By: Sam D.
2 out of 5 stars
The fourth installment of the Twilight Saga is Breaking Dawn Part 1. This film was directed by Bill Condon, who also directed the previous installments, and was produced by Summit Entertainment. The final book adaptation is being split into two parts similar to the marketing strategy of the Harry Potter series. Breaking Dawn was released in winter 2011 and stars the well-known actors Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner.
The film begins with the much-anticipated marriage between Bella (Stewart) and her vampire lover, Edward (Pattinson). Afterwards, to the dismay of Bella's best friend, Jacob, (Lautner), they embark on the honeymoon of ages on a private island. Unfortunately for the happy couple, things prove to be too good to be true as Bella soon finds out that she is pregnant with Edward's child. What ensues is a muddle of melodramatic events that require a bit too much suspension of disbelief, ending in a gory improvised Caesarean section and a hodgepodge of movie clichés.
With every new movie contributing to the series, the Twilight actors become less and less convincing in their supernatural roles. It’s hard to blame them, as the poor writing really gives them little to work with. The bleak expressions and unsalvageable dialogue (the most memorable line being the dramatically-delivered single word, “possibly”) quickly sends the film spiraling down the hole of fandom that it has dug for itself. On the other hand, the parental figures in the film prove to be as believable as they could be in such a role, namely the two fathers of the married couple played by Billy Burke and Peter Facinelli. Unfortunately, this small triumph in writing takes no attention away from the disappointing portrayal of Bella as played by Kristen Stewart. Even in the most emotional and physically demanding of scenes (such as the childbirth part) Stewart comes across as sheltered and indifferent.
All in all, the only people who will enjoy this film are the Twi-hards that spawned its creation. Although many flocked to the theatres to see the film on the big screen, it is no less dissatisfying on a laptop with a bowl of microwave popcorn to distract you from this B movie quality film.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Student Loans for Albertans
By: Robert L.
Many grade twelve students across Alberta are about to breathe a sigh of relief. Two weeks ago, Minister of Advanced Education Greg Weadick announced a complete overhaul of the process to get student loans in Alberta. The new process involves a simpler system designed to improve the user-friendliness of the applications. Overall, the goal of the province, according to Weadnick, is that “We want to make sure finances are never a barrier to students’ education”.
The current student loan application considers many factors in making decisions regarding student loans. Information about a student’s earnings, savings, and RRSPs all affect a student’s eligibility. For some students, this adds unnecessary hassle and complexity, something that Weadick wishes to change. To solve this problem, a Flat Rate Student Contribution policy will be introduced. Rather than going through a lengthy assessment, the Flat Rate Student Contribution allows students to put up a constant sum of $1,500 when applying for the loan. Forced parental contributions will also be rendered obsolete. As well, restrictions for international students will be removed.
In addition to simplifying the system, the new program will also provide financial benefits to students. When students complete their university education, they are given a six-month grace period during which they are not required to pay off the loan, however interest is still accumulated over this time. The new loan arrangement will abolish this interest, allowing students to enjoy their grace period with no strings attached. Loan remissions will also change. Instead of the Government of Alberta paying off a certain amount of students' loans, a completion grants program will be established. Upon completion of a certificate, diploma, applied bachelor or bachelor degree program, students will receive anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000 in grants. Retention grants will also be given to graduates who choose to work in Alberta for three years or longer in occupations that the province deems “essential”.
All of these changes will be implemented in order to make the loan process more predictable and transparent. The hope is that more students will be interested in staying in Alberta for their studies. For those high school seniors who want to stay close to home, this announcement is sure to relieve some of the stress involved with university.
Sources:
Many grade twelve students across Alberta are about to breathe a sigh of relief. Two weeks ago, Minister of Advanced Education Greg Weadick announced a complete overhaul of the process to get student loans in Alberta. The new process involves a simpler system designed to improve the user-friendliness of the applications. Overall, the goal of the province, according to Weadnick, is that “We want to make sure finances are never a barrier to students’ education”.
The current student loan application considers many factors in making decisions regarding student loans. Information about a student’s earnings, savings, and RRSPs all affect a student’s eligibility. For some students, this adds unnecessary hassle and complexity, something that Weadick wishes to change. To solve this problem, a Flat Rate Student Contribution policy will be introduced. Rather than going through a lengthy assessment, the Flat Rate Student Contribution allows students to put up a constant sum of $1,500 when applying for the loan. Forced parental contributions will also be rendered obsolete. As well, restrictions for international students will be removed.
In addition to simplifying the system, the new program will also provide financial benefits to students. When students complete their university education, they are given a six-month grace period during which they are not required to pay off the loan, however interest is still accumulated over this time. The new loan arrangement will abolish this interest, allowing students to enjoy their grace period with no strings attached. Loan remissions will also change. Instead of the Government of Alberta paying off a certain amount of students' loans, a completion grants program will be established. Upon completion of a certificate, diploma, applied bachelor or bachelor degree program, students will receive anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000 in grants. Retention grants will also be given to graduates who choose to work in Alberta for three years or longer in occupations that the province deems “essential”.
All of these changes will be implemented in order to make the loan process more predictable and transparent. The hope is that more students will be interested in staying in Alberta for their studies. For those high school seniors who want to stay close to home, this announcement is sure to relieve some of the stress involved with university.
Sources:
- Donelly, Greg. "Alberta government simplifies student loan application process." Global News Edmonton. 13 Feb. 2012.
- "Major changes coming to Alberta’s student aid plan." MacEwan News. 13 Feb. 2012.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Student Loans in the News
By: Richard L.
It’s that time of year when most grade 12 students are filling out university applications, applying for scholarships, and inevitably looking into student loans. University education isn’t cheap; a student can easily pay upwards of $10,000 in a single year. While Canadians have been fortunate thus far in the global economic downturn that has been around since America’s last presidential election, student loans are expected to be a hot topic in 2012.
The American student loans system has come under attack. The issue of student debt has gained special prominence in the Occupy Movement of 2011, along with the income gap and corporate greed. Unemployed graduates have startling figures to support their claims: student debt as of the start of 2012 is in excess of one trillion dollars ($1,000,000,000,000), which is more than the credit card debt. To put that into perspective, this is roughly 1/15 of the national debt.
The students aren’t refusing to pay up. A 2005 change in the bankruptcy code currently prevents student debt from disappearing like other debts upon declaring bankruptcy, and many now argue that the old rules be restored.
However, the unemployment situation for students is not as bad as “[being the] highest since 1970” might imply. In September 2011, the unemployment rate for college graduates was close to 5%, about the same as the figure from the previous year. By contrast, overall unemployment has been hovering in the 9% to 10% range. Although the presidential candidates try to act on the issue of student debt, the specific policies are less obvious.
House Representative Ron Paul has perhaps been the most unforgiving of the possible Republican candidates, proposing to eliminate the national student loan system and requiring students to take responsibility for financing their education. His proposal in October 2011 was immediately attacked by the press as villainous and unsympathetic, yet in a USA Today statement issued on October 27th Paul has his own statistics: while commodity prices have double since 1980, the cost of education has quintupled. By “reigning in the government”, inflation can be brought under control, and education might become affordable again.[1]
Contestant Newt Gingrich takes a more personal approach, assuming that the student loan issue rose from the attitude of the students. Again students will be required to work for their education, but schools will provide work-study programs that will make it easier for students to find jobs. If students realize the expense of their education, they are less likely to drop out or to stay in university for more than the necessary time, which is also a major contributor to the student debt.
The Obama Administration in fall 2010 tried to deal with the issue of student debt by further limiting the size of debt repayment, a less drastic measure than the Republican response that would help graduates bear the burden of repayment.
As the American presidential elections draw closer, student debt will undoubtedly be addressed in debates and rallies by both sides, appearing for the first time alongside housing, foreign policy and medical care.
Paul, Ron. "The Truth about my Student Loan Plan." USA Today. 27 October 2011. Web. 16 January 2012.
It’s that time of year when most grade 12 students are filling out university applications, applying for scholarships, and inevitably looking into student loans. University education isn’t cheap; a student can easily pay upwards of $10,000 in a single year. While Canadians have been fortunate thus far in the global economic downturn that has been around since America’s last presidential election, student loans are expected to be a hot topic in 2012.
The American student loans system has come under attack. The issue of student debt has gained special prominence in the Occupy Movement of 2011, along with the income gap and corporate greed. Unemployed graduates have startling figures to support their claims: student debt as of the start of 2012 is in excess of one trillion dollars ($1,000,000,000,000), which is more than the credit card debt. To put that into perspective, this is roughly 1/15 of the national debt.
The students aren’t refusing to pay up. A 2005 change in the bankruptcy code currently prevents student debt from disappearing like other debts upon declaring bankruptcy, and many now argue that the old rules be restored.
However, the unemployment situation for students is not as bad as “[being the] highest since 1970” might imply. In September 2011, the unemployment rate for college graduates was close to 5%, about the same as the figure from the previous year. By contrast, overall unemployment has been hovering in the 9% to 10% range. Although the presidential candidates try to act on the issue of student debt, the specific policies are less obvious.
House Representative Ron Paul has perhaps been the most unforgiving of the possible Republican candidates, proposing to eliminate the national student loan system and requiring students to take responsibility for financing their education. His proposal in October 2011 was immediately attacked by the press as villainous and unsympathetic, yet in a USA Today statement issued on October 27th Paul has his own statistics: while commodity prices have double since 1980, the cost of education has quintupled. By “reigning in the government”, inflation can be brought under control, and education might become affordable again.[1]
Contestant Newt Gingrich takes a more personal approach, assuming that the student loan issue rose from the attitude of the students. Again students will be required to work for their education, but schools will provide work-study programs that will make it easier for students to find jobs. If students realize the expense of their education, they are less likely to drop out or to stay in university for more than the necessary time, which is also a major contributor to the student debt.
The Obama Administration in fall 2010 tried to deal with the issue of student debt by further limiting the size of debt repayment, a less drastic measure than the Republican response that would help graduates bear the burden of repayment.
As the American presidential elections draw closer, student debt will undoubtedly be addressed in debates and rallies by both sides, appearing for the first time alongside housing, foreign policy and medical care.
Paul, Ron. "The Truth about my Student Loan Plan." USA Today. 27 October 2011. Web. 16 January 2012.
IB Ambitious
By: Doke W.
And yes, it can be. Even for the brightest students IB isn’t an easy program. IB students are some of the smartest students in our school, but that isn’t all there is to it. To be a successful IB student, the single most important thing you must have is ambition. You have to work hard, study for countless hours, and be willing to see your marks go down a little.
As most WCHS students probably don’t take any IB courses, all they know about IB is from hearing others talk. Most of these conversations make IB sound terrible, but don’t forget the great rewards.
IB teaches you so many skills that a regular Alberta Diploma student will not learn until he or she takes post- secondary courses. You learn to think in strange ways as taught in TOK (Theory of Knowledge), a class only available to Full IB students. Higher level IB classes can even get you post-secondary credit! But most important of all, the sense of achievement you get is incredible. Knowing at the end of grade 12 that you were able to complete such a rigorous program of study is a terrific feeling!
I’m proud to be an IB student. Join me, and seek out your inner keener.
So here’s the deal. IB is not for the procrastinators or the slackers. I’m sure that whenever you hear anything about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program it probably sounds dreadful.
And yes, it can be. Even for the brightest students IB isn’t an easy program. IB students are some of the smartest students in our school, but that isn’t all there is to it. To be a successful IB student, the single most important thing you must have is ambition. You have to work hard, study for countless hours, and be willing to see your marks go down a little.
As most WCHS students probably don’t take any IB courses, all they know about IB is from hearing others talk. Most of these conversations make IB sound terrible, but don’t forget the great rewards.
IB teaches you so many skills that a regular Alberta Diploma student will not learn until he or she takes post- secondary courses. You learn to think in strange ways as taught in TOK (Theory of Knowledge), a class only available to Full IB students. Higher level IB classes can even get you post-secondary credit! But most important of all, the sense of achievement you get is incredible. Knowing at the end of grade 12 that you were able to complete such a rigorous program of study is a terrific feeling!
I’m proud to be an IB student. Join me, and seek out your inner keener.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The Occupy Movement
By: Clarissa F.
In city parks, university buildings and on busy roads worldwide, protesters are setting up camp or simply aggregating under slogans such as "We Are the 99%." Regardless of who they are, this monumental collective political mobilisation has ignited debates on civil engagement, distribution of wealth, and the future of socioeconomic policies in the 82 countries in which an Occupation has occurred. While the movement has already impacted the focus of the media and the roles of countless previously disengaged citizens, the changes and level of equality sought by protestors have yet to be achieved. More coherent than mindless protest, yet less structured than a public awareness campaign, the future of Occupy is up in the air.
Without a doubt, the cause is true. Their outcry against inequality, made tangible by powerful statistics describing the distribution of wealth in different percentiles of the population, represents an important issue that must be brought to the front of the Canadian political agenda. Severe economic disparity and all its implications have impacted the quality of life of millions of Canadians and have been issues that the government has ignored for decades. Nevertheless, the breadth of this issue, the complexity of its resolution, and the nature of the Occupy protest itself are obstructive to the movement's foundation. Government responsiveness to instances of civil engagement is highly reliant on the coherency of the movement's demands; although Occupy has presented a clear issue, its platform is muddled by the universality of the protest, causing fragmentation and stagnancy. Furthermore, the participants are of varying commitment to the cause and have varying levels of political knowledge, which robs the protest of some of its validity. The lack of leadership, specific political demands, and harmonious opinion within the movement has been a source of great criticism, and indeed impairs the likelihood of success.
That being said, the Occupy protestors stand for a deeper and more universal message beyond their political opinions. In a Canada where voter turnout has dipped as low as 58.8% in the past few years, political disengagement and apathy are often said to be the cause. However, a more profound idea is being revealed through this unique movement; the public is involved, interested, and active in politics, but their failure to vote is a deliberate action of contempt for the democratic system. The decline of our established democracy is then not due to the parties and leaders involved, but rather the operation of the political system itself, reflecting the emergence of unconventional participation due to a lack of access to or results from conventional methods. That our democracy serves to exacerbate the wage gap by responding only to the demands of the wealthy is a key feature of the Occupiers' grievances, and accounts for the seemingly contradictory trends of low conventional political participation with increased activism through unconventional means. While the establishment of economic equality is a long way off, the restoration of democratic integrity may be a change in the foreseeable future.
While subject to intense controversy and the cause of heated discussion, the Occupy movement is important for reasons unintended. The recognition of economic inequalities has brought under scrutiny the functioning of our democratic system; failures have been found both in granting equal representation and in operating to bring about the good of all. It is only through the progression of discussion, the mainstreaming of which was a foremost consequence of the protests, that effective response in the form of social policy and public administration will occur. In the meantime, we will likely see the full force of the movement emerge in both intentional and unintentional ways.
Without a doubt, the cause is true. Their outcry against inequality, made tangible by powerful statistics describing the distribution of wealth in different percentiles of the population, represents an important issue that must be brought to the front of the Canadian political agenda. Severe economic disparity and all its implications have impacted the quality of life of millions of Canadians and have been issues that the government has ignored for decades. Nevertheless, the breadth of this issue, the complexity of its resolution, and the nature of the Occupy protest itself are obstructive to the movement's foundation. Government responsiveness to instances of civil engagement is highly reliant on the coherency of the movement's demands; although Occupy has presented a clear issue, its platform is muddled by the universality of the protest, causing fragmentation and stagnancy. Furthermore, the participants are of varying commitment to the cause and have varying levels of political knowledge, which robs the protest of some of its validity. The lack of leadership, specific political demands, and harmonious opinion within the movement has been a source of great criticism, and indeed impairs the likelihood of success.
That being said, the Occupy protestors stand for a deeper and more universal message beyond their political opinions. In a Canada where voter turnout has dipped as low as 58.8% in the past few years, political disengagement and apathy are often said to be the cause. However, a more profound idea is being revealed through this unique movement; the public is involved, interested, and active in politics, but their failure to vote is a deliberate action of contempt for the democratic system. The decline of our established democracy is then not due to the parties and leaders involved, but rather the operation of the political system itself, reflecting the emergence of unconventional participation due to a lack of access to or results from conventional methods. That our democracy serves to exacerbate the wage gap by responding only to the demands of the wealthy is a key feature of the Occupiers' grievances, and accounts for the seemingly contradictory trends of low conventional political participation with increased activism through unconventional means. While the establishment of economic equality is a long way off, the restoration of democratic integrity may be a change in the foreseeable future.
While subject to intense controversy and the cause of heated discussion, the Occupy movement is important for reasons unintended. The recognition of economic inequalities has brought under scrutiny the functioning of our democratic system; failures have been found both in granting equal representation and in operating to bring about the good of all. It is only through the progression of discussion, the mainstreaming of which was a foremost consequence of the protests, that effective response in the form of social policy and public administration will occur. In the meantime, we will likely see the full force of the movement emerge in both intentional and unintentional ways.
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