The Refusal to be Silenced – Malala’s Story

Nareesa K.

The Swat Valley in Pakistan was once a peaceful and nonviolent region, until 2007, when the valley became Taliban territory. In the few years of Taliban rule, Swat had turned into a heartland for Pakistan Islamic militancy. In 2009, in the Swat Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, the Taliban banned girls from going to school and obtaining an education. Malala Yousafzai was one of the girls who was told that getting an education would not be a part of her future.

 “I want to get my education, and I want to become a doctor,” Malala told the reporters at the New York Times. “In the area where I live, there are some people who want to stop educating girls through guns.” So, Malala began to write for BBC under a pseudonym, in a diary called “Gul Makai”. She wrote about life as a girl in the Swat valley, and how difficult it was to handle the gender inequality that women in Pakistan confronted daily. Amid patriarchy and terror, she gave a voice to a cause that needed it. Malala stood by as the Taliban bombed over two-hundred schools for girls, and denied an education to over fifty-thousand girls in Swat, and she hoped that her writing would someday make a difference.

On January 15th, the Taliban told girls across Swat that if they returned to school, they would be killed. Malala’s father wished to remain in Swat for as long as possible, but in May, much to Malala’s dismay, her family fled Swat to rural Pakistan in order to stay safe. Her father, a social activist, lived separately from their family in attempt to disassociate himself from them. In mid-July, after approximately three months of living in hiding, her family was reunited. “It was a very precious day for me,” Malala says about the day she was reunited with her father in an interview. In August, the school that Malala previously attended reopened. She began to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor once again.

In 2011, Malala was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize, and she faced a dilemma that could have potentially threatened her and her family. Accepting the nomination required Malala to rid of her pseudonym, and reveal her identity to the world and to the Taliban. The Pakistani girl accepted, and was officially known to the world as Malala Yousafzai.

 Malala and her family chose to keep living in Swat, and she continued to obtain an education and fight for those who could not, until the day of October 9th, 2012. Malala was riding the school bus home with her best friend, Moniba, when the bus suddenly halted. A man with a scarf covering his nose and mouth climbed aboard, and he asked a question: “Who is Malala?"

In an interview with BBC, Malala says, “Nobody said anything, but several girls looked at me. I was the only one with my face uncovered. He lifted up a pistol, and I squeezed Moniba’s hand. I can’t remember anything from that point, but my friends tell me that he fired three shots, and the first one hit me in my left temple.” The bullet scarcely missed Malala’s brain, and she was transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England, where she miraculously recovered after nearly three months.

 Malala recently wrote an autobiography explaining her life in Swat as an educationally oppressed girl, and how she refuses to be silenced by the men who believe that she does not deserve to be equally erudite. Malala continues to advocate for equal gender rights across the world.

“I am Malala, and they cannot stop me.”

For love of money

By: Chimedum O.

 Consider for a moment the cost of the average song on iTunes: anywhere from $0.69 to a $1.29.

Now imagine a salary of around that – say, $1.14 – split seven ways to pay young children for twelve to sixteen hours of daily work in terrible conditions. This is the reality for children in many developing countries; companies such as Hershey’s, Gap, and Nestlé have utilized or still utilize child labor, making profits by exploiting those who cannot resist.

 However, this atrocity is not only limited to these three companies. Qahir Haji, the WCHS Amnesty International executive leading the protest against Urban Outfitters, noted that Urban Outfitters is “one of the only transnational companies that hasn’t implemented policies to prevent child labor in Uzbekistan.” And UO isn’t the only one swindling children; Uzbekistan’s own government works with the company, pulling children out of school to work in cotton fields that provide material for the clothing UO sells.

 “Basically, most of the people who work in these factories live in these factories,” said Ivy Luu, the Amnesty International executive in charge of the protest against Zara. Most of Zara’s child labor facilities are in South America, where the children sew clothing. Luu stated that “the space they’re in is very cramped; they’re sleeping near needles,” and that there is “not lots of ventilation” in the factories where these children both live and work.

Victoria’s Secret also has children pick cotton in Burkina Faso; if they get tired or try to speak out, they are beaten. The Amnesty International executive Kelly Hurley says that Amnesty International selected the issue of child labor to concentrate on because “it’s something that’s really relatable here, since we buy without even knowing.”

Corporations are abusing children across the globe, relying on the ignorance of their consumers and the lack of labor laws in developing countries to gain billions of profits, all through the blood, sweat, and tears of underpaid, underfed, and overlooked children. But this can change, and you can help: The WCHS Amnesty International Club has written up a petition, which you can support here:

Club Activity Within Western

 Katherine L.

 Mid-term season may be behind us, but there are still seven months of studying, essay writing, and homework to look forward to before summer break arrives. If you’re feeling a bit "bogged down" by the mountain of homework sitting on your desk (as I most certainly do), extracurricular activities are a great way to “de-stress” and add a bit of fun to your busy schedule. A variety of clubs and extracurricular activities are available to Western students, ranging from the academic to the social - whatever your niche may be.

Here is a small snapshot of the great many extracurricular activities available at Western:

• Model United Nations, or, as it is often referred to, “MUN”, meets every Monday after school. Students are led by MUN “executives” in simulations of the United Nations, encouraging participants to practice diplomacy and educate themselves about current events. The “executive” team is composed of experienced seniors that ensure they are ready for the conferences. Participants are assigned delegations to represent, and are required to do some research beforehand to familiarize themselves with their country’s foreign policy. All this work is in anticipation of the citywide Model United Nations conference, which is set to take place at the U of C early next year. Whether you’re in a crisis committee or the General Assembly, MUN is a great way to meet others and make new friends while obtaining a great understanding of the United Nations.
• “Inspire. Involve. Interact.” The Interact Club at Western is a student-run club that provides youth with volunteer opportunities across the city. In addition to providing volunteer opportunities through the Youth Volunteer Corps, the Interact club takes on one local, national, and international humanitarian initiative each year. The club meets on Wednesdays at lunch in Room 088.
•  The Western Photography Club is an ideal club for students interested in photography. Members can take photos of school events, students, and athletics for the Yearbook and school newspaper, and meet on Wednesdays after school in Room 276.
• The Math Club, which meets on either Wednesday or Thursday at lunch in Room 104, is the place of congregation for all sorts of students- whether you’re looking for a challenge, or simply wanting to improve your math skills. Topics that are not taught in regular math classes, like from Diophantine equations and Fermat’s Last Theorem are covered. In addition, members are given the opportunity to write challenging math contests throughout the year. 

 It may already be December, but it certainly isn’t too late to join a club at Western!

Super Typhoon Hits Philippines

By: Katherine B.

Ten thousand people estimated dead. Six-hundred-twenty thousand displaced from their homes. In total, more than eleven million people affected across two-hundred-seventy towns and thirty six provinces. Typhoon Haiyan, perhaps the strongest tropical storm ever recorded, has left numerous cities in the Philippines ruined, torn apart families, and has killed thousands since it hit on Friday, November 8th. The Typhoon hit across a chunk of land roughly the size of Germany, and has caused a humanitarian crisis throughout the world.

Of the many cities affected, Tacloban may have taken the brunt of the damage. Recently ranked the fifth most competitive city in the Philippines and second in the emerging cities category in a 2010 survey by the AIMPC, it is tragic to think just how far this promising city has fallen in less than a day. Houses have been reduced to piles of debris, streets flooded, cars turned over, and bodies piled on edges of roadways. Brigadier General Paul Kennedy describes the wreckages, saying, “Everything's destroyed. Roads are impassable, trees are all down, posts are down, power is down... I am not sure what else there is. I am not sure how else to describe this destruction.” This bleak picture is only the beginning of what survivors are now enduring.

Elena Aquino, who grew up in the Philippines and whose friends and family still live there, describes the situation with tears in her eyes. Thankfully, most of her friends and family have survived this trial, as most live in the northern Philippines, yet many of her friends have not heard back from their relatives who live further south. Some harder-to-reach areas are not getting the aid they desperately require, while others struggle to find clean water, shelter, and food. Still others have been cut off from electricity and are unable to reassure their worrying relatives. As Aquino puts it, it is the unknown that tears her apart: not knowing whether or not her friends are safe, while mourning all those who were not as fortunate as she was.

Currently, the lack of clean water for residents is the greatest concern. Supplies may not be reaching those who need them, and some remote areas are unreachable. Doctors are desperate for medicine, and more than two thousand Red Cross workers are providing as much aid as possible. The Canadian government has promised five million dollars of aid, and to match every dollar Canadian citizens donate to regulation Canadian charities. If you wish to help, the website below has many charities you are able to donate to. Our thoughts and hearts are with all those who were affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Link to Donation Information

Student Speaks: Of Western Experience

Anonymous

My school year so far at Western has been a pretty challenging, yet enjoyable experience. During September, I met a lot of students who are very motivated, inspiring, and welcoming. In the beginning of the school year, it was really nice to get to know other people and discover how wonderful and intelligent they all are. I made many new friends with very diverse perspectives and personalities. There are many clubs at Western that I could have joined, and I was able to join Interact. I am really fortunate that I decided to join a non-academic club because they act as a break in the day, to do something useful but not stressful. My teachers from my courses are all very helpful when it comes to the things I'm learning because the topics can be tough at times. In general, Western is a really good environment to be learning in and I am enjoying my school year so far.

Puzzle Challenge

Each of the small squares in the grid below contains either A, B or C. Every row, column and each of the two long diagonals has exactly two of each letter. The information in the clues refers only the squares in that row or column. To help you solve this problem there are as many clues as you will need! Can you tell the letter in each square?

ACROSS

1. The Bs are further right than the As.
2. Each B is directly next to and right of a C.
3. The As are further right than the Bs.
4. The As are further right than the Bs.
5. The Cs are not in adjacent squares.
6. The Bs are further right than the As.

DOWN

1. The Cs are between the As.
2. The Bs are higher than the Cs.
3. The Bs are lower than the Cs.
4. The As are between the Bs.
5. The Bs are lower than the Cs.

Recruiting Student Journalists

Are you interested in writing articles about school life, sports, entertainment or even an advice column? Or, are you passionate about journalism and are looking to gain valuable writing experience? Then “Western World” our school’s very own online student newspaper is for you. All interested students should come to a brief meeting with Mrs. Kennedy on Tuesday, October 1st during the noon hour in the Tech Centre.

Senioritis: It’s Here

By: Myra K.

Senioritis n. a crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive donning of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. This condition also features a lack of academic motivation, manifested in a low drive to study, repeated absences from school, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as the following: Graduation.

We are just a short time away from this miraculous remedy. Senioritis has definitely struck Calgary's Western Canada High School. Myself included.

When your high school career is drawing to a close, and you begin to catch a glimpse of the light at the back of the thirteen year-long tunnel (I promise, it’s there!), many high school students begin to fall behind in school. The thought of leaving this institution, patron of fifteen-page essays, multiple biology labs, and two page math formulas, it is quite exciting, to say the least.

Once you receive your first university acceptance, you’re ready. The grades you have worked so hard for have finally paid off. You’re set up for a bright and prosperous future (unless you’re pursuing an Arts degree, like I am; perhaps you science people are on to something) ...or so you think.

But, unfortunately, you still have to go to school. Now, Sparknotes suddenly becomes your best buddy, and with it, last-minute studying (at this point, glancing at some helpful reading guide a full six-hour night before, and not five minutes prior, to class can be called true effort) and Tim Hortons or Starbucks in the morning have become a complete necessity, the lack of which would cause certain death. Sure, you might not be that tired from yesterday’s workload, because, who are we kidding? You stayed up late catching up on the third season of The Walking Dead and New Girl. But even so, the taste of chocolate-diluted caffeine just sounds so... appealing. You might be five minutes late to class... but skipping the morning announcements (who listens to them anyway?) all seems soo worth it when you could have a warm and delicious coffee in your hand.

So, how can we cure this crippling disease that has become a pandemic among twelfth-grade students? According to Urban Dictionary, the phenomenon of graduation is the only known remedy.

My advice? Plan beforehand. Visit the websites of those universities in which you’re interested and figure out the minimum average requirement needed to retain your offer of admission. Aim to maintain an average that’s at least five percent above your favourite institution’s cutoff. This will remind you that keeping this average is allowing you to achieve your own future goals. This way, you can focus just enough on school so that you maintain your admission offers while still enjoying your time left at Western. After all, who are we kidding? Sometimes you just need to close that book, turn on the TV, and enjoy some good, late-night zombie killing. Hold on, because there are only a few more days of high school left, Class of 2013!

Will Your Career Choice Still Exist In The Future?

By Ankita K.

Are you looking for a job career? Well, be careful because in just two decades your job probably won’t exist anymore. According to Forbes, we will be seeing some very drastic changes in the job market.

If you were going to build a career in banking, then you should reconsider, because in twenty years there won’t be a need to deal with paper money, as people will rely solely on credit and on digital money. A career in the Post Office is also not a very good option, for most people will be using email in the future. Other jobs that will most likely disappear in the future are: a grocery store cashier, a film processor, a union organizer, a miner, and a fighter pilot.

The question is, what careers will still exist in two decades? It is certain to say that some jobs will always be in demand. For example, working in a barber shop can be a long-lasting career, and tax collecting is a very sustainable choice. Some more suitable jobs are: a mortician, a politician, an artist, and a religious leader.

But, in two decades there are also going to be new jobs created. As computer technology develops and more alternative energy sources are being explored, people will have more career choices and opportunities. A gene screener might come in handy in the Gattaca future. Maybe scanning genes will become a daily routine for job interviews or in increasing work productivity. However, there are more plausible jobs that can be created in the future, such as a hydrogen fuel station manager. Hydrogen can be cost-competitive to gasoline if refueling stations are mass-produced, according to a study conducted by the Ford Motot Company. Employees of those stations would need different skills than workers at current gasoline stations. Other possible jobs are: a quarantine enforcer, a drowned city specialist, a teleport specialist (yes, there might be teleporters in the future!), a robot mechanic, an animal guardian, a dirigible pilot, and a space tour guide. Just keep in mind that these are all predictions and it’s not guaranteed that people will take tours to space! So, don’t waste time preparing yourself for a space program.

In the future, a lot of new jobs will be created, while some will disappear, but it doesn’t mean that current jobs won’t exist anymore. On the contrary, a lot of today’s jobs will still exist in the future; they just won’t be in the same form. Educators will always be in demand for shaping new minds with knowledge and experience, but teaching may be different in the future from how it is now. In twenty years, we may wake up and not recognize our fast changing world!

For full job lists click here.

The Importance of Extra-Curricular Activities and Volunteering

By: Romany N.

The time has come where many juniors are exploring the endless options for post- secondary schools. Often, students do not limit their search to Canada and research international colleges across the world, which can offer more diverse programs that appeal to various academic or athletic abilities. However, the requirements for international students vary greatly from those that are here in Canada.

For example, many universities in Canada have a sole focus on academics and the rigorous course load and demands of the classes that you have chosen, whereas, many universities and colleges in American do not restrict their requirements to academics. American colleges concentrate on the activities that you partake in outside of school and how much you give back to your community through volunteering and work experience. The most crucial factors that American schools consider are your academic GPA, your character/personal qualities, your class rank, your extra-curricular activities, your personal recommendations, your rigor of secondary school record, your volunteer work, and your application essay. In addition, there are secondary factors that these universities take into consideration; these factors can vary from your alumni relation to your geographical residency.

If you have not made an effort to enjoy the endless possibilities of activities or volunteering, then do not worry. There is still ample time to join clubs and sports teams that will set you apart from other college applicants. Many students elect to apply for internships during the summer to gain the experience necessary and ensure that they have an interest in their possible major. These internships can be discussed with your designated guidance counselor or by appointment at the career center.

Lastly, I would like to enforce that the most important factors that American schools take into consideration can be outlined at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org according to the designated school.

A Tricky Treat to Master: CROISSANTS

By: Laurie L-G.

The idea of flavoured croissants first occurred to me after hearing about the blue cheese kimchi croissant at Momofuku, in New York. Their approach was simple and rather clever: to mix the flavourings into the butter that is then folded into the dough.

In my own experimentation, based off their method, I found that due to the additions in a couple of the croissant types (ex. the chestnut and pistachio croissants), the dough was actually a lot easier to roll and handle, as the butter was softened. The coconut croissant was the most difficult, as it was hard to break up the coconut, and when chilled, held together in hard pieces that were difficult to roll out and often broke through the thin skin of dough between layers. As a result, most of them turned out quite deformed due to the difficulty I had in stretching the dough. Additions to the orange-lavender croissant were minor, so this croissant turned out the best, whereas, possibly due to the quantity of water in the chestnut paste, the chestnut croissant collapsed after baking.

In the future, I would try using additions with little water content, or perhaps simply sticking with filling (in replacement of the scrap of dough used to plump the middle) as an adaptation less detrimental to the structure.

Croissants

Loosely based off Baking with Julia edited by Dorie Greenspan

Dough:

• 3 tsp active dry yeast
• ¼ cup warm water
• 3 ¾ cup flour
• 2 tsp salt
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 cup milk

Butter:

1. 1 stick butter + 1 tbsp + 1/3 cup chestnut puree + 3 tbsp flour + 3 tbsp sugar
2. 1 stick butter + 1 tbsp + zest of 1 (large) orange + 1 ½ tsp dried lavender + 1 tbsp flour + 3 tbsp sugar
3. 1 stick butter + 1/4 cup softened coconut + 2 tbsp flour + 3 tbsp sugar
4. 1 stick butter + 1 tbsp 1/3 cup ground salted pistachio + 1 tbsp flour + 3 tbsp sugar

Let butter warm at room temperature, cut into pieces, until just soft enough to cream with additions. Mold butter mixtures into a 3” by 3” square—this will be messy and difficult if they are too warm. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1-2 hours.

Divide dough into four; each piece should weigh a bit over 200 g. Roll dough into a 6” by 6“ circle, with thinner edges than the middle. Centre butter, stretch and fold over dough to make a square packet, sealing the edges well. Hit dough with rolling pin to evenly distribute butter in packet. Proceed with first fold unless dough and butter are too warm.

First fold: Roll dough so that it is 7” by 12”. Fold the dough into thirds in order to end up with a packet around 7” by 4”. Return dough to fridge for at least one hour.

Second fold: Repeat process of first fold.

Final fold: Instead of folding into three, fold each edge into the middle and then fold the two sides together, folding the dough into quarters. It will be around 7” by 3”.

Preparation:

Roll out into a 15” x 10” rectangle. Fold in half so that it is around 7.5” x 10”. Trim off the uneven edges and divide the rectangle into two, widthwise. Divide each half in two along the diagonal, unfold each pair of triangles, and cut apart; you should have 8. Stack and well cover the dough so that it does not form a skin.

To form the croissants:

Moisten your hands. Stretch the base, and then gently stretch to double the length of each piece of dough, or as far as you can go without tearing it. Lay on the counter, placing a small piece of scrap dough on the base to plump the middle. Fold some dough over, pressing the ends down to seal. Roll the croissant, starting from the base, towards the point. Work fairly quickly so that none of the unrolled triangles forms a skin.

Arrange on parchment covered sheet pans—you’ll likely need three. Brush croissants with 1 egg beaten with a bit of water. Let rise, uncovered, in an oven to avoid drafts and prevent them from forming too much of a skin. You can put a pan of very warm water in the bottom so that the steam will prevent a skin from forming; however, you have to be sure that it will not pre-melt the butter in the croissants. Allow them to proof until well risen (around 1-2 hours).

Baking:

Divide oven racks into thirds, preheat to 350 degrees. Lightly brush once more with egg wash, and bake for 12 minutes. Rotate, and bake for another 5 minutes or until cooked through and well browned.

The Kite Runner Flies Into Theatre Calgary

By: Sarena D.

*First appeared on www.youthareawesome.com

“There is a way to be good again” and so begins Theatre Calgary’s adaptation of The Kite Runner. I read Khaled Hosseini’s masterpiece a few years ago, and I was overjoyed to be given a chance to see playwright Mathew Spangler’s adaptation. Having been a while since I had read the novel, the details were a little fuzzy in my mind, but I remembered the book as being both heart-wrenching and poignant and I was very curious to see if a two hour stage-play could match the depth of emotion I had felt when reading the novel.

The story itself is steeped in Afghanistan’s rich history. It begins with Hassan, a Hazara boy, and his father who live as servants to a wealthy Pashtun man and his young son, Amir, in Kabul. It is important to note that the Pashtuns and the Hazaras are two of the largest Afghan ethnic groups and are also the most divided. The Pashtuns are mainly Sunni Muslims and dominate Afghan culture and politics, while the Hazaras are discriminated against in society and are a Shi’a Muslim minority. Amir initially grows up oblivious to this cultural divide, as he and Hassan begin as fast friends, while “Baba”, Amir’s father, considers Hassan to be just as much a son to him as to Amir. As time goes on, the boys begin to feel the disconnect between their cultures, for they are both publically humiliated by the cruel boys in the neighbourhood for associating with each other. Kite fighting is one of the only things that truly keeps Amir and Hassan together. Kite fighting was of the most fun, but competitive sports in Afghan history, before the Taliban banned it. Together, Hassan and Amir form a fierce team and go on to participate in the largest kite tournament in twenty-five years. It is after this that the boys’ lives change forever, as the unspeakable happens. Soon after, Hassan and his father resign as Baba’s servants and Amir and his father make the long trek together to San Francisco, to escape the mounting political turmoil in Afghanistan. Amir has lost his devoted friend who had always pledged, “For you, a thousand times over,” despite the abuses he receives from Amir and the community. In his heart, Amir knows that this is the last he will see of Hassan and he is wracked with guilt for a secret that blackens his heart from the day of the tournament onward.

I have deliberately kept the details here very vague so as not to spoil the book for those of you who have not yet read it. Long story short, although Amir makes a life for himself in America as a writer and eventually finds a wife, his past continues to haunt him. One day, due to a surprising phone call from a family friend still in Kabul, Amir finds that he must visit the now war-torn Afghanistan, ruled by the Taliban, which resembles nothing of the country of his childhood. And indeed, there is a way for him to be good again, to right the wrongs of his past and to finally honour Hassan’s loyalty. Throughout the play, the kite remains a symbol of Hassan’s guilt, his path to redemption, and at the finale, soars as an emblem of new beginnings.

I was definitely blown away on February twenty-third at the skill exhibited when transferring this globally renowned work to the stage. During the performance, the older Amir narrates his story from the beginning, in the midst of the action going on with his younger self and with the young Hassan. The transition from the Afghanistan of his childhood to America, and back again to his home country, is seamless, accompanied by a beautiful set and gorgeous lighting. The director even found a way to make the kites “fly” on stage, and this, combined with the presence of a tabla player for a live soundtrack, made the experience all the more culturally rich. In addition, the plot twists in the book were cleverly portrayed on stage, as I heard some audience members gasp more than once when key details of the story were revealed. This heartbreaking and touching play was met with a well-deserved standing ovation at the end.

Alberta Government Gives Technology an A+

Clare T.

Bobby, a Journalism 25 student at
Western Canada High School,
 listens intently as Minister Johnson
fields questions from students
around Alberta.

CALGARY – Revealing plans for the future direction of the education system, the Government of Alberta demonstrates that it fully embraces the technological age.

On May 7th, 2013 the Government of Alberta hosted a teleconference call with over 100 middle and high schools across the province. The conference provided students studying Journalism the opportunity to question Premier Alison Redford and Minister of Education Jeff Johnson, about changes coming to the Alberta education system.

Throughout the conference, Premier Redford emphasized the importance of developing an education system which gives students every opportunity to succeed. The project of transferring diploma exams to a virtual format, which starts this coming fall and is expected to be completed come the year 2017, will personalize learning and allow students the flexibility to achieve success in school.

One of the benefits of online diplomas, advertised by Minister Johnson, is the ability to accommodate all kinds of learners. As of next year, diploma exams will be offered more frequently and eventually on command, allowing students to learn at their own pace. Additionally, because diploma exams taken online will be transferred directly from students to teacher, Minister Johnson claims that the speed of the mark turnaround will increase, resulting in a more effective examination system that that which currently exists.

Though neither Minster Johnson nor Premier Redford gave a solid explanation of how the security of online diploma exams will be monitored, they shared that numerous technological experts are involved in the project of transforming the diploma exams and promised to “invest great time, effort, and money to ensure the integrity of the system.”

With the goal of personalized learning in mind, Minister Johnson ensured that students will still have the ability to write hard-copy diploma exams, and that rewrites will still be available to students at a potentially lower cost.

Recent budget cuts to Alberta’s education system were mentioned briefly during the press conference. Minister Johnson expressed regret over the budget cuts but explained that the government is working hard to maintain the sustainability of the education system despite these financial setbacks. He expressed that the cuts are being focused on unnecessary areas of funding, not directly connected to the instruction system, to make sure that students continue to receive high quality learning. Despite the recent budget cuts, Minister Johnson stressed that Alberta places one of the highest values on education in North America.

Premier Redford and Minister Johnson stressed that technology is the key to achieving the government of Alberta’s vision of a personalized learning system.

“The way we use technology is going to be critical for our education system moving forward,” Minister Johnson shared. “There is a big push to not just use technology as a tool for teaching, but to integrate it into day-to-day learning so that it becomes second nature.”

The Alberta government asserts that their motivation behind all coming changes, including converting diploma exams into an online format, is to build an education system that reflects the way Alberta students live their lives, and to therefore educate in a way which is technologically-oriented and hands-on.

Eight Inspired Wish-list Items You Didn’t Know Existed

By: Asra
Christmas may be over until 300-something days into the future, but it’s never too early to start creating a list for when your relatives or friends ask what you want for the holidays coming up once again in 2013! I did some digging around, looking at ideas I first heard from OMG Facts, at school, or out in the city, and there are tons of great gifts to discover, from those under ten dollars to more substantial birthday/celebration/Christmas presents.

De Père en flic -$14.99 in HD on iTunes
This one of the most popular Québécois comedies in years. Don’t be discouraged by the French title. I can’t even count how many non-Francophones I have forced to sit on my couch and watch this film with English subtitles. For a bit of a synopsis, a father-son cop duo, who can’t stand one another, go undercover on a sort of father-son therapy camping trip to get information out of a criminal defence lawyer, who’s also on the trip with his suicidal son. Along the way, the cop son, played by comedian, Louis-Jose Houde (who I may or may not have spotted in Montreal on the SSUNS trip!), is pushed into a lake by his father, screaming «J’ai un têtard dans mes culottes! » (“There’s a tadpole in my underwear!”). The movie continues with its comedic plot, featuring many misadventures for the protagonists. This movie is available on Blu-ray and on iTunes, and is a lot more entertaining than most French movies. And you thought Brice de Nice was funny!

Inkless Metal Pen - $27.99
Those of us in IB know that with the HI, G4, P1, EE, etc. due sometime in the next several months, long-lasting pens are of the essence. A Seven-Year Pen from Indigo? It only lasts that long if you write a mere two metres of text a day. That’s optimistic. Here’s where this neat invention comes in. It supposedly lasts a lifetime (until we snap it in a fit of stress) since it writes with a metal alloy that uses minuscule bits of metal, so small that you can’t notice they’re gone from the tip of the pen. It writes just like a pencil, but won’t smudge (yes!). So there you go, the Everlasting Gobstopper for we academics!

Extra Dessert Delights Gum
To everyone that I’ve turned into a gum addict this year, I have two things to say: one, I’m sorry, and two, put it on your wish-list because we Canadians can now buy it off Amazon, as opposed to having to stock up in the US every summer! Extra Dessert Delights Gum costs $14.51 and up for a case of ten packs that come in flavours like Root Beer Float, Rainbow Sherbet, and Key Lime Pie. Who wouldn’t want an edible gift that lasts months, even if consumed daily?

David’s Tea Stainless Steel Travel Press - $34.99 and/or Noble Glass Travel Mug – $24.50
The travel mug above is genius. Bet you didn’t know that it keeps tea/coffee/other caffeinated drinks warm from your six am bus ride, to Theory of Knowledge until lunch. Both mugs have removable mesh filters to keep your loose-leaf tea brewing all day without those annoying mesh balls that are impossible to close. If you already have plenty of travel mugs, ask for a tin of David’s Tea, perfect for homemade tea lattes. Some great flavours include Birthday Cake (you can smell it for miles), Cookie Dough, Crème Brulee, Cinnamon Heart, and Lime Gelato (which happens to taste like Key Lime Pie. Think I’m obsessed yet? You will be too.

Tetris Animated Alarm Clock - $29.99 and/or Clocky Robotic Alarm $38.99+
Sleep. The lack of sleep is one of the biggest problems plaguing students nowadays. Unfortunately, no one can give you a guaranteed first period spare or a nap time at school, but these two creative alarm clocks can make waking up more entertaining and even more effective. For those of you stuck in the Breakfast Club era, there is a Tetris-themed animated alarm clock that wakes you up with the Tetris theme song and measures minutes passing with blocks falling down the display screen. If that’s not incentive enough to get up and finish last night’s homework, then consider the Clocky Robotic Alarm. Clocky will jump off your bedside table, roll away from your bed in the morning, and shriek until you get up and chase after it. It sounds nearly as effective as a sibling running in and grabbing your phone, only Clocky won’t text all your friends!

Pottery Barn Teen Liquid Image Video Snow Goggles - $299.99
These could be a great gift for anyone who loves skiing, snowboarding or making action videos. These goggles do more than just shield your eyes; they have a camera that records up to two hours of HD video. If you already have an iPod, phone, laptop, and so on, these would make a great new tech gadget for taking videos at C.O.P. or in the mountains. These state-of-the art goggles are destined to make all your friends extremely jealous!

Grow Your Own Coffee Kit - $7.99
Pfft. Who needs Starbucks? Well, I do. If you’re tired of waiting in line to pay three to five dollars for whatever it is you need to wake up before class, growing your own coffee at home might be a great experience and even a way to get CAS hours. This unique gift requires creativity and patience, but imagine becoming that special person who can give extra cups of coffee to the needy on a cold winter’s day. Or maybe not. But either way, it’ll get you your caffeine for much less than the overpriced coffee shops of today.

Zwipes Notebooks and Binders (Various prices under $15)
Do you love to doodle but hate having little drawings everywhere, creeping over your notes? The Zwipes line of stationary is like your own personal whiteboard. Draw all you like on the cover and take notes inside. The markers come with a coloured felt side and an eraser that wipes the marker off, or even Sharpie on some surfaces. Just don’t try to erase the Zwipes markers off of paper. It won’t work. I tried.

So basically, my point is, there’s something for everyone out there, available either in stores we have here in Calgary or within a few days’ shipping distance. So next time your parents/grandparents/ (insert other family member here) ask you what you’d like, there’s no reason to answer with the uninspired answer of “a mall gift card” or, even worse, “money,” because you’ll have a list of way cooler gadgets just for you.

Model United Nations Conference

By: Romany N.
Western Canada High School’s Model United Nations team has had an ongoing rivalry with Sir Winston Churchill’s Model United Nations team for some time now, and on February 23rd and 24th at the University of Calgary High School Model United Nations Conference, Western received the Best Delegation Award for their strong efforts and unwavering dedication to success, as well as a Verbal Commendation for the Delegation of Indonesia.

The decorum and diplomacy that was displayed by Western Canada High School’s delegates during the conference was well above the expected level. Each delegate had thoroughly researched the policies of his or her respective country, as well as that of other states to ensure he or she was adequately prepared for intellectual debate on foreign affairs. However, the strength these students had did not go unnoticed, as many single delegates won the Best Delegate award in their council in addition to receiving Verbal Commendations and Honorable Mentions.

Although the University of Calgary HSMUN conference was the last of the season, Western Canada High School is very adamant about remaining one of the upmost competitive HSMUN committees in Alberta and is always welcoming new students who are interested in politics and debate, and who would like to become a part of this excellent organization.

Simple Steps to Finding a Job

By: Ankita K.
A lot of students prefer to work during the school year or in the summer. How does one find a reliable and interesting job? In 2011, the employment rate of youth between the ages 15 to 24 was 55.4 percent. This number suggests that finding a job is not only possible, but students have a very good chance of obtaining a job they want. The website, www.youth.gc.ca, provides some educating guidelines for students who are looking for a job. Students just have to follow several steps from the guidelines.

The first step in finding a job is to identify your goals and interests. It is important that you look for a job that will be beneficial for your future career and will help in identifying your personal values. Try to ask a question, “Which job will be best for me?” or “Is this job suitable for me?” These questions might help when deciding on which type of job to pursue.

The next step in finding a job is acquiring a Social Insurance Number or SIN. SIN is a nine-digit number that you will need in order to work in Canada. Children over 12 years of age can apply for their own SIN.

Writing a résumé and a cover letter is one of the major steps in the hunt for a job. They are your first contacts with a potential employer. A résumé is a short, point-form document that describes your experience, education, and skills. There are three types of résumés: a functional résumé that focuses on your skills, a chronological résumé that describes your experience, and a combination of both. It is important that you make your résumé presentable, clear, and concise, indicating honesty and professionalism. A cover letter is a formal letter that accompanies a résumé. You will use it to describe yourself and explain the reason why you are applying for the job. You will also make a request for the interview. Make your letter personal, but use a professional tone and be concise.

After submitting your résumé and cover letter, you should identify a reference, someone who an employer may contact to prove your qualifications. There are two types of references: character references and professional reference. Usually, you should wait for the employer to request a reference, and then give a list.

The most important step in acquiring a job is the interview process. The interview is the last step in making an impression and proving that you are fit for the job. It is crucial that you prepare yourself for the interview. For instance, one of the good ways to prepare yourself is to think about the questions that the employer might ask and to prepare possible answers. This will allow you to give deeper and more thoughtful answers, which can be advantageous. You should also research some background information on the company to which you applied to work. Remember to be confident, professional, punctual, and to dress appropriately.

These tips make the process of finding a job much easier for an inexperienced student. They allow a student to be more successful at acquiring a desirable job. The Youth Canada website provides detailed suggestions for this process. The website is highly beneficial for students with different cultural backgrounds and experience, as finding a job can be a very long and difficult process.

Why “Professional” Art and Literature is a Dying Cause

By: Eric Chen
Now, before you rage at me about my title, I would first like to explain myself. I grew up in a household fond of professional, Baroque-style artwork, I was pulled into the world of classical music and I remerged from the other side as a glorified pianist, and I took my English courses to the IB level, studying Shakespeare just a bit more than everyone else, and, amazingly, I really enjoyed it. This is not an article hating on professional, historical or classical arts, (whatever name pleases you) but a story about the tragic future we are to face if we do not embrace the reality of our human situation.

Let us take a moment to admire the productivity of our twenty-first century mainstream society. As a majority, what do we listen to in the car? Is it something recent like Taylor Swift? Something a bit less recent, like the Blues? Or maybe it’s Justin Bieber, because you know, well, he’s Justin Bieber. But how many of us really bother to sit down and enjoy a Beethoven symphony, or a Haydn string quartet, or even a Chopin nocturne? I doubt many of you would even know what those things are, or who I’m even talking about. Let’s take another moment to consider the books we read. What did you read in the last week or month? Was it an Elizabethan play, or something even older, possibly by Aeschylus? Or maybe something contemporary, such as a poem by Margaret Atwood. No? Yeah…probably not. It was more likely a recipe book, or a short novel, or even a celebrity news magazine, or, my favourite one so far, this article I just happen to be writing….

But with all jokes aside, why does the professional world glorify classical music, and adore centuries-old texts if the general population does not bother to enjoy them? Why is Beethoven considered to be more of a musical genius than Elvis? Why is Shakespeare the master writer when we have J.K. Rowling? The answer is very simple: It is because these old texts really are the key to the ultimate creations in art. I can’t provide you with a proper answer about why these classics are “superior” as compared to their popular modern counterparts, but I can tell you from my personal experience that the age-old favourites hold vast amounts of information, detail, meaning and philosophy. Hours upon hours of thought and effort are combined towards their creation; this is vastly more than what happens today. But why do we not enjoy these old, sophisticated marvels? I’m pretty sure the answer is quite obvious, and it is because they are BORING. But to better clarify that claim, it is boring only because we do not understand them, as they do not as obviously link to our modern lives.

And these are the horrifying truths I believe: what was once is no more relatable to the modern world, and the modern world somehow isn’t completely capable of creating creations as sophisticated as their classical counterparts. To sum this all up, we must realize that the true purpose of all art, whether it is literature, music, theatre, drama, or visual arts, is to appeal to its audience. In other words, art must reflect the culture and the community in which people live. If classical arts are to be studied only in classrooms, and listened to only by those who took the burdensome time to actually understand and appreciate them, then why do they exist? Do they exist simply to stand as the epitome of human achievement of the past? Every day we witness the bankruptcy of professional orchestras. Every day more and more writers are going homeless. And everyday movie cinemas are further replacing opera houses and dramatic theatres. The root of the problem is actually quite complicated, but it has to do with our media, how it manipulates our general population and makes it believe something is better, because it has not come to understand the whole reality.

There’s more to all of this, but I think it is disrespectful to centuries of development to simply let all of these monuments slip away from our values and belief system. Others disagree, and say it is better to just let go, and let the past be rediscovered at another point in time. I do not lend my support completely to one side or the other, but I will give one piece of advice. I believe that the classics are becoming more and more divided from the contemporary, and if the classic works aren’t brought to universal attention by being made more relatable and accessible to the general population, they will be lost and studied only by the most isolated scholars, reading off manuscripts that have lost their meaning. I suggest you watch Tom and Jerry; the music is a good way of reliving those old moments. Watch Romeo and Juliet again, even if you still don’t quite understand half the things they recite to each other in their Elizabethan English. This is how the old world is exhumed and brought to the attention of the new, and in doing so, it has survived.

Nobody speaks Latin anymore. Nobody worships Ancient Greek mythology anymore. Nobody even performs human sacrifices anymore. Although this might be a bizarre list of extinct practices, they were once valuable at a time in history. Let us hope that the “professional” arts do not suffer the same fate, but instead, find themselves intermingled amongst the “popular” ideas of our mainstream society, so they may live on as integral pieces of our everyday lives.

Western’s February Formal

By: Hailey S.

Recently, Western held its first formal school dance of the 2012/2013 school year. Students could come either dressed up or in casual wear.  The purpose of this dance was to encourage everyone to have some fun and get into the fancy, dressing up spirit! If you had the opportunity to experience this night for yourself, or you did not attend and would like to hear about how well it went, look no further. I had the chance to chat with three attendees of this year’s event, and I found out their opinions of how the night “went down.”

In your opinion, how was the overall experience of the night?
Taylor C.: It was pretty good! It started off really slow when I arrived there with my friend Annika. We didn’t think it was going to be as good as we had hoped because there weren’t as many people as I thought there would be, but by the end of the night, it turned out to be really fun! We all had a great time!

Klara H.: It was fun but I think it would have been even more fun if there were more people. It would have had a greater atmosphere.

Geneva B.: It was awesome because I came with a whole bunch of my friends, which made it a lot of fun! 


What made this dance unique or different from any other dance you’ve been to?
Taylor C.: Well, the committee that organized the dance really went full out on the lights, and the DJ was really good. The space and the ambiance were a lot better then some of the other dances I’ve been to.

Klara H.: The photo shoot that was at the dance was really cool because you could take group pictures with your friends and you could just goof around and be silly.

Geneva B.: You actually had to get dressed up in formal clothing so that was something different! I was wearing heels, which made it really hard for me to dance in. Tough life I know! Haha!


What was the highlight of the night?
Answer:
Taylor C.: I don’t know if I could pick a specific moment. The entire night was pretty good in its entirety. Probably, the part was when everyone was dancing all together to Gangnam Style; that was so funny!

Klara H.: The picture taking was the really great part! The professional photographer that came brought props so my friends and I were really happy with the photos afterwards.

Geneva B.: Surprisingly, the pictures we took were really good quality and turned out great, which I was not expecting! The only thing that could have made the night better would have had to be, fans! It was so warm in there so maybe even one door open and some fans could have cooled the room down a bit!.

As you can see, the photos taken during this exciting night were a big hit amongst the students who attended.  The photos allowed each attendee to remember the enjoyable times that occurred during this night.  These three interviewees definitely danced up a storm and had a great time. All in all, the February Formal Western Canada High School Dance resulted in smiles all around.  It was a perfect gathering to meet new people, or maybe, even ask that special someone, whom you’ve had your eye on, to dance. Because hey, the following day was Valentine’s Day after all! Based on these testimonials, you can see that the next dance truly will be a hit!