DECEMBER 2021
2021-2022, Issue 2
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
FROM THE EDITORS
FROM THE PRESIDENT
HI EVERYONE!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I KNOW THAT THESE PAST FEW
I HOPE YOUR YEAR IS ENDING OFF PEACEFULLY.
WEEKS HAVE BEEN STRESSFUL FOR EVERYONE
FIRSTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR
WITH LAST MINUTE ASSIGNMENTS AND UNIT TESTS
MAKING THIS EDITION POSSIBLE.
AND EVERYONE HAS JUST BEEN HOLDING OUT FOR
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS EACH TIME ARE GREATLY CHERISHED.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY SUPERIOR,
YOUR TATLER EDITOR, VIRGINIA HECTOR FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE TO YOU ALL.
MANY
THANKS TO MY FELLOW CO–EDITOR, MIA, AND A DEEP SENSE OF GRATITUDE TO MRS. MS
THE WINTER BREAK.
WITH
THIS BREAK,
I HOPE
EVERYONE GETS THE REST THAT THEY DESERVE. THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING MAKE THIS WEEK BEARABLE BY PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENTS AROUND THE SCHOOL.
SPIRIT
SEE YOU ALL NEXT
SMOLIAK AND
YEAR!
WILKINSON WITH THEIR WORDS OF ADVICE.
IT IS AN HONOUR TO BE ABLE TO TRANSITION AS A CURRENT GRADE
ALL THE BEST,
11 CO-EDITIOR TO YOUR SOON TO
ARYANA PILLAY
BE EDITOR IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
WITH LOTS OF CHRISTMAS CHEER, INI IDOWU (CO-EDITOR)
WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TATLER? Join our Google Classroom using the code: qj2raiq
This edition’s cover art is by Jocelyn Heroux.
The code can also be found in the library. Use it to stay connected with The Luther Tatler so that you know when submission deadlines are! For the next edition we welcome theme ideas! Please email virginia.hector@lutherhs.ca or
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EDITOR’S QUOTE
The Luther Tatler is edited by Virginia
“Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much.”
Hector and co-edited by Mia Bhatia
- Helen Keller
and Ini Idowu.
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There’s an unmatched shame in the act of Googling The word chanted through your childhood in worship To finally learn what it means My dadima— sorry— My grandma Asked me why I don’t speak her language But I did not know how to answer. What can I say? My parents never taught me? (because they only speak Punjabi in India.) I never cared to learn? (that’s not true, is it?) How does someone learn their history? It feels too late to start now. Uncertainty—the unknown bathes my perception of my culture. Of myself. A lengthy process. A broken path. i don’t seek my own salvation but the knowledge of my past. You cannot google “how to not be whitewashed” Trust me, i’ve tried.
ANONYMOUS
U NDER T HESE R OOTS The lineage is not short! The lineage is exceptionally foresightful. Down, down, down into the darkness of the lineage, Gently it goes - the tall, the foresightful, the interminable. Don't believe that the culture is lean? The culture is rich beyond belief. Never forget the fat and well-fixed culture. How happy are growing roots! Down, down, down into the darkness of the roots, Gently they go - the foxy, the crafty, the cute and cunning laughter AKSHAYA RAVI
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
T HOUGHTS ON R AMADAN Most people, when they hear about fasting, immediately think about Muslims, but fasting is something that is found in all five of the world’s major religions even though it may be a completely different thing for one compared to another. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are both days when Catholics fast, while Yom Kippur is a day when Jews fast. For Catholics, fasting is when they are permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals, while on the flipside, fasting for Jews is no food or water for 25 hours. One of the reasons why Catholics fast is to act as a penance for their sins. On the other hand, Jews fast to focus on matters of the spirit and to arouse the compassion of God to forgive them.
decreasing. I catch myself at least once a week if not every day, taking my food upstairs and even if I am surprisingly downstairs, eating with my family, there's still the TV going on. Now don't get me wrong, we do watch TV in Ramadan but because we're so hungry, no one is "actually" watching the TV but rather focusing on the food.
Last but not least, I also like to stay awake late at night in Ramadan. Since I know I would wake up for Suhoor (it’s too hard to not have one last meal before the day), I mostly don’t even sleep till that time (which can be from around 2 am to 6 am depending on the season). I know it’s not healthy but it’s okay considering the time at which I wake up in the morning on Ramadan days (I will not mention It’s easy to see from this that fasting has a signifithat). In this time (Iftar to Suhur), I try to do as cant role in many religions. For Catholics and many prayers, supplications and whatnot because I Jews, fasting is Good Friday and Yom Kippur refind that for myself, praying in the night is way betspectively while for Muslims it’s the holy month of ter than doing it in the morning or afternoon. The Ramadan, a month in which billions of Muslims simple reason is that there are so many distractions around the world fast, reflect and remind themin the morning making it hard to concentrate. selves of their dependence on God. It is a time when the rich get to feel the hunger of the less for- At the end of this marvellous month, we celebrate with a three-day-long Eid, known as Eid al Fitr, a tunate and the recitation of the Quran (the holy time when Muslims gather together and show gratibook for Muslims) can be heard in every housetude towards God. It's arguably one of the most hold. amusing and pleasurable times in the Islamic calenThe three things that I enjoy about this month are dar for all Muslims (especially me!), but that’s a the free time that becomes available to me, the fam- writing prompt for next year. Until then, I wish you ily dinner at Iftaar (right after sunset) and staying all the luck and I hope you enjoy your traditions. awake the whole night in prayer or straight out re- Peace. laxing for the meal of suhur (meal right before sunASHAR RIZVI rise). I find that while I’m fasting, I have a whole bunch of free time not only because I’m trying to hang onto my energy by leaving any hard work to the night but also because, on usual days, I always have that permission to “Grab a Snack” or have something to eat in general which adds up quite a bit (in time and in calories). Not in Ramadan! Seriously, without eating food you realize how much of your brain was constantly thinking of food. The second thing I like about Ramadan is how there’s not even one day where we go without a full -on family dinner. It’s easy to see that the number of family dinners that a family has every week is
Ashar’s Decoration for Ramadan
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SIBILANCE Sweet sounds of sowing seeds sweeping through like soft snakes so scared they saluted their souls and saw some signs of sadness from a shortage of sibilant sounds that seem so silent as a secret whisper, slithering amidst the story of socks and sneakers slightly too small a size for some sorrowful shoppers and less humorous stories such as the snow shining in the scared, shivering, shrubs his salary of Torrance; A sea of sails is safely sacrificing to the salesman who sought some salt for a sandwich to savour and satisfy the scissoring scenery of a seldom seen season self-center and severely sensitive because who shall seriously shame the shocking, smooth significance of sibilance. MARCUS GEIGER
SHE JUST WANTED TO BE WARM She arms herself with sweaters hoping that if she can hide her body she can escape her mind, too. But no number of layers can protect her from the cold. Her fingers are icicles, her nose gone numb and the stirrings in her stomach are like the gentle ripples of a frozen river invisible on the surface. She is in her winter. She shakes now all the time. From hunger and cold, and fear, but mostly – from anger.
The flames engulf her burning and purging her very self melting her oozing skin till she is shrivelled coals. She needs the flame But it has killed her Is any part of her even left? They say anger is a fire, a dangerous, destructive fire. But they also say fire is passion, the sparks of love, laughter and life. How was she to know to stay away from fire when it supposedly had everything she wanted? She was in her winter. She needed that fire to survive. She just wanted to be warm even if only for a fleeting moment. ANONYMOUS
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
A FRICAN P AVILLION : B EHIND THE S CENES “A lovely compilation of events and flavourful foods,” some may call it. “Days and weeks of running around, confirming new rules, gathering everyone, and sowing the fruit of my labour” is what I call it. If you hadn’t figured it out already, it was the 6:30p.m event on the 25th of November, 2021. Luther College High School’s Multicultural Event.
First ever multicultural and I am in charge of a booth?? What if this turns out to be a total flop?
Scene 1, Take 136!
Action, lights, camera! No one’s cooperating! We need the younger grades involved! They don’t want to be embarrassed Do we remove the whole African Pavilion out of the program?
Lights, camera, action! Dance! We need a song! A routine! A teacher? A ready made youtube dance? We need to do something!!!
Action, lights, camera! Oopsies, I forgot to submit the forms!! Now, we should really quit. Isn’t it too late to get involved?
Lights, camera, action! Ouu Catwalk! That’s a fun addition! Who’s walking? I’m not walking in front of the whole school community. I’m going to fall and stumble over. We need to organize something!!!
Scene! Have a good night! I hope you enjoyed the show! I know we did! After the whole event however, from our very own living room couches From the videos we had taken to rewatch the memories.
Lights, camera, action! Vaccination? Masks? Luther students? Parents? How do we even do this?
INI IDOWU
AAVISKAR PARASOR
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W HERE I’ M F ROM I am from blankets From Milo, gelatina Boggy, and classic Ducales. I am from house number 12 with a wide and verdant backyard. I am from Sixta, And all of those that have passed away I am here thanks to my aunts’ rosaries, many prayers and a hard-working family I am from the lively novenas in silent living rooms and birthdays with infallible cake. From table manners that were taught and observed. Oh, and los días de las velitas in December. I am from Colombia, its montañas, ríos, páramos, and more. I am from the traffic jams in the crowded Bogotá, My dad’s smokey barbecue, and arroz con leche and ajiaco and arepas and empanadas and delicious mac and cheese. From moving to different schools and even to another country, I am from the people I have met I am from the drawers and shelves with photo albums They carry moments I do not remember KAROL GABRIELA BERNAL SAENZ
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
N IGERIAN C ULTURE R EPRESENTED I N L ITERATURE 1. THINGS FALL APART” BY CHINUA ACHEBE As a young man, Chinua Achebe read several books on western culture, but he found that there was a lack of representation of his people in literature. So, he wrote his own. He wrote a tragic tale of how a vulnerable society and a flawed man could not cope with the pressure of military superiority and the arrogance of the white invaders.
2. “HALF OF A YELLOW SUN” BY CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE Adichie’s novel is a story of ordinary people swept up in unusual circumstances. A privileged young woman, an avid university lecturer, an uneducated houseboy and a British writer all try to hold on to their values, loyalties and loves as the world falls apart around them. Adichie’s novel also includes themes of colonialism, tribalism, class and race.
PHOTOS FROM MULTICULTURAL NIGHT!
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N IGERIAN C ULTURE R EPRESENTED I N L ITERATURE , C ON ’ T
3. “AKE” BY WOLE SOYINKA “Aké” is a memoir of Wole Soyinka’s childhood years in Abeokuta, in the Yoruba southwest. Young Soyinka witnesses a society torn between traditional and modernizing forces and some of the first protests against colonial rule in the 40s.
4. “THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI’S WIVES” BY LOLA SHONEYIN Lola Shoneyin’s novel talks about polygamy, infertility, rape, and domestic abuse in a modern Nigerian family. This novel does touch on sensitive topics but Shoney manages to include comedy and good character arcs throughout the novel. The reader also learns much about Nigeria whilst reading this book as well.
5. “PURPLE HIBISCUS” BY CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE Another of Adichie’s bestsellers is “Purple Hibiscus,” set in postcolonial Nigeria. The protagonist, Kambili Achike, is a member of a wealthy family dominated by her devout and abusive Catholic father, Eugene. Adichie’s novel showcases Igbo culture, an ethnic group in Nigeria, and one of the themes of the book is the hypocrisy of traditional religion.
DEMI OGUNDELE
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
R ECIPE C ORNER JOLLOF RICE, S IZZLING IN YOUR M OUTH Jollof rice, widely known for its very bright orange colour, was everyone’s favourite dish on the 25th of November, at Luther College High School. Its tasty, mouthwatering, flavourful tang still lingers on my tongue, and I’m sure it does on yours too. If you did not have the opportunity to taste it on that blessed day, below is a recipe that you can use to recover from the once-in-a lifetime experience you missed!
INGREDIENTS: • • • • •
1/3 cup oil (vegetable/canola/coconut, not olive oil) 6 medium-sized fresh plum/Roma tomatoes, chopped, or a 400 gram tin of tomatoes 6 fresh, red poblano peppers (or 4 large red bell peppers), seeds discarded 3 medium-sized red onions (1 sliced thinly, 2 roughly chopped), divided 1/2 to 1 hot pepper, or to taste (yellow Scotch bonnets are my favourite)
• • • • • • • •
3 tablespoons tomato paste 2 teaspoons (Caribbean/Jamaican-style) curry powder 1 teaspoon dried thyme 2 dried bay leaves 5 to 6 cups stock (vegetable, chicken, or beef) or water, divided 2 teaspoons unsalted butter (optional), divided 4 cups uncooked converted long-grain rice or golden sella basmati, rinsed Salt, to taste
4. Add the rinsed rice and butter, stir, cover with a double piece of foil/baking or parchment paper and put a lid 1. In a blender, combine tomatoes, red poblano (or bell) on the pan—this will seal in the steam and lock in the flavour. Turn down the heat and cook on low for 30 peppers, chopped onions, and Scotch bonnets with 2 cups of stock, blend till smooth, about a minute or two. minutes. You should have roughly 6 cups of blended mix. Pour 5. Stir rice—taste and adjust as required. If you like, add into a large pot/ pan and bring to the boil then turn sliced onions, fresh tomatoes and the 2nd teaspoon of down and let simmer, covered for 10 - 12 minutes. butter and stir through. 2. In a large pan, heat oil and add the sliced onions. Season with a pinch of salt, stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, then To make Party Rice, you'll need one more step. Now Party add the bay leaves, curry powder and dried thyme and a Rice is essentially Smoky Jollof Rice, traditionally cooked over pinch of black pepper for 3 - 4 minutes on medium heat. an open fire. However, you can achieve the same results on the Then add the tomato paste - stir for another 2 minutes. stove top. Add the reduced tomato-pepper-Scotch bonnet mixture, 7. Here's how: Once the rice is cooked, turn up the heat stir, and set on medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes till with the lid on and leave to "burn" for 3 to 5 minutes. reduced by half, with the lid on. This is the stew that You'll hear the rice crackle and snap and it will smell will define the pot. toasted. Turn off the heat and leave with the lid on to "rest" till ready to serve. The longer the lid stays on, the 3. Add 4 cups of the stock to the cooked tomato sauce smokier. Let the party begin! and bring it to boil for 1 - 2 minutes. INSTRUCTIONS:
Although our food was freshly made by Mrs. Onasanya, a lovely parent of ours, we were able to find a more detailed recipe on food52.com with adequate information on making your very own J-Rice. Enjoy your meal! INI IDOWU AND OLUWATAMILORE ONASANYA
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RECIPE CORNER M ILK T ART R ECIPE , A F AMILY T RADITION : INGREDIENTS: • • • • • • • •
1 litre milk 70ml butter 3/4 cup sugar 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 1/2 tablespoons flour Pinch of salt 3 eggs Bit of ground cinnamon
INSCTRUCTIONS: 1. Bring milk and butter to a boil in a saucepan. 2. Mix sugar, cornstarch, flour, salt, 1 egg and 2 eggs yellows together in a separate bowl. 3. Add to boiling milk mixture. 4. Let it simmer until thickened. 5. In a separate bowl, beat eggs white still peaks form with an electric hand mixer. 6. Fold egg whites into thickened milk mixture. 7. Pour into tart shells. 8. Bake at 450F for 10 minutes. 9. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with ground cinnamon while still hot. 10. Let cool to room temperature before serving. Can also refrigerate. LISA POTGIETER
F ESTIVE , S TUDENT -F RIENDLY E GGNOG ! INGREDIENTS: • • • • •
4 cups of unsweetened almond milk 6 egg yokes 2/3 cups of raw honey 1 tsp of ground nutmeg 1 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a kitchen blender, add the unsweetened almond milk, egg yolks, raw honey, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon, and then blend for a minute or so until smooth. 2. Pour the mixture into a sauce pan or deep pot, add the whole cloves, and heat over medium heat. 3. Cook eggnog for about 10-15 minutes until it starts to thicken and slowly cook the eggs. It will be frothy at first. 4. We want the mixture to get hot, but not simmer or boil. If it gets close to boiling, you can whisk vigorously and temporarily remove from the heat. 5. Once the eggnog has thickened, turn off the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract. 6. Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer to remove the cloves, then pour into an airtight container and place in the fridge to chill for 6-8 hours, or overnight. 7. When ready to serve, sprinkle with a little nutmeg and cinnamon. Enjoy! SWEET PEA CHEF
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
T RADITIONAL G ERMAN C HRISTMAS C USTOMS Hier sind traditionelle Weihnachtsbräuche von zwei Luther Schülerinnen. Jolie Schoeneborn kommt direct aus Deutschland, aus Düsseldorf zu uns. Sie ist Schülerin hier in LCHS. Mia Zagoricnik wohnt schon längerer Zeit in Kanada und kommt aus Ravensburg in Bayern. Jolie schreibt: In Deutschland ist Weihnachten eines der wichtigsten Feste im Jahr. Die Vorweihnachtszeit startet bei uns schon in der letzten Novemberwoche, da wir den Brauch haben an den vier Sonntagen vor Weihnachten eine Kerze, die in einem Kranz steckt anzuzünden. Mit jedem Sonntag zündet man eine weitere Kerze an, sodass am 24. Dezember alle vier Kerzen brennen. Das Dekorieren startet meist anfangs Dezember. Die Städte werden mit vielen Lichtern dekoriert und viele Familien kaufen sich einen Weihnachtsbaum, welcher festlich in verschiedenen Farben mit Weihnachtskugeln dekoriert wird. Im Gegensatz zu Kanada ist der Hauptfeiertag der 24. Dezember. Als Familie geht man normalerweise am Nachmittag zum Gottesdienst, um dort die Geburt von Jesus Christus zu feiern. Am Abend versammelt sich dann die ganze Familie um Weihnachten zu zelebrieren. Man übergibt sich gegenseitig Geschenke unter dem Tannenbaum und isst gemeinsam. Verbreitete Gerichte sind beispielsweise Kartoffelsalat oder Gans mit Rotkohl. Es gibt meist auch viele Desserts wie selbst gebackene Kekse. Am 25. Dezember wird dann gemeinsam gefrühstückt und falls man noch weitere Familienmitglieder hat, mit denen man Weihnachten nicht am 24. gefeiert hat, dann besucht man diese um auch mit ihnen das Fest zu zelebrieren. Mia schreibt: Bei mir in der Familie fängt Weihnachten am ersten Dezember an. Wir fangen langsam mit dem Dekorieren an. Am sechsten Dezember haben wir den Nikolaustag. Da lassen wir unsere Schuhe vor der Tür stehen und am Morgen gibt es Nüsse, Schokolade und Mandarinen darin. Am einunzwanzigsten Dezember holen wir unseren Tannenbaum rein, da dieser die längste Nacht im Jahr ist. Während dieser Zeit, backen wir viele verschiedene Plätzchen. In meiner Familie dekorieren wir erst unseren Weihnachtsbaum am Heiligen Abend, am vierundzwanzigsten Dezember. Vor dem Abendessen laufen wir meistens zu einem kleinen Park und hängen Vogelfutter in die Bäume. Wenn wir dann nach Hause kommen, liegen Geschenke unter dem Weihnachtsbaum, denn das Christkind ist gekommen. Meine Schwester und ich decken zum Abendessen den Tisch und wir essen Kartoffelpüree, Bratwurst, Sauerkraut und Blaukraut. Danach dürfen wir endlich unsere Geschenke aufmachen und Plätzchen essen. Heilig Abend ist immer eine sehr schöne Zeit bei uns. Frau Cornelia schreibt: Obwohl ich den größten Teil meines Lebens in Kanada und in USA gelebt habe, behalte ich auch viele deutsche Weihnachtssitten bei. In meiner Familie wird auch am vierundzwanzigsten Dezember der Heilige Abend gefeiert. Wir singen verschiedene Weihnachtslieder, knabbern an Süßigkeiten, genießen warme Getränke und tauschen Erinnerungen aus. Danach werden Geschenke geöffnet. Des öfteren kommen Freunde vorbei und teilen mit uns die Freude des Festes. Die Zeit die zu Weihnachten führt ist der Advent, der vier Sonntage vor dem Weihnachtsabend beginnt. Advent ist eine sehr wichtige und freudige Zeit in meiner Familie. Jeden Sonntag wird eine rote Kerze in einem echten Kranz angezündet bis alle vier Kerzen leuchten. Auch werden mehr leckere Süßigkeiten rausgelegt. Jeden Sonntag schmücken wir mehr das Haus, damit alles festlich aussieht. Am ersten Weihnachtsfeiertag, den fünfunzwanzigsten Dezember, bereiten wir das große Weihnachtsessen vor, mit Gänsebraten, Blaukraut, Kartoffelknödel, Rosenkohl, und überbackenen Äpfeln mit Rosinen. Ein köstliches Essen! Ich freue mich immer sehr das Weihnachtsessen mit Freunden zu teilen und zu genießen. Und zum Schluß wünschen wir allen eine frohe, gesegnete Weihnachtszeit und ein glückliches, gesundes Neues Jahr.
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T RADITIONAL G ERMAN C HRISTMAS (E NGLISH T RANSLATION )! English Translation: Here are two traditional customs from two Luther students. Jolie Schoeneborn comes to us directly from Germany, from the city of Düsseldorf. Jolie is a dorm resident and is presently studying at Luther. Mia Zagoricnik has lived in Canada for a long time, but still treasures her German heritage. She is from Ravensburg in the south of Germany, the state of Bavaria. Jolie writes: Christmas is the most important celebration in Germany. It begins in the last week of November, starting with the Advent time. It is a tradition to light one candle every Sunday, leading up to Christmas Eve where all four candles in a natural wreath are lit. Decorating homes, towns and cities usually starts at the beginning of December. Many German families take great pride in having a natural Christmas tree, which is beautifully decorated with lights and many ornaments. In contrast to Canada, the 24th of December is the major Christmas Eve celebration. Often families attend a church service of their choice, in order to celebrate the birth of Christ. In the evening, each family celebrates Christmas Eve by gathering around the Christmas tree, opening gifts and sharing many food dishes. Some of these dishes include goose with red cabbage or homemade potato salad with sausages or even in some regions domesticated rabbit. On December 25th, more family gatherings and visiting with friends take place to celebrate this joyous season. Mia writes: In my family, Christmas starts on the first of December. We begin to decorate. On the 6th of December is St. Nicholas Day. It is customary to leave one's shoes in front of the door and the next morning they are filled with nuts, chocolate and Christmas oranges. This is provided you have been good all year. If you were naughty, there will be a switch instead. The 21st of December is the longest night and this is when we bring in our Christmas tree. During the time leading up to December 21st, we continue to decorate our home and bake many cookies. However, we do not decorate our Christmas tree until December 24. Before our evening meal, we usually walk to a small park and hang bird seed in the trees. By the time we arrive at home, the presents are under the tree because the Christ child has come. My sister and I set the table for the evening meal, which includes mashed potatoes, bratwurst, sauerkraut and red cabbage. After the meal we open our presents and enjoy the cookies. Christmas Eve is always a very special time in our family. Frau Cornelia writes: Although I grew up and spent the major part of my life in Canada and the USA, I still follow the tradition of December 24th being the most special time to celebrate Christmas Eve. My family and I sing many Christmas songs, enjoy traditional baking of cookies and Christmas cake as well as warm spiced hot beverages. We also reminisce of Christmases past while opening presents and having a light snack of cold cuts and home baked pretzel buns. The time leading up to Christmas is particularly precious in my home. During this time of Advent, which starts four Sundays before Christmas Eve, one red candle is lit, until all four are shimmering in the natural wreath for Christmas Eve. Throughout the time of Advent, we decorate the house and visit with friends, who pop in for some Christmas cheer and German goodies of gingerbread and marzipan squares. The big Christmas meal takes place on December 25th with roast goose, red cabbage, dumplings, gravy, and baked cinnamon apples with a raisin sauce. This is always a scrumptious meal, especially when shared with family and dear friends. And finally, we wish you all a merry and blessed Christmas time and a happy and healthy New Year! FROM TEAM GERMANY: JOLIE SCHOENEBORN, MIA ZAGORICNIK AND FRAU CORNELIA
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
P ORTRAIT P ROJECT ! In these unprecedented COVID-19 times, healthcare workers have taken on so much stress and pressure, but their sacrifice and kindness even in such uncertain events has inspired so many people around the world. In our IB Art 30 class, we were tasked with a project meant to celebrate the selfless work of various healthcare professionals around the province. Each student was sent the picture of a nurse or doctor working in Saskatchewan, and it was our job to use these photographs to create portraits in any medium we wished. Excitingly, at the end of the assignment, we had the pleasure of staging an exhibition, inviting the subjects to come to Luther, look at their portraits, and meet the artists behind the work. For me, this was incredibly stressful. I walked in, saw my nurse, and immediately felt butterflies in my stomach. It was so weird to see in real life someone that I had basically been staring at for weeks on my phone… in 3D! I didn’t have any clue what to say, and I know a lot of us felt pretty shy. But, of course, my nurse (and all the others who came) was incredibly kind, and we had a great conversation, where I was luckily able to thank her for everything she has been doing within the pandemic. Though it was nerve-wracking, and not gonna lie, a little awkward, I am so glad that we were able to meet. A portrait may seem like such a simple way to celebrate these amazing people, but I know all of us students were so excited to show them our creations, and walk them through the ideas, quotes, and circumstances that inspired our artwork. JOCELYN HEROUX
ARTWORK BY ELIZAH ORELL
Above: Jocelyn and Haley met at the IB Art Show on Monday December 13th, 2021. Haley works in the ICU at Regina General Hospital. She convocated in 2018 with and began working in the ICU at the beginning of Covid. She is also the recipient of the Nurses Gold Medal in Clinical Practice.
ARTWORK BY MYKA DER
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ARTWORK BY SUSHI SHAH
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ARTWORK BY ANUSHKA RANE
Q &A WITH MR. HUNTER What was the purpose, or rather the intention, of the exhibition? With everything that’s been going on, and the divisive nature of things surrounding the pandemic, we wanted to do something positive that shone a light on some of the healthcare workers that are deep in the midst of dealing with this stuff everyday. There was the hearts campaign on people’s doors and windows that was going on, but once I heard about the protests that were going on at the hospital, I thought that was really a deflating thing, to have to go to work under those circumstances. So we were just looking for something that we could do, something small, and it ended up being this portrait project. Can you describe what exactly this project was? We reached out to some different contacts, at the nurses’ union, etc., to get permission and some pictures of nurses. We have 18 nurses from around the province, all in different facets of the healthcare system. We had a little opening celebrating that last week. It was our IB 30 Art students who took on the project. I’m really proud of them because it takes a lot of time and effort to do a quality portrait. For their assignment, they were allowed to choose whatever medium, which was fun because we had a variety of different designs including watercolour, graphite, sculpture, oil paint and digital interpretations. What was something that surprised you about the project? I don’t know if there were surprises really, but I think it was a bit nerve-racking for the students that knew there was the possibility that they would meet their healthcare worker. We had a few local nurses that were able to come to the opening and see their portrait in person. I think those students really felt the pressure, obviously of wanting to go a great portrait and having it resemble them, and then of course, wanting it to go over well. But I think the effort they put in showed and the nurses were really touched. We got quite a few nice messages from healthcare workers who weren’t able to make it but wanted to thank the kids. So I think we reached out goal of doing something nice, the only sad part being that we couldn’t feature more workers, because there’s obviously so many people out there making a difference.
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
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