JUNE 2021
2020-2021, Issue 4
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
FROM THE EDITORS. . .
FROM THE NEW PRESIDENT. . .
Hello Luther Community!
Hello Everybody,
I’m thrilled to share with you our last edition for the
I would just like to say that I am very excited for this
2020-2021 school year! What a wild ride this year
upcoming year! I am looking forward to leading our
has been. Thank you to all of our contributors —
school into a more inclusive and sustainable future,
your dedication and thoughtful pieces are inspiring.
as well as helping to rebuild school traditions that
A huge thank you to both my co-editor, Tyan, and to
were sadly lost to Covid. I hope that I can help to
Ms. Smoliak. It has truly been a pleasure to work
make your next year amazing!
with you this year. This time travel edition has a little bit of something for everyone so I hope you all enjoy!
ARYANA PILLAY
Best wishes for a restful summer, everyone. See you in September! VIRGINIA HECTOR
Hello Everyone, It’s hard to believe this school year is coming to a close, but with hope for the future, I think we are all looking forward to this summer. As always, thank you to everyone who helps make each edition of The Tatler possible, especially Virginia and Mrs. Smoliak. I think you will all enjoy this edition’s theme of time travel! Take care, everyone, and have a good summer!
TYAN CHEREPUSCHAK
The Luther Tatler is edited by Virginia Hector
This edition’s cover art is by
and co-edited and published by Tyan Cherepuschak
MYKA DER
2020-2021, Issue 2: June 2021
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HOROSCOPE FORECAST Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) - Happy 16th birthday! You know, you’ve looked 16 for a long time… Are you sure you aren’t stuck in a time loop? Absolutely positive? Don’t worry I won’t judge; everyone gets stuck in a time loop at one point or another.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) - Have you heard of spaghettification? It’s what happens when you get too close to a black hole. Look it up. I guess you could say that our plans to use wormholes to time travel is kind of a stretch.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) - “The past is gone, and cannot harm you anymore. And while the future is fast coming for you, it always flinches first and settles in as the gentle present.” – Cecil Baldwin
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) - “[You] assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but *actually* from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint - it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly... timey-wimey... stuff.” – Steven Moffat
Gemini (May 21-June 20) - You know that thing Superman does where he flies around Earth at really fast speeds to turn back time? Yeah, honestly at this point it might be your only hope of passing finals… Cancer (June 21-July 22) - Stop looking for the blue phone box. The Doctor is not going to come and whisk you away to travel space and time. I’m sorry, but you have to let it go. Not to pile on too much at once, but your Hogwarts letter isn’t going to come either. Sorry about that. Leo (July 23-August 22) - According to the Multiverse theory that says there are an infinite number of parallel universes where everything is possible. That means that somewhere, in at least one timeline, you are dating Harry Styles. Good for you! Virgo (August 23-September 22) - Do I have a deal for you! If you give me $500, I can cryogenically freeze your brain and revive you when we have the technology to do so! I will have to make some room in my freezer, but I promise it is a worthy investment and certainly not a waste of money. Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) - You are not Doc Brown. You will not travel to the past by breaking speed laws. Your car is not nearly cool enough for that. SGI is disappointed in you.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) - Have you ever wondered about what actions you are doing right now could radically change the future? Like, according to the butterfly effect any small action now could have catastrophic consequences. In unrelated news, I hope finals go well for you!
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) - You are one to say that “well if time travel exists then we would know cause there would be time tourists or people visiting” but like what if we are humanity’s awkward emo phase? Who wants to look back on when we thought iPhones were cool when we have levitating cars? Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) - The present sucks. I know we want to be anywhere else than in the middle of a pandemic. After all of this you won’t be the same person you were at the beginning and for that I am genuinely sorry. My only hope is that, in the future, all of us can be different people, together. SHANNON SHERK
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT It was at 7 p.m, on the 30th of April an eventful night of performances. It was a show of outstanding talents. It was a circus of the SRC’s in-between commentation. It was a night of recognition, recognizing my peers and their Luther spirit. It was an ease of online stress and hassle. It was a marvelous day to warm up under my blankets. From the spiccato technique by our astounding violinists to the impeccable vocal ranges by our angelic singers. It was a night to remember and a memory to always reminisce on. The amusing polls we took were refreshing and very much needed It was wonderful seeing teachers light up with joy after every joke was made. Shiny teeth, and smiles pulling their lips from ear to ear.
Don’t even get me started on the highlight of that night, the “Hamilton” special from our exemplary teachers. It was a thrilling moment, and all squares on the virtual call lit up like a neon sign. It was a time for realizations, “Wow, I never knew he could play the saxophone”, “We actually have entertaining teachers. Interesting”. It was a time of encouragement, “I guess I should audition next year”. “It might not be too bad performing in front of everyone after all.” It was a moment of joy, Of laughter, Of music, Of magic, Of love, In the Luther Community. It was our 2021 Virtual All College. INI IDOWU
HANGING GARDENS GRANOLA INGREDIENTS: 3 cups barley flakes ½ cup honey ½ cup almonds ¼ tsp salt
PREPARATION: ¼ cup olive oil ½ cup chopped prunes, dates or dried figs
1.
Mix the honey and olive oil together in a large bowl.
2.
Then add all other ingredients and stir to combine, making sure the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
3.
Spread the mixture across parchment paper on a baking tray.
4.
Bake for 20-25 minutes at 300°F. GRETA MADER STEVENS
2020-2021, Issue 4: June 2021
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ANCIENT BABYLON There is clearly a huge fascination amongst
I learned that the trees of their gardens were
humans related to time travel. Between historical mys-
probably plums, pears, date palms, quince, figs, al-
teries, mythical descriptions of ancient civilizations or
monds and olives. They also grew barley as a grain,
the possibilities of the future, it is a highly interesting
melons and raised a variety of animals like pigs, chick-
subject. I myself have been asked more times than I
ens and sheep. Apparently, they even invented lamb
can remember “when I would go if given the oppor-
stew. It was a creation of animal fat in water with
tunity to time travel”. My answer has been the same
meat and vegetables. That is about as much as we
since grade 5 and surprisingly was completely unrelat-
know regarding their food.
ed to food... that is, until now. Back in grade 5 English class (when English
Unfortunately, their cooking does not bode well with a plant-based diet, so I decided against ex-
class was completely unrelated to essays or grammar)
perimenting with some of the recipes we know of. The
we learned about the 7 wonders of the ancient world. I
list of ingredients Babylonians had however, inspired
already knew about the Great Pyramids in Egypt, and
me to try something new... and hence: Hanging Gar-
10 year old me could have cared less about some ran-
dens Granola. Every ingredient in this recipe was
dom statues that no longer existed. BUT, when we got
(most likely) used in ancient Babylon, and some of the
the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, everything changed.
ingredients may have also been grown in the Hanging
Perhaps, this was a foreshadowing of my plant obses-
Gardens. Of course, the ancient Babylonians would
sion, but I could not stop thinking about it. When my
not be sophisticated enough to make granola them-
childhood imagination would sweep me away from
selves, but we can credit them for inspiration.
reality, it was Babylon that I visited. The descriptions of clear blue waterfalls tumbling down gigantic marble buildings and an unimaginable variety of fruit trees with juicy pears, glistening olives and pinky white almond flowers. I imagined the most immense and luxurious garden. Ever since then, I never have to think
about the answer to the above question. Ancient Babylon all the way. Of course, the Hanging Gardens of my dreams are probably not very accurate, and we cannot in fact verify their existence. But I still decided to research the ancient civilization of Babylon to learn a little more factual information about it. (Let me be honest, I only focused on the food part).
GRETA MADER STEVENS
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
LOVE IN THE TIME OF CORONA This show was a wild ride to produce from start to
Thank you to all the people who worked behind the
finish. Notably, switching to online school, we ended
scenes to edit the show and our tech crew!
up recording the show almost exactly two months after we had planned to film it. Now, the time is here to view the show that we’ve been working on since November! We had our YouTube premier on June 2nd and the link is still up to watch it on Kris Dueck’s
YouTube Channel.
Lastly, I want to thank all of the cast and crew who put in an insane amount of time into making this show work. It has been a blast working with all of you and I am so proud of what you have done this year. I am going to miss you all very much. As the stage manager and a cast member I have seen you all step
The story of the show features the characters L
out of your comfort zones to pursue this project.
(played by Angela De La Santa) and P (played by
We’ve had to change and adapt over and over and we
Jocelyn Heroux) as they navigate falling in love while
have persevered. I am immensely proud of all of you!
navigating the pandemic, online school, and their respective families. The show will make you laugh and cry as we take you on this wild ride, with some great choreography from the legendary alumni Raiha. The
Please check us out on YouTube! You won’t want to miss it! SHANNON SHERK
show takes place from the start of the pandemic to the end with all of the troubles in between. I promise you’ll love it. The show covers a bunch of key issues such as burnout and mental health during online school, LGBTQ+ dating, anti-maskers, generational gaps, and so much more! There are a bunch of people I want to thank, most notably Mr. Dueck who put a lot of work into making this show happen. Not only did he write it, direct it,
and spend countless hours at rehearsals and workshops, but also put in a lot of effort outside of rehearsals to make sure we got the grants we needed to make this happen (Looking at you large plastic dividers and clear masks). Secondly, I want to thank the administration for letting this happen and allowing us to continue to perform despite the pandemic.
Above: The cast and crew of the 2021 musical drama performance of “Love in the Time of Corona”
2020-2021, Issue 4: June 2021
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SHAKESPEAREAN SONNETS Students in grade 9 wrote their own Shakespearean sonnets from the perspective of what it might be like to live in the Elizabethan Era. Edina Kamenic’s sonnet addresses the forced compliance women endured to appease patriarchal expectations of this time and Morgan Barriault’s sonnet addresses forbidden love and societal expectations.
WOMEN’S NECCESITY OF MALLEABILITY
WHEREFORE MY LOVE?
Why must thee expect I to be as gold?
Wherefore do thou love freely what of mine?
Thou men should’st hammer thy foes to dispatch
Thy love is not forbidden withal scorn
Whilst we fall malleable to thy mold
I decree my love equal to thine.
We hark to thy wills, hopes to find a match
Wherefore do thou stab my heart withal thorns?
Thee will a high head? We shall comb back hair
Mark the way thou holds chains around my top,
But now thee prefer a shorter forehead
And pull as an they would choke me silent.
Thus, brush forwards as women are aware
Thou ne’er harks when I say I cannot stop.
It must be so or else we would be dead
Ye only discourses of nought but violence.
Oh how impossible it is to please!
They may ne’er know I am among the dead,
Thee will one thing then at once wish for more
The dead that were killed for loving their own.
Ugh! Helen knows womanhood’s misery
Thine God that thou speaks of sees only in red,
For it seems no beauty can clean this chore
thou is rich to have every colour known
Yet still I drop victim to male’s hammer
Any Sirrah I wed is plagued with hate.
I am no more than gold but with glamour
For I will a maiden with a changed fate
EDINA KAMENCIC
MORGAN BARRIAULT
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
LETTERS TO FUTURE SELVES In Communication Studies students took a cathartic break to write submissions for the Tatler’s time travel theme. They wrote letters to their future selves. Enjoy! DEAR FUTURE ME: I hope you haven’t changed one bit. I hope you still have ambitious hopes, and you continue to live them out with no fear or hesitation. I hope you still dive headfirst into unfamiliar and unknown territory and situations while others are telling you to be careful and play it safe. To do this, you should take what others say with a grain
of salt because ultimately it comes down to you. I hope you continue to do things that surprise others, not for recognition, but rather for the challenge, the growth, and the experience. I hope this because it is better to feel failure than to live with regret. Above all, I hope you are happy. I hope you are doing all the things you want to do and continuing to live life without regret. Wherever you are in life, you should be giving it your all. I hope you still do the things that you want to do, and not the things that others expect from you. I hope you haven’t changed.
KANSI CHUKWUJEKWU
TO MY FUTURE SELF: As someone who struggles with anxiety and overthinking, my mind has spent its fair share of time in a make-believe future. As a result, my body has created and received the message that there is danger around every corner, and failure behind every risk. I prepare myself for dangers that aren’t even there. I get angry at the way that it prevents me from stepping outside of my safe little box, angry at the way that it sets off sirens for nothing, and at the way that I can barely even explain why it happens. So, future self, I advise you to try to be kinder to and more gracious to yourself. When that small voice starts tugging on your sleeve like a scared child, desperate to tell you all the reasons you should hesitate, take a moment to listen, then tell yourself, “thank you for protecting me, but there is no reason to worry.” Future self, grow with the knowledge that you are beyond capable of living through any obstacle and capable of taking any risk by doing it one breath at a time. Surround yourself with people that you love and that love you back, and you’ll find nothing but ease as you slowly but surely gain the courage to take the less beaten track. Future self, appreciate your mind and body for all they have done for you so far, and think of all the memories that you’ll miss out on making if you let your thoughts hold you back on the shore. Once you free yourself of the shackles that are this little voice, celebrate your freedom with creativity, risk, and adventure. In the meantime, take deep breaths. Inhale confidence and composure, and exhale your fear: of failure, rejection, and the unknown. There is not one single task or circumstance that you can’t overcome. Future self, never forget that.
TEAGAN SEIFERLING
2020-2021, Issue 4: June 2021
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EXCERPTS FROM A TIME TRAVELER’S DIARY …
September 15, 1919 So, I’m going to school again. It’s weird that
September 10, 2020
I’m going to the same school that I go to in the future
School’s really weird this year, what with the
and it’s really only half the size of the one that I know,
pandemic and stuff. Everyone has to wear masks and
and it’s still weird to be in the middle of a pandemic,
social distance and spray down the desks after each
even if it’s a different one.. I’m taking all of the same
class. But at least it’s better than zoom school. I hated
classes, too. … I still haven’t found a way home. And
sitting alone in my room all day with no company but
it’s really hard to balance homework with time travel,
my parents and little brother. I know some people pre-
plus the family who’ve taken me in are kinda overpro-
fer it, but I’m not one of them. Thank goodness for
tective. … I like them, and it’s going to be really hard
Netflix and FaceTime! I did appreciate not having to
on them when (or if) I just disappear.
ride the school bus for more than an hour each way out to the suburbs, though. …
…
????????
October 1, 1919 I have no idea where I am! I was just, like,
I figured it out! I tripped on some sort of magi-
walking home from the bus stop like I do every day,
cal gopher hole, and time travelled, so I just have to
then Bam! The world started spinning and the next
do it again! I found my way home! I said some cryptic
thing I knew I was lying on the ground in the middle
goodbyes to my friends and the family who’ve taken
of a field! What the hell is going on?! … There seems
me in, and I’m on my way home tonight! I’ll really
to be a city a little ways away. Maybe I should go over
miss them, but I’m glad to be going back to the time
there and see what’s up.
where I belong.
September 11, 1919
October 2, 2020
Welp, I figured out where I am. There’s a
I made it! I’m home! It was a bit touch-and-go
newspaper stand right outside the diner I’m in,
when I almost got caught sneaking out of the house,
annnnd, it turns out that I’m still in Regina, just Regi-
and again by the guy who owns the big field where the
na 101 years ago. Another pandemic, yay! That ex-
suburbs are in the 21st century, but I succeeded! …
plains why the suburb I live in a hundred years from
My parents really freaked out, and it was hard for me
now is just grass, … How the [heck] did this happen?
to lie to them, but I’m pretty sure they bought my sto-
Now what do I do?
ry. I’m soooooo glad to be home, even if it means having to ride the bus to school rather than walk.
…
ROWAN DYMUND
10 |
The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
THIS IS THE TIME You know, I wish I could go back. Back to
want to talk about everything. Like the Australian
when everything wasn’t so different, back to when
bushfires, the tensions with Iran, the many riots for
India wasn’t experiencing any hate, back to when
Donald Trump. But I could instead just say this.
many blacks weren’t killed, back to when women
Society is my new enemy. Not for the rest of
weren’t raped. Back to when everything was
my life, but for now. So much has happened. I’ve seen
so...normal. Yes, I’m salty for a time that’s already
my friends who are Black, Chinese, Indian, Arabic,
passed, but I’d travel to age twelve if I was asked.
Japanese, and many more cry a lot throughout these
Back when my only broken parts were from a car,
years, and I felt bad for them. No one should get to
back to when we were free from these face masks,
watch a family member or friend die because of a
back to a time where we were all happy.
wretched virus, or suffer from the crimes of the police,
Yes, this is a young male talking about what’s happened these past 2 years. That doesn’t mean I don’t like pink. That doesn’t mean I’m superior to women. I’m just a simple male living in this society
or be suicidal, or be killed by people themselves protesting for their leader to return. And you know, all the new kids that have been born in this pandemic, I feel bad for them, wak-
called a nightmare. You know, back when there wasn’t this
‘trending’ virus, I used to go relax on the beach, against the coast, restless like the sea, ready for any
ing up out of your mother’s Every day is an adventure waiting for you.
womb seeing everyone outside
You are not a tree. You are not stuck to the ground. You walk on in life. You have wings and dreams, as well as a heart full of wonder.
adventure that blew along my way. But I don't even know what I’m doing now. I can say that barely anything is the same. I guess life really isn’t like an everlasting game. I flew beyond the pond last year, to a country where crisps
wearing masks and coughing. These kinds of things sicken me, they torture me in my sleep, and I know I’m not the only one.
There are many out there who are feeling depressed, some who are homeless begging for help and shelter, and some who wish to end it all. But there’s always one thing that should al-
are known as chips. But I see that going back to the
ways stick in your head, and that’s hope. It won’t be
UK will now be one of many trips. And death. To
like this forever; a vaccine is coming right around the
have come so far and only find the deaths of innocent
corner, and we must all hope there are no side effects
ones. I do always look outside my window and won-
coming along with it. Joe Biden is here now, trying to
der to myself,
clear up any mistakes happening around the US. And
“Where did it all go wrong? How did the po-
we always have God, right? God is the reason we’re
lice turn our back on us? What can we do to help In-
all alive today, and if you’re an atheist or someone
dia and China in their struggles?”
who hates him, then that’s fine, he’ll still love you no
You may be thinking, “You’re just talking about India, China, and Blacks.” I know, I know, I
matter what. Continued on next page.
2020-2021, Issue 4: June 2021
| 11
THIS IS THE TIME, CONTINUED Continued from last page.
Every day is an adventure waiting for you. You are not a tree. You are not stuck to the ground.
You know, I’m happy I came here. To Canada, to Regina, to Luther. A place where many people around the world
You walk on in life. You have wings and dreams, as well as a heart full of wonder. And if you have any problems, I might not be God, but talk to me. I don’t
come to tell their inner stories, their diverse cultures,
have all the answers but know that I am willing to
make new friends, experience adventures they never
help in any circumstance or problem. And I know that
have before, and study to become the best people they
wherever you are, wherever you are reading this, there
want to be in life. All this can for sure lead to the
are many around you who support you even if they
bright future that everyone wants and deserves. This
don’t show it. I’m not the only one. Family, friends,
isn’t my story, and I'm not about to close it any time
anyone out there is all there for you. So, if you have
soon, but this is another chapter in my life, in all our
the courage and strength in your heart, pick up your
lives, that we must overcome.
feet and go. Spread kindness like a wildflower wherev-
My heart is warm with the many friends I have made, and better friends I don’t yet know. Yet there isn’t a train I would refuse to take, no matter
where it takes me. And remember this my friends, everyone sees
er you go. Fall in love with the life you’re living and refuse to let any problems kill you. This world is a book and those who don’t trav-
el have only read one page. Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures. A good traveler has no
and takes things differently. You may never know
fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. This will all
how a person may react. A person may say, “I’m fi-
be over soon.
ne” or "It's okay" but you are probably tired of hearing
Believe and you’ll achieve.
it by now. I will not tell you that I can help everyone,
This is the time.
because you might not believe me, but I will tell you
To go beyond :)
this. You have had happy moments throughout your life so there's no reason you won’t experience them in
the future again. Yes, we've all been through thick. Yes, we've all been through thin. Yes, we've all been to the light, and back to the dark again. It shows that we are the true heroes who stand up to any fear awaiting us in life. Every day is a struggle. Every day may be a new fight. Every day could still be a game, and every day may leave a new scar, but never forget that every day is new.
DANIEL OGUNDARE
12 |
The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
ALL COLLEGE 2021 As we all know, this past year has been a little
from that night pop up in my snapchat memories
different– out of our comfort zone and as we’ve heard
brings back a time when things were “normal”, and
so many times “unprecedented”. This year, Luther
when we were allowed to sit at a table with our friends
traditions look a little different. It’s bittersweet in a
not really caring about homework or stress. I really
way. We’ve all lost something we were looking for-
did love the online event this year, and watching our
ward to this year: for some kids it was the season of
extremely talented student body (and the teachers of
their favourite sport or their first high school tryouts,
course) perform was the perfect blend of humor and
for others it was the opportunity to take part in the
sincerity, but it made me wish that things were normal
school musical or to perform onstage at the last drama
again.
production of their high school experience. Some lost
In a way, it made me nostalgic– it really just
the opportunity to make friends in other grades and
didn’t feel the same. I think that in a way the program
learn from, take advice from, and irrationally stress
of All College isn’t even the biggest part of the event.
out to (only getting dismissed by) the older grades.
It’s the atmosphere. It’s the feeling of putting on a
One thing’s for sure, this year and last haven’t exactly
dress or suit and attempting to look presentable (as
been the high school experience from the cringy teen
much as a bunch of teenagers going through puberty
movies on Netflix.
can). It’s the feeling of walking into the Belsher and
On one hand, I admire Luther’s SRC and eve-
finding your friends at a table among the whole stu-
ryone involved in planning events for the student
dent body laughing and for once not caring about aca-
body. I’m thankful that we have teachers and staff
demic workload. For some it may be the butterflies in
who care enough about our community that they put
your stomach as you wait backstage to go perform in
in the effort to retain at least some semblance of nor-
front of people you love (or um… don’t I guess?). I
malcy and community. And to mention the students
truly hope that next year the new grade nines, tens,
as well, I have friends on the SRC who have been
and elevens have a good time and enjoy it as much as
waking up to attend meetings early in the morning on
I did. And to the grade twelves, I know it sucks that
Tuesdays, no matter how sleep deprived they are. Lu-
the last year you’re at Luther was this one. But next
ther likes to pride itself on its sense of community
year you guys will get to experience an entire year of
among the students, and although it isn’t always obvi-
new firsts. Obviously it’s normal to feel sad (or happy)
ous what this means, over the last couple of years I’ve
about leaving, but at this point, there’s really nothing
been at this school– despite the lack of sleep and
we can do about COVID. So look forward to the fu-
(sometimes excessive) homework load–I’ve met
ture, it’ll be great.
friends who echo a family, holding importance to me
Once again, thank you to all the people who
that I honestly didn’t think was possible. I think that’s
made this All College possible, even if it was in a dif-
what Luther means by a community: people who you
ferent way. I, along with the rest of the students and
know you can count on.
staff, really appreciate your effort, and here's to hoping
All this considered, traditions this year are a little bit strange. I’ll take you guys back to the All Col-
that next year we can give three quarters of our student body their first All College!
lege of my grade nine year. This may be distorted by memory (OPCVL content?), but seeing the pictures
MIA BHATIA
2020-2021, Issue 4: June 2021
| 13
MY MOUTH WATERS i am ashamed of my desire
i wage a war
of the lust that eats me inside out.
between my body and my mind my soul the bullet-ridden battlefield,
it starts as a need in my stomach then a chime in my head
there are no victors the troops get tired and admit defeat
next an itch in my fingertips and finally a restlessness in my watering mouth.
leaving behind grief, pain and endless fears my mouth waters with the taste of my tears.
it is too hard i cannot restrain myself, i can’t i try and i fail and i know i’m disgusting – i know, so please, stop reminding me. but i just can’t help it i need to release i need to succumb to my urges i need to be a little bit reckless.
but what can i do when my stomach screeches at me my fingers find food i want to devour and every molecule of my being urges me to do it and i am powerless to resist the lure of the forbidden.
but afterwards i am ashamed i cannot meet my own eyes in the mirror and i cannot bear to look at my body, my instrument of destruction without feeling rage and hatred fill my stomach, feelings that are so utterly vile my mouth waters with the taste of my bile.
but i am never full never satisfied the bullet-holes in my soul cannot be filled with food.
my shame is so great i have to hide
truly, what can i do? i am trapped
no one can know my secrets i couldn’t bear it if they knew what would they say? how would they look at me, think of me? the voice in my head doesn’t feel like mine anymore i cover my body under sweaters i tiptoe around my pandora’s box i never let them see the truth.
i don’t know what to do or where to start. i can’t even meet my own eyes in the mirror.
so i eat. and eat. and eat. and eat. and eat.
as my desire grows, so does my despair – but what am i to do?
it is exhausting to battle myself i am truly so tired. my mouth goes dry from the poison of my thoughts.
14 |
The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
THE REALITY BEHIND INDIA’S IRREVERSIBLE CRISIS Time travel is a fantasy that can take us from
ed facilities. In an Aljazeera article by Sunny Shergill,
one century to another, from one minute to the next.
Nina Sharma, a nurse responsible for COVID vac-
Imagine the things mankind would be able to do if
cines in a government (public) hospital in Punjab, ex-
time travel were possible. We could solve unsolved
claims that "there's no way we [nurses] can [social dis-
mysteries, relive history, and spend more time with
tance]." The inadequate provision of personal protec-
people we've lost. If time travel weren't a fantasy, I
tive equipment in public hospitals has made it almost
would travel back to April 2021 and save all the inno-
impossible to stay safe.
cent people who lost their lives due to the lack of basic medical supplies, oxygen, or ICU beds in public hospitals in India. I would make COVID vanish entirely, only to be remembered as a faint memory in history. However, India is going through the world's worst COVID outbreak, as the COVID variant, B.1.617, sweeps the entire country. The variant has put India's COVID cases at an
On the other hand, India's government seems to pay no attention to this matter as they are putting large amounts of funds towards upgrading government buildings. India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, has recently pushed through with a ₹1.8 billion parliamentary revamp. This non-essential revamp is labelled the "Central Vista Redevelopment Project" and will include a brand-new home for the PM him-
all-time high, as CNN health states that India "makes
self. It was categorized as an "essential service," as
up 50% of COVID-19 cases and 30% of deaths... ac-
construction will continue no matter the circumstanc-
cording to the WHO." The people of India were not
es. Mr. Modi, as an elected prime minister, should be
ready for this extreme outbreak, as daily cases had
primarily focusing on the mass B.1.617 outbreak in his
dropped approximately 90% from the first peak in
country. Dr. Hemant D. Shewade, a doctor specializ-
2020. In contrast, modern statistics suggest that over
ing in community medicine, reveals in an interview
400,000 cases are recorded every day in India alone!
with CNN that India's "case detection rate is around
The leading cause of death in the country has made headlines, as public hospitals are falling short of
essential medical supplies, particularly oxygen. This is because private hospitals in the country, such as the Manipal Hospital in Delhi, are well equipped with the best medical supplies and frontline workers. The expenses of private hospitals are unaffordable for most of the population, who are forced to seek medical attention in public hospitals. Although public hospitals pro-
3.6%... [while] estimated COVID deaths are five times [the reported figure]." In this roaring outbreak, the unbearable state of public hospitals has settled a fear in patients, who fear going to the hospital may cost them their life. This reality hit close to home, as recently, my mom's aunt passed away from COVID-19. Like many others, she stayed at home with the fear of losing her life if she went to a public hospital and sadly passed away in May of 2021.
vide free healthcare, they stand in poor conditions because of the lack of consideration for these overcrowd-
Continues on next page.
2020-2021, Issue 4: June 2021
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THE REALITY BEHIND INDIA’S IRREVERSIBLE CRISIS, CONTINUED Amongst all this devastation, the government is earn-
Continued from last page.
ing money at the expense of its citizens. The $10 milConsequently, this plays a significant role in
lion that Canada and the $1 billion the World Bank
why only 34% of deaths are recorded in hospitals and
are donating to India will never really be used to fight
facilities in India. The considerable lack of oxygen is a
the COVID 19 outbreak. If the government had used
leading factor in the survival rate of patients, as dona-
this money to fight the pandemic, they would have
tions from organizations such as Khalsa Aid and
saved hundreds of thousands of lives. A BBC article
UNICEF of oxygen supply are proving to be inade-
reveals that they have collected over ₹100 billion that
quate. Oxygen supply is given to those able to travel
their citizens, celebrities, industries and companies
and get to the oxygen, while ill patients in villages and
have donated to help fight the pandemic! Many as-
overpopulated buildings are not receiving the supply
sumed the government would use some of these funds
they need. India's government is aware of this situa-
to aid the country's fight against the variant, but they
tion, yet they choose to ignore it and focus on private
were mistaken. The reality behind my country's irre-
hospitals, from which they earn money. In addition,
versible crisis is the lack of consideration from the In-
India is the producer of two COVID-19 vaccines: Covi
dian government towards this devastating outbreak, as
shield and Covaxin, and have distributed over 100 mil-
while we imagine the peoples' pain, the COVID vari-
lion doses to the world as of April 2021, claims BBC
ant, B.1.617, is silently stealing their last breaths.
News. This considerable number of vaccines may benefit the rest of the world but has not progressed in India because only 0.03% of the population has been
DILMAN GILL
vaccinated!
DEAR DIARY Dear Diary, This is my first-time adventure (get it?)! Currently, I am peering through a window, watching a baby being born. It
seems extremely painful and thank goodness that I don’t have to endure that, well yet. The nurse carried the newborn in her arms to gently wash away the blood. The father burst into the room and had tears of joy seeing his little bundle of joy. I had to see the offspring for myself, so I devised a plan. I entered the hospital and found a bunch of nurse clothes lying in the nearest room. I headed to the nursery, disguised as a nurse (which I looked pretty good as). I found the child’s crib, which had the name tag “October 10, 5:01 pm”. The girl was remarkably lovable as a panda. I took my phone out to capture a selfie with my past self and my current self. It was definitely a keeper. Love, Your Local Time Traveller
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
SOCIAL ADVOCACY FILM NIGHT The Social Advocacy club hosted a film night on the Friday before first semester final exams and over twenty people showed up. We had a great night learning about topics such as the LGBTQ+ community, sexism, and environmental issues. In total, we watched four films, and for each film we had a discussion about the issues presented and what we thought about the film. I encourage you to consider the questions before reading the responses.
“LEADING LADY PART” This is a film on gender bias, specifically about how society wants women to act and look. The premise of the plot
is an audition for the role of Leading Lady. From the perspective of the actors, the leading lady is dramatic and sad, however, the auditioning team creates confusion not only about how the actors perceive the scene, but also about their own perceptions of the image of the leading lady. In the film, the image of the Leading Lady is someone that is smiley, beautiful, thin, feminine, vulnerable, delicate but with a “great rack.” She is someone that is thin AND curvy, sexy AND innocent, a perfect female figure by the standard of the society, a sexy virgin. Nonwhite actors are asked to become whiter before reading and, towards the end, the directors realize they could not quite find “the one” that they were looking for. In the last scenes of the film, however, a tall, white man was accepted immediately upon entering the room. The camera then cuts to posters of Marry Poppins, Wonder woman, etc., all with the same white male actor playing the main character. This film reflects the movie industry of today
— while men are unbelievably privileged, women are given unreachable and often contradictory expectations. Although this film focuses on the casting in the filming industry, these expectations extend to everything else.
LEADING QUESTION: Is this film a commentary of Hollywood and the film industry, or an exaggeration? R: I think its pretty accurate. In a lot of movies the leading lady is really sexualized. They are portrayed to be desirable to men instead of focusing on the character. The film also brings up a valid point about how women are often more valued for how they look rather than how they act.
R: This film also shows society’s stereotype of women and what society expects out of women. Women are given a frame of expectations and roles for them to meet, although these expectations are basically impossible to meet. The film also demonstrates how white women are more likely to become the lead than colored women. R: Lots of movies are casting based on looks, such as skin color, sex appeal, etc. over the main message of the movie. For example, the backstory for a lead in the movie might be homeless, ugly and poor. Instead of finding the right actor for the movie, a role model would walk out, which completely detaches from the focus of the movie. Also, especially in teenage movies, none of the actors have acne when they are at the age when acne is commonly occurring. This shows how the casting cares about the looks over finding the fitting actor.
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SOCIAL ADVOCACY FILM NIGHT , CONTINUED “FAST FASHION” The film “Fast Fashion” is about the environmental impacts of the fast fashion industry, where clothes are made to be trendy, cheap and disposable. Currently, the average American buys around 68 new pieces of clothing a year. Companies such as Zara and H&M turn $800 high fashion clothing into cheap and affordable clothes, looking the same but costing only $60. However, on average, half of those pieces of new clothing are worn 3 times or less. In 2015, textile production created more greenhouse gases than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Not only are greenhouse gasses involved, but growing the cotton to make the clothes also consumes a
crazy amount of water. The cotton needed to make a jacket uses up 10,330 litres of water, equivalent to 24 years of drinking water for one person. Another material, viscose, also poses a threat to the forests; 33% of viscose in cloth comes from ancient or threatened forests. In addition, making the viscos itself involves a huge amount of waste. Out of the harvested wood, 70% is dumped or incinerated, while only 30% is used in the garments. The process of manufacturing, processing and dying all uses lots of toxic chemicals, which are often simply dumped into local rivers near villages, poisoning water for millions. On top of manufacturing cloth, the disposal of clothes is also harming the planet. The average American throws away 36 kg (80 lbs) of clothes each year, but the synthetic materials in them do not degrade as fast. Charity is another alternative to throwing away cloth, but not all of the clothes donated are given to the needy. One Salvation Army center in New Year creates 18 tonnes of unwanted clothes
every 3 days, and if they are not sold within a month, they are sold to buyers from the developing world.
LEADING QUESTION: What did this video make you think about buying or changing clothes?. R: I’m really glad that thrifting stuff has come back into “fashion” since I think that reduces some of the shame of people thrifting clothes or buying second hand. Also, donating to Value Village or the Salvation Army is great, but if someone is able to give to nonprofits like Trinity Lutheran Church or North Central Family Center, it will give people who don’t have money to pay for those clothes access to them.
QUESTION 2: Do you think the advice in the video would make a difference? R: We need to recreate the system that we use to create clothes because the process is killing the planet. This is a problem that spans many industries, as people who sell these products are more concerned about making a profit over protecting the planet. For example, when companies make products less durable so consumers will buy more of the product, and more often. R: If we actually followed and committed to the advice in the video, there probably would be a difference. But we are so stuck on first impressions and judging a person by their looks, so it’s not possible to follow the advice.
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
SOCIAL ADVOCACY FILM NIGHT, CONTINUED QUESTION 3: How would we take action in our own city, our province? R: Shop at a local level and reduce the frequency of purchase. R: Compile a list and letting people know where to donate their stuff. R: Buy after the trend is over. This prevents clothes from being discarded and the price decreases. It’s a win-win. When shopping, ask yourself this question: Without looking into the origin (the brand, etc.), is this a style that represents you? Or is it merely a trend that you are told you need to buy into via Instagram or ads? If this style truly represents you, it will last a longer time but giving in to the trends will make you quickly lose interest in that new item.
“OUT” This film, called “OUT,” was directed by Steven Hunter. The film revolves around the story of a gay couple, Greg and Manuel. Greg has been hiding his relationship from his parents because he is afraid they will be against it, but one day Greg’s parents abruptly come to visit, forcing him to take initiative and tell them. In the end, Greg realizes that his parents only want him to be happy and his relationship with Manuel was welcomed by his parents.
LEADING QUESTION: This short film was not vastly approved by many boards. Some countries even banned this short film. How should companies deal with controversies? R: Some people are always going to disagree and criticize. It is important for companies to cater to all types of people instead of only the majority. The more [gay relationships] represented in the media, the less taboo [they’ll] become, and maybe more people will be accepting.
DAVID KUANG
2020-2021, Issue 4: June 2021
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THE BEST TIME TRAVEL FILMS TO WATCH THIS SUMMER!
ZOE SEAMAN
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
SUPERSTARS CROSSWORD PUZZLE BY MR. PERSSON 1
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ACROSS 1 Caesar saying 5 Famous dragon 9 Insolent 14 Clutch 15 Folk singer Guthrie 16 Missed by ____ 17 Cluster 18 Ski lift 19 Gold unit 20 Superstar role #1 23 ____ Flux (2005 film) 24 Permitted actions 25 Superstar role #2 31 More adorable 32 Pull on 33 Asian sea 35 Part of IPA 36 Sure winner
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DOWN 1 Chicken alternative 2 Downtown transport 3 Turner or Fey 4 Move to first class 5 Revelation island 6 Early pope 7 Banner 8 Fusion or Focus 9 Bluejacket 10 Concussion symptom 11 Autograph 12 Blackthorn 13 Even now 21 “Not in all my ____!” 22 Wise saying 25 Mint drink 26 Embryonic state (in) 27 Gets worked up 28 Chicago player
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29 Ready ____! 30 Neutral color 31 Cleveland player 34 4G standard 37 Most people? 38 French flame? 39 ____-logical 42 Bring to life 45 Common intolerance 47 Hand tool 48 Drab bird, in contrast 49 Doctor’s priority 52 Starship hit (1985) 53 Positive mantra 54 Comic Galifianakis 55 Neutral color 56 Arabian prince 57 Indian wrap 58 Swab 61 Born as