Chronicle15 16issue08 mclaren

They really grab the fact that so many people died... but what really affects the students are the ages.

- See page 8 Volume XLIII, Issue 8

chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

January 26 - February 1, 2016

Excellence through education Stories profiling learning initiatives at Durham Catholic high schools - See pages 6-10

Kathleen Wynne visits DC, UOIT page 3

Durham's a great place to work page 3

Photograph by Chris Rego

Lords through the lens page 22

Photograph by Logan Caswell

Photograph by Michael Fletcher

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The Chronicle

January 26 - February 1, 2016

chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

KCAB FRONT

Campus

OF The

DC journalism students look at Durham College and UOIT, and beyond, by the numbers and with their cameras

UOIT players look right, our readers look left Durham College photojournalist Remona Pillai captured Ridgebacks defenceman Tyler Mayea and his teammates stretching their necks to the right to find the puck, while Chronicle readers are forced to stretch their necks to the left.

Campus

chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

January 26 - February 1, 2016

The Chronicle

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Wynne speaks about student futures at DC summit

Michael Fletcher The Chronicle

The need for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs is important to opening doors for students who will be looking for jobs after graduating and ultimately shrinking the unemployment rate in Ontario and Canada as a whole.

That’s the message Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne says is behind a summit on talent and skills in the new economy hosted by Durham College on Jan. 20.

If workers, employers, government and educational institutions work collaboratively then we will see constant improvement in the labour force and the skills students are attaining, the premier told reporters at a news conference.

Wynne was on hand to discuss the accessibility of post-secondary education and what the province of Ontario is doing to make STEM programs in college and university more accessible for students.

STEM programs are some of the most expensive programs offered in post-secondary schools, and according to the Canadian Federation of Students, the average public debt for students in Ontario is $37,000

Photograph by Michael Fletcher

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne speaking at a Durham College-hosted summit. after completing a four-year degree.

“Access is somewhere we are really focused on and it’s where we will continue to focus. There are students who come into the system and come out on the other side with

a huge debt load because they don’t have the financial support to deal with tuition rates,” says Wynne.

“The ministry is working with the government to find ways to improve access,” says Wynne.

The premier would not comment further on what her government would be rolling out in the near future to help combat the debt load and accessibility of post-secondary education.

Peggy Sattler, the NDP’s training, colleges and universities critic, who was also at the event says, “she (Wynne) mentioned that we are far overrepresented in college level attainment but we are in fact being outpaced dramatically by other countries.

“Tuition is a huge barrier to access for students. The NDP has called, repeatedly, at a minimum for a freeze on post-secondary tuition rates and then look to rebalancing who is funding post-secondary education,” says Sattler.

Sattler also says society benefits from having a well-educated work force so the government has a responsibility to fund post-secondary education so people who want to get that education are able to afford to do so.

The summit featured many influential speakers including Stephen Carlisle, president and managing director of General Motors Canada and Robert Hardt, president and CEO of Siemens Canada. The focus of the summit was to bring these people together to speak about the highly-skilledworkforce strategy the government of Ontario is working on.

DC wins an award for being a great place to work Chris Rego The Chronicle

Durham College (DC) has won the Greater Toronto Top Employer award (GTTEA) for the sixth year in a row. The supportive environment that DC has created for its employees is one of the leading reasons for the award, according to DC president Don Lovisa. DC currently has about 700 full and part-time employees.

DC supports not just the staff and students but has a large presence in the community; employees of DC spent 19,000 hours volunteering last year, according to Lovisa.

“We tracked last year the amount of charities that we support as an institution by all of our employees… we were supporting 150 charities, which is pretty amazing when you think about it,” says Lovisa.

Other reasons why DC is considered an excellent workplace are things like the FLEX centre that gives staff a place to work out and medical help through the Campus Health Centre, Lovisa says. The Centre for Academic and Faculty Enrichment also helps employees expand their knowledge.

“This is all about the things we do as an institution ….how Durham College contributes to the community not only our external community but our internal community,” says Lovisa.

The successes are thanks to the people who work at DC and how much they love what they do and are proud to do it, says Lovisa.

Stephen Forbes and Andrew Maine are professors in the I.T. school that have both gone from part-time work to full-time at DC. “I consider Durham to be one of if not the leading college in Ontario in terms of the facilities and services available to staff, you just can’t beat it,” says Forbes.

Forbes and Maine are always looking for ways to help people.

“It’s been an absolutely awesome ride, I couldn’t think of a better employer just off the top of my head,” says Maine.

Photograph by Chris Rego Lovisa is pleased that DC is doDurham College president, Don Lovisa, proudly shows off the award the college won. ing well. He looks to the future to see how the college experience can grow and what DC will look like in 20 years.

“There’s always room for ing, you’re always looking for ways prove as individuals,” says Lovisa. Globe and Mail issue the GTA’s Top improvement, you’re always grow- to improve as an organization, imMedicorp Canada Inc. and the Employer award.

Campus job fair offers mentoring and networking opportunities Alyssa Bugg The Chronicle

Students from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Durham College (DC) are encouraged to come and network with employers at the job fair on Feb. 3, regardless of whether it results in an immediate job.

Canada’s Wonderland, City of Oshawa, electronics manufacturing company, Celestica, Paragon Security and various other police and fire services are among the 75 employers recruiting, in the areas of engineering, health care, IT and

technology, among others.

DC’s Career Development outreach coordinator, Louise Stiles, says job fairs are moving away from the traditional ‘dress up and hand out resumes’ format and have become more of an opportunity to network.

According to Stiles, campus recruiters understand students may stop by during the middle of their school day and aren’t expecting a three-piece suit or a resume, they just want to talk with students. She suggests that even if the company isn’t recruiting within a student’s

area of interest, there is still value in coming to talk with the company’s recruiters.

“We just encourage, even if you’ve never heard of a company, to talk with them. Say ‘hey, I’m in this program, do you have that department?’ Just throw it out there and see what happens,” said Stiles.

“Students should just be coming to this and learning to talk to strangers in a professional way.”

The job fair will feature booths for each of the employers, some bringing as many as six recruiters to speak with interested students.

There will also be a ‘mentor lounge’, fitted with bar stools and white leather couches, where students will be able to speak one-on-one with former graduates and successful business people about their experiences.

Among the 10 mentors available are: DC alumnus Brandon Heard, the creative lead and co-founder of Oshawa-based graphic and web design company, Mediavandal and Sunita Alves, professional engineer, certified life coach and founder of Engineer Your Life Coaching, a company created to help others

find balance between their work and home lives based on strategies she developed from her own experiences.

Throughout the year there are various other fairs, such as the parttime job fair in September and the annual Tradesmart career fair held at Whitby campus, but this is the only one of its kind that caters to both UOIT and DC students.

For those interested in attending, the job fair will be taking place on Feb. 3 at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

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The Chronicle

January 26 - February 1, 2016

chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

Editorial

PUBLISHER: Greg Murphy EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Brian Legree AD MANAGER: Dawn Salter

CONTACT US NEWSROOM: brian.legree@durhamcollege.ca ADVERTISING: dawn.salter@durhamcollege.ca

How graffiti is shaping our world

Cartoon by Alex Ross

The Broken Window Theory is a criminological theory that says maintaining and watching over environments to prevent small crimes can help prevent more serious crimes. It was introduced in 1982 by social scientists James Wilson and George Kelling. This theory implies that graffiti is used to incite fear and encourage more serious crimes if not dealt with. The Broken Window Theory was the real start of society’s views of graffiti as bad.

Even though the arts have influenced each other and helped develop new styles, graffiti is still seen as vandalism. But it shouldn’t be.Despite the disagreements and upsets in the community about graffiti and the differences in people’s views, graffiti should be seen as an art form and not a social experiment that showcases people as cattle in a herd. Judging by the average person’s ability to draw stick people, most wouldn’t be able to design a tag to save their life. A tag is the

painting an artist puts on a building or other private property, usually an alias or nickname.

While there is graffiti that is simply vandalism, it still grabs the attention of the general public and skews the views of people to see graffiti as something bad.

This skew isn’t without its merits.

According to Statistics Canada, 72 per cent of hate crimes are mischief offences. Mischief offences include graffiti, vandalism and other forms of property destruction. Even with paid murals, some people still get upset, despite the artist being commissioned and permitted by the owner of the building.

The stigma surrounding graffiti was established at a time when punks were running around vandalizing everything in sight. Theses stigmas were appropriate at the time because the vandals would’ve been painting stuff like a red circle-A in the late ‘70s to early ‘80s punk era. The circle-A was spread

EDITORS: Deen Albertini, Sachin Bahal, Andrew Brennan, Alyssa Bugg, Ryan Burden, Logan Caswell, Megan Chase, Bill Christou, Michael Clark, David Conti, Alexander Costa, Jordan Edmonds, Alyssa Erwin, Michael Fletcher, Jordyn Gitlin, Sean Heeger, Kyle Johnson, Shane O’Neill, Mariah Pardy, Sherise Peart-Kent, Reba Pennell, Remona Maria Pillai, Cameron Popwell, Taylor Prest, Cody Quinney, Amanda Ramlal, Tabitha Reddekop, Christopher Rego, Alexander Ross, Justin Stewart, Marina Tyszkiewicz, Sandhya Visvanathan, Taylor Waines.

around when English punk rock band Crass stumbled upon it and decided to showcase the symbol.

The punk vandalism drastically changed to people now trying to give light and colour to the cityscape of greys and burgundies. The artists have become more advanced and do pieces to stir up political controversy among citizens. But most people haven’t changed their ideas of graffiti and still imagine big red circle-A’s.

Though some people’s views of graffiti have changed, scribbling profanity doesn’t help.

Graffiti may be a bit of an eyesore to some people, but to the artists and people who appreciate art, the city is a beautiful blank canvas waiting to be painted. Some artists have spent their whole lives practicing and narrowing down their style to get a final product, and even once they have nailed down the style, the artists still make changes and develop a niche for their work. How-

ever, some artists don’t always settle into a single style. Graffiti artist EGS has had an ever-changing style since he entered the scene in 1993 in Helsinki. His pieces vary drastically, often to the point of barely being recognizable as his own. Art evolves with time and styles change, even though EGS is a graffiti artist, his work is easily identifiable as art.

There are many pieces of media that take a different view of graffiti. Some games even address this issue with different sides of the story.

Games like Jet Set Radio, where you play as a rollerblade gang fighting for control of the city by spray painting over other gang’s graffiti, and Super Mario Sunshine, where Mario runs around a city trying to stop an evil Mario that is painting the town. Some other games showcase the necessity of colour in our world like The Unfinished Swan, and Flower. In the Unfinished Swan, you play as a young boy chasing af-

ter a swan that has escaped a painting in a pure white world and you must capture the swan and finish the painting.

Flower shows a more governmental theme as dark iron girders cover the world and a gust of wind carries flower petals around to brighten the world and rid the dark grip of the industrial beams.

There are as many different kinds of graffiti as there are different kinds of artists. Artists put a unique spin on their art and no two styles are identical. Graffiti is more than just a bored teenager with a can of spray paint It takes real talent to make those murals that society seems to hate so much. If you have ever seen a colourful tag in an alley and you stop for even just a second to look at it, then the artist has achieved what they intended with their art; to make people think.

Alex Ross

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The Chronicle is published by the Durham College School of Media, Art and Design, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7L7, 7212000 Ext. 3068, as a training vehicle for students enrolled in Journalism and Advertising courses and as a campus news medium. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the college administration or the board of governors. The Chronicle is a member of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association.

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chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

January 26 - February 1, 2016

Opinion

The E.P. Taylor's experience E.P Taylor’s is a place for many to relax after a day of classes but for me, I had never been there, until now. The first thing I heard before I even walked through the door was people laughing and playing pool and I thought to myself “Yep, I’m in the right place.”

Although I’ve been a Durham College student for a year and a half now, I have to say I’ve never been inside E.P. Taylor’s, one of the DC-UOIT campus bars, because I live out of town.

Today would be my first time.

When I walked in I didn’t really know what to expect but what I did notice was that the place was busier than I thought it would be at 11 a.m.

There were people doing homework, others playing pool, and still more eating. E.P. Taylor’s, founded in 1995, is named after Edward Plunket Taylor.

He was a Canadian business tycoon and a famous breeder of thoroughbred horses. He was born in 1901 and died in 1989, at the age of 88. His involvement in breeding thoroughbred horses, led to the development of Windfields Farm in Oshawa. (The property is now under development north of the Campus Ice Centre.)

Taylor was also president of the Ontario Jockey Club from 1953 to 1973. On top of those accomplishments, he founded the Jockey Club of Canada.

In 1996, Taylor was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

As I take in the atmosphere, I notice more people coming in. This is because soon the lunch rush is expected to hit, according to manager Mike Dipassio.

The busiest times range from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the slowest times range from 3p.m to 6p.m, because that is when the college is the least busy, he said.

Reba Pennell

The busiest night of the week depends on what is going on at the bar.

E.P. Taylor’s is known for hosting many different events on campus.

They have hosted Dirty Shirley’s bingo event, First Blast and Last Blast, which are annual, on top of many other events. They have also been host to different bands including July Talk.

Not only is E.P. Taylor’s open to Durham College and UOIT, it is also open to the community. By the bar, Sportsnet is playing on TV, plenty of drinks are displayed and while you are away from the pool tables and the noise, you can still hear the buzz vibrating off the walls.

While E.P. Taylor’s is a bar, it is obvious that the student’s safety is of upmost importance.

There are two signs that feature numbers for designated drivers, to ensure that students know they shouldn’t drink and drive. There are also two signs that warn people about the dangers of drinking while pregnant.

E.P. Taylor’s definitely wasn’t what I expected. I expected it to be crowded and make me feel a bit claustrophobic, like I normally do when I am at bars. But overall, I really like the feel of the place in general. “It’s a pretty chill atmosphere,” said Dipassio.

I would have to agree. It is a pretty chill atmosphere. The staff was very welcoming and it was very relaxed. This is a place I will definitely come back to. Might as well make my last semester at Durham College one to remember.

The Chronicle

Canadian fashion good as NYC Toronto is on the rise to become the next fashion captial When you think fashion, the cities of Paris, New York (NYC) and London are the first to come to mind. But Toronto?

It is a new city in comparison to other fashion capitals but in its youth, it truly nurtures creativity and individuality while putting the city on the global fashion radar.

Toronto’s fashion district in the downtown core is historic and continues to attract creative talent and influence global fashion trends.

Toronto is the clean version of NYC. It continues to earn its name as our nation’s fashion capital for three reasons.

First, its world-class fashion week and the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards. Second, a growing roster of retailers and third, the majority of national fashion publications are published here.

While there are also fashion weeks held in Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary, they do not carry the same media presence as World MasterCard Fashion Week, the one put on in Toronto.

New York City held its first fashion week in 1943, to try and steal the attention being given to French fashion during World War II, as workers in the fashion industry were unable to travel to Paris.

Unlike New York City, Paris didn’t hold its first couture fashion week until 1945 and it was not further organized by the French Fash-

It’s no wonder Toronto took the lead as it has a reputation for having a strong cultural presence amongst the business, financial and entertainment districts. The variety of cultural and leisure activities are also benefits.

There are some who would disagree, as proved in 2015 when Statistics Canada named Toronto the second unhappiest city in Canada.

The report was on relative life satis-

faction in urban areas across the country. Toronto was outranked by Vancouver.

Steve Martin said on a guest appearance on the television show 30 Rock, “you can move to Canada with me. Toronto is like New York, but without all the STUFF.” Toronto has a reputation for being the “clean New York City” and for attracting the best and brightest from across the nation.

There are television shows and movies filmed in Toronto that are passed off as New York City, and there has even been a long-standing debate over whether Yonge-Dundas Square was modeled after Times Square.

What Toronto lacks in history and population density, it makes up for in spirit and promise.

Toronto is a growing, blossoming city whose small corners are home to the beginning of possibilities, unlike historic fashion capitals whose corners have all been claimed.

While there are some who deem it an unhappy place where you work twice as hard for little to no pay-out, it becomes home to more and more Canadians every year.

While cities like Paris, NYC and London are the first to come to mind when you hear the phrase, “fashion capital,” Toronto is quickly on the rise. Moving up three places this year in Global Language Monitor’s annual global survey, it is giving those in the Canadian fashion industry more of an influence globally.

Toronto has youth on its side, as the other fashion capitals have been established, Toronto has the opportunity to be whatever it wants to be.

To express itself – and after all, fashion is more than just wearable art. It is the highest form of self-expression.

ham Zoo located in Africa. Zsea plans to advance their roles in wildlife and environment conservation, education, and animal welfare. Zsea encourages interest and enthusiasm in the study of animals and other wildlife. Zsea also has zoological garden exhibitions for guests. A project the zoo has supported since 1993 is AEECL The Leumur Conservation.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a well-known animal rights organization. They have been around for 54 years and concentrate on specific places for conservation like tropical rain forest, coral reefs, fishing grounds and more: all places that are home to endangered species. They protect these places by working with the fisheries industry to reduce overfishing. The WWF wants tropical places like the Galápagos to use tourism as a conservation tool for the animals by welcoming tourist to see exotic animals.

In Ontario the Toronto Zoo is

part of a conservation, education and research facility. They do a lot of conservation work. One of their most recent jobs was the new hardcarved and colourfully painted exotic animal Conservation Carousel. For just $3 a ride, people can hop on the carousel and hear about endangered animals.

The ride shares messages on screens that help educate guests.

The zoo also has breeding programs for the sole purpose of sending the animals back into the wild. There is a protected off-site area where the animals are kept in quarantine for breeding then sending back into the wild.

Zoos should be more observant of conservation areas and they should also teach people to admire animals and wildlife.

Despite the minor education at zoos, it would be more worthwhile for patrons to see the animals actually living in the environment that is written about outside of their enclosures.

Megan Chase ion Federation until 1973.

According to Natalia Gemperli’s master thesis, “Fashion World Mapper: Your city on the trend radar,” a fashion capital is a city which has a major influence on international fashion trends, and whose economy generates significant output. This can be accomplished with the design, production and retailing of fashion products, as well as events like fashion weeks, awards and trade fairs.

Toronto is like New York but without all the stuff.

Should we be keeping animals inside of zoos?

Every twenty minutes, the world welcomes 3,500 new human lives but loses one or more of an entire plant or animal species. About 27,000 different species are lost each year, according to the African Conservancy. But special places like conservation areas and zoos are homes to species that are endangered.

It’s not every day we get to witness a tigress with her cubs, polar bears swimming together or a group of monkeys playing together, but zoos give us that opportunity. All children have a love for animals and trips to the zoo are always fun.

Seeing animals that were from originally from Africa, Asia and other continents is fascinating.

As a child, you don’t question why the animals are there on display.

But with age and knowledge, people start to realize that zoo animals are forced to live in smaller areas than they’re used to and the animals have also been taken away from their natural habitats.

Amanda Ramlal Although it’s a thrill for people to see animals up-close, zoos are not the best choice for them.

In order for animals to live comfortably while being in captivity, zoologists need to first understand their needs.

Looking further into the difference of zoos and conservation areas in Africa could help benefit zoos here in Canada and North America, but only if they take some advice on what the animals need.

Wild animals kept in zoos are not your everyday pets. They are a lot more demanding. Zoo animals eat a lot more, need a bigger space to live in and hide. They must also maintain an active and healthy sex life.

It is common for animals to migrate from where they were first

5

born to another location to find a mate, says Greg Yarrow, a Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Specialist from Clemson University.

The problem is that animals aren’t able to do this when they’re trapped inside enclosures at zoos.

One tip zoos can take away from conservation areas is to create more opportunities for people to learn about the animals rather than just putting them on display. Conservation areas like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park have their wildlife living in a comfortable environment where they’re able to roam freely and hide, if needed. Conservation areas also help protect animals from trophy hunters: hunters who seek out the most mature wild animal they can find. They are proud to display their new trophy prize once the animal is hunted and killed.

A charity in Africa called “zsea”, which stands for Zoological Society of East Anglia, came up with the goal to secure the future for Ban-

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The Chronicle

News

January 26 - February 1, 2016

Photograph courtesy of Durham Catholic District School Board

Students using electronic devices in the new Bring Your Own Device program at a local DCDSB school. The BYOD program allows kids to bring their devices to class to help fill-in teachers who aren't specialized in the subjects being covered in the class. It also helps the students by introducing them to web-based learning learning tools that can keep the class on track and productive, regardless of the subject.

21st century flourish Alex Costa The Chronicle

H

ailey Clapperton, a Grade 12 student attending St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering says, “As students when we leave school and go home we are always surrounded by technology and it’s now becoming something we are starting to incorporate into our classrooms because its something we use on a daily basis.” About 80 per cent of Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) classrooms utilize some level of mobile interactive technology including laptops, MacBooks, iPads, smartphones, and iPods.

That’s why in 2013, the school board looked to support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and needed a robust, wireless (WLAN) solution that offered good options to secondary schools to make this work. DCDSB chose a company from Aruba and is working with ‘Access2Networks’ from Toronto to deploy the Wi-Fi that most Durham Catholic students use today.

DCDSB serves over 22,000 students in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Uxbridge, Port Perry, and Beaverton. Including 200 faculty members, across approximately 50 schools and district offices.

BYOD refers to technology models where students bring a personally-owned device to school for the purpose of learning. Students are

This is part of a series about the Durham Catholic District School Board written by Durham College journalism students. already technology leaders, BYOD looks to take the technology that students use in their daily lives and make it a normal part of their classroom experience. The school board believes that the initiative shines a light on three areas of development: digital citizenship, enhanced classroom experience and increased productivity.

Today students and teachers can access web-based content, resources, experts, and collaboration tools that were simply out of reach without BYOD. Productivity in secondary schools continues to flourish with the increased availability of devices.

Michael Cain, Teaching and Learning Consultant for DCDSB says, "in the past, in order for students to use electronic devices, teachers would have to book labs, seminars, or equipment months in advance and would sometimes be unsuccessful… with BYOD, it opens up the door for collaboration and

creativity as students have access to their own devices, which are usually up-to-date.”

Two years ago, DCDSB deployed 400 interactive video projectors equipped with Apple TV allowing teachers and staff remote access to content simply using an iPad. It seems we’ve come quite some way from some chalk and a board.

Simply put, nothing is perfect and even technology can have its flaws; networks and devices can occasionally malfunction. If so, that’s when students and faculty can refer back to the classic pen and paper. Increased productivity is something that many workplaces are taking seriously, moving forward BYOD highlights how 21st century learning is starting to become effective at different institutional levels.

BYOD means students bring their own devices to school for educational purposes. In the classroom, students use devices responsibly and only with the permission and direction of a teacher or staff member.

With increased devices, this results in an increased use of social media.

Students are going to live and work in a world where people use their devices regularly. They need to learn to use this form of technology safely, effectively, ethically and most importantly responsibly and that’s why more emphasis is starting to be put on BYOD. Furthermore, DCDSB’s Code of Conduct and academic integrity continue to apply to BYOD

It opens up the door for collaboration and creativity. whether students are accessing information from school or home.

Digital citizenship is a major part of learning with technology and sheds light on how secondary students are the future leaders in 21st century learning and teaching.

Class experience has also developed a lot with the BYOD initiative. Koula Azinas, a supply teacher for DCDSB, says “the BYOD plan has proven to be crucial for fill-in teachers such as myself, who may not have a background in math per se, but with the addition of webbased educational learning tools, etc., it has allowed me to still have a productive class regardless of the subject.” As mentioned above, many classrooms have integrated projectors with iPad capability to help integrate a new experience. As some DCDSB secondary schools continue to install wireless technol-

ogy (Wi-Fi), teachers will begin to incorporate more digital resources into their lessons. These resources have changed the learning landscape. At a secondary level, things have changed drastically in terms of enhanced experience and students can use technology to access curriculum-based games/apps along with other learning initiatives like note-taking and video creation.

BYOD has proven to be so effective for students learning experience that the public school board has decided to follow the footsteps of DCDSB. Of course, technology alone will not improve learning – but when combined with the right instruction from skilled staff, amazing things can happen. The increased use of technology in classrooms will power up students' success today, and for the future. “Being so accustomed to technology will benefit me a lot heading into my career, employers are already looking for new employees who are tech-driven and using it throughout my secondary and post-secondary studies will only help me further,” says Clapperton.

Moving forward BYOD will continue to be involved in the learning of youth starting at a primary level in the coming years. Not only are these students finding out the future of 21st century learning, but they are discovering how they will be able to adapt in a 21st century world.

News

chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

January 26 - February 1, 2016

The Chronicle

7

Photograph by Sherise Peart-Kent

Samantha Fortier (left) and Romina Cain find fulfilment in their work with adult students taking continuing education programs under the Durham Catholic District School Board.

Alternative education shaping student success Sherise Peart-Kent The Chronicle

S

hivonna Croft did not finish high school. She moved from St. Catharines to Durham with her mother when her parents split up in her senior year. “Getting my diploma in high school just wasn't the right path for me, so I decided to go a different direction and I came here,” says Croft.

The Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre under the Durham Catholic District School Board has two locations in Ajax and Oshawa.

The school runs nearly 20 programs for returning students each year.

Pathway programs, dual-credit programs and Personal Support Worker courses are just a few of the programs offered.

Continuing Education programs support the argument that the appetite for learning is always present. Far beyond institutional learning, the value of an education can be measured in emotional successes.

Having a strong sense of selfworth and confidence allows people to know and appreciate their role in society.

Anthony Meagher’s Oshawa location sees more than 300 students enrol each year. Continuing Education is not only career-driven, but can also be motivated by

This is part of a series about the Durham Catholic District School Board written by Durham College journalism students. personal interests and a need for self-improvement.

Even though she didn’t finish high school in the regular way, Croft managed to find an alternative. She says a quick Google search lead her to the Continuing Education head office, where she enrolled shortly after an encouraging conversation with supportive staff.

The con-ed school works to carve out pathways for returning students from youth to old age.

Programs are updated regularly to ensure that they remain relevant and prepare students for the working world.

Romina Cain is responsible for program updates and co-ordination. She is the program leader at Anthony Meagher. Since September, she’s had the task of selecting and organizing programs offered along with program development and marketing.

To decide which programs to

update or add, Cain looked to a recent development study conducted for the Durham Catholic District School Board’s Continuing Education program.

“It was a review of what’s going on in continuing education and the options and plan of action to help it grow and essentially flourish.”

Cain says a number of factors are considered before a program gets approval from Principal Jim Wilson and Vice-Principal Keith Wan. “There’s a lot of moving parts in putting in a new program,” Cain says, adding that market share, job potential, student need, finances and instructor availability are all considered. “Usually it’s all based on need.”

Needs and wants seem to both tip the scales for students at Anthony Meagher, that is what secondary school teacher Samantha Fortier believes after teaching at the school for two years. Fortier says teaching in con-ed has allowed her to learn a lot about the variety of reasons that lead students to their doors.

Fortier says the biggest challenge in teaching con-ed is attendance. “We can start off with upwards of 22 students at the start of the semester. Commitment is a big issue, trying to motivate them to keep coming back can be hard, sometimes you can end a semester with seven or eight,” says Fortier.

“In the regular high school

graduation is almost taken for granted,” says Fortier. She has taught in regular high school for 18 years before moving to con-ed.

Shivonna Croft didn’t take graduation for granted. In order to complete her Ontario Secondary School Diploma, Croft is taking a dual-credit class, which allows her to make up missed high school credits while preparing for post-secondary school.

Croft says the program allowed her to continue her education, which was initially interrupted by personal issues.

Fortier says con-ed students like Croft know what it’s like to have tried and failed for a plethora of reasons through traditional schooling, and believes that graduation through con-ed is special.

“To see that goal suddenly become something that’s now attainable and then to actually get it is a big thing,” says Fortier.

Unlike Catholic High School, the public and Catholic continuing education programs share similar morals, by promoting positive behaviour and a sense of responsibility in the community.

“With con-ed it’s a little bit different, we have people from different faiths coming in, we have Muslims and we have Hindus,” Fortier explains, adding that religious practices are not enforced at ConEd, but the school makes a point to encourage students to reflect on their faith, love and positivity in

every aspect of life.

“It’s the same message, it’s about reminding people of their duties as a human being in the community.” says Fortier.

Program leader Romina Cain also provides leadership for students in co-operation with Principal Jim Wilson.

Cain implemented a few new programs at Ajax before being transferred to Oshawa. Cain shares Fortier’s sentiments, believing that it is important to have continuing education programs in place so that people can successfully fulfill their roles in society.

“It’s crucial to extend education for young people, or for mature students as well who want to go back and upgrade,” Cain says, adding that continuing education programs allow people to develop their skills and prepare for life ahead.

“It’s really important to have that public service out there so that anybody from any walk of life can access education.”

Upon completion of her dual-credit course, Croft plans to attend Durham College enrolling into the Child and Youth Worker program.

A stop in education however brief, or extended, does not need to be the end of all educational pursuits.

Education can continue for as long as there are students who are ready to learn.

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Photograph by Chris Rego

The Vimy Ridge memorial in the library at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School in Whitby.

VIMY : RIDGE

Chris Rego The Chronicle

N

ormally when you walk into a high school library you expect to find books and students and this is true for Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School in Whitby.

But what you will also find in their library in the corner is a memorial made up of donated uniforms and assorted pictures of soldiers who fought in the First World War and Second World War. When looking at the various items you may develop a sense of wonder at what these brave men went through and why they fought, and and in some cases, die for their country.

The battle that took place at Vimy Ridge was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force participated in

This is part of a series about the Durham Catholic District School Board written by Durham College journalism students. a battle.

More the 50,000 soldiers died in this battle and because of the incredible sacrifices made the monument was unveiled the memorial on 26 July 1936 and the monument is the centrepiece of a 100-hectare (250-acre) preserved park.

The whole point to taking students to Vimy Ridge is to show respect for those who fell and have

Austin students visit the battlefields students grasp the impact of a place that holds meaning not just for Canadians but others such as the French. Also to show students what freedom truly costs not just in the world wars, but everyday.

Susan Clancy, teacher and librarian at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Seconday School and Tour Group Leader, has been helping students with every aspect of the trip from planning to getting home safely.

“When we go to these different places there is profound sense of respect and they really grab the fact that so many people died, when you see the names on the tombstones but what really affects the students are the ages,” says Clancy.

This trip helps students connect with the past and find what freedoms really mean.

In many cases students walk away with a wider outlook and apprecia-

“I think that what happened really comes back to our students when they touch the names and they see what was once a battlefield and is now farmlands,” says Clancy.

Within the school library at Father Leo J. Austin, if you look closely, you will see pictures of the students who have taken the trip to the Vimy Ridge Memorial and how much they all learned from the experience.

“At that time in history the Canadian flag didn’t have a maple leaf on it but you can see carvings of maple leaves in the trenches and that really helps the students link to were they are and they can really connect to the memories,” says tion for their roots.

Clancy.

The learning aspect is not just There is so much projects like this about reading the history books can teach but also have the power but also going to the locations and to change the way we interact and feeling the weight of history. engage with the world.

When we go to these different places there is this profound sense of respect.

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New appeal to Pereyma

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This is part of a series about the Durham Catholic District School Board written by Durham College journalism students.

Minimal distraction in learning commons Kyle Johnson The Chronicle

W

hat are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of a learning commons in a school? Perhaps you think of a great physical and virtual learning environment or maybe a place that has rich information and the best technology. Or maybe even a place where studying and focus can be promoted to its fullest. Well, all those benefits and more take place at the new learning commons in the library of Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School in Oshawa.

The learning commons has only been in use since the beginning of the school year but there are many reasons why it is going to be beneficial for Monsignor John Pereyma.

One being that the learning commons promotes success as its main goal by providing a place that’s convenient where students can gather to work or study in peace. Different from your average library, the learning commons contains some of the most advanced learning resources and technology. The last critical reason is that the learning commons is quite simply the future of learning.

The Durham Catholic District School Board announced the plans of this renovation to Monsignor John Pereyma CSS in November of last year in hopes of accommodating the new grade seven to twelve program.

This new learning commons will encourage the success of all students in the school. The school librarian, Melody Walters, has many reasons why she thinks the new learning commons will have a positive impact on the students.

Walters says that it’s a lot brighter.

“Interesting seating and different arrangements fosters group work,” she says. “It has more interesting places for the students to sit and work. They’re not all structural places but more casual places.” Walters adds that the commons creates a different attitude towards learning.

According to the Ontario Librarian Association (OLA), a learning commons is a vibrant, wholeschool approach, presenting exciting opportunities for collaboration among teachers, teacher-librarians and students.

Schools these days are getting very advanced with the technology they provide for students to do work

Photograph courtesy of Durham Catholic District School Board

The learning commons at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School has only been part of the school for a year.

Photograph courtesy of Durham Catholic District School Board

The learning commons provides students with a place to study, socialize, and work with friends or on their own.

on. According to the website for the American Association of School Librarians, today’s students learn in a dynamic world where information changes and expands as fast as technological innovation. The technology in the new learning commons of Monsignor John Pereyma CSS consists of a large number of technological devices such as iPads, iPods and eBooks. These will benefit the students in many different ways.

“Every student has access to a device. They are able to get all their information on a cloud. They don’t need to bring in other devices,” says the school’s principal, Christopher

Cuddy. “They are able to access their school work and anything they’re saving like their own personal work and that allows them to not have to carry around textbooks and carry around paper.”

On top of those two positive aspects associated with the new learning commons in Monsignor John Pereyma CSS, the learning commons will help students in ways that haven’t been used in the past. Not only does the learning commons provide students with advanced technology, the physical environment of the learning commons helps the students learn by providing a

quiet place with minimal distraction.

“The library learning commons is the physical and virtual collaborative learning hub of the school,” says the OLA. “It is designed to engineer and drive future-oriented learning and teaching throughout the entire school.” These were only a couple ways the new learning commons has and will continue to benefit Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School. The learning commons will allow students to rearrange furniture in order to accommodate planning sessions or secure a quiet place in a corner

or by a window. This movability is key to creating a dynamic learning space.

But will other high schools, or even colleges and universities, realize how smart of an investment a learning commons is or will they continue to do things the old-fashioned way? Eventually there will be a learning commons in almost every school. The advanced technology and fresh ideas that come with these new learning spaces may soon be mainstream. Until then, if you attend a school with a learning commons, you should take full advantage of it.

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Practise firearm safety with UOIT-DC Mariah Pardy The Chronicle

Gun safety may be a topic of debate, but here on campus the UOIT-DC Firearms Association is giving students the chance to safely learn how to handle a firearm.

The association is offering the campus’s first Canadian Firearms Safety Course at the Oshawa Shriners Club on Jan. 30-31.

The UOIT-DC Firearms Association is hosting two courses back to back. These are the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC).

The CFSC and CRFSC are both designed to give attendees a basic understanding of the laws that apply to storing, transporting, as well as safe handling of a firearm. Both courses are completed

learned.

Josh Haviland, the president of the UOIT-DC Firearms Association, says the course provides fundamental skills needed to ensure safe handling and operation of any firearm that an attendee may come into contact with.

He also says that having a firearms license can benefit any individual that may come into contact with a firearm in their lifetime during employment or for any future endeavours.

“I suggest individuals take the course because it is one of the greatest sports in the world. Firearm owners have a strong base and involvement in lawful sport shooting both recreationally and competition,” said Haviland. “This with a written and practical hand- course gives exposure and allows ling test to ensure that necessary attendees to further explore the skills and knowledge have been heritage and history Canada has

I suggest individuals take the course because it is one of the greatest sports in the world.

In for a bloody treat Tabitha Reddekop The Chronicle

What do kale, chia seeds and black pudding all have in common? They are superheroes in the world of food, prized by healthy eaters for their nutritional benefits. Black pudding is a new addition to health food trends.

Its recent claim to fame came after a British online health food company called, Muscle Foods, declared black pudding the new ‘super food’ of 2016. British papers, including the Independent and the Guardian, immediately picked up the story.

But is this new health food right for Canadians? Despite the alleged nutritional benefits and long history of black pudding, its taste may keep many Canadians from chowing down on this traditional delicacy from across the pond.

The main ingredient in black pudding, otherwise known as blood pudding or blood sausage, is…you guessed it, blood. Yum. Pig’s blood is mixed with onions, oatmeal or barley, along with seasonings and then stuffed into the pig’s intestine.

After being cooked, it is often consumed as part of a traditional Irish,

Scottish or English breakfast.

The dish has been awarded the ‘super food’ title because it is low on carbs and fat, while high in iron. The high iron content from the pig’s blood is one of its chief values. According to The University Hospital of Southampton, the pudding contains three times as much iron in one 30-gram piece as a slice of beef three times its size. Iron deficiency is the leading mineral insufficiency in the world, according to the World Health Organization.

But 97 per cent of Canadians are not considered iron deficient, says a 2011 Stats Canada report. Of larger concern, perhaps, is the fact that the World Health Organization lists the dish as a possible carcinogen.

Though newly in the spotlight, black pudding is no stranger to the dinner table. It’s known as a breakfast dish from Ireland or England; it is not limited to the breakfast platter.

Many people serve it as a side at dinner or lunch and even as a snack. Even Henry the 8th served the dish at his lavish banquets, along with whale and peacock.

The first mention of black pudding

is in Homer’s Odyssey, which was written in 800 B.C. The book describes a stomach filled with blood roasted over a fire, similar to black pudding. Though the pudding has a rich history, rich in taste is another story.

Even though pudding may be in its name, it looks nothing like the pudding most Canadians are familiar with. It’s roughly the size and shape of a hockey puck and its spongy appearance resembles an over-sized two-bite brownie. But don’t let its cake-like appearance fool you. The pudding emits a pungent odour that is reminiscent of cooked ground beef without any spices. The patty crumbles away when you take a bite, leaving you with a mouth full of dry meat cake.

It can be best described as seasoned-less meatloaf that sat in the sun a little too long.

The cake-like texture mixed with the beefy flavour is what is most disconcerting about the dish.

It is definitely not a first date food.

You think garlic is bad on a date?

One whiff of your black pudding breath will be enough to send your date running all the way to Ireland.

Though black pudding seems

This is part of a series about the Durham Catholic District School Board written by Durham College journalism students. ogy, said the school board is using voice to text and text to speech software such as Dragon Naturally Sound, Kurzweil, and organizational software Such as Smart Ideas to help students reach their full potential.

Dragon Naturally Speaking (DNS) is one of the text to speech software Ramirez has been rec-

ommending for students who are not proficient at typing or may have issues with mobility.

With DNS students can use their voice to perform tasks such as search the web, send emails, and write documents with Microsoft Word. Kurzweil is another text to speech software that the DCDSB is using to help its students. With Kurzweil students can listen to their textbooks being read to them on their devices.

“Text-to-speech software is well-received by our classroom teachers and teachers are supportive of our students who use technology to support their learning.

A common misconception about our students with unique learning needs is that they are unable to meet the demands of the curriculum. This is not true. These are

to offer furthering the traditions to future generations.”

To obtain a firearms license an application must be sent to the RCMP. The application cost is $60 for a non-restricted only license or $90 for the restricted license. The costs of the courses are $165 for the CFSC and $125 for the CRFSC. Haviland says attendees of the courses are safely welcomed into a community with extensive history, tradition and culture that includes both hunting as well as target shooting.

“New shooters routinely are welcomed to ranges across Canada with open helpful arms by more experienced range goers,” said Haviland. “I myself have been shown tricks and tips as well as helped numerous young shooters improve their experience and performance at the range.”

To complete the course, an inclass period must be attended. The CFSC is a 12-hour class and the CRFSC is six hours. Attendees must also complete and pass both a written and practical handling examination.

Haviland says safety is the association’s first priority when handling a firearm.

“To ensure safety at all times live ammunition is not allowed to be present inside the classroom,” says Haviland.

If you are interested in obtaining your firearms license, visit durhamfirearmcourses.com. Here you can register and pay for the courses online.

For any further questions you can visit both the website or email the UOIT-DC Firearms Association at uoitdcfirearmsassociation@gmail.com.

Photograph by Tabitha Reddekop

The White Heather Scottish Bakery on Dundas Street in Whitby is one of the few places in Durham that sells the traditional dish, blood pudding. like a worthwhile investment for countries with large iron deficiencies, most Canadians will want to stick to other meats for their daily iron needs. But if you prefer your meat in a cake format, dig right in.

Black pudding is one trend, like wearing UGGs, Canadians should take a pass on.

If you want to get your hands

on black pudding, here are some places around Durham Region you can get the dish.

White Heather Scottish Bakery: 209 Dundas Street, Whitby.

O’Hara’s Irish Times Pub: 1400 Bayly Street Unit #3, Pickering.

Paisley's - The Wee British Shoppe: 59 King Street W, Bowmanville.

really smart students who, with the support of Assistive Technology, are able to problem-solve, collaborate, and share their thoughts and ideas,” said Remiz.

Remiz says she has also faced challenges in implementing the technology.

"In terms of assistive technology, there can be some challenges.

Research shows that if a student isn't ready to have a piece of assistive technology, then they won't use the assistive technology and will revert back to using paper and pen.

"Therefore, our team of Assistive Technology Specialists take time to assess the needs of our students to ensure they are ready to receive the technology.

"Once the assistive technology is in the hands of our students, the

Assistive Technology Specialists train the students to use the different assistive software. Our students are always supported by the Assistive Technology Team, as well as by the Program Support Teachers and the Classroom Teachers in the schools,” said Remiz.

A 2007 survey done by Statistics Canada, found that 3.2 per cent of Canadian children have a learning disability and in a 2012 survey Statistics Canada found 2.3 per cent of adults ages 15-24 reported having a learning disability.

According to the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, assistive technology can benefit children such as Wright with learning disabilities by improving their confidence and self-esteem, and independence.

Technology: Helping DCDSB students learn Deen Albertini The Chronicle

G

avin Wright is a student at one of the schools the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) operates in the region. Wright is in grade six and struggles with writing and spelling and because of this the DCDSB has provided him the necessary software to achieve his goals.

“Because I struggle with my spelling, and writing, my laptop has Word Q and Dragon.Word Q helps me spell and Dragon lets me speak into it and my words come out. Kurzweil helps with my reading because it will read what I scan into it,”said Wright.

Kate Remiz, a Student Services Coordinator of Assistive Technol-

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Cleaning up the litter in the Town of Ajax Sean Heeger The Chronicle

If you don’t know about Ajax, Ont., chances are you’ll hear from a resident that it’s quite a nice place to live.

This town by the lake is home to an ever-growing population of almost 110,000 people, and some of the nicest communities east of Toronto.

But Ajax Town Council has recently come up with a five-point plan to take care of a problem some residents didn’t know it had. This problem happens to be cleaning up an abundance litter.

These steps include: Improving infrastructure (removing around 500 garbage only receptacles, and adding more visible recycling bins), increasing the awareness of litter,

encouraging community pride and involvement, enforcement of laws surrounding litter, and keeping areas like parks and frequented public spaces clean.

This plan, coined the “Anti-Litter Action Plan” aims to divert 83 per cent from landfills by using recycling and organic waste removal.

Currently, the Town diverts about 50 per cent of its garbage, according

Photograph by Sean Heeger

This is just some of the litter that Ajax residents can find around the town.

to the town’s environmental sustainability co-ordinator, Jade Schofield.

Marilyn Crawford, the ward one councillor for Ajax, is aware that most people wouldn’t realize this is an issue.

“This isn’t always noticeable but when someone has a bottle they don’t want to carry, or a piece of trash they missed throwing into the garbage can that they don’t want

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to pick up it becomes a problem for everyone and that means we need to take care of it,” said Coun. Crawford.

Last year the town spent over $390,000 on litter cleanup which equates to almost a one per cent tax hike.According to waste audits over 373 tonnes of garbage and 250 tonnes of recyclables were collected last year.

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Slap tagging new fad among street artists Alex Ross

The Chronicle The city tries hard to keep the streets clean from vandalism and hide the passion of its less conventional citizens. Artists are very passionate people and everyone does not always appreciate their method of expression.

There are many different forms of graffiti. Some pieces are small and inconspicuous, while others can span entire buildings and their main purpose is to attract the attention of people walking or driving down the street. Although there is such thing as gang graffiti, it is not the only type, and should not be seen as the norm for graffiti artists.

Graffiti isn’t just about painting on buildings or carving your name on a bathroom stall. There are many pieces of beautiful work covering the streets of any major city that are far from the workings of gangs.

“I think that people just associate graffiti with the wrong thing most of the time,” says local artist Sever.

Sever is based around Oshawa and has many contacts and friends within the graffiti community.

There is more to graffiti than society gives it credit for, says Sever.

“Don’t get me wrong, there is such thing as gang graffiti, but that’s not the stuff that’ll make me stop on the side of the road and think ‘shit, that is unbelievable.’”

There is an initiative happening

Graffiti artist CROS is one of many artists that use the slap tagging method. Most often found on signs and utility boxes to be noticed.

in Toronto called Lovebot and the goal is to inspire people and show that they’re loved. The movement started as a project of local Torontonian Matthew Del Degan, an OCAD University graduate. The movement has grown beyond the small project he started and is now known as the Global Love Invasion.

“He does it to remind people of love and kindness,” says Julia Invacic. “I am a Lovebot leader along with a few others who help drive

the Love Invasion to its max potential.” Ivancic is an artist based out of Mississauga, who often goes to Toronto to meet with the Lovebot groups and keep in touch with her community.

The group makes large concrete robots to capture people’s eye and also smaller more manageable posters and stickers to slap on walls around the city. “I’m just in the small group of people that help him out. We make concrete lovebots

Photograph by Alex Ross

every summer in the blazing heat…

It’s hard labour, but we also help cut out posters for him and organize the products,” says Ivancic.

The workers with the Lovebot movement may be trying to get their name out into the city, but it’s for a good cause. Some artists deface buildings and signs just to get their names out into the city with no positive effect, and often a negative one.

Ivancic says artists should have integrity when making graffiti pieces.

“I think graffiti should stick to the back alleys,” says Ivancic. “But artists want everyone to see their name so they will try and get anything visible to the public from the road.”

However, using stickers may be a lot quicker and much lower risk of being caught, some artists, like Ivancic and Sever believe it is cheating. “It only takes three seconds, compared to a tag that takes ten seconds and a throwie that takes two to three minutes,” says Ivancic.

Having the pre-loaded stickers with small tags do offer the artist more time to add details and make them more personal. Even though the artist can put more time into the sticker it takes away from the effort that writers, people that tag by hand, put into each piece of work.

Not only do other artists look down on the stickers because of the easily printable mass-produced stickers and the community doesn’t appreciate the sticky paper and goop left behind on walls, according to Ivancic.

The competing artists don’t think printed stickers that can be easily slapped with little effort make for fair competition.

“It’s cheating, and an easy way out to getting your name up,” says Ivancic.

There is much controversy in the graffiti community regarding stickers and painting and whether they are a more or less effective way of getting noticed. to property and not appreciated by the community.

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Zombies, blood, and media conferences Alyssa Bugg The Chronicle

The loud screech of an air raid siren fills the air of a dimly lit room as a zombie appears from the darkness.

This wasn’t a scene from The Walking Dead or a zombie movie, this was the atmosphere of the Zombie Blood Drive, created by a group of second-year Public Relations (PR) students at Durham College.

The Zombie Blood Drive was just one example of the mock media conferences conducted by PR students as part of the second year of the PR program.

According to the PR program coordinator, Lynn Gough, the project serves to provide students with the venue to create a media conference as close to real-life industry standards as possible.

Gough came to the PR program more than 15 years ago after serving 10 years with the CBC as a journalist and as a press officer for MarketPlace and The Fifth Estate.

With her she brought the experience and knowledge of what skills are integral for students heading into the industry.

“I knew that students needed to have a real-life experience if they were going to go out there and work with journalists and give the journalists what they need,” said Gough. “[For the conference] they have to transform this room. When I used to work at CBC, I sometimes had a theatre or sometimes a small boardroom. You have to make it inviting for journalists and you have to be able to pitch your cause.”

The media conference project is three-fold:

Photograph by Lisa Presta

(From left to right) Public Relations students Samantha Pender, Dylan Cooper, Dillon McGregs (the zombie), Lisa Presta, and Eddie Rhodes hosted The Zombie Blood Drive.

The proposal During this step, students are required to choose a real-life organization, conduct thorough research and interviews with the organization and pitch the idea to Gough.

The Zombie Blood Drive groupcame up with the idea when team member Sam Pender was looking into giving blood at the time. The idea to represent Canadian Blood Services came about with the goal of obtaining a greater amount of young blood donors. With the

younger demographic in mind, the Zombie Blood Drive idea followed close behind.

Preparation Once approved, students begin to brainstorm ways to present their event or cause to the media.

This includes a media kit, which includes a list of ten journalists, which students were required to contact and invite to the media conference.

For this part of the project, the Zombie Blood Drive group pre-

pared a media kit using a large envelope with ‘Confidential’ stickers, giving it an official, government case file feel about a zombie outbreak. The group included a promotional poster, stickers, T-shirt and press release within their kit – all original works by the group.

Conference For the media conference, students were required to “transform” the room, announce their event or cause and bring in a speaker representative for the organization,

which, according to Gough, helps put a story to the cause and creates a story for the attending media.

The conference is where the Zombie Blood Drive group went all out. They hosted their conference in one of the photo studios on campus, which gave it a dark, “industrial” feel and had someone walk around dressed as a zombie.

Melissa Smith-McGuire, territory manager for Durham Region at Canadian Blood Services, came in to speak about the importance of donating blood and sharing her own story about needing a life-saving transfusion.

If the zombie theme wasn’t enough, their conference wasn’t without its excitement.

“It was kind of funny because someone ended up fainting during our presentation, and our guest speaker like ran out and kind of saved the day,” said Lisa Presta, another member of the Zombie Blood Drive group. “At the end of the conference, we had people asking if that whole thing was scripted. It wasn’t.”

According to Presta, the event took a lot of time, teamwork and co-ordination to plan, but she feels the experience was invaluable to her career.

“It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun. I came out of the whole thing feeling really accomplished and feeling like I gained tons of experience for the real world,” said Presta. “Being able to work in a team is so important in the corporate world, and I am so thankful all of my team members Sam Pender, Eddie Rhodes and Dylan Cooper who helped knock it out of the park.”

The highs and lows of the loonie Sachin Bahal The Chronicle

The fall of our dollar against the U.S. buck may not be such a bad thing for some.

While for others, it may seem like the worst thing in the world.

One Canadian dollar trades at around 68 American cents. Peter Stasiuk, an economics professor at Durham College, says “The low dollar isn’t always a complete disaster, just some sectors of the economy won’t do as well.”

Stasiuk says that one of the main causes for making our dollar tumble is the cost of Canadian oil exports.

The oil that we sell to other countries is mainly produced in Alberta.

Since Canada is producing more oil than what is being consumed, that has caused the price of oil to go

down. That mean there isn’t much demand for the Canadian dollar, according to Stasiuk.

Stasiuk also says that the issues with oil in Alberta aren’t going to affect Ontario as much but we should expect lower gas prices.

He says, “It’s not the end of the world but for some sectors, it will be a challenge, for Alberta it’s a temporary end of the world.”

Oil companies aren’t the only ones who are going to be affected by the low dollar. He says companies that have to buy their materials and import them from the United States, will be hurt because it will cost them more to import.

There are some industries that will benefit from the low loonie. Stasiuk says exporters of goods will be at an advantage because the more

Canada exports, more money will be coming into Canada rather than going out.

The same goes for Canadian companies which supply U.S. industries. Stasiuk says that those American companies are going to buy more from Canadian suppliers than from suppliers in the U.S. because it will be cheaper for them.

Stasiuk says that Canadians won’t be be travelling to the U.S. as much but American tourists will be coming here and they’ll be buying things from us and that’s more income going into the Canadian economy.

“People who stay in Canada and spend money in Canada and they earn Canadian dollars, it won’t Many Canadians worry as the loonie now make any difference what the dollar trades for about 68 American cents. is,” says Stasiuk.

went to share its thoughts and had three buses filled with concerned students.

DRTEC decided to delay the decision on the U-PASS due to student concerns about what the cost increase could mean for them and what it could do to tuition costs, according to SA president, Jesse Cullen. The decision could be made at the meeting to be held in February, Cullen says.

“It was a small victory for students but we still didn’t get the result we wanted. We wanted a ‘no’ vote but a postponement is definitely better then a ‘yes’,” said Cullen.

Those at the meeting spoke out about how this increase could be a serious deterrent to potential students and how it could affect the number of new applicants to DCUOIT. Maxim Alaghar, a first year DC

Photograph by Sachin Bahal

U-Pass hike: Students fighting the 25 per cent increase Chris Rego The Chronicle

DC-UOIT students have to wait until February to see if the U-PASS cost will increase by 25 per cent.

A Durham Regional Transit Executive Committee (DRTEC) was held December 2 to decide on the possible increase to the U-PASS. The Student Association (SA)

engineering student, is concerned about what the 25 per cent increase could mean for him and his fellow students.

Currently, students pay $103 per semester but if the cost goes up it will go to $120 per semester and may increase to $135 by the summer of 2017.

“It’s a terrible idea. The students will have to pay more and the school will probably not include it into the

tuition,” said Alaghar.

According to several students, many are unaware of what is happening within the community.

The U-PASS increase affects all students, whether they use the bus pass or not.

If the motion to increase the cost passes, then it will be moved to the Financial and Administration Committee and then to the Regional Council for the final decision.

Campus

chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

January 26 - February 1, 2016

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17

Survey suggests that downtown Oshawa is safe for all Taylor Waines The Chronicle

Photograph by Chris Rego

Vietnam visitors give a gift to Durham College president Don Lovisa.From left to right: Mr. Nguyen Van Bay, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Trang, Mr. Ha Hone Van, Don Lovisa, Mrs. Tran Thi Thu They from Hau Giang Community College.

DC has plans to visit Vietnam Chris Rego The Chronicle

Vietnam, is a country rich in history, is investigating new educational programs for development. With this in mind the newly formed Hau Giang Community College’s president Ha Hone Van, and his team, visited Durham College (DC) recently to learn all about DC’s farming and agriculture programs.

The visits opened on October 27th with a meet and greet with DC president Don Lovisa and president Mr. Van. With gifts exchanged, the Vietnamese visitors were ready for tours of the DC campuses.

The purpose of the visit was to help create a new academic program for the Vietnamese commun-

ity college that focuses on industry engagement in Vietnam.

Wendy Smith, a professor at Durham College, is part of this initiative. “They are not organized like we are and we are helping them to develop a curriculum,” says Smith.

DC staff went to Hau Giang Community College in November 2015 and plan to go again in February 2016 to learn from their college framework and to see how DC best practices can help support their curriculum development process.

The visitors took tours of the Greenwood Mushroom Farm in Ashburn and Algoma Orchards in Clarington to see how these industries work in Canada. The tours illuminated how DC has created a positive relationship with industry and the roles DC students play in

the agriculture industry as well as what they bring to the proverbial table.

President Van claims that Vietnamese colleges are not currently organized to create relationships with industries within Vietnam due to strict rules put in place, by the their government. Van also claims with new programs in place Vietnamese students may be able to change the industry from within and as such would create a more open market, not just for agriculture, but also within other fields of industry.

“It’s been really interesting and I am really fascinated to learn how they do things, I am astonished to how similar it is and it feels good to be able to help them build their own strategies,” says Smith.

Is The ‘Shwa safe for LGBTQ members? The Durham LGBTQ Communities Involved Committee asked both those who identify as LGBTQ and straight men and women this in a survey.

Members of the LGBTQ community came forward after experiencing verbal homophobia and one incident of property damage in a hate-related crime, which initiated the survey.

“The results of the survey showed that the feeling of those that identified as LGBTQ and the general public were about the same,” said Mark Hammann, co-chair of the Durham LGBTQ Communities Involved Committee.

Overall, the perception is that downtown Oshawa is safe.

Hammann said he was surprised to see that of the 262 respondents, 21.5 per cent identify as being LGBTQ in the survey.

“That’s high because the considered average is about 10 to 15 per cent of the population,” Hammann said.

Though many felt downtown Oshawa is safe, more women cited it as being unsafe than men, with 72.1 per cent of women saying they felt safe compared to to the 80 per cent of men.

Another trend was time of day, as more people said it was more unsafe at night than in the day time.

“Is this standard across the board for other communities or is this unique to Oshawa?” Hammann asked.

Hammann says the survey brought up more questions that will need more research.

From poorly lit areas and property owners not taking care of their buildings, questions remain about how to improve the downtown, he said.

The next step, according to Hammann, is to create more safety for LGBTQ members downtown, including but not limited to, training business owners in the downtown core.

The committee held an event January 19th, at the Arts Resource Centre in Downtown Oshawa, to speak to the community about the survey results, but no members of the community showed up Hammann said that the committee is not discouraged at the turnout.

“My take is that people were pleased with the results of the survey and therefore did not attend,” said Hammann.

With Hammann’s questions answered, he says the committee is willing to work with any other community groups to conduct similar surveys.

The report has been made available to anyone who would like to read it, and councillors and the mayor are aware of this study, Hammann said.

New vice-president hopes to inspire students to stay connected Amanda Ramlal The Chronicle

Durham College welcomes back alumna, Linda Marco, as its new associate vice-president Office of Development and Alumni Affairs.

Marco graduated in 1988. She says she is delighted to come work at the college and have the opportunity to better things for the students.

Her role in the Office of Development will be to manage the school’s development portfolio. That includes fundraising for the college, whether it be scholarships, new buildings or equipment. She will also be working with the Alumni office, which maintains contact with more than 73,000 graduates, and keeping them connected with the college.

“Once you graduate from Durham College you are an alumnist for life. Some choose to be active in their role as alumni and some do not,” she says.

Marco will be looking for new ways to inspire Durham College graduates to stay connected with the school. She wants to see a more integrated approach between alumni and fundraising. She says they currently work with what feels like two separate organizations but she wants to bring them together.

“I really hope that students look at me and see me as a graduate of the college and know that they can do anything that they want to do in life,” she says. “The fact that I’m a graduate makes it really special.”Durham College president Don Lovisa says, “we are thrilled to welcome Linda back.” Marco says she never thought she would be come back to the college. But she feels grateful Lovisa has put his faith in her for this role.

Marco graduated from Durham College with a public relations diploma as well as a fundraising management certificate from Ryerson University in 1993. Marco

says she learned how to write well, gained great organizational skills and learned how to manage relations while she was in school.

“To this day, I still use the skills I learned,” she says.

Some of her favourite past fundraising experiences were working as Director of Development for the Children’s Wish Foundation from 2002 to 2011. She has worked with Scientists in the School, which helped elementary school students further their education in science.

She has also and raised money for capital projects at Lakeridge Health Foundation.

Marco believes her communication skills are what got her these jobs but her love for both people and fundraising is what helped her progress over the years. She says 30 Photograph by Amanda Ramlal years of experience has led her to this role.

“I’m really excited to be back! I Linda Marco is Durham College's new associate vicereally feel like I’m coming back… president for the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs.

I’m coming home,” says Marco.

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Entertainment

Entertainment

David Bowie: Out of the ordinary Legendary singer was a fashion icon Mariah Pardy The Chronicle

David Bowie left a mark on the world with his iconic fashion statements and changed the world of fashion with his ability to push the conventional boundaries and introduce out of the ordinary trends.

Gender Bending In the late 1960’s Bowie introduced the idea of it being okay for men to wear dresses and to dress outside of the social “norms”. Bowie demonstrated this in his The Man Who Stole The World album cover where he was seen wearing a satin gold and blue gown.

He also incorporated gender bending into his look with a face full of makeup reflecting one of his most popular personas, Ziggy Stardust.

Ziggy Stardust Remaining as one of Bowie’s most memorable personas, Ziggy Stardust completely jumped over “casual dress” in the 1970’s and introduced a number of trends.

Bowie made face painting, eye patches and leotards not only a

Photograph by Mariah Pardy

The late David Bowie expressed himself and introduced iconic fashion statements to the world.

memory from your childhood but a fashion movement by incorporating different patterns and symmetry into his look.

Berlin Bowie In the late 1970’s, Bowie took a

simple and tame look compared to his glam Ziggy Stardust wardrobe he styled just a few years before.

This look consisted of high-waisted trousers and loose T’s and an occasional sailor hat.

Capes for a Hero Bowie lived up to his famous hit “Heroes” with his choice of wardrobe: a cape.

He bedazzled his audienceand made the cape a signature look.

Coloured Suits Throughout the years, Bowie stood out with his coloured suits.

He showed the world that even one of the most traditional outfits can be worn with a little spunk.

Show off your artwork and get critiqued at Crit Crowd

Alex Ross

The Chronicle Every month the Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) hosts a myriad of events and workshops for its members. On the second Thursday of each month they hold a critique, called Crit Crowd, for local artists who are either established in the community or simply first time artists looking for help.

This past Crit Crowd was only the second critique held by the RMG. Greg Murphy, the Dean of the school of Media, Art and Design at Durham College, hosted the first critique on Dec. 10th.

Each month RMG gets a different facilitator who has a ‘name’ in a professional capacity in the arts community.

“My personal goal was to get people together to create an environment that is so supportive of each other,” said Leslie Menagh, RMG manager of public programs and ArtReach, who also took on the role of the local art professional.

The group meeting is meant to feel as safe as possible for the artists.

“Everyone is in a state of vulnerability and put their artwork out against a wall and walks around,” said Menagh. “It’s sort of like a show and tell.”Menagh keeps all of the criticisms on a positive note to try

Photograph by Alex Ross

Mike McGowan (right) explains his piece titled 'six' to the group at Crit Crowd at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery. Other artists, like Suendrini (far left) look on to find things to add for positive reinforcement. to help the artists further their work, either on the specific piece or with their style in general.

According to Menagh, the goal of the critique is to keep an art school

vibe where everybody helps each other by giving positive feedback about their work, something that is hard to come by as an artist working alone.

The qualifications for the pieces to be shown are very lenient. They can be any medium or style, however the majority of them are paint on canvas, said Menagh.

There were good and bad things related to the majority of paint on canvas.

Some of the good was that the people critiquing knew what they were talking about.

However, the bad was that there were less fresh eyes to the medium, said Menagh.

There were many different styles of painting at the critique and even a few different pieces of work other than just paintings.

The crowd even varied in age with some high school students in attendance all the way up to people in their 60s.

The wide variety of people in the group didn’t make the critics treat each other differently. It was a very accepting community with little to no classist, ageist, or sexist segregation.

However, there was an overwhelming amount of jargon being used, with terms like value shift and movement being thrown around like everyday words.

Only four artists participated in last month’s critique, about half of the people of this event, according to Menagh.

She hopes the great increase in visitors and participants will help the program grow and become a more popular place for artists to come for help with their work.

Entertainment

chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

January 26 - February 1, 2016

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19

20 years after Toy Story

Sachin Bahal The Chronicle

It’s hard to believe that it’s only been 20 years since the release of Toy Story.

In those two decades, two sequels have been released (with another coming in 2018), two television specials have aired and three of Disney’s theme parks around the world have a Toy Story-themed attraction.

In the first five days of Toy Story’s release (on Thanksgiving weekend, November 22nd 1995), it earned over $39 million.

It placed first at that weekend’s box office and it stayed at number one for the next two weekends.

Toy Story was the highest-grossing domestic film of 1995, beating out Batman Forever and Apollo 13.

The film gained a total of more than $362 million worldwide.

It also was the third highest-grossing animated film after The Lion King (1994) and Aladdin (1992).

What makes the film’s story so compelling is the length of time it took to make, the size of its small production team and the fact that it was the first feature-length film done by computer animation.

Toy Story ushered in a new era of computer-animated films. Computer-animated films are the new normal.

Toy Story hit the big screen in 1995 but the seed for the idea for creating a computer-animated film started in the early 80’s with John Lasseter, Ed Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith.

While Lasseter was working as an animator at Walt Disney Feature Animation, two of his friends at the company showed him the lightcycle scene from the movie Tron.

In this scene, Flynn, Tron and Ram are being chased by a group from the Master Control Program.

Lasseter was blown away. It got him thinking about making a fully computer-animated film.

Photograph by Sachin Bahal

Buzz Lightyear has been flying through our lives since the 90's.

He pitched the idea to Disney executives in 1984 but his idea was rejected and he was fired.

The executives believed the only reason to use computers for animation was if it made it cheaper and faster to produce.

Lasseter went to work for Lucasfilm in 1984. He worked as part of The Graphics Group in the computer division where Catmull and Smith had been working since 1979.

The Graphics Group team consisted of about 40 employees, including Lasseter, Catmull and Smith.

The Group was spun off as a corporation in February 1986 and became Pixar Animation Studios.

Pixar was founded by Catmull, Smith and Steve Jobs, who helped financially with an investment. This was shortly after Jobs was fired from Apple Inc. With Pixar in place, Catmull, Smith and Lasseter could work on whatever they liked, including the early stages of a full–length com-

puter-animated film called Tin Toy which was the basis for Toy Story.

Lasseter created Tin Toy, a computer-animated short while at Pixar in 1988.

Tin Toy showed off the Pixar Image Computer's capabilities.

The computer had been developed while the founders of Pixar were at Lucasfilm.

Tin Toy would go on to win the 1988 Academy Award for best animated short film; it was the very first computer-generated film to do so.

Tin Toy gained Disney's attention and the new executive team at The Walt Disney Company, including CEO Michael Eisner and chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg, in the film department.

Computer animation was something they hadn’t seen before.

Disney was still producing 2D-animated films at the time, such as The Little Mermaid (1989) and Oliver & Company (1988).

Jeff Dunham returns to Oshawa with sold-out show The city shares laughs with famous comedian

Alyssa Erwin The Chronicle

Jeff Dunham returned to Oshawa headlining the GM Centre. But it’s what – or who – was in his suitcase that sold out the venue.

Dunham, an American comedian and ventriloquist, stopped in Oshawa on January 15 during his Perfectly Unbalanced tour bringing with him a grumpy retiree, a dead terrorist, a redneck, a miniature version of himself, and his purple sidekick, Peanut, all of which Dunham claims to be “politically incorrect.”

Dunham announced his tour back in late September of last year

and many attendees, including a couple from Toronto, rushed to “score the best seats in the house.”

William Balfour, the marketing and group sales manager for Spectra Venue, announced that there was “a limited amount of tickets” being sold a few hours before the 8 p.m. show.

However, those tickets quickly sold out. Dunham opened the show with a video montage showcasing the highlights of his career.

Once on stage, Dunham entertained the audience with stories of the newest additions to his family, his newborn twin boys.

However, it was not long until he was joined on stage by a bitter

old man, Walter, who mocked the 53-year-old father of five for his choice to have children.

Although the show had a few hiccups, such as Dunham’s crew leaving the industrial humidifiers back at his last show in Michigan.

Dunham expressed he was thankful for his crew after they found him replacement humidifiers “to his taste” at a local Walmart in the forms of “Spongebob Squarepants” and “Hello Kitty.”

Dunham was quick to turn his hitches into new jokes that were brought up by many of his puppets throughout the show.

Dunham found many opportunities to laugh with the crowd whether he was laughing at his own jokes, chasing a miniature version of himself, mocking the audience, or accidentally launching a puppet across the stage.

Dunham assured the roaring

Tin Toy got Disney interested in striking a production deal with Pixar.

The idea was Pixar would do the animation while Disney would distribute and market the film.

This was the chance for Lasseter, Catmull and Smith to fulfill their shared dream of creating a computer-animated film. That film would be Toy Story.

Toy Story was the highest-grossing domestic film of 1995, beating out Batman Forever and Apollo 13.

The film gained a total of more than $362 million worldwide.

It also was the third highest-grossing animated film after The Lion King (1994) and Aladdin (1992).

Twenty years later, Toy Story still has a 100% rating on the review aggregator site, Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 9/10.

The critic consensus for the site about the film is, “Entertaining as it is innovative, Toy Story reinvigorated animation while heralding the

arrival of Pixar as a family-friendly force to be reckoned with.”

Reviewers of the film hailed it for computer animation, voice cast and its ability to appeal to a number of different age groups.

Roger Ebert’s review compared the film’s innovative animation to Who Framed Roger Rabbit by saying, “both movies take apart the universe of cinematic visuals, and put it back together again, allowing us to see in a new way.”

Toy Story was ranked 8th on TIME’s “Best 10 films of 1995” and in 2011 was named one of the “25 All-TIME Best Animated Films.”

The film received and was nominated for numerous awards, one of which was given to John Lasseter, who received an Academy Special Achievement Award in 1996 “for the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film.”

Computer animation has become increasingly more popular because it was something that audiences had not seen before and Toy Story was the first real experience for movie-goers.

With Toy Story, Pixar ushered in a new media.

Pixar is continually working on new computer-animated films and shorts.

Even Disney has made the transition to producing only computer-animated films.

They are no longer making traditional animated films.

Most animated films you see nowadays will be computer-generated. Pixar brought in this new era of movies and they are leading it, with Disney at a close second.

So here’s to the 20th anniversary of Toy Story, the world’s first feature-length computer-animated film.

It will only be a few short years until the 30th anniversary. Until then, in the words of Buzz Lightyear, “To Infinity and Beyond!”

Photograph by Alyssa Erwin

Jeff Dunham, an American comedian and ventriloquist, opened his show at the GM Centre in Oshawa with Walter, a grumpy retiree. crowd that he was “a professional.”

Dunham ended the show with a “group selfie” and a thank you to Oshawa for “another great night in Canada,” and for “believing in the magic” of ventriloquism before

launching miniature Peanut dolls across the venue. After his performance in Oshawa, Dunham headed to Ottawa for his next show at the Canadian Tire Centre Saturday, January 16.

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Sports

Sports

European baseball on the rise America's pastime heats up across the pond Jordan Edmonds The Chronicle

Baseball is always considered a North American sport, however, the first recorded game of baseball was in Surrey, England in 1749.

Since then America, Canada, Japan and various other countries have become the real hotbeds, leaving Europe behind. With soccer being huge in Europe, it is often hard for baseball to become a first choice.

“People in Europe don’t always want to watch a long and sometimes slow game, they would rather watch soccer,” said Klijn, a 2nd baseman for the Haar Disciples of the German Bundesliga.

But now seems to be the time for baseball in Europe to thrive. A steady flow of European players are getting signed by Major League organizations. And it’s only a matter of time until a European born player makes a huge mark in the MLB. With talk of MLB playing a game in Europe by as soon as 2017, this indicates that baseball in Europe could be set to reach new heights.

Euro League Baseball (ELB) is set to kick off in 2016. It will be the first year that a professional baseball league in Europe runs with teams from multiple European countries. There are currently two professional leagues in Europe: the Dutch Hoofdklasse and the Italian baseball league. This ELB however, will be a true reflection of the best teams in Europe. So far, there are three teams from Germany, two from Holland, two from France, one from Italy, one from San Marino and one from the Czech Republic.

Philipp Wuerfel, editor in chief of Mister-Baseball.com, a website dedicated to European baseball, says, “The big clubs in European baseball are moving forward with huge strides and would like to make money out of their passion for the sport.” So according to Wuerfel, who lives in Germany, the only way to make money is a profession-

al league.

The best teams in Europe will mostly be made up of homegrown talent, but there will be opportunities for overseas players, if they can pay travel and living costs.

Europe is a very attractive prospect for many foreign players and there are already a number of socalled ‘import’ players scattered around in different European teams. Playing in Europe gives them a different experience and is also beneficial for the teams. The players are often asked to help with coaching local children to help grow and improve the game, which is a win-win situation for all sides.

Zach Stroman, formerly a European player in England and currently a 1st baseman at Waubonsee Community College in Illinois, agrees that Europe can attract overseas players. “If the exposure is there, American players will be interested as they want to travel and play overseas, I don’t think the level will be as good, however,” he says. The idea of a true professional league is one that excites many, and it shows that baseball in Europe is making huge strides.

Photograph by Phrake Photography

Sven Schuller, a German-born baseball player takes the mound for the LA Dodgers minor league affiliate.

I believe it's realistic to think about MLB games in Europe.

Another indication that baseball in Europe is on the rise is the fact that the MLB have identified the continent as the next place for a major league game. There are already advanced talks with the operators of the Olympic stadium in London, England, about hosting the first ever MLB game in Europe. Baseball is still the only major American sport yet to host a game in Europe. “That stadium, the way it’s built, actually is big enough for a baseball game. It’s not perfect, but it has some real potential,” said

MLB International’s Clive Russell back in 2012 in an interview with the Telegraph. The fact that Europe is being considered for the game is an indication of how much baseball has grown. It also indicates that the MLB feel there would be enough fans to seat a 54,000 capacity stadium. This is even more surprising as there are only three other stadiums with a larger capacity in the world. Philipp Wuerfel is one of the many who feels it is realistic to expect an MLB game in Europe in the not so distant future. He has a great deal of knowledge about the game in Europe; his site has information on everything to do with baseball around the continent.

“I believe it’s realistic to think about MLB games in Europe in the next five years,” says Wuerfel.

“Major League Baseball is always looking for new markets and teams have played in various locations in the last couple of years. If they find a great location in a major city,

Games in your backyard Thursday, Jan. 28 UOIT Men’s Hockey vs Carleton 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 29 DC Men’s Basketball vs

Georgian 8 p.m.

DC Women’s Basketball vs Georgian 6 p.m.

UOIT Men’s Hockey vs RMC 12 p.m.

Oshawa Generals vs Barrie

Colts 7:35 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 31 Oshawa Generals vs Ottawa 6:05 p.m.

which they can promote easily, they will go for it.”

The MLB European academy is something I have a close connection to, as I was a member of training camp in both 2012 and 2013. The MLB academy is for the top 50 European prospects from across the continent and it gives the players exposure to professional scouts. Many former major league players have coached the camp including; Barry Larkin, Steve Finley, Tom Gordon, Dale Murphy, Wally Joyner and Bruce Hurst. Seventy-five players have been signed by major league organizations since its inaugural camp in 2005. Clearly, the talent is there. In 2013, Italian Marten Gasparini was signed for $1.3 million by the Kansas City Royals. This was the highest signing fee a European player has ever received. Three players from the European academy have also played in the MLB: Italian Alex Liddi for the Seattle Mariners, German Donald Lutz for

the Cincinnati Reds and another German born player Max Kepler for the Minnesota Twins. Kepler made his debut this year after having a fantastic season in AA with the Chattanooga Lookouts.

German pitcher Sven Schüller was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013 and is currently playing at the rookie level for the organization. He spoke to me during his off-season training and gave his opinion on the chances available for European players to get scouted. “Overall I wouldn’t say it’s more difficult to be seen in Europe but there aren’t a lot of chances, so make sure you don’t get overlooked.

I think getting signed out of Europe is a combination of preparation and luck,” he said. Seventy-five players in 10 years is a clear sign that Europe is going in the right direction and has plenty of talented players.

These talented players often play for their home nations. International competition and ranking is a clear indicator of how good a country is doing. Five countries from Europe are in the top 20 of the world baseball rankings, Netherlands are fifth, Italy 11th, Spain 17th, Germany 18th and Czech Republic 20th. This shows that European countries can compete with the top countries in the world. The premier 12 took place this month in Japan and Taiwan. It was a competition for the top 12 ranked nations in the world; Netherlands and Italy were Europe’s representatives.

Netherlands managed to make it into the quarterfinals but eventually lost to the U.S.A. With many players in both the Italy and Netherlands squad playing in their native countries, it was a great showing many of the other teams had ex or current pros. Great Britain national team player, Richard Klijn, felt it was a great achievement.

“Both Holland and Italy did Europe proud and proved that they can compete with the best of the best,” says Klijn. “Although they didn’t win it will help grow the sport in Europe.” By European nations competing at the highest level possible and teams being included in the top 12 in the world, this shows that the game is improving and is clearly on the rise.

There are many positives coming out of European baseball. However, the continent as a whole still has a lot of work, if it wants to compete with the biggest nations.

Sports

chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

January 26 - February 1, 2016

T he Chronicle

The two-way coach Michael Fletcher The Chronicle

Peyvand Mossavat has been named master coach of both the men’s and women’s soccer programs for the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Ridgebacks.

Scott Barker, manager of intercollegiate athletics for UOIT, says they are excited to have Mossavat, who has guided the women’s program to strong results taking over on the men’s side.

“We have really liked the success he has had with the women’s team and the direction he has taken them,” says Barker.

Barker says UOIT was looking at its options for the vacant head coaching position and when they realized they could afford to bring Mossavat on in a full-time role with both programs it was something they were open to pursuing.

“The decision to bring Peyvand in as master coach took the better part of two to three months to figure out,” says Barker.

Mossavat has been able to lead the women’s team to four consecutive OUA playoff appearances and a bronze medal in 2014. Over the last two seasons Mossavat has also pushed the women’s program to a 21-7-4 record.

The men’s head coaching position became vacant when former coach Vaso Vujanovic announced his retirement after coaching on a collegiate level for over 30 years, including the last six years with UOIT. “I am very excited to be in this position, coach Vaso and his staff

21

laid out a lot of groundwork for this team. Going forward that makes my job easier,” says Mossavat.

We have really liked the success he has had with the women's team and the direction he has taken them.

The opportunity for Mossavat was something he didn’t expect would happen nor was it a goal he had set out to achieve.

“This wasn’t something that I really saw coming, my main focus before this was on the women’s team,” says Mossavat.

Mossavat says he is thankful for the UOIT community for all of the support he has received since joining UOIT and having this opporPhotograph by The Athletic Department tunity presented to him.

Mossavat and the Ridgebacks are Peyvand Mossavat is now coach of both the men's and women's UOIT soccer currently in the process of select- teams after the retirement of former men's coach Vaso Vujanovic. ing members for the men’s coaching staff.

Competition heats up at Sports Business Conference

Andrew Brennan The Chronicle

You can always see a person’s true competitive nature when playing against them in a sport. Perhaps the only thing more competitive than sports itself is the business surrounding it.

Joe Krizman and Colin Latchford are two students who want to enter the world of sport business.

That’s why they were keen to cochair the 6th annual Sport Business Conference at the DC-UOIT Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre.

“I think part of the reason we’re so passionate about this conference is we can really empathize with the people in this room,” says Krizman.

One of the guest speakers was Jennifer O’Neill, a coordinator of interuniversity sport programs at Wilfrid Laurier University.

She says her one goal was to reach out to the students and tell them there is a job out there for them. She hopes they were able to take something from her story and apply it to their own lives, she says.

Latchford says students may not realize the opportunities there are in sports. The conference provided them with an opportunity to explore what the world of sport could mean to them, he says.

Photograph by Andrew Brennan

Co-chair's of the 6th annual Sport Business Conference, Joe Krizman and Colin Latchford, are looking to enter the world of sports business.

One of those opportunities involves charity work. This year’s Sport Business Conference was able to raise approximately $4,500 towards Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.

The master of ceremonies for the Nov. 24 event was Mike Arsenault.

Arsenault is a graduate of Sport Business Management and is cur-

rently the weather anchor for Global News.

“It’s nice to come back full circle and kind of give back and pay it forward, because that’s essential.

Especially for those looking to get into the sport or media industry,” says Arsenault.

The conference contained two separate panel discussions.

The first included Joe Birch, senior director of Hockey Development and Special Events for the OHL, Blake Corosky, president of True Gravity Baseball and Michael Cvitkovic, a representative from Pan Am Sports Centre Inc. The second panel featured the manager of intramural sports at York University, Sarah Broderick

I think part of the reason we're so passionate about this conference is we can really empathize with the people in the room. and coordinators of interuniversity sport programs at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ryan Lannan and the aforementioned Jennifer O’Neill.

Keynote guest speakers included former president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays, Paul Godfrey, and president and CEO of Frameworth Sports Marketing Incorporated, Brian Ehrenworth.

Ehrenworth says something like this may have helped him find his true passion earlier in life, and says his goal was to pass on the message of hard work and perseverance.

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January 26 - February 1, 2016

chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

Durham basketball: The road so far It has been mixed results for the Durham College basketball program.

The women's team has gone 5-4 through its first nine games, the men have not fared as well, going 4-9 through 13. These photos are highlights from both the men's and women's games against the George Brown Huskies recently.

Clockwise from top: Christoff Pierre (2) tries to get around a defending player Roynelle Meredith (24) charges through the opposing team to score

Photos by Logan Caswell

Kayla Marshall (23) gets ready to set her team up Rashaun Bennett (34) jumps over two defenders to put his team ahead.

Sports

chronicle.durhamcollege.ca

January 26 - February 1, 2016

The Chronicle

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The Chronicle

January 26 - February 1, 2016

chronicle.durhamcollege.ca