PQ+2 December 2023

Please do not remove from Pbl rooms

DECEMBER 2023

PQ+2

Highlights Rx factor Movember independent night MEIJI exchange run for the cure

Table of contents RX FACTOR MOVEMBER INDEPENDENT NIGHT MEIJI PHARMACEUTICAL UNIVERSITY EXCHANGE SAVING SECOND BASE RUN FOR THE CURE COMMUNITY EDUCATION GETTING INVOLVED WITH RESEARCH CAREER HIGHLIGHT: DILLON LEE FROM SANOFI IPSF + PHARM WITHOUT BORDERS PUMPKIN CARVING MINT CUP PROGRESS &TEAM BANNERS DIWALI BOOK REVIEW: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES FINALS DE-STRESS MELTED SNOWMAN COOKIES

3-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14 15 16-17 18-19 20-21 22 23 24-25 26-27 28-29 30 31-32

MYAPSA.COM

RX FACTOR The Pharmacy Talent Show Back again with a Barbie theme, this year's RxFactor was yet another success. Two acts from each year got the chance to show off their talents and compete for a spot at PDW 2024 in Toronto! Led by MCs Matt Williams and Sydney Facette, the contestants and activities throughout the night did not fail to entertain the crowd.

For those who missed it, we'll be covering all of the spectacular performances—come experience the event with us as we look back on one of the most memorable nights of the year.

By: Amy Phung and Nick Yamamoto

RxFactor marks the end of APSA’s Movember fundraiser. Take a peek at the cool staches after this article!

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ACT I: GABBA GABBA really set the stage for an amazing night!

Krupa Patel (singer), Andres Garcia Guerra (guitar), and Sara Housh (piano) amazed us with their rendition of Gimme!Gimme!Gimme!

Then the crowd went crazier after their transition into Better than Revenge (GABBA’s Version)—with the original lyrics to top it off!

Thanks for a great performance1

ACT II: BECCA JOHNSTON “May I have your attention please? May I have your attention please?”

Becca Johnston (Class of 2027) really showed us her duality as a performer as she went from “Hopelessly Devoted to You” to “The Real Slim Shady” in a matter of seconds! She truly had the crowd mesmerized. Amazing job!

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ACT III: ANGELA ZHAO Angela Zhao (Class of 2026) wowed us this night with an amazing cosplay, a cool dance and a bubbly song (The World is Mine—Hatsune Miku). It really felt like I was watching the real Hatsune Miku up on stage! We were captivated! The world is truly hers!

ACT IV: MAX ALBRECHT Max Albrecht (Class of 2027) really showed us what it means to get this party started and chose the perfect volunteer to help do so: someone who wear glasses, was wearing a pineapple shirt and teaches med chem—Dr. Velazquez himself! An amazing job to both of you!

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ACT V: BARBIE AND THE COVER KENS And we thought Troy and Gabrielle from last year couldn’t be topped! Makayla Caterer (Class of 2025; lead singer) is back as Barbie this year, with her Cover Kens Kurtis Willoughby (Class of 2025; keyboard and singer), T-mo (bass), Jett (bass) and Jake (drums) mashing up five different songs to energize the night! This performance clearly left an impression on the judges, who named this act the winner of RxFactor 2023! Congratulations!

ACT VI: CASSANDRA LUONG With a moving speech to start her act, Cassandra Luong (Class of 2025) wowed the crowd with a talent she only picked up recently—juggling! Not only did she juggle balls, her performance also involved glowing rings and pill bottles! Cass will definitely be an amazing pharmacist; she’s terrific at juggling many things!

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ACT VII: CALLUM STEELE A truly liberating performance, Callum Steele (Class of 2024) showed off his wild side. Starting off in pure white robes, he danced to Singin’ In the Rain. Channeling his inner Tom Holland, he revealed a jet black dress and confidently lipsynced to Umbrella. The audience was definitely stunned by the transition!

ACT VIII: R&B (RAY AND JAZZI) To close the night, Ray Otieno and Jazzi Ly (Class of 2024) showed off their moves with an energetic dance-comedy sketch! Their synchronicity and humour dazzled the audience, winning them the title of Fanfavourite Performance! We even got to share a laugh with Ray’s coworkers, who recorded him practicing for the performance in the back office.

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THE

M E B V E O R M MMOVE ENT By: Laura Huynh

WHAT IS MOVEMBER? Movember is a fundraising event that occurs during November to increase awareness for prostate and testicular health, and mental health for those identifying as men. As is tradition, APSA held several events to raise money for the Movember Foundation, including RxFactor, Pie in the Face, and the NHL hockey pool. In addition, many students and staff showed their support by growing out a Movember moustache. We rounded up a few willing participants to show off their month-end results. See if you recognize some faces!

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ING: MUSTACHE MAYHEM PRESENT

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INDEPENDENT NIGHT By: Nick Yamamoto

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Independent Night 2023 presented a valuable learning and networking opportunity for those looking for more autonomy in their practice. The annual event, organized by Aileen Jang, was yet another success. With over 20 representatives from various independent sites as well as over 30 door prizes, the night felt livelier than ever. Attendees had a chance to talk with many of these representatives in a speed-dating style discussion, allowing for students to gain insight and perspectives to consider a future in ownership..

Mohamed Alsawari, Master of Ceremonies Independent pharmacy can mean many

Ownership

can

be

daunting.

The

hosts

different things depending on the person–

provided some tips to ensure that you are

being able to discover what works for you is

successful.

Don’t rush into ownership! Keep your options

a huge draw for many.

Find out what the needs of your community

open and explore multiple avenues–you may

are and provide the services which are

find that the opportunity will present itself.

necessary!

Risk is always part of owning a business.

Your business framework will be unique

There is uncertainty when it comes to any

and you can choose to collaborate with

sort of decision and a proper assessment and

various stakeholders, including companies

reflecting on your past experiences is key to

which manage the financial aspects of

making appropriate choices and positions

pharmacy operations. Drug companies may

you as a more effective leader.

also offer you agreements to lower the costs

Find a team who you jive with and show that

of drugs– a system that is typically only

you value them. A strong, happy team will

accessible to corporate pharmacies.

strengthen your pharmacy from both a care provider and business standpoint.

Flexibility is a big draw for many. The hosts named flexibility as one of the biggest

We would like to thank Aileen Jang, Mohamed

merits for independent pharmacies.

Alsawari (APSA Recuitment Director) and the

Independents typically have shorter hours

speakers, hosts and sponsors for their

of operation. This makes for more stable

contributions in realizing this event. We look

work schedules that are relatively stable,

forward to Independent Night 2024!

allowing you to plan ahead more easily which makes for a better work-life balance.

For more information on Independent Night

A

and the hosts, please visit

smaller

decisive

leadership

action.

team

Responding

allows to

for

patient

needs is made easier when changes can be made on a dime.

https://www.ualberta.ca/pharmacy/events/inde pendent-night/index.html

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Meiji Pharmaceutical

University Exchange By: Nick Yamamoto

The Meiji Pharmaceutical University (MPU) in Japan and the University of Alberta established an inter-university agreement in 1996. As part of this, seven MPU students spent two months learning about Canadian life and pharmacy practice. These students shared some of their comparisons of pharmacy practice in the two countries.

Sakika, Risa, Mami

Sakika, Risa, and Mami had the opportunity to shadow a pharmacist who prescribed antibiotics for strep throat following a rapid antigen detection test. In Japan, the pharmacist’s scope of practice is more restricted and pharmacists are unable to prescribe. Furthermore, pharmacy technicians are similar to pharmacy assistants in Canada, as there is no schooling nor licensure that is required.

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Kasumi & Nanako

Kasumi and Nanako introduced a case where they had observed a pregnant person receiving a DTaP vaccine. In Japan, pharmacists are not authorized to administer injections, and interestingly many vaccines are administered subcutaneously instead of intramuscularly. Additionally, vaccines including the DTaP and flu vaccines are not publicly funded in Japan and patients must pay out of pocket if they want to receive these immunizations.

Ayana & Runa

Ayana and Runa highlighted differences in therapeutics. They stated how amphetamines are not an option that is available for ADHD treatment in Japan, and it was quite jarring to them to see these drugs that tend to be stigmatized in Japan, in the pharmacy. They also noted that Entresto can not only be used for heart failure, but also for hypertension.

Some other important differences that all these students noted was the lack of an electronic health record like Netcare. They commented on the utility and convenience of having access to a patient’s medical information right at the pharmacy.

Compounded on top of this, only a quarter of patients have a regular pharmacy; patients typically get their medications dispensed at whichever pharmacy is nearest to the clinic that prescribed the medication. There are valuable learnings that we all have to offer and we look forward to mutually sharing our knowledge in future exchanges!

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SAVING SECOND BASE BY: Sara Housh

Saving Second Base is an annual softball tournament headed by the APSA Sports Representatives to raise funds for the UAlberta Run for the Cure team. Saving Second Base is the first in a series of fundraising events APSA hosts throughout the year. To generate funds, each participant is charged $15, all of which goes to the fundraiser. This year the event took place on September 23rd at the Corbett Field, and ran from 9:00-4:00 pm. Ultimately, there were three teams competing: the Toronto Blue Jaynuvias, headed by Rylee Virostek; the New York Metformins, captained by Joel Ray; and the Houstin Azithros led by Max Albrecht. The winning team was the New York Metformins! Overall, $580 was raised, and 30 people participated in the tournament. Thank you to everyone who played and donated, we hope to see another strong turnout next year!

Thank you to Mike Lemme (APSA Male Sports Representative) for supplementing information to this article.

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CIBC RUN FOR THE CURE BY: SARA HOUSH

Each year in October, APSA and CAPSI representatives create a UAlberta pharmacy team to partake in Run For the Cure, an annual fundraiser organized by the Canadian Cancer society and sponsored by CIBC. The run took place on October 1st at the Edmonton Expo Centre. The run began at 10:00 am after opening ceremonies, distribution of awards, and a fun group warm up.

Participants had the option between running 1 km or 5 km, and there was a wide variety of ages running. At the booths, you could grab a pair of bright coloured sunglasses, courtesy of sponsor WestJet. While many of you may know you can register as a part of the UofA pharmacy team to raise money, individual fundraising is not the only contribution APSA makes to the cause. The annual softball tournament, Saving Second Base, is coordinated by the APSA Sports representatives and raised $580 for the Run for the Cure fund. The annual headshot fundraiser (run by APSA photographers) also contributes to the cause.

Thank you to Angela Zhao for her cooperation during the writing of this article.

This year, the combined total raised was $7,476, and this sum won the UAlberta Pharmacy team the award for most funds raised by a team! Sarah Stephan (Class of 2027) holds this year's record for most funds raised- an impressive $2282.50. As a whole, the team had a total of 32 people running and fundraising. Thank you to everyone who participated! As future health care professionals it is important for us to recognize how much of a change we can make when collaborating and banding together, a trait I believed is well reflected by our team's success for this year's Run for the Cure.

Hope to see even more people participating next year!

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COMMUNITY EDUCATION By: Hadeel Mohamed

Hello Everyone!

My name is Hadeel Mohamed and I am your Community Education director for this year. I am super excited to have our volunteer initiatives back up and running!

What is the Community Education Program?

APSA’s Community Education program consists of volunteer opportunities with a goal to raise awareness about various health-related topics and the profession of pharmacy among students in the Edmonton area. Our most popular volunteer opportunity is our Classroom Presentations, where pharmacy students visit schools around the city and deliver short presentations to students from kindergarten to grade 12 on topics including “Do Bugs Need Drugs”, Pharmacy as a Profession, and Allergies. Presentations and materials are provided to you, so all you have to do is show up and have fun!

We also offer volunteer opportunities with conferences organized by Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, & Technology (WISEST), an organization focusing on creating programs to empower women (and other underrepresented groups) to succeed in the fields of science, engineering, and technology. This November, we held APSA’s annual Once Lip Balm a Time lab, where high school students made their own lip balm in our pharmaceutics lab!

Stay tuned for WISEST’s CHOICES conference during the winter reading week, where you can volunteer and get a chance to compound some hand cream!

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What’s new this year?

For the first time ever, the CED program hosted a PharmD admissions information session for prospective students at Campus St. Jean (CSJ) this past September. Several CSJ alumni had the chance to share their experiences applying to pharmacy. Additionally, in collaboration with Pharmacy Students for Mental Health, APSA has developed a new classroom presentation titled “Discussing Mental Health”, which dives into what mental health is, its importance, how we can take care of it, and the pharmacist’s role in supporting it.

Why should I participate in Community Education volunteer opportunities?

If you love teaching, this is a great opportunity for you!

As pharmacy students, we share a responsibility to engage in health advocacy with our communities and represent our profession. Aside from this, there are some awesome perks of participating, including a chance to win one of three $25 gift cards to a place of your choosing if you participate in two or more classroom presentations each term.

You also earn 5 mint cup points for each presentation you complete!

I look forward to working with you all and I can’t wait to see the amazing educational impact you will have on students in our community! If you have any questions or concerns about the program, feel free to reach out to me at apsaspeakers@gmail.com.

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Research BY: AMY PHUNG AND VINCENT CHIANG

To most pharmacy students, the word “research” brings mixed emotions: FEAR... how will I be able to read this article, do the math AND understand what it means?

CONFUSION.... what actually IS an RCT? INTERESTED... research seems interesting, but how do I get involved?

OVERWHELMED... I wish I could do research, but how do I stack my resume or dedicate time to this on top of our ever-growing workload?

WHY DO RESEARCH? Doing research helps pharmacists gain an understanding of the scientific process that fuels everything in pharmacy practice!

Almost every drug, recommendation, guideline, device, and technique go through research to optimize and improve patient care.

Healthcare is built on the efforts of millions trying to create better solutions for the people around them. Engaging in research gives pharmacy students a chance to try to make the world a little better.

From a practical standpoint: Being a researcher looks very nice on a resume especially if you are interested in a career in hospital pharmacy or academia.

Participating in a research project not only expands your expertise in a subject area but also provides chances to demonstrate soft skills in leadership, time management, prioritization, problem solving and communication.

These are ways to distinguish yourself from other candidates when applying for jobs.

In addition, participating in research often gets you paid (research grants, scholarships, awards!)

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TYPES OF RESEARCH WITHIN OUR FACULTY Pharmaceutical Sciences: foundational sciences that make up clinical care.

Examines how the body works— and when it doesn’t work, we look at design design novel molecules to address diseases as well as novel ways to use old drugs.

PHARM SCIENCES RESEARCH IS BOOMING! $80.5 million government funding was budgeted into the Canadian Critical Drug Initiative to help keep drug supplies in Canada sustainable.

Pharmacy Practice: examines how drugs and drug experts impact people and society.

INCLUDES: Clinical trials: determines what medications work best in which populations.

Health Services: how medications and pharmacists are best utilized for patients.

Social Pharmacy: examines the social, psychological and economic factors that impact medication use.

HOW TO PURSUE RESEARCH Reach out to a professor Pharmacy Undergraduate Journal Club (run twice a month) Low stakes, informal sessions aimed to improve research literacy and start engaging in scientific discussion

Be on the lookout for these upcoming events!

(WINTER SEM) APSA + FoPPS Collab Event - How to Get Involved in Research (MAY) Research Day - Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (OCTOBER/ APRIL) CSHP - Provincial and National Symposium

19 CONTACT: VCHIANG@UALBERTA.CA IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR WANT TO GET INVOLVED

CAREER HIGHLIGHT FEATURING DILLON LEE

Dillon Lee has explored every avenue of pharmacy, undertaking various community, hospital, academia, and industry roles in multiple provinces. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Alberta, where she was awarded the National CAPSI-CSHP Hospital Pharmacy Student Award. Dillon then completed her hospital residency training with Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services and worked as a clinical pharmacist at Vancouver General Hospital during COVID19.

In search for a richer understanding of the healthcare system and the ethical and regulatory landscape guiding the pharmaceutical industries, Dillon completed pharmaceutical compliance residency training in Toronto. Dillon now lives in Boston and works as a Senior Internal Auditor at a global pharmaceutical company, Sanofi. Her ongoing role in the industry as an auditor specializing in medical and R&D assignments underscores pharmacists' unique role in risk management in business.

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What motivated you to pursue the industry route?

As a clinical pharmacist, my professional identity as a clinician has always guided my career decisions.

Simultaneously, I've been drawn to other facets of pharmacy like leadership, quality improvement, research, and entrepreneurship. Exploring these areas in a fast-paced pharmacy setting demands discretionary efforts, but my curiosity drove me to delve deeper.

After providing direct patient care at Vancouver General Hospital during COVID-19, I wanted to better understand the Canadian healthcare system. While unfamiliar with the pharmaceutical industry, I recognized its integral role. Opting for industry residency training in pharmaceutical compliance at the University of Toronto, I wanted to begin my journey in a department fostering strong values, ethics, and morals early in my career.

What is pharmaceutical compliance and how has your background prepared you for this field of work?

The pharmaceutical industry's culture is rapidly evolving, shifting from a "big corporation" image to established ................

healthcare partners with various stakeholders. At the heart of this transformation lies the compliance department. This department, also known as Ethics & Business Integrity, advises internal colleagues on aligning their strategies and engagement with external stakeholders with local and global regulatory and ethical standards. Ultimately, these efforts mitigate risks like corruption or reputational damage while strengthening the industry's ties with the healthcare system.

Two pivotal moments have shaped my focus on compliance work. Firstly, taking the Hippocratic Oath during the White Coat Ceremony emphasized my commitment to patient wellbeing. Secondly, my experience as a hospital pharmacist highlighted the significance of medication access for patients and their families. These experiences guide my decisions in the pharmaceutical industry, prioritizing patient well-being and access to crucial medications.

What did your workday look like as a resident and now in your full time position?

In my role as a compliance pharmacy resident, I regularly received consults from various teams and provided compliance training to colleagues, encouraging a mindset prioritizing healthcare compliance. Transitioning to work as an Internal Auditor Senior Associate at Sanofi, I provide independent assurance on governance and internal controls.

Similar to consultant roles, internal audit work involves working closely with executive members and reporting to the CEO and Audit committee.

What do you find most rewarding about working in the industry environment?

Working in the industry has allowed me to leverage a constellation of experiences and skills, blending project management, clinical insights, and knowledge from diverse healthcare systems. The rewarding aspect lies in the boundless opportunities for growth and exploration. I didn't know about the Internal Auditor position initially, yet now I find myself traveling monthly, supporting company processes and learning from diverse cultures, while learning about myself in the process.

Do you believe maintaining a clinical practice alongside an industry position could prove beneficial?

A solid foundation in the patient care process, critical appraisal, and firsthand frontline patient care experiences serve as pivotal elements for success within the pharmaceutical industry. The primary objective of pharmaceutical business strategies and insights is improving .

the lives of real patients. Consequently, these strategies must be firmly grounded in the realities of patient care, reflecting the practicalities of frontline practice. Several of my colleagues still work as pharmacists during weekends for these reasons and I also maintain my pharmacy license.

While the aforementioned attributes are crucial, other competencies are equally pivotal in the pharmaceutical industry. Entrepreneurship, leadership, and effective communication are vital for collaborating with diverse colleagues from various academic and professional backgrounds within the pharmaceutical industry. As a member, I must translate my specialized knowledge into easily comprehensible formats for colleagues without medical backgrounds. Understanding the healthcare system also holds significance in contextualizing and tailoring strategies within the pharmaceutical landscape.

What can a student interested in the pharma industry do during school to become a strong candidate for industry positions or residencies? What experiences/skills can they highlight?

I encourage University of Alberta students to explore the innovative pharmaceutical industry by seeking mentors online, joining industry-related sessions, and advocating for more exposure to pharmaceutical industry aspects within the curriculum. Collaborating with students from other pharmacy schools can help establish an industry club. Though it takes time to create a culture where UAlberta students become more curious about career options in industry, the effort is worthwhile.

I did not have any industry-related internships or experiences on my resume so I focused on highlighting transferable skills.

The process of applying for industry roles and/or residency is a good time to self-reflect. I learned to view myself not solely as a clinical pharmacist, but as a holistic individual with unique experiences, skills, and knowledge. I would advise cultivating a deep self-understanding, supplementing knowledge as needed (whether pertaining to the industry, specific roles, or functions), while showcasing an eagerness to learn and immerse oneself. The journey of self-discovery is not easy, but I am certain that through active and honest reflection, one can understand the genuine reasons motivating their pursuit of a career within pharmaceutical industries.

By: Haleema Pannu

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IPSF + SEP APSA includes a wide range of student groups. In the last issue, we covered CAPSI reps and their role in our faculty. This month, we spoke to IPSF Sr. Representative Analise Lehners to get some insight into how IPSF works! IPSF stands for International Pharmacy Student Federation. As an international organization, local IPSF reps are responsible for coordinating the Student Exchange Program (also known as SEP), which allows pharmacy students to work in pharmacies abroad to gain insight into how foreign policy and pharmacy work.

WHAT IS THE IPSF? “IPSF is short for the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation, and is made up of 92 different countries of pharmacy students/schools. IPSF advocates for pharmacy students worldwide and promotes public health campaigns through fundraising and spreading information. We also provide students ample opportunities for networking with students around the globe, watch out on the Facebook page for opportunities.”

HOW DOES IPSF FIT INTO CAPSI/APSA? “The APSA membership fee pays for each member to be a CAPSI member, and subsequently an IPSF member. This membership continues for 4 years after graduation. IPSF falls under the CAPSI umbrella. IPSF has 2 national representatives on the CAPSI national council and then 2 local representatives at each school.”

WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR IPSF REPRESENTATIVES? “The local representatives preside as APSA councillors and attend biweekly APSA meetings. In the fall we mainly promote the Student Exchange Program, then in the winter we shift to fundraising and raising awareness for IPSF's annual public health initiative.

This year we will be focusing on Diabetes Awareness. “

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HOW DOES IPSF RELATE TO THE SEP INITIATIVE AND HOW CAN STUDENTS GET INVOLVED? “IPSF coordinates the SEP (Student Exchange Program), we have a national officer who provides presentations and an application guide for us to present to students, which we do so each year at our first-year student IPSF/CAPSI lunch and learn. Us local representatives also help find local host pharmacy worksites for incoming exchange students in the Edmonton area.

We also host any incoming students for the time of their exchange in the summertime and make them feel welcome for their time in Canada. “

WHAT ARE SOME EVENTS YOU WILL HAVE PLANNED THIS YEAR? WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ONE? “We are looking forward to hopefully hosting a multitude of fundraisers for Diabetes Canada in the winter term. Stay tuned to our Instagram for updates!

Currently, we are running the Vampire Cup Blood Drive, join our IPSF-Edmonton team on the Canadian Blood Services app and sign up to donate blood today! Each donation will get you 5 Mint Cup points! (see Facebook for details)”

BY:SARA HOUSH

C n i arv k p i m n u g P

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U

PDATE

MINT CUP Team White 843 points

Team Black 612 points Team Orange 507 points

4. Team Yellow - 417 points 5. Team Blue - 417 points 6. Team Green - 404 points 7.Team Purple - 391 points 8. Team Grey - 361 points 9.Team Red - 282 points 10. Team Pink - 275 points

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There’l l be mo re chance s to get points for you r team in the w inter te rm!

BANNER CONTEST RESULTS 1

Team Orange

3

2

Team White

Team Purple

Check out all the other banners in the APSA lounge!

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Diwali This year, Diwali was celebrated on November 12, 2023. Diwali is known as the festival of lights.

Diwali is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil, where Lord Ram, and Lord Laxman return to their kingdom with Lord Ram’s wife, Lord Sita, after defeating the demon king Rawan who had kidnapped Lord Sita. Lord Ram and Lord Laxman fought a battle to rescue Lord Sita; the festival celebrates the return of Lord Ram to the kingdom.

Sikhs celebrate “Bandi Chhor Divas” on Diwali, which means “Day of Liberation.” On this day, the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, along with 52 other Hindu kings, were released from the Gwalior Fort and were imprisoned by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. The Golden Temple of Amritsar in Punjab, India is beautifully illuminated on this occasion. Sikhs participate in prayers, kirtan (devotional chanting) and lamp lighting to celebrate the festival. The spirit of Diwali for Sikhs is not only about external celebrations but also about internal illumination, so kirtan and prayer are emphasized during the festival.

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Diwali is the time of the year when people spend quality time with their families. People exchange gifts with close friends and family to celebrate the festival.

The preparation for Diwali starts a few days before the festival. People begin by cleaning and decorating their houses to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, health and prosperity. People decorate the exterior of their homes with lights and keep them on for the entire night on Diwali. They also make a colourful pattern called Rangoli, an art which brings good luck & positivity to welcome the goddess Lakshmi into their homes. This is later followed by a puja (worship) in the evening, where the entire family sits together and prays. After the puja, people light diyas outside their houses to symbolize the victory of good over evil. It’s a way of spreading positivity & hope. At night, people light up firecrackers and light the sky with colours. Diwali would be incomplete without sweets. People eat many sweets on Diwali, such as barfi, gulab jamun, halwa, kheer and ras malai.

“May the lights of Diyas guide you towards the path of happiness and success. Wishing you a very happy and prosperous Diwali.”

Diyas

Rangoli

Barfi

By: Prabal Sharma Photos of diyas and rangoli courtesy of Amitoj Kaur.

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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by: Suzanne Collins A Book Review by Sara Housh

I think it is a safe assumption on my part to say that most of us spent a portion of our teens thrown into the young adult (YA) dystopian world of the mid 2010s. I can not say I would believe you if you tell me that you were not a fan of at least one of The Maze Runner, Divergent and Hunger Games series. In the past few years, dystopian YA novels have died down, but the upcoming movie production of a Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes may serve to change that.

(Be warned, spoilers lie ahead) The novel, set during the tenth Hunger Games, features what may be deemed a ‘villain origin story’ for Coriolanus Snow, the main antagonist and dictator of Panem, Katniss Everdeen's fictitious world where children are forced to fight to the death in an annual televised competition. The prequel sets the backdrop for a fallen-from-grace, postwar, impoverished Snow, and introduces a variety of characters who make an appearance later in the series. Notably, we receive some explanation for Tigris’ hatred towards Snow. Snow covers the Games from an internal perspective, mentoring District 12’s Lucy Gray Baird. Personally, I felt that overall the storyline for a prequel was quite well done; I would not have thought that Snow would be on the Mentor side of the arena after his seeming lack of empathy towards tributes in the later novels, however this moral ambiguity seems to be intentional on Collins’ part, as it intertwines with the faint inkling of chemistry that exists between Snow and his Tribute. In my opinion, the romance was superficial and forced, and did not serve to create the villain origin story that Collins intended. I would assume that the fall from affluence would have hurt Snow's pride enough to serve as villain origin story basis, but I guessed incorrectly. Weaving in a slightly irrelevant romance into the storyline falls in line with the YA genre, so I can forgive it this time.

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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by: Suzanne Collins A Book Review by Sara Housh

I thought that the universe building was touched on nicely in the novel, and the coarse, uncouth beginnings to the Hunger Games was jarring when contrasted to the luxury they present in the later novels. This was one segment that in my opinion, Collins did very well on, as the reader has to look critically at the literal zoo that the Games begins as, and recognize that Snow’s disdain for a lack of refinement is likely what elevates the Games to its ostentatious status in the Capitol 65 years later. His use of venom was also touched on in the scenes using the genetically modified snakes, which I thought was particularly smart on Collins’ end considering that the original series never confirms Snow's preferred method of assassin. It was interesting to see the Capitol from an inside perspective, something I had been curious about since the initial series.

The distaste Snow has for mockingjays was a nice touch, but the extended theme of birds (Baird, bird, jabberjays) seemed a bit forced to me, not to mention the explicit mention of the katniss plant. However, considering that prequels generally have to reach a bit for the relatability factor, this one was not too painful to read. The length of the novel overall was a bit of an overkill. I think that making Snow one of the first peacekeepers in District 12 was unnecessary. If anything, Collins might have given us a glimpse into other districts, or focused on Snow's political rise to power in the last segment of the novel.

All in all, I rate the book 7/10 given consideration to the fact that it is a prequel, and very much a YA novel. Points off for unnecessary romance, a slow start and lack of real climax, and a bit too lengthy of a read. If you were a fan of the original series, I would recommend reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, if anything just for the nostalgia factor.

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Finals

DE-STRESS

By: Avery Quema

1 Quality Sleep Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Don’t pull all-nighters.

4 Have A Plan Plan ahead and allow enough time to get things done without having to rush.

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2 Stay Active Stretch, go for a walk or run, and get some fresh air.

5

Talk to Someone

Vent your stress to someone you trust.

3 Eat! Eat something healthy and reward yourself with food that you enjoy.

6 Be Optimistic Positive thoughts bring positive outcomes.

MELTED SNOWMAN S N I C K E R D O O D L E

C O O K I E S

Baked by : Laura Huynh & Nick Yamamoto

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Ingredients 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened) 1 1/2 cups Sugar 2 large Eggs 2 teaspoons Vanilla 2 3/4 cup Flour 1 1/2 teaspoon Cream of Tartar (for less tang, use 1 teaspoon) 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda 1 teaspoon Salt 1/4 cup Sugar 1 1/2 Tablespoons Cinnamon

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

3. Add eggs, vanilla, and mix. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.

4. In a bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.

5. Optionally refrigerate dough for 20-30 mins.

6. Roll into balls, coat in cinnamon-sugar, press down for flatter cookies, and bake on parchment paper for 9-11 mins.

7. Cool on sheet before removing.

Recipe from: https://www.modernhoney.com/the-bestsnickerdoodle-cookie-recipe/

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