Tatler - November, 2019

November 2019

MUSICAL

GRADE NINE CAMPING TRIP

WORD SEARCH

DEAR READER . . .

HELLO EVERYONE! I am so excited to finally be releasing our first edition of the year! We have received so many awesome contributions and I hope you all enjoy reading them as much as I have! A quick reminder that our theme was growth, new beginnings and transitions but we received a wide variety of amazing submissions. Myself and Virginia as co - editors are striving to create fun and engaging newspapers that showcase all the talent we have right here at Luther! So, keep the creativity flowing and keep submitting to The Tatler! Special thanks to Virginia Hector, Mrs. Smoliak, and Ms. Wilkinson for all their help and to Mme. Marpole for the photos! Now sit back, relax, and enjoy this first edition of The Tatler!

VERONICA EXNER

PRESIDENTIAL LETTER HEY LUTHER, It's your SRC Vice President Cooper Anderson. I want to get everyone excited about some Luther events that are coming up in the future. For example, Multicultural night is on November the 21st. It will feature food and performances from a variety of cultures and countries around the world. Be sure to come out and try some foods you’ve never had before at an affordable price! Also, later in December will be our Winter Formal dance. This is when you can get dressed up, in a fancy dress or with a collared shirt and tie, and attend another dance! We are very excited to put on these events for you!

COOPER ANDERSON

Artwork by Myka Der

CALLING ALL CREATIVE GENIUSES: The theme for the next edition will be

International In the spirit of multicultural night and our diverse community at Luther we want to showcase the many different backgrounds, languages, and stories Luther students have to offer! Your submission can be anything: poetry, stories, journalism, pictures, raps, rants, or even something in a different language (be sure to include an English translation). Wow us!

The Tatler Google classroom code is: m63hh9. Please sign up with a non-Luther g-mail account and state your House name so we can award you points!

As always, this is just a guideline so feel free to be creative and submit outside the theme! Afterall, this is your newspaper so have fun with it! Thanks for all your submissions and stay creative!

Cover Art by Myka Der

"Without rain, nothing grows. Learn to embrace the storms of your life."

Photos By Ella Yang

Luther, My New Home ON THE 20TH of August, I arrived in Canada. I started my new life in Regina as a dorm student at Luther College High School. I was so timid at first-- without my friends, without my family, and in a country which is dominant in the language of English--which is not my mother tongue. Everything was completely new to me. I was afraid to do anything wrong and I was afraid that people here wouldn’t like me. I was afraid to talk, as I was not confident in my English at all. I was afraid that my awkward English would make others laugh at me. Later, I met a lot of newcomers in dorms and became good friends with them. The dorm Deans are also really sweet and nice, which really helped me relieve my nerves and adapt to the new environment. I tried to get involved in my new school and obtain a sense of belonging. The first thing that really encouraged me to make new friends here and consider I BEGAN TO TRY TO GET INVOLVED AND Luther as my home is that one of my classmates invited me to study with them OBTAIN A SENSE OF BELONGING in my spare. We studied together and talked a lot about our own stories. I really felt their friendliness, which warmed me from the bottom of my heart. I felt that I was welcomed and that was the first time I heard others say that my English is nice. The second thing that made me feel at home here was joining the Junior Volleyball team. At first, I didn’t even think that I could make the team. I just tried out because I really had a passion for sports. I cannot even describe how excited I was when I saw my name on the sheet with the volleyball team. My coaches and teammates were so thoughtful and were willing to teach me English. One of them even invited me to come to her home next Thanksgiving to try the turkey! They taught me the daily things that I didn’t know before--like what a hoodie or bunnyhug is. What’s more, I have the perfect roommate!

We are in the same grade and share some of the same classes. She is a talented student and she is also helpful and patient-- she is willing to spell out the English words for me and explain their meanings. She also helped me to study.

Those might seem like small things but they really add up to make me feel at home. Luther College High School, my new home, gives me courage and a sense of belonging in this foreign country.

ANNA CHEN

I AIN’T NO HERO I ain't no hero to the mob that shouts its loud acclaim, I’m no dashing, darting ghost that gathers in the fame, "We're overworked," say the receivers to the coach, Meanwhile on my depth chart, it says, "Starting O and D" signed, Bro Coach.

I'm the one they never see on any touchdown play, Cause when that hero gets the ball, I simply clear the way.

No one knows my name that carries a heavy load.

Cause when that hero gets the ball, I merely clear a road.

We front five lay it on the line, we all have our bruises, but to us that is just fine, In fact it can amuse us.

We have but one job that is, to ensure our men are free, And that job is done, as we can hold blocks for 3.3.

I'm no hero to the mob, but that's al-

right with me.

After all someone must sacrifice, to set that hero free.

The Quarterback throws for 160 the headline reads across.

No one saw the tackler I brought down, that had him for a loss.

The running back’s dashing, darting feet are the reason we have won.

No one saw that avenue, I had opened for his run.

When that hero goes down with a beaten dome, It’s up to us, the big boys, to carry that hero home.

I'm no hero on the field, but that's alright by me, I'm a champion to my team and that's all I ever need.

That’s just the way it is, no matter what we do, A hawg up front must clear the way, To get that hero through.

Ethan "Stallion" Van Cryenest #44

LIFE LINE There’s a lifeline.

And here I stand, in the middle, not sure to go forwards, where I would have to face new obstacles.

Or go backwards where I would face the same obstacles.

So I proceed to grow As I go forward And continue with the adventure Life throws at us.

AKSHAYA RAVI

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES WHEN I FIRST came to Luther in grade nine I was a really shy kid who wasn’t great at making friends quickly. I really wanted to find a place where I would feel welcomed and invited into the school. I still remember my friends having to convince me to sign up for musical auditions. I had my audition on the first day of school and by the second week we were already I REMEMBER BEING IN AWE into rehearsals. I OF THE GRADE TWELVES… was automatically FOUR YEARS LATER I AM IN welcomed. I remember AWE OF THE TALENT OF AND being in awe COURAGE OF THE GRADE of the grade NINES, TENS, AND ELEVENS... and the fact twelves that they were even able to remember my name. I made so many friends participating in the musical in grade nine that I am still best friends with today. Although I’ve grown in confidence since grade nine I think the musical continues to have the same impact on me. Four years later I am in awe of the talent and courage the grade nines, tens, and elevens have and am continuing to build friendships with people I usually don’t have classes with or are in different grades. Overall, Luther’s musical has been a fun and welcoming experience for me and I can proudly say I am glad that I auditioned in grade nine, even if I did end up forgetting the words to “O Canada.”

MEIKA SONNTAG

LIVT SNAPSHOT

Photos by JENET CAI

WHAT THE HECK IS A UNIVERSITY? ALRIGHTY FRIENDS, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve written to the Tatler and I feel so grateful that Veronica reached out to me. She asked me to pass on some advice to this year’s grade twelves regarding the “Uni life.” I’m currently at Queen’s University studying a variety of Art and Science courses including Drama, Film, French, Psychology, and Political Studies. I am hoping to continue with Theatre in my upper years. This is based on my own experience and what I have gleaned from others so please keep that in mind. I am warning you now, the university selection and application process is stressful and redundant. I suggest narrowing your top choices so that you don’t waste your time filling out forms and stressing about deadlines concerning a school you don’t even want to attend. I was extremely reluctant to begin. The idea of applying for university made me nauseous and it didn’t help that everyone around me seemed to have a 10-year plan as well as a success story all worked out. It’s a big step and it’s ok to be hesitant. Take the time to do some research and know that you can’t really make a wrong decision. There’s a lot to choose from but the grand majority will provide you with everything you need. A family friend suggested I make a chart to organize my choices and my priorities to see where they align. I’m positive I would have succeeded in either one,

but this process helped me feel confident in my decision. Here’s an example of what I did…

My one brother lives in Kingston, and the other is in Ottawa. Several family members live in Toronto. Ok, so I made my choice, I got accepted and now I had to actually go and get a degree. The transition was not as easy as everyone led me to believe. The people who talked to me had the best intentions. My teachers and my older friends were all very encouraging but when I rolled up to Kingston, I struggled a lot. Academics were a bit of a learning curve, but it was really the emotional impact of moving, saying goodbye to relationships, and the anxiety of finding new friends and making first impressions that became the true challenge. Being there felt wrong BUT it got better. Remember that the period of intense change will pass, and things will become familiar once more. Soon that change will feel ok and even refreshing. From what I’ve observed, Luther prepares you most for writing, work ethic and time management. For those pursuing STEM, prepare for a steeper learning curve. Consider the

first year as an equalizer. People are coming from different provinces, with different curriculums and the main goal of the university is to get everyone on the same page. This means that some people will struggle more than others at first. Once 2nd year starts you’ll be caught up and learning the same material at the same time as everyone else. I remember talking to other people going into university — some couldn’t wait to leave, some were excited to meet new people, some were starting slow and steady to work towards something bigger, some knew what they wanted and were diving in deep, and some had no idea what they were doing. I was scared. There is no right or wrong way to feel, just like there’s no right or wrong choice for your post-secondary education. The world is a jumble of experiences and emotions and it’s our privilege to get to explore them. If you guys have any other questions about university, please hit me up at leanna.will@outlook.com. Good luck with your senior year. Enjoy it to its full capacity, study hard, be with your friends and family, take a few risks, and learn a few lessons. Don’t worry, these things don’t stop just because you’re going to university; they keep going in different ways.

LEANNA WILLIAMS

Grade Nine Camping Trip I WENT BACK to Katepwa as a camp counsellor for the grade 9s this fall and it was pretty wacky — I’m not going to lie. Honestly, looking back at my grade 9 camping trip from 2016, I really just wanted to relive those memories.

Coming back to Katepwa with some of my friends that I’ve had since grade 9, and new ones I made later, was refreshing.

New memories were made and old ones were either rewritten or strengthened. Being with my friends and having the opportunity to make new friends in grade 9 outside of the school environment was less stressful and relaxing. Forming connections with the grade 9s was really nice. Hanging out with grade 9s, especially the girls in my cabin, made me feel like I was their age again. It was really nostalgic and got me in touch with my own grade 9 self. Talking to them until midnight the night before we were going back to Regina was a fun memory and probably the highlight of the trip for me. The contrast between the friends I had during my grade 9 trip in 2016 with those I had this year is funny considering how much we have or haven’t changed from grade 9. Despite having a good time, I had a small existential crisis on the second night. I was like, “Oh gosh I’m old now!” and I’m still going through it, if I’m being honest. I’m glad I went though, and I hope the grade 9 friends I made at the camp become counsellors one day so they can feel the weird nostalgia and existential crisis I’m going through right now. I really hope the girls in my cabin remember our talk and look back at it in 3 years in a positive light.

BEATRICE DOMINGO Grade Twelve

LUTHER COLLEGE has a tradition of abducting their newest recruits to be taken to the Katepwa lodges. Children are taught to do warm-up exercises in the morning with bright smiles, lest they face unspeakable punishments… Alas, not all children returned from the camp. Legend has it they’re still there, or maybe that was a movie. I forget. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at camp.

In previous years, I had been there for Girl Guides and summer camp. Yet, this experience was different because Luther had planned their camp much better than my past experiences. The teachers and grade 12s ran the camp quite well. I enjoyed that we were able to choose what activities we wanted to do, and try new ones. The ones I enjoyed most were canoeing and zip lining. I appreciated the night games. If you are not a late night person, or don’t like running around it was nice to be able to do as you please, such as playing board games in the hall or reading a book in your cabin. To me, I did not need to since I was having too much fun to miss out on the games. Some things I did not enjoy was the food. I spoke with some of my friends and we agreed that it could have been better. Yes, this was camp, but compared to others, I have had much better meals. One of my favorites though was the lasagna. It was delish! Besides that, overall I am pleased. This short weekend was one of the best I have been to for school camps. It was also quite memorable since my friends and I got stuck out on the lake pulling a canoe behind us. But also because I made new friends and learned new things, such as the campfire songs.

LUCY WRIGHT Grade Nine

Unheard Voices I’VE ASKED SOME of my friends a few questions about “growth” and what it means to them.

Each answered with no influence outside of themselves. I gave them 10 minutes to think deeply about the questions.

Evan: First question. What is your personal opinion on the word “growth?”

Ashley: I guess, I don’t feel growth means to just “grow physically.” I feel it means how you improve yourself.

Like the growth of your knowledge, personality, reactions and spiritual being.

Emily: Growth is the way we develop as we grow older. It is how we change and learn from our past. It’s the way you mature and accept different things in the world. Growth is a part of life that allows you to grow into the person you will eventually be later in life.

Your experiences are what help you to become the person you are. To forgive and move forward. Growth is the way your view of the world develops and changes.

Miranda: Growth is basically the evolution of our past stage, for better or for worse, body and/or mind. I feel like you could also choose how to grow.

Growing doesn’t just work by itself.

You have to put more effort into it if you truly want to grow for the better.

Friend A: Growth means the ability to develop in mind and spirit; to be able to take on more responsibility and grow in maturity.

Friend D: Oh good question, I just watched a bunch of ethics stuff. To me, growth is becoming a better person than you were yesterday - just actively fighting and striving to be nicer, generous, more understanding and not reaching perfection of course but just trying your best, everyday.

Evan: Second question. Do you see growth in everyday life?

Ashley: Yes, you grow from learning.

Like you learn from your own actions or the actions of others, or simply something interesting you see or hear about that day. People are always learning, which makes me feel we’re always growing.

Emily: Yes, every day you and the people around you are changing, even if it is in the slightest ways. Each day brings new experiences and challenges allowing you to take away from it and develop into the person you are.

Miranda: It depends on yourself and the people around you. Some people grow faster, in different ways than others. People can grow slowly, but it’ll probably take more time to notice it, especially when compared to the past.

Change does affect growth, so people could seem to grow faster when faced with drastic changes.

Friend A: No. It is like watching a flower grow. You don't notice the difference every day but after a certain amount of time, the change is noticeable. We don't realize how much we have grown until certain challenges arise and we overcome them.

Friend D: I guess so, yes? It all depends on the decisions people, including yourself make, and whether or not they’re striving to be the best they can be in such a bitter world.

Evan: Final question. Is growth corruptive?

Ashley: I think yes. As I’ve been saying, I feel it connects to learning and taking in information from your surParticipants: roundings to better your understandAshley, LeBoldus High School in Regi- ing. If you’re surrounded by negative na or harmful influences, that could lead Emily, Miller High School in Regina to “corruption” or cause negative acMiranda, West Brook High School in tions and therefore negative conseTexas quences.

Friend A, Canadian male, anonymous Emily: It can be depending on the surFriend D, US male, anonymous roundings and things in the world.

Growing up somewhere that’s “bad,” with bad influences around can be corruptive. Growing up somewhere with positive influences allows for less corruption and gives a better chance of growing up to be good. That is not always the case though because what you learn or see and how you interpret it is what can make growth positive or negative.

Miranda: It really depends on what area you’re trying to grow in and how.

For example, if you’re trying to be the best if your class, you might become obsessed with the idea and overwork yourself, which deteriorates your body.

I’d say that growth isn’t bad, but you just shouldn’t make it your total reason for your life.

Friend A: Yes it can be. Depending on the influences around us. Negative influences can lead to destructive behaviour/growth.

Friend D: I don't believe so? Maybe in a way it can be, like how a growing company can start to adapt corrupt business practices. but inherently no, I don’t think it’s corrupt.

Evan: Anything to add on?

Ashley: Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

Emily: No, not really.

Miranda: Hello, this is Mia (pronounced Mee-yah), from Texas.

(Actually from Saskatoon, for those wondering how the heck Evan even knows me.) Stay healthy, and take care of yourself. And try to be on your best behaviour, because it’d be better for your teachers, and partly because I wanna know if the Texas kids here are really that rowdy. Anyways, thank you, Evan, for letting me participate in this questionnaire.

Friend A: Personal growth is measured by how we want to succeed in life.

There is "worth" in growth. Be the best version of EVAN LI yourself.

TEACHER TRIVIA! NEW OR OLD, student or teacher, test your knowledge of Luther faculty and staff and see how many names you can find! Have fun!

CONGRATULATIONS! The prompt for this edition was GROWTH and you certainly did not disappoint!

First place goes to Evan Li!

Second place goes to Anna Chen!

Third place goes to Akshaya Ravi!

Thanks to everyone who submitted. You were all amazing! Keep up the great work and stay tuned for details about upcoming editions!