barely understood half of what was said — was bawling her heart out, sobbing next to me as soon as part one was finished.
It’s funny how music can do that to someone; it is its own language, and it doesn’t matter that words are not the same because the meaning and soul can still be so clearly communicated. This is a musical that has been on Broadway for over 20 years — it certainly must be doing something right for this to be the case.
That day in February 2015, my hope was renewed in the Gershwin Theatre and my motivation to move forward was reaffirmed. I mean, isn’t that how you survive?
I adored this story, and I wished everyone could see it. But coming from a country with a weak currency and one with little respect, and much less support for art, I was well aware of what a privilege it was to attend one of these shows. And movies, though still a privilege, could reach more people. I could see it then, how wonderful it would translate into a movie adaptation, and I dreamed so much for it to happen.
Knowing that they had already announced the movie adaptation back in 2016, and that it was allegedly in progress, gave me a push when I needed it. It became my go-to when I was depressed.
I have a tough time finding motivation, but I don’t think I realized this at first. However, having my life do a 180 when I got sick, and having all my expectations and dreams put on hold took a toll on me. It resulted in a lack of direction and incentive. I don’t always have it in me to keep moving, to keep playing this ridiculous game and, even worse, pretend I’m
not considering stopping altogether.
The truth is, Wicked had saved me once, and I thought it could keep saving me. So, I held onto hope for Wicked’s movie adaptation.
To me, the promise of the film’s release was what helped me the most. It represented the little dreams that keep us going. Something that may seem foolish and unimportant, but is subconsciously what makes life worth living. Anticipating the Wicked movie adaptation was my coping mechanism. I found shelter in that little comfort.
With the change in director, COVID-19, the actors’ strike, the continuous flop of musical adaptations, and the decision to split the movie in two, it seemed it would never happen. But at this time, I wondered, would it be such a bad thing when it kept extending my motivation?
Then, on Nov. 20, 2024, almost 12 years since its fi rst announcement, 21 years since the Broadway premiere, nearly 30 years since Maguire’s book, and 124 years since The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked was finally here.
And it was so heartbreakingly perfect.
The movie was funny, sad, and so very heartfelt — as only something done with love can be. Arguably, the best thing about this adaptation was its casting. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera were undeniably brilliant for the leading roles of Elphaba and Glinda. Their raw talent and natural chemistry — both acting
and musical-wise — were truly off the charts. I was never a fan of Fiyero as a character, but boy, Jonathan Bailey is dreamy. I could hear half of the movie theatre sigh every time he smiled; who am I kidding? I sighed alongside them.
The production design was so exquisitely crafted that I have zero doubts about the number of technical nominations this movie will get. The detail in the sets, costumes, makeup, and choreography were such a love letter to art. Every book reference and even off-stage reference was delightful and added to the development of the story’s central theme. I was admittedly worried about the score after hearing some of the music in the trailers, but colour me surprised when this movie revealed the actual mix of the songs, infinitely better than the misleading, over-produced leaks.
I can’t express enough how hard my heart was trying to break out of my chest when “Defying Gravity” kept building up and up and up. Despite the pitchy audience member who felt it appropriate to sing in the middle of one of the best closing acts in the history of musicals and had me considering the legality of murder in B.C., I enjoyed it so much.
This appreciation of the music comes despite watching the film with the surround sound off and every sound shoehorned into the screen speaker (a complete disrespect to the sound
Illustration by Eseniia Bondar
designer). Wicked movie director Jon M. Chu recently took to X to encourage movie-goers to request an increase in volume when watching the film.
“Tell your movie theater to turn it up to a 7… I’ve gone to a couple screenings and they are more like a 6.4. If you want it the way it was intended, 7 is the way.”
And if there’s a movie that’s worth experiencing the way its technical aspects were intended ... there’s actually a lot, (I love films) but this one is certainly included in that list.
My favourite scene featured my favourite musical number: “Dancing Through Life.” The moment Glinda and Elphaba dance was elevated in the most cinematographic way possible, using all that makes films different than plays, with lighting, shots, and an enviable sound mixing to enhance the experience. This dance, called the “Ozdust Duet,” had an orchestration that foreshadowed their farewell and rapport song “For Good,” masterfully depicting a leitmotif in music that will come full circle in part two —- musical narrative at its finest. While this isn’t the only time they musically foretell their sincere connection, it was by far the most obvious, and it’s a reflection of the movie’s attention to detail. People think fans are biased with our film criticism, but are we? Or are we the pickiest and most protective of the content we’ve loved for decades?
As it stands now, it does deliver, although I
must admit that even having fixed many of the plot holes that the play has, it has yet to make me a fan of the love triangle that happens. The relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, be it platonic or otherwise, is thoroughly and beautifully developed. In comparison, their shared straight love interest feels shallow and almost unnecessary for the overall plot. This movie should be gayer, and I will die on this hill. This argument has been affirmed in Grande’s statement on her interpretation of Glinda:
“Glinda might be a little in the closet.” The singer said to Gay Times YouTube channel.
The sentiment was shared by the OG Glinda, Kristen Chenoweth, who stated, “I thought so too way back when.”
Both Grande and Erivo described this relationship as “true love,” and it makes one wonder if Fiyero’s romantic subplot isn’t actually another case of compulsory heterosexuality. Is the Wicked film better than the stage version? Is the stage version better than the book? Is the book better than The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? All pointless questions because these are all different and lovely in their own way. I will say this: it is, in fact, a worthy adaptation of its first act, and I can’t wait for the next one.
I can’t analyze this movie as a whole just yet. I felt the same way I felt when I watched Back to The Future (1985): I need the second one ASAP. I’m hoping I’ll like it as much as the
first one. But what’s life’s prerogative if not to eternally hope? So, I guess here comes the longest intermission I’ve ever experienced. Wicked saved my life the fi rst time I heard its soundtrack, it saved my life that day at the Gershwin Theatre, and every day since the movie adaptation was announced. It’s always been my fi rst thought when I remind myself that I have things I genuinely want to enjoy. “I gotta hold on until the Wicked movie.” And I have. I want to take a moment to appreciate that. I want to take a moment to remember some of the stories that fans shared online, of the parent who had his son’s headstone engraved with the “Defying Gravity” lyrics because the little guy loved it; of that sibling who never got to take their sister to watch the film that they both dreamed of when I had the chance to bring mine. I want to take a moment to appreciate that I made it, because sometimes dreams keep you alive, and sometimes dreaming isn’t enough.
What a fortune it is to get to fulfill one’s dream.
There’s a moment of sadness that comes right after you do, though, and it makes me wonder once more what comes after. There are no more adaptations to hold on to, no more safety blanket, no other dream to whisper, “Stay, it’s worth it.” What happens when that’s come and gone?
to know your student athletes through our Cascades player profiles
Aaron Hyde is a member of the Cascades rowing team. At the Canadian University Rowing Championship in November, Aaron raced the men’s double which placed fourth in the B final and 10th overall for UFV Rowing. What is the best part of rowing?
You compete with yourself as much as you compete with the other athletes.
I have to constantly [work to] beat my own times to push myself to a point where I can start competing with the people beside me.
You push yourself to the limit because it’s a sport about pure physical evolution.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
v
For basically my entire life, I was very night owl oriented … right up [until] university. I’ve been programming at five in the morning … [and] then I joined the rowing team. I had to be ready to push off the dock at 7 a.m. in Fort Langley.
What’s something you like about the computer sciences program?
[I like the] smaller class sizes and [the] Bachelor of CIS was appealing to me. It cut out all of the general sciences and math that you [would normally] have to do for [a] Bachelor of Science. [It] focuses on the stuff that you want to take.
Could you tell us about Peter Inden?
He’s my doubles partner; we did all of our races together this season. He’s a pretty chill guy, good rower. He’s really easy to be in a boat with because he’s super laid back … it’s a very [relaxing] experience.
There’s not really any pressure. We just go out [and] do our thing. [If] it’s not really a great day, he’s not upset about it. He’s just happy to be out on the water every day in the morning.
What do you like to do in your free time?
My hometown is very outdoorsy [and] rural, so I did a lot of hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding, [and a] little bit of hunting. I just got my snowboard back … if we get any snow, that might be an option.
Do you have a guilty pleasure meal?
Chicken fettuccine alfredo. Well, chicken penne … nothing special, just [a] couple chicken breasts, classic alfredo sauce, [a] box of high fiber penne, and a little extra parmesan cheese.
What do you do as a team to improve?
Rowing is a very intimate sport … and a sport that requires a very high level of coordination and synergy. Everything that one person does affects the other person in the boat as a whole. We do a lot of drills to stay in-time together.
We have to keep perfect balance and [rhythm], so our effort is put into the same part of the stroke.
[If] one person pushes early and one person pushes late, then it’s not as efficient of a stroke — you lose power there — so that can get frustrating.
Favourite movie franchise or series?
Fast and the Furious [is] pretty inspirational … one of the bigger ones for me … my dad was a car guy, a little
bit of that rubbed off on me.
Who makes your mornings on the water better? Maya [Drisner] and Sophia [Halas] definitely add some colour to the team. Very energetic, very positive people. [They’re] bright spirits on the dock early in the morning — 7 a.m., cold [and] it’s raining sometimes, everyone’s tired … we’re not always super happy [to be there] — they’re always so positive.
What is your training like?
Bekah [Stokes] is always on the ball. When we’re doing our indoor training, if it’s a four minute rest — we’re [only] resting for four minutes … we’re setting a timer and then we’re going again. [She] doesn’t mess around.
Core is another thing that we do [for] rowing training, and then we do weights. Bekah is the number one core advocate. Even if [we] don’t want to [we] will because she’s doing it with [us]. We’ve done planks on the dock before [too].
Q&A has been edited for length and readability.
VERONICA POWELL
Photo by Joshua Sulpico
Photo by Joshua Sulpico
Soccer //
Cowx and Vega’s play-off heroics
MSOC
co-captains unpack historic
JEFFREY KENNETT
Jackson Cowx wanted to exchange a quick word of encouragement with his teammate, Anthony Vega, and hand off the ball to the midfielder before he took his penalty kick in the quarter-finals; a custom picked up by Cowx from his time with Total Soccer Football Club (TSS FC).
The ref told him to go away, and walked the ball to Vega themself.
Cowx had stopped the second shooter for the Dinos, putting UFV in position to advance to the semi-finals, scoring on all four of their shots so far.
“If we score, we win?” he asked the referee behind the net, which the ref affirmed.
The rest is history.
Vega scored, unaware that he had clinched UFV a semi-final berth, only realizing after being mobbed by his teammates and Cowx, who might have been the first person in Thunderbird Stadium to know the result.
“I didn’t know it was the winning goal … I turned around and everyone started celebrating! It was the best feeling … I’ll definitely never forget that,” Vega said.
If Cowx had his way, and had handed the ball off to Vega himself, that sequence might have played out differently, but the spontaneity makes it special. UFV’s fifthyear keeper called it the highlight of his
victory over University of Calgary in penalties
career, stating that the team’s celebration is a core memory of his time with the Cascades.
After battling injuries throughout his career, everything built up to this moment for Vega — one that he’s been dreaming of his entire life.
“There’s no better feeling for anyone [than] to score a goal — but for me, I don’t care if I score it. I’d rather the team win. It just happened to be that I scored the last one, so I’ll take that,” said Vega of breaking through with a timely goal.
He hadn’t scored a goal all season before breaking through with his penalty marker. Cowx affirmed that Vega’s impact on the team was felt when it needed to be.
“As we moved along, I [got] more comfortable with [Vega]; I could see his leadership,” said Cowx of his co-captain.
“I was like, okay, this is someone that I should follow. [I] take pieces from him and pieces from all the other captains that I’ve had.”
It would be fair to wonder after getting shelled 5-0 by these same Dinos in September, if the Cascades were anxious heading into their quarter-final rematch and facing the high-power Calgary offence.
After being beaten five times in the first matchup, Cowx used the knowledge of what didn’t work previously, and with the added benefit of having studied their tendencies once already. How they take
their kicks, how they receive their passes, when the kick will happen. Having a chance to face a team that he had already studied gave Cowx the opportunity to adapt his instincts, and bail out his team.
After already making a penalty-save earlier in the second half, Cowx was a mountain in net for the Cascades, keeping the score 0-0 through regulation time.
“We trained the day before on penalties, and I was fairly confident in my ability to guess the right way, because it’s 50-50, left [or] right,” said Cowx on his judgement call to make the stop.
Vega saw Cowx grow as a player and as a person over their time together as teammates. He highlighted that the past two years in particular, Cowx has found his identity, outside of being a great player.
WSOC : building for the future
He calls the change from his first to fifth year day and night.
“What impressed me [about Jackson] is how he says he’s going to do something that game, and he does it,” said Vega. “‘Jackson, you gonna make another goal line save?’ — ‘Yep, of course.’ And then he goes and clears the goal line. For many people, you can talk the talk and say, ‘oh, I’m going to do this … I’m gonna score’… but it’s someone like Jackson that can do it … I admire that.”
As both players conclude their time as Cascades and move into their next endeavours The Cascade wishes them continued success, for Vega as a coach at Vega Training, and for Cowx wherever a ball needs to be stopped.
Goalkeeper Addy Chen discusses highlights, chemistry, and what’s next in team’s evolution
GAURI SETHI
The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) women’s soccer team (WSOC) finished the 2024 season with 11 points in the Canada West standings and compiled a record of 3-9-2. Despite the results not favouring the Cascades this season, a highlight was defeating Mount Royal University (MRU) 2-0 in the team’s home opener on Sept. 10, 2024.
One of the bright spots this season for the Cascades was found in second-year goalkeeper Addy Chen. Chen registered career-highs in both games played (eight) and wins (two) this season, and achieved their first Canada West shutout in the
MRU game.
“It was a really hard-fought game and we had come off a pretty tough weekend,” Chen told The Cascade, looking back on the match.
Chen made four saves to secure the win, one of which they still remember fondly.
“I had one off a cross that I got a small touch on, that if I didn’t, would have been in the net … so that was pretty exciting!” said Chen.
The team had to adjust and develop to meet the standards required of university soccer this season. Chen emphasized that the team hopes to yield better results as they build more team chemistry.
As they adjust to integrating new
players and establishing rhythm as a unit, the Cascades will look to evolve similarly to how they did over the course of this past season. Chen expressed that the first few games of the season were a struggle, but what stuck out was each individual player’s will to persevere. As the season progressed, continuity grew, and players were able to predict passes and placements with more familiarity.
Rookie forward Emerson Toop immediately impressed by breaking the team’s goal drought this season. She scored the very first goal of the season and went on to make significant impact, scoring a total of three goals and qualifying for Canada West’s all-rookie team.
“You don’t see a lot of rookies play a lot of minutes … it’s kind of an anomaly in the league … she did really well, she brought energy to the field every time she came up,” Chen said, reflecting on Toop’s debut campaign.
The group’s strategy was to play defence-first, and further use counter-attacks to create opportunities to score. By holding their ground and using the midfield as a bridge for transitions, the team was able to compete against opponents like University of Northern British Columbia and Trinity Western University in one of the hardest leagues in Canada.
Along with Chen, the Cascades’ goalie tandem also included first-year keeper Alana Madec. With her exceptional skills, she shared the net with Chen almost equally, recording 33 saves this season. The two keepers’ relationship encouraged a healthy rivalry to earn more playing time, stabilizing the Cascades in net for the foreseeable future.
“I think she’s a really good goalkeeper. We switched a lot, and it created a competitive atmosphere — bringing us both to our best,” Chen said of Madec. Chen hopes this season serves as a
Basketball
stepping stone for the team. The success of the Cascades’ men’s soccer team (MSOC) after coming off a difficult year left a strong impression, and shows a tangible path for the WSOC team to follow.
“They did not have a great season last year, but this year, they did really well. So, if we can take a page from their book and keep working together, I have faith that we can do really well next year.”
With their unwavering work ethic, budding team spirit, and rising talents, the Cascades are set for success. So, here’s to wishing them a productive off season of training and the best of luck for the season ahead!
// Cascades grit out crucial split against Vikes
Led by Nikki Cabuco’s clutch shooting, the Cascades countered Victoria’s imposing frontcourt to stay near the top of the Canada West standings
MICAH DELLA FORESTA
Micah Della Foresta is a third-year guard on the Cascades’ men’s basketball team (MBB).
At the end of the third week of November, the UFV women’s basketball team (WBB) split a two-game series with the Victoria Vikes, maintaining their second-place position in the Pacific Division of Canada West. The Cascades sit one game behind the UBC Thunderbirds, who were ranked fifth in Canada at 7-1 this season.
The weekend presented challenging defensive assignments that tested the Cascades’ adaptability on the fly. Victoria’s team, led by 6’3” Tana Pankratz and 6’4” Abigail Becker, posed serious problems for UFV’s defence.
Pairing her size with a flexible scoring ability, Pankratz, who averaged 17.5 points over the two games, presented a serious threat. “Her shot pocket is just so high,” Nikki Cabuco said, noting the challenge of matching up against such a dynamic player at that height.
Also imposing with her inside presence was Becker, who scored 12 points on Friday and 19 points on Saturday, applying consistent pressure on the rim and creating prime opportunities for the Vikes to score. Becker, combined with Pankratz, helped the Vikes stretch the floor and maintain favourable matchups throughout both games.
Despite the dynamic capabilities of Victoria’s key players, the Cascades adjusted well, limiting the rest of the supporting cast. Their response to the loss on Friday reflected the team’s more general focus: to be reactive, strategic, and fiercely competitive.
“It’s about being able to modify, control the pace, and build our offence from defensive steals.”
A weekend that encapsulated the team’s growing confidence and defensive tenacity was demonstrated by Cabuco, who emerged as a crucial offensive spark in Friday’s tough 71-67 loss and Saturday’s 68-62 redemption. Her teammates’ unwavering support has been monumental, creating an environment where she feels empowered to take critical shots.
Cabuco’s increased scoring has been a departure from previous seasons, and has become a new hallmark of her game.
“Last year, I wasn’t happy with my performance,” the fifth-year guard said frankly. “This season, I wanted to make distinct marks at UFV, and finding my enthusiasm for the game once more this weekend was evidence of what I worked on all summer.”
Cabuco understands the delicate psychology of scoring, recognizing that her most effective moments come when she’s liberated from overthinking.
“I shoot the ball well when I’m not thinking,” she admitted.
Her production mirrored her ambitions, with her three-point shooting proving
especially effective, hitting five threepoint shots in each game.
Cabuco’s evolution isn’t just a personal feat, but a testament to the team’s chemistry — where one player’s confidence can elevate an entire squad’s performance. Cabuco’s runs had a clear effect on team morale and pushed the tempo when the team needed it the most.
“In some ways, we need me to be big down the stretch,” Cabuco said, signalling her recognition of her evolving role.
Outside of Maddy Gobeil and Deanna & Julia Tuchscherer, who made their usual considerable contributions, Esther Allison came up big, averaging 13.5 points on the series along with two steals in each contest. The series underlined the team’s depth and adaptability.
“We are building to find the best versions of ourselves,” Cabuco said.
The following Friday, the Cascades travelled to Langley, where the Trinity Western Spartans, who typically play their home matchups five kilometres away at the Langley Events Centre, were waiting for them at the on-campus David E. Enarson Gymnasium — along with a rowdy crowd prepared with antics indicative of a cross-town rival matchup.
Despite a hard-fought battle, UFV was unable to recover from Trinity’s opening 24-14 quarter fuelled by their amped and energized student section, ultimately falling 62-70.
In a quick turn-around, the team travelled to Kelowna to face the UBC Okanagan Heat, where they swiftly took care of business, winning 63-40.
The team heads into the winter break 7-3 with intentions to remain at the top end of their division, seeking a home play-off game to start the Canada West play-offs come February.
As December begins, so do preparations for evening get-togethers, festivities, and concerts with family and friends. But what do you wear to these events? Let’s take a look at ideas for both casual and formal outfits to wear this holiday season.
Glittery evening wear:
If standing out is your goal this season, glittery formal wear is the way to go. Sequinned dresses, blazers, tops, skirts, and pants are good pieces to wear for festive get-togethers with family and friends. Pairing a sequined blazer with a black shirt and dress pants or going all out in a fitted, sequined evening gown are both great options.
Event Preview //
Ugly Christmas sweaters:
Velvet:
Festive and soft to the touch, velvet is another classy choice for holiday wear. A dark green or red velvet dress with a black clutch purse and statement earrings, or a velvet blazer with black dress pants and a white dress shirt, are lovely evening wear looks.
Ugly Christmas sweaters are timeless and come in so many designs and styles, so finding one that fits your personality won’t be a problem. Pairing a cozy sweater with jeans and a T-shirt is great for a casual evening. For a bit of fun, wear matching sweaters for a great photo op with family or friends, or have a competition for the most outrageously ugly sweater to kickstart the holiday season.
Embellished attire:
The LBD and black tux:
Illustration by Nittaya.nn / Adobe Stock
For a formal function, classic pieces like the little black dress (LBD) or a tuxedo are smart options that never go out of style. There are a variety of choices out there and no doubt there’s one that is suitable for your style. Try pairing a little black dress with pearls, a faux fur coat, and heels, or choose a black and white tuxedo for an evening out on the town.
Jewels can enhance a party look by adding a touch of sophistication and luxury. Pairing a sweater embellished with pearls and jewels with a black satin maxi skirt or black dress pants is a simple yet glamourous take on evening wear. For a more dramatic look, try an evening gown covered in pearls and jewels for a rollicking night out.
And there you have it, a compilation of festive and fashionable looks as you celebrate the holidays.
CHASI hosts Taylor Swift academia
Academics flock to Evered Hall for Swiftie Scholar, a critical pop culture conference
KIARA OKONKWO
On Thursday, Dec. 5, the Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub is hosting an academic conference unpacking the cultural impact of Taylor Swift. Swiftie Scholar will be held in Evered Hall from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Cascade sat down with CHASI’s lead researcher and proclaimed Swiftie, Chelsea Klassen, to discuss the exclusive and critical pop culture conversation. What inspired you to organize Swiftie Scholar?
I’ve seen the Taylor Swift phenomenon happening, and I am a fan myself. [As] a Swiftie, I also loved reading other people’s cultural commentary, sociological perspectives, and analysis on this phenomenon. I thought it would be cool to curate different talks and an academic perspective on her cultural currency. [And to] do something at the institution in light of her coming for the Eras tour. Are you going to Eras in Vancouver?
Yeah! I also had the opportunity to go to the first show in Las Vegas. What draws you to Taylor Swift’s music?
She validates [the] female experience. I think at a time when she became popular a lot of young pop stars were very sexualized, they were curated for the male
gaze. And I think her vulnerability, and her debut album, [were] relatable. For me, that’s kind of how I related to her music. [The reason] why so many people listen to her [is because you] can revisit her as you’re going through different stages … You can listen to “Fifteen,” and it takes you back to when you were 15. I was 15 when it came out, so for me, it feels personal.
Who is the event for and what can attendees get out of it?
It’s really targeting students … both fans and non fans. [We are] looking at the cultural phenomena from an academic perspective — we will not be playing “22” on repeat for eight hours.
At this time, we have four speakers lined up, so they can expect to hear everything from the commentary on publishing; Taylor Swift has famously been re-recording her original work that she doesn’t own … She’s really highlighted artists owning their own work as being an important part of culture. We’re really lucky to have Jarin Pintana.
We’re going to have [Dr. Brian Donovan] talk about the parasocial relationship of fandom. Most people are, to some degree, fans of something in pop culture — he’s going to use Taylor Swift as an example in this instance.
We’re going to have Dr. Erin Morton talk about some of the aesthetics, [how
they] utilize gender and music in terms of settler colonialism, and particularly the Midwest and American frontierism.
And then, finally, we will have Tinca Lukan speaking about the girl boss [phenomena].
The event is all day; what can people expect?
We are going to have a friendship bracelet making station! We’ll be having some snacks and beverages available. It’ll be a more casual conference, but [I am] still hoping people will walk away from it learning something new about themselves and how they interact with media and culture.
Swiftie Scholar tickets are priced at $13. I would like to know how you decided this number and if you have any comments about barriers to entry around Taylor Swift?
So at $13, we’re trying to just cover some of the costs for the venue and to give our speakers [an] honorarium. We settled on 13, because that’s Taylor Swift’s favourite number. If cost is a barrier, students can always reach out to me and we will figure out something.
What else would you like students to know about Swiftie Scholar?
It’ll be an event for people to connect with others who are interested in pop culture and it’s something happening on campus! [This is] the first time we’re trying this … if you want to have more events on
campus, it’s great if people can make some time to attend.
Whether you’re a proclaimed Swiftie or a mere culture vulture, Swiftie Scholar offers something for anyone interested in media and cultural studies. The impact of Taylor Swift is undeniable; aren’t you even slightly curious as to why?
You can purchase your tickets to Swiftie Scholar online, www.swiftiescholar.com. Edited for length and readability.
Ever heard of the expression “going nowhere fast”? Sometimes we have to move away from things that harm us, but if you don’t look where you’re going, you’ll hit another wall. Maybe take a minute to figure out your path, or invest in a map.
Taurus - Apr. 20 to May 20
Anxiety is rooted in the future, and depression is rooted in the past; while you’re stuck in this psychological time travel, you’ll never enjoy the present that is this moment. Not all gifts have strings attached, and not all strings pull on puppet limbs.
Gemini - May 21 to Jun. 20
It’s easier to solve a maze going backward, and often the same is true when trying to figure out how you got there. But don’t lose sight of the future; you’ll need some agility for what’s to come. Focusing on what has been will have you tripping instead of leaping ahead.
Cancer - Jun. 21 to Jul. 22
You have dealt with so many obstacles lately, and now things seem to be calming down. Life thrives in change, and this won’t last, but taking the time now to rest will help for what’s to come.
Leo - Jul. 23 to Aug. 22
You, my friend, have what we call “champagne taste,” which unfortunately doesn’t match your “beer money.” Constantly fighting and arguing in your head between the need to save the money you don’t have, or buy the things you don’t need, has drained you. I can’t help you, so instead, I wish you the craftiest of gift givings, and the receiving of many gift cards.
Virgo - Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
You fought a good fight and now it’s time to move on. Although this might seem like peaceful and natural growth, there are some unpleasant surprises ahead. Merry Christmas!
Libra - Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
It’s Ho, Ho, Ho, not Hoe, Hoe, Hoe. spend a little less time under the mistletoe, and give confidence a go.
Scorpio - Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
Recent changes have you swirling in a snowstorm of uncertainty, and nothing you step on feels like solid ground. Sometimes, the best thing to do when stuck on thin ice is to lie down and scream for help. Hopefully someone hears you.
Sagittarius - Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
Your meticulous planning has you working hard and reaping little. Take time to listen to your heart, and tell the brain to shove off. And add more rum to your eggnog.
Capricorn - Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
You thought you had moved on, dealt with it, and found closure. Just because the wound has healed, doesn’t mean the scar won’t hurt from time to time. Don’t let the phantom pains of your past hold back your motivation for the future.
Aquarius - Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
“Did you hear?” I heard a rumour: you focus too much on what people say. Stop with the tea, and get yourself a cozy cup of cocoa instead. It’ll be less disappointing
Pisces - Feb. 19 to Mar. 20
Bad advice has led you to be taken advantage of. So much change is ahead. Good luck.
Comic illustration by Gabriela Gonzalez
The Cascade Kitchen: Indian-style peri-peri chicken
Photo by Gauri Sethi
The Cascade Kitchen is a student-run food column that brings you budgetfriendly recipes and cooking tips. Check back monthly for something new to try in the kitchen, or if you want to see your own recipe featured next, get started by reaching out to culture@ufvcascade.ca.
Club Spotlight //
Now that winter is here, seasonal depression is starting to hit — and it’s hitting hard. The one thing that lifts my spirits is the annual barbecue gathering we’d always host at my place; home sweet home, in Delhi. Nothing else even comes close to the smokey scent of grilled chicken filling the air. As a broke college student, this recipe is incredibly easy, inexpensive, and tastes just as delicious as what you’d get at a restaurant. This dish is a perfect fit whether you’re missing home or simply wanting something for a cozy weekend dinner.
Serves: 2
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients:
* 4-6 chicken drumsticks
* 1/3 cup plain yogurt
* 1 tbsp oil (any neutral oil like vegetable or canola)
* 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
* 1 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
* 1/2 tbsp peri-peri spice
* 1 tsp chicken masala powder
* 1 tbsp salt
* 1/2 lemon or 1 tbsp lemon juice
* Optional veggies: onions, bell peppers, and/or tomatoes, cut into chunks
Additional equipment: Skewers
Method:
1. In a large bowl, mix yogurt, oil, ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, peri-peri spice, chicken masala powder, salt, and lemon juice.
2. Blanch the veggies and cut them roughly before adding them to the bowl.
3. Now, make two to three deep slits across each chicken drumstick and put it in the bowl, coating it evenly
to allow the marinade to seep in. Allow it to rest in the marinade for at least 15 minutes.
4. Next, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat up your barbecue grill.
5. Take the marinated veggies and chicken and slide them onto the skewers. If using a grill, oil it lightly to prevent sticking before setting the skewers on it or put them on a baking tray into the preheated oven.
6. Put the grill’s cover on. Cook for 20-25 minutes while flipping occasionally, until the chicken and veggies are well cooked. If you’re using the oven, cook them for about 35 minutes.
7. Serve it with a drizzle of lemon juice on top. Have fun!
Q&A with UFV’s Tabletop Games Club
Creating community through role-play gaming
DARIEN JOHNSEN
The Tabletop Games Club, currently in its first semester at UFV, has a total of 10 students who meet up to play RPGs, or role-playing games — a type of interactive game where members create characters that respond to, and interact with, a storyline.
We sat down with President Lucy Riemer and Vice President Cole Jennings to talk about what the club looks like, and why tabletop gaming is important to them.
How did the Tabletop Games Club start and what do you guys do?
Cole: It started with our club founder Isaac; he made a post on the UFV subreddit looking for people for a [Dungeons and Dragons] (D&D) game … [and] it basically evolved into a club.
So what role-playing game are you playing?
Cole: I run Dungeons and Dragons … the most popular RPG right now. Do you guys play other tabletop or RPG games?
Lucy: We’re working on getting other games … but Dungeons and Dragons is very mainstream and a name that most people know.
Do you find that’s what most people are drawn to the club to play?
Lucy: I think so … Dungeons and Dragons is a very community-based game … it’s really hard to find that group of people … and we’re trying to provide a space … for people to find those other students and … for them to be able to play these games, and learn how to play them, and foster that community.
Cole: Our primary focus is Dungeons and Dragons and RPGs generally because it’s so underserved.
What does a typical game look like?
Cole: If you’re a player, all you need to show up with is the dice, maybe the rules, and your character sheet, which is [the] character that you’re playing in the world; they’ve got equipment and abilities and personality traits. You’re playing someone other than yourself; you might be playing an elf wizard who’s kind of surly and closed off even if you’re very bubbly and talkative in real life.
The players interact with the dungeon master or game master who has the adventure prepared.
Why do you think people are interested in role-playing in a game where they would create a character that’s so different from themselves?
Lucy: I think part of it is you can create this fantastical character of who you can see yourself being. If you have really low self-esteem, you can create a character with really high self-esteem and … you can slowly work out and gain those traits as well.
Coming from a theatre standpoint, I played many characters who were not me, but then I ended up taking some of those [character] traits and putting them into my day-to-day use unknowingly.
Why do you think people play tabletop games rather than video games or online gaming?
Lucy: I think it creates a sense of community. You can [also] problem solve in ways that video games can’t really prepare for you because video games are scripted. D&D gives you creativity, it gives you communication skills, improv skills. I think a lot of people who are introverts find it hard to get into D&D because it’s so cooperation based; you really have to work together. I think for people who want to have friends and want to have community and want to build those relationships either with random people or their best friends, D&D is such a good way of doing that … it’s a really good place for people to figure out who they are and [to] work with other people.
Lucy mentioned that you are trying to destigmatize D&D. Can you tell me about that?
Lucy: There’s a bit of a stigma around Dungeons and Dragons … so we’re trying to break that down by having a lot of people from different programs [at] the school.
I was one of those kids in high school who was kind of a wallflower, but also … I was a theatre kid, I was a band kid, I was on the soccer team. I did a lot of things, but I felt like I’m not sporty enough for the soccer people, I’m not ‘theatre kid’ enough for the theatre people. When I played D&D I was like, ‘I can do whatever I want right now and nobody’s gonna judge me, ‘cause this is my character.’ [And I] feel very, very included because I’m a vital, integral part to this story, as well as all of my other friends and all of [the] other players. It’s something that we work together on; everyone has an important role to play.
If you’re interested in joining the Tabletop Games Club, you can find a link to their Discord chat on the Student Union Society’s Clubs & Associations page. Interviews have been edited for clarity and length.
SHERRYL AGINGU
Movies
//
Top five greatest Christmas movies
From Muppets to mayhem, movies for your core memories
CAITLYN CARR
The older I get, the harder it is to get in the holiday spirit. Whether it be a lack of time, energy, or money, something just keeps getting in the way. That being said, as soon as I press play on one of my favourite Christmas movies, I’m transported to a time without midterms or finals when reindeer still fly and Santa Claus visits once a year. There’s a magic to these films that can’t be found anywhere else, but what truly makes a movie a Christmas movie? Is simply taking place on or around Dec. 25 enough?
The short answer is no. According to an article by The Hollywood Reporter, in order for a film to be classified as a Christmas movie, there must be a reason why the story has to take place during Christmas and not at any other time of the year. So, if you’re looking for movies to watch to get yourself in the holiday spirit, look no further. Here’s my list of the top five Christmas movies to watch as the hustle and bustle of the fall semester draws to a close.
5. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965): this film tells the tale of Charlie Brown, voiced by Peter Robbins, who is hoping to get in the holiday spirit by directing the town’s Christmas play. A timeless classic, this movie tackles seasonal depression in a way that only Charlie Brown can. This, coupled with commentary on the commercialism of the holiday, gives this iconic film a place in our hearts for generations.
4. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992): this retelling of Charles Dickens’ iconic novella A Christmas Carol (1843) brings a certain freshness to the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. From joy to despair, the plot includes a wide range of emotion that can leave you laughing one minute and emotionally wrecked the next (no doubt a testament to Michael Caine’s moving portrayal as Scrooge).
3. The Santa Clause (1994): after accidentally taking on the role as the new
Santa Claus, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) must find a way to both accept his new responsibilities and balance them with family obligations. What makes this film stand out is its mix of witty humour, gorgeous world-building, and heartfelt moments. A nostalgic journey for anyone searching for a little Christmas magic, this movie provides a delightful mix of both modern adult life and the fantastic.
2. Home Alone (1990): one of the most capable (and arguably sadistic)
eight-year-olds in the history of film, Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, winds up home alone after his family accidentally leaves for Christmas vacation without him. While defending his house from burglars, Kevin begins to realize that maybe the holiday season is better spent with the people you love. The heartwarming plot and iconic score make this film a must-watch year after year (and who doesn’t love anything featuring Catherine O’Hara?).
1. Elf (2003): finally, we have the Christmas movie of all time. When Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) leaves the North Pole in search of his human father, he must figure out how to navigate New York City as a human who’s only ever known the life of an elf. To make things even more complicated, his father is on Santa’s naughty list. This film has it all: nostalgia, unique settings, an excellent cast, a beautiful holiday soundtrack, and a touch of Christmas magic. For an hour and 30 minutes, Buddy’s amusing naivety shows us the importance of preserving our childish wonder in spite of the demands of adult life.
The one thing all these films have in common? Their stories not only depend on the Christmas season, but they exemplify everything that those who celebrate the holiday associate with it. They’re filled with a range of emotions; they’ve got a nostalgic touch of Christmas magic; and their characters learn to cherish the things that really matter, all with catchy carols playing in the background.
A review of An Almost Christmas Story, this season’s must-watch
REBECA MARQUEZ LOPEZ
Disney+ has just released An Almost Christmas Story (2024), a brand new holiday adventure that captures the essence of Christmas with a heartwarming tale about home, family, and friendship. Directed by David Lowery, known for his work on Pete’s Dragon (2016) and The Green Knight (2021), this movie is different from the realistic or big budget animation styles that are popular in Hollywood today. Instead, the film uses a more handcrafted, nostalgic aesthetic — and it is visually incredible.
The movie is based on a real story of a tiny owl that got stuck in the Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree in 2020. We follow Moon, a curious little owl — voiced by Cary Christopher — who loves to explore beyond his nest, ignoring his father’s worries. By accident, Moon lands in a tree that’s being transported to Rockefeller Center in New York City. There, Moon embarks on an adventure finding his way home, making friends along the way. Luna, a young girl with a prosthetic leg — played by Estella Madrigal — and a trio of pigeons with authentic New York charm, are some of the new friends that will help Moon through his journey. With dedication from the voice actors, each character’s voice breathes life and wonder into the world.
The 21 minute short film focuses on a family-oriented holiday storyline instead of the consumer driven festivities that are present nowadays. The movie feels like a reminder of older Christmas specials, like The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), showing us the importance of
stories that focus on connection rather than spectacle.
John C. Reilly’s narration as “The Folk Singer” adds to the film’s traditional, old school holiday vibe, similar to the narrators in Frosty the Snowman (1969) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!(1966) who guide viewers through the story. Reilly’s playful and thoughtful commentary brings moments of humour and wisdom, emphasizing the spirit of Christmas.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the film is its animation. Using a mix of paper mache and cardboard, the animation
takes on a handcrafted look. The brown and gold colours, combined with the paper texture, turn New York City into a playful setting, giving the cold and gritty city a touch of warmth and nostalgia. Pair this with stop motion animation and the movie’s unique personality transports you into a cozy children’s book. Not only does the design look incredible, but it also enhances the film’s themes by giving the audience a sense of familiarity.
The story uses a lot of typical family holiday tropes, making it somewhat predictable. For some, being predictable could be a drawback, but for me
its simplicity is a strength. An Almost Christmas Story doesn’t need crazy plot twists or convoluted storylines; the beauty of its designs and the warmth of its characters is enough to make an entertaining film.
This film is not just about a little owl’s adventure. It shows what makes the holidays special: companionship, friendship, the warmth of a home, and the beauty of being with your family. In a world so focused on material things, this film is a gentle reminder that Christmas is more than shopping and extravagant gifts: it’s about love for friends and family.
An Almost Christmas Story (Photo courtesy of Disney+)
An Almost Christmas Story (Photo courtesy of Disney+)
Movie // Sex, drugs, and pathetic men
Sean Baker’s Anora is a strip club fairy tale
ANNA MCCAUSLAND
If you are a hopeless romantic like me, prepare yourself for newly released Anora (2024) because it’s an absolute slap in the face. Anora or Ani, played by Mikey Madison — known mainly for her work in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood (2019) and Scream (2022) — is a sex worker in Brooklyn. She meets the epitome of “daddy’s money” — Ivan, a son of a Russian oligarch, played by Mark Eydelshteyn — at the strip club she works at and it is sex at first sight. From there it’s a dream of partying, drugs, and betting that left me waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop.
And drop it did. Utter chaos ensues when Ivan’s parents find out about the pair’s Las Vegas wedding, after which they immediately demand for it to be annulled. As expected, Ivan runs from all responsibility, leaving Ani to be manhandled by Ivan’s godfather, Toros (Karren Karagulian) and his cronies, Garnick (Vache Tovmasyan) and Igor (Yura Borisov) as they hunt Brooklyn for the escaped Ivan.
The awkward stupidity of almost every character and the film’s fast-paced
dialogue give an otherwise traumatizing situation a sense of humour and brevity. In real life it would’ve been completely inappropriate to laugh at the situation, but the way the characters talk over each other, speak in circles, and never accomplish anything had the entire theatre howling. It was a nice surprise, as most movies that deal with gritty subject matter tend to take themselves too seriously.
Throughout the movie there were so many unlikable likable characters that I wanted to slap in the face, which can only be testament to the amazing acting and writing. I got second-hand embarrassment, second-hand rage, and at several points every muscle in my body tensed. It was that good at evoking emotion.
My one criticism is the beginning of the film: the first act was too drawn out, with a number of repetitive scenes. Yes, we have to establish the characters and the narrative, but when you contrast it with the last two acts’ fast pace, the first feels like a drag.
Having the main character’s name as the title gave me the impression that the plot of the movie would be more character-driven; that it would give us a glimpse into how Ani grew up and how she got
to where she is now. Maybe Sean Baker, Anora’s writer and director, thought this particular storyline has been overdone. While we don’t need the context of Anora’s life for the movie to be effective, I was left feeling slighted because the title insinuated something other than what the film delivered.
Anora begs the question: can there be love when money is involved? It also
asks its viewers to think about what sex symbolizes: love? Power? Pleasure? Desperation? In a time when female independence can look like anything, it shows a woman who is stubbornly loyal and not afraid to speak her mind, fighting for someone who’s abandoned her. Maybe it’s pathetic, or maybe it’s love. Watch Anora and decide for yourself.
Book Talk: Carmen Maria Machado has mastered the horror of living
CATHERINE CAMPBELL
Welcome to Book Talk, where we help you find new fuel for your bookish obsession. While you might not find these authors while scrolling short-form content online, you will find their work to be significant, impactful, and, hopefully, something you reach for time and again. Happy reading!
I stumbled on Machado much like I do other authors — while wandering aimlessly through the public library. And now, I fear I need to confess something: I often choose books by how thin they are (your girl does not have the attention span for rambling epics), and Her Body and Other Parties (2017), unassuming on the shelf among all the other books, fit the bill.
Carmen Maria Machado is nothing if not impressive. Author of a graphic novel, a memoir, and a book of short stories, Machado has been a finalist for a number of awards — including the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction in 2017 and the Shirley Jackson Award in both 2014 and 2017 — and has been awarded numerous residencies and fellowships during her career so far.
SHUFFLE
CHARTS
As you no doubt know if you read last issue’s Book Talk, I’m a spooky guy. And so when I read the synopsis for this book, you better believe I checked it out faster than you can say haunted house. (Or approximately that long ... You get it.) Coincidentally, I’m always on the lookout for the next book to make me check under the bed before I go to sleep.
And while Her Body and Other Parties was undeniably haunting, it stuck with me for its ability to go beyond what we expect of horror, to imbue it with something altogether human — making it truly terrifying.
I was so taken with her writing that I promptly checked out everything else the library had of hers, which, at the time, was The Low, Low Woods (2020) — a creepy graphic novel illustrated by artist DaNi. After a brief time, during which I waited impatiently, In the Dream House (2019) was ready for me to pick up. The wait was worth it: I devoured it — a narrative memoir that maps out a difficult period in her life— in one sitting.
You know those books where you keep telling yourself you’ll finish the chapter and go to bed, and suddenly it’s four in the morning and you’re haunting your home, bleary-eyed, unable to sleep because what you just read has melded with your soul? No? That’s too bad — you should read In the Dream House
It’s not just that Machado’s writing is creepy, spooky, all sorts of unsettling; it’s that she seems to be able to peer directly into your soul. She works her way into your head and finds what you’re most afraid of — be it monsters or your own duplicitous heart.
Happy reading!
CIVL’s Aaron Levy knows that you know what time of year it is, and so this week’s edition of mostly reshuffled equinox-oriented tunes needs no introduction.
The Pogues“Fairytale of New York” I don’t think we have bells on Christmas night ringing out in this part of the country — perhaps counterintuitively — but it’s also possible that I haven’t been at the right places at the right time to catch them yet. Punks that don’t sound like punks here, carolling about.
Everclear -
“Hating You For Christmas” I’ve been listening to this record over the last couple weeks, for no apparent reason other than the catchy hooks and The Beach Boys harmonies that open and pepper this six (?) single strong 90s classic. When you write a song like “Santa Monica,” they’re like “wash, rinse, repeat” and gimme more.
01. PYPY Sacred Times
02. SHEBAD Music is the Answer
03. SKYE WALLACE The Act of Living
04. MADELEINE ROGER Nerve
05. BEN COTTRILL The Ballad of Favoreau EP
06. SAM LYNCH Outline
07. CARIBOU Honey
08. GIRLY. About Maxine EP
09. FRANCES WHITNEY
Old Hobbies
I want to leave you with a fine example of this, from Her Body and Other Parties: “Many people live and die without ever confronting themselves in the darkness.”
Run The Jewels“A Christmas Fucking Miracle” Oft-shuffled and eternally powerful, the only tells beside the title of this debut record closer that indicate Yule vibes are the jingling bells that build on the opening production, before El-P’s matter-of-fact deconstruction of the modern urban landscape flows out like blood from an elevator, rushing the hotel lobby, tributing lost icons.
Counting Crows“A Long December” Broody, honky-tonky, and including everyone’s favourite music video maven from the mid 90s (when did “Dancing In The Dark” come out, actually?). Courteney Cox was rumoured at the time to have been an item with the lead Crower in the toque — known in America as a “winter hat.”
10. POOR BOY RIFLE you’re taller than the reeds now EP
11. LILA GRAY Scared Of The Dark (You Should Be Too)
12. DESIREE DORION Remember Your Name
13. SHEENAH KO Transformation
14. PLANET GIZA The Sky Is Recording Me: 100 Years Later , Vol. 2
15. JONAH YANO Jonah Yano & The Heavy Loop
16. KYLIE V Crash Test Plane
17. DEAR ROUGE Lonesome High
18. HILDEGARD
Jour 1596
19. AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS Cartoon Darkness
20. OWNLIFE Cry Dance EP
Machado faces fear head on
Illustration by cute_vector / Adobe Stock, Her Body and Other Parties: Storiesby Carmen Maria Machado. Cover design by Kimberly Glyder. Published by Graywolf Press
DECEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR
10:00AM - 02:00PM Brunch with Santa at Old Yale Brewing @Old Yale Brewing, 33738 Laurel St
05:45PM - 06:30PM Latin Dance in Chilliwack with Campus Recreation @Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park (V112)
05:00PM - 08:00PM Christmas General Knowledge Trivia @Old Yale Brewing, 33738 Laurel St
06:00:PM - 08:00PM Trivia Night @Old Yale Brewing, 33738 Laurel St
12:00PM - 12:50PM Halq’eméylem Language Learning and Sharing @Abbotsford Campus - Room G113
06:00:PM Robert Munsch’s The Paper Bag Princess @Rotary Hall Studio Theatre
UFV CLASSES END
National Day of Awareness and Action on Violence Against Women
06:00:PM Robert Munsch’s The Paper Bag Princess @Rotary Hall Studio Theatre
07:00PM - 09:00PM Fieldhouse Brewing - Field Sessions @2281 W Railway St, Abbotsford, BC V2S 2E3
