Talon Times 2013-2014 Winter Issue

advice column Index

Advice Column p2 Advice Education and Insights p3 The History of Film The Potentials of the Human Brain The incentives of school, society and business January = Post-holiday Syndrome Game-Changer Four Interesting Ways To Make Money Understanding the Winter Blues Use Music to your Advantage Around GFSS p7 Project Philippines Success! GFSS shines with SSBM gifTED Talks Tips for Success p9 Exam Season. Stress Season?

10 Things Not To Do To Study Effectively for Exams A three-step recipe for success It's a Marathon, not a Sprint Top Apps for Exam Review How to keep your New Year's resolution!

Canadian and Int'l News p12 Canada stepping up on texting and driving laws Caution: Slippery when wet "I am Malala" 'selfie' named Oxford's word of the year Giving Back p14 Donation Dilemma Animals for Charity Interview p15 A Fitting Farewell: Paying Homage to Ms. Horvath Comics p16

Credits Teacher Supervisors Mr. Gale Mrs. Gair

Editors in Chief

Ruchika Gothoskar Nathan Duong

Designers

Molly Lu Suriya Ratnam

Copy Editors

Victoria Le Inori Khan Ming Li Jamey Irwin Sophie Fu Nadia O Vini Clare Stephanie Brook Sophia Xu Milena Cioana

Layout Executives Kevin Ing Daniel Ku

Photographers

Pri Sharma Nasif Iqbal Molly Lu Julianna Clarke Meruba Sivaselvachandran Miranda Kwok

Cover Design Molly Lu

Advice

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 2

H

ey, Baby in the Corner, This tends to be one of the greatest dilemmas that many students face when choosing their Jack and Jill, potential career path. Students sometimes gear their minds towards the job that primarily, I'm a grade 11 student and I've begun to think makes the most money, and secondarily, does not take much effort. Occupations like being a about what I want to do with my future. I would, ideally, doctor, lawyer, or even a chartered accountant are all great jobs, but the truth is, not everyone like to pursue dance professionally, or go into theatre. is going to be a doctor, or lawyer. The economy needs people in different sectors so that job But my mom is persistent on my pursuing law, and my distribution is close to equal. I understand that it is, statistically, difficult to make a lot of monfather still thinks that I'm going to go into bio-medical ey in the arts, yet if you firmly believe that this is the route you want to pursue, then go for it. I know it is really hard to change the minds of our parent’s generation, because they grew up in sciences. Every time I bring up the topic of my going an era where arts were not fondly looked upon. Most of them had ambitions to have these high into the arts, instead of law or science, my house turns paying occupations themselves, which is why they may be vicariously living through you, in a into a battlefield of conflicting opinions. What should I sense. It is going to be hard to convince your parents that the arts is where you belong because do to convince my parents that the arts is where I truly most parents have a mindset that having these high paying occupations are the best; nevertheless, what you can do is demonstrate your skills and ability to excel in the arts. For example, belong? you can write a mini screenplay and submit to a contest, or make YouTube videos showing your Sincerely, No One Puts Baby in the Corner skills in acting or dancing. Prove to your parents that you are fit for the gruelling industry of theatre or dancing. It’s a disappointing that we still have to get an approval from our parents on OUR future, however, remember that your parents are always looking out for you, so maybe considering doing a minor in something like biology, just to satisfy your parents while majoring in something you truly love. Best of luck!

Hi

- Jack

H

i, Baby in the Corner, I want to start off, by telling you how much I admire your passion for the arts! I truly feel that not enough people follow their dreams, and live their life to the fullest.

Which brings me to your dilemma, of how to convince your parents that your dream, lies in the arts. I think that the first thing you need to do in order to convince them is demonstrate how excellent you are in either dancing, or theatre. Make them realize that you have the ability, talent, and drive, to achieve your goals. Your parents, like all parents, are worried about the fact that pursuing a job in the entertainment industry is very competitive, with a very short expiry date. If you don’t have a certain “look” or just what the scouts are looking for at that time, you might not get that golden opportunity. And once your natural beauty fades, or the ills of old age hit, you’re, supposedly, done for in that field. Your parents are only looking out for you, by suggesting that you pursue a career in an industry where looks are not the deal maker, or breaker. They might also have seen you display an affinity for the sciences, or law. If that is not the case, then you should make that clear to them. To be quite frank, this is something which you need to sit down, and discuss with your parents. You need to tell them how you feel, about their wants, and what your dreams are. If they insist on you pursuing science or law, I suggest that you try and negotiate with them. Most universities allow students to have an elective, and you could choose dance or theatre. I hope that you and your parents can see eye to eye after having a desperately needed talk! Good luck!

- Jill

H

ey, Alone and Not Lovin’ It, Don’t feel left out! Trust me, there are still so many people that are single within Glenfor Jack and Jill, est, and globally, divorce rates have gone up in the past few years, so do not feel left out. On a

Valentine's Day is coming up and I'm a serious note, during senior year, I believe that the reason why many people start dating is the senior student. Being single didn't really bother me be- fact that they carry amindset similar to yours; one in which they fear that that they will not fore, but it seems like everyone is in a relationship now. have any experience in dating before their wild post-secondary education begins. Either that, Is it mating season? I'm feeling incredibly left out - and or they do not have a date to prom, which - believe it or not – tends also to play a huge role a little scared that my lack of experience in the dating in the increase in couples. What I suggest is to start thinking of who you would ask to prom; but not get into a long term relationship with. Firstly, I think that it might be a little too late field will be detrimental for my university love life. Any to start dating someone, especially when you two may go to different universities or colleges, helpful tips? and secondly, because you don’t want to be one of the couples that are just “popping up.” You Sincerely, Alone and Not Lovin' It want your dating experience to be something that happened because you wanted it to; not out of loneliness. If you’re worried about how your lack of experience in dating will transfer into university, don’t sweat it, because many people start relationships around university because they feel as if they are more mature and can take on another person to care about. My only advice to you is, get to know more people and start thinking about who you are going to ask to prom. I would strongly advise you to not get a girlfriend or boyfriend this late because you do not want to be just another sheep in this herd. Hope that helped!

Hey

- Jack

H

ey, Not Lovin’ It, Feeling left out is a horrible feeling- everyone has gone through it at least once in their life. But just because you don’t have a significant other doesn’t mean anything “significant”. Ha-ha! I’m sorry, but in all honesty, not having that special someone is not a big deal- it shows that you are focused on your goals in this stage of life, and you don’t want to be rushed! I believe that there are essentially 3 or 4 stages of life. Right now, we are all in the “student” stage of life. This stage’s primary focus is on studying, learning, and performing to our fullest so that when we enter the “adult” or “householder” stage of life, we will be able to positively contribute to the societies in which we live. If you try and jump into the next stage, before you even perform well in the stage you are currently in, there will definitely be a lack of experience tagging along!

There’s no point in growing up too soon, you’ll never get these years back. And a relationship is not worth it. Universities are not interested in knowing how well you can conduct yourself on a date- they want to know whether you will be a valuable asset to them. Clearly you do have plans of going to university, and I must warn you, that getting into a relationship soaks up a lot of energy, emotional and mental. Starting a relationship is alright, but maintaining it, requires a lot of dedication. I know that you wouldn’t want to hurt another person, so I suggest you think about your goals, and what you truly want. Do you want a short lived, meaningless, fling which may or may not divert your attention from pressing matters, or would you rather have all your dream universities clamouring for your acceptance? And just as a side note: Relationships are not something that one needs experience in- if you truly want something out of a relationship, you would nurture it; otherwise you’re just going through the motions. Hope everything works out for you!

- Jill

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 3

education and insights

T

by: Jovana Pajovic

here’s no denying that movies provide audiences with a brilliant escape, it is well known that they are one of the major driving forces behind popular culture. They play a very important role in influencing society, by portraying political, cultural, and historical perspectives. The development of film has been driven by technological advances in combination with human intuition, which has allowed filmmakers to create complex and unique stories. From the black-and-white silent films that reigned most of the 1920s, to the action-packed

3D thrillers that we see today, films have certainly evolved a great deal over time.

Audiences were provided with the first form of film during the late 1800s, with the introduction of the moving-picture camera. The film industry began to take off rapidly, and by the turn of the 20th century, numerous films were created. This succession marked the establishment of many of today’s most well-known leaders in film production, including The Warner Brothers.

Films were generally silent for the first thirty years, with the orchestral accompaniment and narration. The

dialogue was communicated through muted gestures, mime and title cards. Iconic figures, such as Charlie Chaplin, rose to fame during the so-called ‘silent era’, and are still known as some of the most important people in the film industry.

Technological experimentation eventually led to a transformation in the world of moviemaking - sound. In 1926, Don Juan became the first movie with sound effects and a musical soundtrack, and paved the way for a smoother union between video and sound. Within just a few years after this introduction, all films were made up of actors talking or singing.

Although it may seem surprising, the addition of colour to film occurred long before sound. However, the combination of these two components had been long-awaited. The decades that followed this new stage in film-making were known as the ‘Golden Age’, a period in film history where movies were both aesthetically and audibly pleasing. It was also identified by the glamorous movie stars and child actors which helped keep people’s minds off the economic slump and war.

The later decades of the 20th century show the film industry mirroring current events, such as civil right struggles

and

war-based topics.

As time went on, technological advances gave filmmakers the opportunities to create new, innovative films, and watching movies became a popular pastime. During the last two decades of the 20th century, sales from home viewers and the box office had boomed, and at the dawn of the 21st century, directors and actors continue to satisfy our hunger for the art of cinema.

“Cinema is truth at 24 frames per second,” says JeanLuc Godard. Films have become a place where friends and families gather, listening to unique stories that truly showcase the extent of hu-

man imagination. Films have the power to transport us to a faraway land or even a different century in the past, experiencing the unimaginable, and then by taking just a few steps, we walk back into our everyday world.

There’s no stopping change in the film industry; however, movies will always be able to bring us together and provide us with everlasting joy.

The potentials of the human brain T

by: Farah Arshad

he brain is a very powerfuland mysterious part of all human beings. There are limitless possibilities to what one can do if one learns to harness their mind’s full potential. Most people are using a small percentage of their brain’s capabilities. Some who consider themselves to be ‘scientific’ say that no, we already use all of the brain.

This is a misleading statement, as there is proof otherwise. First of all, we don’t use 90% for our lung capacity while sitting in front of the computer, do we? For this to happen one would need to

exercise and get the air moving. Likewise, to start using more of the brain’s functions, one needs to do something, may it be deeply concentrating, learning something new, or just deeply thinking. Brain scans show that many parts of the brain are active when people read or work. However, this does not mean that we already use most of the brain’s functions, as each part of the brain has more than one job, or function. Neil Slade, a brain expert says, “Humans have an unlimited capacity to learn.

Unlike computers, no human brain has ever said: [Hard drive full.]”

So who’s to say telekinesis or telepathy is beyond our reach? The mind can send signals triggered by thoughts, which are powerful enough to move things and can be received by another person’s brain. Take the example of a remote. It has the power to turn on a TV just by the press of a button that releases a signal. Do we really think that a remote is stronger than the human mind? Exactly. If one tries hard enough and concentrates, thought has the ability to move objects and communicate with others. Maybe it’s not just a coincidence when two people say the same thing they

were thinking. There have been people in history, from Beethoven to the magician Houdini, Joan of Arc,and Einstein, who have done amazing things and were considered “different” from the average person. Most likely, they weren’t telekinetic or mind readers, but there is no doubt that they used their brains in a way that the average person does not. It’s time to become more open, as those before us have learned Earth is not the center of the universe and what we may consider impossible now may become possible in the future.

education and insights

The incentives of school, society and business I

by: Srobona Podder

ncentives are a commonly used tool to encourage people to do their work. Ask yourself: If going to English, math, or science class was not mandatory to get a job in the future, would you still go? That job, whatever it may be, is your incentive to go to school. Incentives can be a good thing, because they give people the push they need in order to get them ahead in life. On the other hand, what

most people do not realize is that incentives actually lower the quality of one’s work.

An experiment, called the “Candle Problem” was established in 1945 by Karl Duncker, to test a person’s problem solving skills. It is a fairly simple task of attaching a candle to the wall using a set of given materials; The results however showed that the first group that was offered an incentive performed the task much slower than the second group that was not offered

anything at all. This is because once you are given an incentive to accomplish something, your mind automatically narrows to an extent where you just want to finish the task at hand in order to receive your payment. The first group experienced more stress, and only thought about the reward they would be receiving, so they couldn’t come up with the best solution. This problem required creativity, and was done quickly by the group not offered any incentive. Since

they had nothing to lose, the second group was able to take their time and figure out the best method of going about the scenario, which actually saved them time in the end.

So, if it is proven that incentives lower the quality of work people do, why are they still used? Dan Pink, a TED Talk speaker, said “There is a mismatch between what science knows, and what business does.” Business, as we know it, is all about making money; the greatest incentive

of all. If it weren’t for money, not many people would be doing what they are doing.

Incentives can drive a person away from their passions, and are therefore detrimental to one’s purpose in life. If people were given a choice between making a million dollars sitting in a cubicle or making next to nothing doing what they love, not many people would choose the second option. That’s because incentives run the world, even though science has proven them to be

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 4

ineffective. School has taught us to do exactly what we need and not what we want. Students are expected to follow a rubric in order to get a mark, and earn volunteer hours to graduate. Incentives are inevitable, but in the end, it is what you do without the push of incentives that matters.

January = Post-holiday syndrome I

by: Prachir Pasricha

ndeed, it is an actual thing.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the “holiday blues” represent the mental issues one deals with after the holiday season.

As strange as it may seem, we’ve all dealt with this syndrome. The winter holidays are nothing but fantas-

tic food and days spent with family and friends. So, it is no wonder that in January, when the decorations are put away and school resumes, people feel a little depressed.

Here are some tips to help fight those holiday blues.

Look at the bright sideWhile the holidays can be extremely merry and bright, they can also be extremely stressful; with gifts to buy/return, and

family and friends to meet, the holidays can sometimes seem like a month-long rollercoaster. If you look at the benefits of post-holiday time, you’ll be able to realize that it’s nice to have a break. You’ll have more time to rest, and enjoy doing activities you actually enjoy-not things your family forces you to do.

Keep company- This is an extremely important tip to keep in mind, because from

the beginning to the end of the holidays, you’re around people 24/7. It’s usually people you enjoy spending time with, like close friends and family.

Try to continue spending time with friends and relatives as a means to interact with people and enjoy their company.

Expect nothing but a great and successful year ahead- There’s something bittersweet about the moment

when the fireworks explode and the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Day, another year of life, gone. It sounds bitter, but just think about it; you have another 365 days ahead of you! An entire year to be a better person, to do the things you wish to do, and to make your dreams come true.

If you look at the post-holiday times in a positive way, there’s really no

looking back. Enjoy the year ahead with family and friends, and soon enough, it’ll be time to hear those sleigh bells jinglin’ once more.

Happy New Year everyone!

education and insights

T

by: Simo Pajovic

oday, it seems that no matter where you look, someone is nose-deep in a video game – neck awkwardly craned at a glowing screen, unwieldy hands wrapped around a tiny phone. Believe it or not, video games weren't always this mainstream.

Once, long ago, they were a very niche market, popular pretty much only among children and adults who still lived with their parents.

With the advent of mobile gaming, video games are as accessible as ever. Almost anyone with a cell phone

and Wi-Fi can download a game and play on. Twenty years ago, you would have had to make the trip all the way to the game store to get your hands on the hottest title. At least then you had to go outside at some point if you wanted to play video games. In the digital age, we can enjoy them without ever having to leave the comfort of our blissful little cocoons.

The games themselves are a lot different these days, too. There are many which offer quick rounds of gameplay and, in this journalist’s opinion, cheap thrills. Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja and Can-

dy Crush Saga are all prime examples of this – short periods of hectic gameplay for the gamer on the run. Back in the day, though, video games were all about the journey.

The rewards for beating a game were never in the form of high scores or achievements, but rather self-satisfaction and even life lessons.

For example, Chrono Trigger, released in 1995, contains tens of hours of enriching action-RPG (role-playing game) gameplay, amazing art and music and an engrossing storyline filled with loveable characters. It isn’t an easy game either – Chrono Trig-

ger keeps you on your toes, forcing you to make strategic decisions in a limited amount of time. It is a masterpiece in every sense of the word.

Also popular these days are these micromanaging grinding RPGs where you’ll have to build a city or something or raise a pet of some kind. Naturally, of course, these are done horribly wrong. The Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy lines of games, on the other hand, are done right. Sure, you still have to spend lots of time leveling up your party and earning money, but unlike the cutesy games you play on your

phone, in these games, you feel contented after slaying that tough boss, or learning that new spell, or finally paying for that sweet armour.

The satisfaction of adding a new floor to your Tiny Tower could not be more trivial in comparison to conquering Dark Bahamut and claiming its carefully-guarded prize, the glorious sword Ragnarok, in Final Fantasy IV. Video games today seem to have lost all sense of adventure. Just like television and movies, they’ve become the victims of mass-consumerism. They’re just put for download with little ef-

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 5

fort behind them, except for a few gems every now and then. Yet another annoying little puzzle game on iOS, yet another first-person shooter on Xbox and PlayStation, yet another New Super Mario Bros. game on Nintendo. Video games haven’t lost hope yet, though – there are tons of indie developers working on platforms such as Steam with lots of brilliant concepts for games. Perhaps what we need is some fresh faces – new people with new ideas to revitalize this somewhat graying industry.

Four interesting ways to make money C

by:Stephanie Brook

very good living off of the videos they make, and so could you. It isn't too hard to start making money from your videos; all you need to do is join the YouTube Partnership Program. This program, run

by YouTube, enables video creators to receive some of the revenue from the ads that run before their videos.

hristmas has passed, and many of us are looking for some money to make up for the gifts we got for our friends and family. However, where will we find that money? Part time jobs at fast food restaurants or a paper route may get you somewhere, but they aren't exactly the most interesting ways to Professional Mermaid make money. Here are some Yes, this does exist. It is much more exciting, and more of a career than a quick perfectly legal options. money making scheme, but there are companies in both YouTubing California and Australia that Are you an entertain- hire people to put on a fake ing person with some video tail and dress up as mermaids editing abilities? If so, then to entertain at parties and YouTube may be the path for put on underwater shows you! Many YouTubers make a at aquariums. So if you are

a good swimmer, and you feel like moving someplace warmer and telling everyone you meet you're a mermaid, this may be a good option for your future.

Human Guinea Pig Do you ever see the advertisements in the newspaper asking for healthy males and females to participate in a study? These ads are looking for human guinea pigs, or people to test new drugs and products to see if they are safe.

This job will usually make you a few hundred dollars per session, more or less, depending on the dangers of the product being tested. This can be a dangerous line of work, but on the bright side, not a lot of

qualifications are required.

Human Advertisement More and more corporations are paying people to get temporary, and sometimes even permanent, tattoos of their company's logo on different body parts. In 2009, Air New Zealand hired people to shave their heads and display a message proclaiming the message, "Need A Change? Head Down to New Zealand." Participants could choose between either getting $777, or a flight to new Zealand. These tattoos were temporary. Many other companies caught hold of the idea; pharmaceutical companies, online beauty suppliers and even a Las Vegas casino.

Dunlop tires, an American tire company, is one of the few businesses that pay people to get permanent tattoos. For the price of a permanent tattoo, one can get a set of tires valued at $500-$1,000. This endeavor might not be for everyone, but it is always an option if you get desperate.

Many students who had Mr. Bertovic as a teacher might remember stories of his own tattoo, one that advertises for Timex. Well, you might be shocked by the truth- "It’s not real!" He revealed to Talon Times in an exclusive interview, "I can't believe I got away with that for a whole year!" He told us, laughing, "Isn't that the best scam ever that a teacher has pulled on

you guys!?" The tattoo he has is not to advertise for Timex, but is for the Iron Man race, as both have the same symbol.

It makes you wonder... what other scams he may have been pulling on his students!?

Now that you have seen just a few of the vast number of interesting ways to make money, you may want to rethink your plans of getting a summer job at McDonalds.

There are so many options out there if you search for them!

education and insights

I

by: Juahue He

t is the time of the year where planning ahead starts to get difficult. You can barely figure out how many hours of sleep you are going to get tonight, let alone deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life. Between the overwhelming university worries, the terrible exam stress, or whatever other bridge you may be trying to cross, it becomes dangerously easy to slip into a cycle of depression.

Consequently, winter becomes a very emo-

tionally distressing season.

You wake up when the darkness of the sky tells you it should be night time, yet the clock says that it is seven in the morning. This discrepancy between your usual daily schedule and your biological clock can negatively impact your emotional state, often leaving one feeling grumpy and overly tired. All these symptoms often accumulate, leading to mental conditions associated with illnesses such as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD – a subcategory of depression linked to the

disruption of the circadian and biological rhythm due to seasonal changes. Our bodies are genetically programmed to function in alignment with daylight hours, which helps jumpstart the production of some chemical messengers that function in maintaining mood and emotion. Subsequently, winter brings on later sunrises, thus causing our bodies to believe that it should be night time, ergo bed time, yet we still need to wake up in time for that test or that meeting. Due to this, our bodies do not produce enough of the

necessary chemicals, resulting in the feeling of being sleepy, or even depressed. For that reason, treatment for SAD often involves the introduction of a light source when one is just waking up, such as using a dawn simulation or bright light therapy. Although it is a seemingly inevitable occurrence, disorders such as SAD can have a devastating impact on our mental and physical health. SAD often causes a craving for carbohydrates, whereas other forms of depression usually cause a person to forget to eat, or neglect

nourishing their body. Both cases lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Coupled with the already overwhelming amount of stress students go through this time of year, depression is the last thing anyone would want on their plates. However, if you do experience any feelings of depression, do not let them consume you. Easier said than done, but sometimes just crying, singing, or even doing a cardio workout can help snap your body and mind back into gear. If you feel as though you are experiencing something more

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 6

severe than just Seasonal Affective Disorder, or if you’d like to talk to someone about how you are feeling, remember there are many resources available to you, some of which are listed below: Depression Hotline: 1-630-482-9696 Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-8433 Kid's Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 Online Chat: www.crisischat.org www.imalive.org

Use music to your advantage I

by: Bhaven Moorthy

tionship between music and the immune system is present through dance music. A study done in Scientific American has shown that dance music causes the levels of antibodies in the test subjects to drastically rise. The increase in antibodies means a stronger immune system, and a healthier you.

t is noted that at some point in everyone’s lives, music has had some sort of everlasting impact, usually emotional.

However, not many people are truly aware of the many affects that music can have on them, mentally and physically, and in turn, do not take full advantage of it. Here are just a few Benefit: Work harder, better, ways that students can further & faster enjoy the benefits of music!

Song Suggestion: Communication Breakdown by Led ZepBenefit: Prevent a cold before pelin it happens Researchers have been Song Suggestion: One More able to prove that there in fact Time by Daft Punk is a direct correlation between Most people are unaware music and exercising. It is unthat listening to soothing mu- derstood that music has the sic is proven to reduce stress potential to increase strength by decreasing the intensity by distracting attention and of the stress hormone, corti- pushing the heart and muscles sol. Researchers have found to work at a faster pace. This, that these reduced levels of though, can only be done with psychological stress, in turn, the assistance of high tempo enhance the immune system. music. Studies show that lisA second, more direct, rela- tening to upbeat music while

exercising doesn’t make the workout any easier, but instead, the distracted mind motivates the muscles to work harder.

Benefit: Get creative Song Suggestion: Black Water by Timbre Timbre The presence of loud music makes it difficult to process thoughts and can be extremely overwhelming while trying to get work done. Ambient music at moderate noise levels, however, does not overwhelm the mind, it actually develops creativity. Moderate noise increases processing difficultyjust enough to promote abstract processing in the mind, leading to higher creativity.

When the mind has to work harder to process something, it resorts to different and more creative means of doing so.

This occurrence is easily stimulated by moderate music.

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 7

around GFSS

Project Philippines by: Hiba Abdirahmaan

Y

ou may have noticed posters around the school, sporting the name “Project Philippines”, an initiative organized by Mr. Gale’s grade eleven Media Studies class.

The students put forth lots of dedication and time to help raise funds for the devastating typhoon that hit the Philippines in early November. The class split into four groups: the token crew, ad developers, video crew, and the social media group. The token crew was in charge of making the key chains and bracelets

that were sold, at the student-friendly price of $2 for the bracelets, and $1.50 for the key chains. The students in the ad group were in charge of making posters, and writing announcements, ensuring that the student body was kept informed. The video crews were in charge of making short, yet informative videos regarding Project Philippines and why contribution to the cause was of importance. With help from Mr. Fink and Mr. Enright, the videos were uploaded and played on the television in front of the school. The social media group - in charge

of online publicity - took to the Internet, using Facebook pages and blogs as informative tools to reach a larger audience. The fundraiser ended off on a high note, with a student versus teacher dodge ball game, which consisted of one big teacher team, and three rotating student teams. At the end of the campaign, just over $400 dollars were raised - all of which was sent to UNICEF. A special thanks goes out to Mr. Gale for giving the Media Studies class a chance to help make a difference in the lives of people who needed it most.

Success! Glenforest shines with the Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament

O

by: Amos Vang

n December 17th, 2013, the 2013-2014 Super Smash Bros. Melee: Knockout Prime Tournament at Glenforestbecame the largest and most internationally recognised event in Glenforest history. With both Canadian and American sponsors, the tournament grew from a small, local competition to a flourishing event, gaining viewers from different parts of the world.

The tournament featured nearly 50 players who battled one another through Super

Smash Bros. Melee, a very popular party fighting game.

Players from all grades came together to compete in what was the first tournament of its kind in Glenforest. Players chose from a plethora of Nintendo characters, including Mario, Luigi, Link, Donkey Kong, Captain Falcon, Marth, Pikachu and Jigglypuff. All competitors battled it out first in their own respective lunch periods, and the top 6 players moved on to compete in a special single elimination bracket for the grand prize of a 23 inch LED HD Acer computer monitor.

After a gruelling 9 hours of knockout fests on the big screens in the auditorium, twelfth grader Ryan Chan won the championship with a dominant Marth, Sheik, and Fox. After winning the grand prize and the championship, Ryan moved on to an exhibition set to face the Iron Gryphon, a retired competitive Melee player. Although Ryan lost to the Iron Gryphon, he accumulated some very close matches, with the final score being only 4-3 in favour of the Iron Gryphon. Michael Dimitrov, an active competitive Melee player and teammate

of the Iron Gryphon, stated, "Ryan continues to become a threat, showing much potential.His use of advanced techniques is still relatively primitive, but with more practice, Ryan will better himself."

A total of over 500 spectators witnessed the tournament, manywho were from other countries, including the United States, Germany, England, France, Sweden, Finland, and the Dominican Republic, making this one of Glenforest's largest and most internationally recognised event in its 45 years. With Major League Gaming having

announced the return of Super Smash Bros. Melee to the 2014 MLG World Pro Circuit and the 2013 release of a documentary explaining the history of competitive Super Smash Bros.

Melee, Glenforest's tournament became one of the largest high school Smash tournaments in North America.

Wynton "Progducto" Smith, an American professional fighting game commentator for Super Smash Bros. Melee and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, stated that he was "really proud and excited for Glenforest", and even mentioned Glenforest's tournament at an

MLG national broadcast on December 21st, 2013.Imadh "I.B." Bedri, a Toronto Melee player ranked 73rd in world rankings, also expressed his support and enthusiasm for the tournament.With such a surprising response from both Glenforest and the public, the excitement continues to surge through the halls of at Glenforest this year.

around GFSS

Glenforest’s gifTED Talks T

by: Inori Khan

he Enhanced Group of Glenforest (fondly known as EGG) organised the second annual ‘gifTED Talks’, held on Tuesday November 19th, in the auditorium. Modeled after the wildly popular TEDx conferences, gifTED began in the 20122013 school year to foster a greater level of inter-student communication, and create an environment which allowed Glenforest’s student speakers to share their ideas, stories, and experiences with their peers. This year’s theme was ‘change’, and after weeks of preparation by the crew and the speakers, gifTED was a success.

Speakers had the opportunity to bring to light issues spanning various subjects. Period three featured speakers Rachel Lee, Cathy Tie, Monica (Nica) Cha-

teau, Kareem Bassiri, and Sundus Zuberi; period four featured Jackey Liu, Amena Baalbaki, Kavya Kumar, David Ma, and Kaustav Chaudhuri. The talks included the subjects of self-esteem, growth in education and extracurriculars, being part of local or grand-scale societal change, and optimising life through little changes.

Whether students attended to support their friends, or to be inspired, gifTED left viewers with a distinct sense of gained knowledge.

Not many students can imagine getting up on stage in front of their peers, and subsequently attempting to move or inspire their audience. These talented speakers showed commitment when they began the task of writing their speeches, struggling through hours of creativity block, and at times even being stuck until the night before

their audition. But gifTED wasn’t made for the purpose of talking to a bunch of students. In its inception, Glenforest’s enhanced students organised the event in the hopes that students would be able to connect on a deeper level with their peers. Those who dared to step into the spotlight to speak up about what they thought was important. As students, we may not realise how well we could potentially identify with our peers, considering many of us are going through similar experiences. It is hoped that gifTED, in coming years, helps students become more unified through the sharing of their experiences, fears and aspirations, and their ideas on what could make our school, and eventually, our world, a better place.

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 8

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 9

tips for success

D

by: Milena Cioana

o you ever feel overwhelmed by all those quizzes, tests, assignments, and upcoming exams? How are you supposed to study all of that material, with such little remaining time? The exam season brings stress upon the Gryphons twice each year, so let’s review some basic steps to take when under a lot of pressure:

1. Clear your mind.

When stressed, our ability to think clearly is diminished usually due to a series of jumbled, nervous thoughts, so concentrating on a single task may become difficult. Try closing your eyes, and taking a couple of deep breaths, and to calm yourself down/ clear your mind just relax!

2. Identify the cause.

Take a few minutes to think about what stress you out

throughout the day, and make a list of these sources of stress. Try to look for ways to eliminate them, or ways to make them less stressful.

3. Organize. Create a schedule and stick to it! Your responsibilities may seem overwhelming at first, but if you take the time to organize them, they will be easier to keep up with. This technique will help a lot with time management, by ensuring you

meet all your commitments, and will help give you a sense of working towards a goal.

When it comes to exams, a clear and organized schedule can give you a useful breakdown of what to study each day, so you can cover all of the important material. Always try to leave some extra time— this can be used in case of emergencies, to ask questions, for hobbies, and so forth.

4. Reach out to others.

Express your thoughts and worries, because it’s likely that your peers are going through the same feelings as you this season, so why not talk to them? This way, you can build better friendships, learn and support each other.

5. Avoid distractions.

If people are talking as you are trying to concentrate, and thendistance yourself. If your friends cannot stop texting you while you’re study-

ing, turn off your phone.

Don’t let these things create unnecessary stress!

If none of these methods work for you, don’t worry. Stress will not get the best out of you until you discover the aesthetic beauty of office supplies, and when that happens, compliment them.

They might perform better during the exam if they know they are appreciated… but don’t count on it!

Ten things to do to study effectively for exams E

by: Zainab Olasege

xam season is a highly stressful time of year. If you’re a freshman, you probably haven’t dealt with a situation like this before. Thankfully the Talon Team is here to guide you through the dark abyss entitled “studying for exams”, by going through the ten major things you should do if you want to have a successful first exam season. The list is ordered from 1- 10, with ten being the most important.

Here’s what you should do:

1) Study space: having a designated study space helps to put people in the correct frame of mind. This is crucial when trying to concentrate because the type of attitude someone has towards studying will influence how well they can focus on what they’re learning.

2) Be organized: The ability to organize and self-regulate is essential in having a successful exam season. Before studying,ensure all the materials you’ll need are near your study space, and make sure

to have your notes handy.

3) Know which type of learning style works for you: most people have a preferred learning style. There are three learning styles, auditory, visual, and tactile learners. Auditory learners who learn by hearing; reading notes aloud would work well. If you are a visual learner who learns by seeing, making diagrams would be helpful. Then there are tactile learners who learn by doing.

Rewriting your notes or making models to help remember key points will be bene-

ficial for tactile learners.

4) Take breaks when studying: the longer you study, the more focus you lose. Frequent and short study sessions are better than few and long ones.

5) Have a study schedule: study schedules help you prioritize your studying and make you feel as if you are accomplishing a goal.

6) Don’t stress: stress makes it hard to concentrate due to the hormones released when you’re stressed.

Studying is more effective

when you’re relaxed.

7) Hydrate: the brain is made of 75% water; therefore the brain needs water to actually be productive. Lack of water causes tiredness which works against studying.

8) Don’t use social media: it provides a way for people to avoid work by being able to communicate with many of their friends. Social media also takes up time that can be used to study.

9) Don’t use your cellphone: put down your phones.

You should thank your par-

ents if you don’t have one. Cell phones are the world’s greatest interrupters; unimportant calls or texts during studying breaks concentration.

10) Study: this is self-explanatory. You have to study, even if you only study five minutes before the exam begins, it makes a huge difference.

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 10

tips for success

A three-step recipe for success by: Monisha Ambwani

W

e’re no longer on summer vacation; in fact, we are a great deal into the school year, consumed with assignments, extra-curricular activities, commitments, stress, sports, exams and more. All of this becomes overwhelming, doesn’t it? All of a sudden, the days are darker and the pile of work to do is larger.

How can you, as a high school student, deal with this?

Is there a recipe for success?

Well, of course there is! There’s one simple three-step recipe for success that will help you get through the next couple of months that lie ahead of you.

However, before you learn the recipe, remember one thing: Like any recipe, different things can be mixed into it in order to

make it even better. A recipe can be slightly altered in order to accommodate different people and situations. There are some basic components of success. However, besides those, feel free to add in more ingredients so that your recipe for success is catered to you. We’re all different; embrace it!

(1) Music: This is one of the most important tools you’ll need when facing the stress that is ahead of you in the months to comewhether it’s listening to music when you’re taking a break, on the bus, before you go to sleep, or while studying. For some, music can be distracting, but for many people it is vital. It has a calming effect which can lead to an increase in focus, a happier mood and a more relaxed

approach to life. Of course, it has been said that to study, an individual needs a quiet environment without distractions.

This isn’t necessarily true. For some, the quiet environment can have you fighting boredom or succumbing to the allure of sleeping at your desk. That being said, the importance of choosing the right music shouldn’t be underestimated. Listening to songs such as “Wrecking Ball” or “Moves Like Jagger” may not be the best in times of stress. When creating your exam study playlist, you need to be selective. Consider classical music, instrumental music or even sounds of nature.

The importance of choosing the right music to study with cannot be underestimated.

Here’s a fun fact: It has been shown that there is evi-

dence that Mozart improves work area or sending an email. mental performance. This is The best way to be successful in called the “Mozart Effect”. your life is to clean up the clutter – mentally and physically. Sim(2)The Two-Minute Rule: ply use the next 120 seconds to This is an ingredient for do something productive! success that is vital to conquer procrastination. Procrastina- (3)Eliminate the Inner Perfection is the thief of time, right? tionist: This is one of the biggest obstaBeing a perfectionist is cles lying in the way of success a trait many of us have. This and must be conquered by each is another thing that may get individual at some time or an- in the way of success. If you’re other. The Two-Minute Rule is waiting for the perfect time, a rule of thumb that originally perfect outcome, perfect supcame from David Allen’s best plies or until you’ve finished selling book, “Getting Things your project “perfectly”, you’ve Done”. Here’s the rule: If a task wasted your time. Of course, takes less than two minutes, it is important to do your best, then do it now. It’s surprising but it’s that “perfect” mindset how many things we put off for which may get in the way of hours even though we could your ability to get other things get them done in less than two done. Try your best, and don’t minutes. Thing like taking out dwell on the imperfections. If the garbage, cleaning up your necessary, once you finish all

It’s a marathon, not a sprint F

by: Jamey Irwin

or most of us Gryphons, a new semester with four new classes is just around the corner. This means that students will face an inevitable activity, class-by-class-goal setting.

The questions to be asked will demand a personal understanding of our skills, areas for improvement, and plans for short term achievements.

Some students will abide by their regiments with furious vigor, while others, not so much.

Goal setting is a proven method of improving disciplines and meeting expectations. “The key to setting goals is how you set them”, says self-proclaimed expert, Dr. Edwin Locke. They should be S.M.A.R.T: specific, measurable, attainable,

relevant, and time bound.

When you get down to it, creating such goals is not hard. Though, maybe the reason there is people in the “not so much” group is that in schools, the goals we tend to make are mark-and-skill oriented. Considering the life expectancy of Canadians, this is a sprint-not-a-marathon kind of perspective.

This is where we have

to remember: what one may get in one of the thirty-two courses in one’s high school career is not the beginning and end of all life. Here, we need to talk big picture, not just puzzle pieces.

In the case of next semester, when you are sitting at your desk facing the inevitable goal setting task, take a moment and consider the marathon. Some questions you

might want to answer are: 1. If you were to die in 15 years, what would be your most memorable experience?

2. H y p o t h e t i c a l l y , you have your own page in the 2030 Guinness Book of World Records. What record would you hold?

3. In your biography written by the most important person in your life, the author recites the three most import-

the tasks on your to-do list, you could always backtrack and attempt to achieve perfection. However, can anything even be perfect? As Geoffrey F. Fisher once said, “When you aim for perfection, you discover that it is a moving target”.

It’s okay to aim for perfection.

Become aware of your inner perfectionist, and make sure it doesn’t hold you back.

There you have it! Three simple steps you can use to be successful in the year to come.

Good luck with your future endeavors, fellow Gryphons!

ant lessons you taught them.

What would they be?

4. You have unlimited money. What would you buy? And if you donated it, who would you donate to?

5. Favourite dream.

How can you make it real?

While it’s important to have tangible short-term goals, remember that planning for the future is just as important, and a great motivator.

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 11

tips for success

Top apps for exam review A

by: Haris Saud

re you looking to get some exam review done but keep getting distracted by all that tempting technology around you? How about converting those smartphones and tablets from diversions into exam companions? For your benefit, The Talon Times will count down #5 – Google Play Books the top five freeAndroid and Google Play Books coniOS apps for exam review. tains millions of titles, from new releases to bestsellers.

It also has thousands of textbooks that can come in handy when doing that last minute preparation before an exam. From chemistry textbooks to Shakespeare, Google Play Books ensures you have many exam resources just a tap away. You can also synchronize your reading experience by picking up where you left off on your phone, tablet, or computer.

#4 – Khan Academy Sometimes, reading material and textbooks aren’t enough for exam review. Sometimes, you need to watch in order to understand, and that’s when Khan Academy comes in. With over 4200 videos on everything from math tutorials to biology concepts, Khan Academy allows you to learn almost anything for free.

#3 – Wunderlist With so many different exam dates and details, how do you remember them all?

That’s where this app comes in handy.Wunderlust, a simplistic to-do and task list that synchronizes across all major platforms, will take away the fear of forgetting an exam detail. Moreover, it would be a great app to keep around even after exams, for homework and other Platform: iOS, Android (un- tasks. It is a “wunderful” reofficial) placement for an agenda!

Platform: iOS, Android

#2 – STUDYBLUE Flashcards This is the quintessential app for quizzing yourself and ensuring you know all the concepts. Using text, pictures, and audio, you can create flashcards on your phone or tablet and study whenever you want.

If you don’t have time to create your own flashcards, you can browse, download, and study from millions of classmate-created material.

If that’s not enough, the application even allows you to Platform: iOS, Android, Mac, track your progress and focus Windows on the toughest material.

Platform: iOS, Android

by: Aza Albogatchieva

T

he start of a new year is the perfect time to turn a new page, which is why so many people create New Year's Resolutions. Of course, resolutions are much easier to make than to keep and by the end of January many of us seem to have abandoned our resolve and settled back into our old patterns. To help you keep your resolutions this upcoming year, here are a few tips!

1. Pick Realistic Resolutions One of the biggest problems in keeping a resolution may be because we simply aim too high. Instead of selecting an ambiguous goal, focus on something more concrete that you can realistically set your sights on. You’ll find that achieving and keeping up a small, simple goal is a lot easier than a general declaration.

2. Define Those Goals Saying you'll lose weight,

or do better in school is not good enough – you need to write down specifically how you plan to move toward those goals. No goal is attainable without deciding how you're going to make the small changes needed, in order to reach that goal. By making a plan, you’ll see that it’ll be much easier to stay on track with achieving your resolution(s) this year.

3. Don't Be Upset by Setbacks

The old adage in therapy is two steps forward, one step back. The same could be said for New Year's Resolutions, which can often be the most difficult to keep. If you suddenly relapse into a bad habit, don't view it as a failure. The path toward your goal is not a straight one and there are always going to be challenges, so view every step backwards as a learning opportunity to grow from.

4.Keep Working On Your

Goals

By February, many people have lost that initial spark of motivation that they felt immediately after making their New Year's Resolution. Keep that inspiration alive by continuing to work on your goals, even after facing setbacks. If your current approach is not working, re-evaluate your strategies and develop a new plan.

And remember...

Not every New Year's res-

#1 – Evernote Evernote takes the crown for being the best app for exam review. It lets you condense all your concepts into succinct notes with pictures, audio, and to-do lists that are completely searchable anywhere you go. You can organize notes by notebooks/tags and easily share them with everyone. With flawless synchronization throughout all your devices, you can access your notes anywhere. Reduce your paper clutter by transferring your work to Evernote.

Platform: iOS, Android, Blackberry, WebOS, Windows Phone, Windows, Mac

olution was meant to be kept.

Some are easier to maintain than others, but if you truly are serious about keeping your resolutions this year, remember that nothing worth having ever came easy.

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 12

Canadian and Int'l news

Canada stepping

up on texting and driving laws T

by: Ming Li

he Ontario government has been cracking down on texting and driving in recent months, with the introduction of new enforcements placed on the existing act. On September 27th, 2013, the court ruled that it is now illegal to hold a cell phone or any other wireless communication device while driving. There will be no leniency towards this law. If the driver is caught holding a cell phone, even if it is not transmitting data or has only been held for a short period of time, there will be a fine allocated for

him or her. A violation of the handheld cell phone legislation in Ontario has a fine of $155 CAD. Many Ontario residents are in agreement with this law, while others believe it is unreasonable. Cell phones are a temptation to drivers when it is near them or in their hands, especially when they want to send out a quick text or to look at an email during a red light.

According to the CAA, “drivers engaged in text messaging on a cellular phone are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near crash event, compared to non-distracted drivers”. There may be many

distractions for a driver, but the important thing to keep in mind is that they are responsible for their lives, the passengers’ lives, and the lives of the people in other surrounding vehicles. If the driver has something important to say, they can always connect their phones to hands-free devices, such as an earpiece, headset, or Bluetooth.

Driving is a complex task that requires the driver’s full attention every time they get behind the wheel, so when students get their G1 or G2 permits, they must remember to drive responsibly and intelligently.

Caution: Slippery when wet W

by: Patricia Ly

ith record-breaking rain fall last July, Ontario faced the costliest natural disaster ever. Only one month shy of the 10th anniversary of the 2003 blackout, citizens in the province suffered a power outage for almost five hours.

Students remember this event as “unexpected” and “sudden.”

“I remember the rain pouring

down non-stop; I wouldn’t have imagined a blackout and flooding. It seemed normal for the amount of rain we were having that week,” a student recalled. Homes, malls, subway stations, roads and highways were flooded with endless amounts of water. Even Glenforest’s very own Gym A/B sustained serious damages to the floor.

While the GTA was

struggling with costly repairs of their own, Gym A/B underwent reconstruction for around four months to replace the shiny wooden floor Gryphons share their pride on. As a host place for various events ranging from school sports to OFSAA, our beloved Gym A/B has been seen by students from all over Ontario.

The gym floor has been with our champions every step

of the way, and many of our athletes were devastated to see their beloved gym closed off for the first two months of school. With the return of many extracurricular activities, Mother Nature could not have found a better way to let Gryphons know to “take it easy for now.” Although we are lucky enough to have another fully equipped and functional gym, Gym C, it is important

to recognize that Glenforest is home to over 1500 students.

With over a quarter of our student body using the gym on a daily basis, Gym C is not enough to accommodate these diverse athletes. Luckily, Gym A/B has recovered and is ready for future legends to come!

While finishing touches are still being put in, the gym has reopened at the perfect time. With the winter

season sports such as boys’ basketball, girls’ volleyball, and skiing just starting up, Gryphons are ready to show off their support and school spirit. With high hopes of developing future champions in the newly perfected gym, we cheer - go Gryphons, go!

Canadian and Int'l news

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 13

“I Am Malala” by: Farzana Rahman

T

his is a story of one girl.

One girl who overcame oppression, saw through their muddled rhetoric, and became the voice of change. At the mere age of 16, Malala Yousafzai of Swat Valley, Pakistan, has accomplished what most freedom fighters can only dream of: being the catalyst of education in a nation dominated by the Taliban regime against female schooling.

October 9th 2009, the optimism and courage of one young girl, had long threatened the rigid Sharia law of the Taliban. After countless bombings of female schools, their message shook the country, and threatened their wom-

en and girls. Until one unlikely heroine stepped up in protest against this cruel regime. At the young age of 11, Malala Yousafzai not only inspired countless females to fight for their voices, but ironically did so by having a silent protest.

“They cannot stop me, I will get my education, if it is at home, school or anyplace”. We find in this young girl, an empowering and compelling voice that has taken the world by storm.

In the coming months we see her activism grow, along with the risks. The fight to keep her education led to her being shot by the heinous crime syndicates of the Taliban. However, this did not signify the end of her story, Malala survived. Not only did she survive the injury,

but she also survived the constant hate and fear that found its way into her young life.

To this day, “I Am Malala” rings in our minds, as do the incredible acts of her life.

Malala’s story speaks for the countless Malala’s of Pakistan, and brings their struggles to light. She has reached to the far corners of the earth telling this very story, landing her countless awards and worldwide recognition. She is the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and was named one of the 100 most influential people in New York Times. Her bravery still speaks to us today; “They wanted to shoot 1 Malala, instead they awakened 1000’s”

'Selfie' named Oxford's word of the year by: Nadia Ozzorluiglu

T

he Oxford Dictionary is one of the world’s most respected go-to language resources. For the past few years, Oxford has been publishing the “word of the year”, encapsulating an entirety of 365 days in one single word. The word is supposed to be a reflection of our world; an expression that absolutely changed the entire planet and the way we communicate. Ladies and gentleman, the Oxford Word of the Year for 2013 is ‘Selfie.’

It’s not all that bad if we were to look at the word of the year for 2012 (it was ‘GIF’).

However, the question on everyone’s mind is how a company so prestigious would chose a word like ‘selfie’ as the year’s most famous term?

According to Oxford, the usage of ‘selfie’ jumped 17,000% as of 2012. The phenomenon that launched ‘selfie’ into its stardom was the overuse of the term being thrown around all over social media sites. Judy Pearsall, the Oxford editorial director wrote on the

official Oxford website, “Social media sites helped to popularize the term, with the hashtag, ‘#selfie’, appearing on the photo-sharing website Flickr as early as 2004. Usage wasn’t widespread until 2012, when selfie was being used commonly in mainstream media sources.” The availability of a high quality camera embedded in the cell phones makes it easier for people to create their digital self-portrait. It helps promote yourself; showing off to your friends over the internet is a great way to hit a couple of

‘likes’ in a matter of minutes.

The idea of a ‘selfie’ has almost become a contest of who can take the weirdest or most adventurous picture. We have all seen them – the sky diving selfies, the bathroom duckfaced selfies, and even the studentswho take snapshots of themselves in class when they feel the need to express their boredom. But who could forget the selfie that propelled the word into the Oxford Dictionary stratosphere: A group of teenagers whowere bold enough to take a selfie with

the pope, inaugurating the Pope into the digital age.

Oxford chooses words that are most frequently used within the internet culture during that year. How can they possibly narrow down so many words over the internet?

The good people at Oxford use a programme called Oxford Dictionaries New Monitor Corpus. The programme collects approximately 150 million words that are frequently passed around the internet every month by scanning new web content. It then

analyzes the context of the word and how it is engaged in normal speaking terms.

So bust out your PED and keep an eye out for photo-bombers. Our generation will be noted in the history books for this – so you better make sure the lighting compliments your face and your lips aren’t too pursed. You don’t want to be caught promoting the “duck face” in a grade 10 history te x t b o ok .

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 14

giving back

T

by:Sundus Zuberi

he holidays are about giving, but it is often easy to become preoccupied and forget this as we scramble to meet last minute deadlines.

Although we want to give, we also want to make sure that our donation counts and the numerous charities to choose from can sometimes become overwhelming.

When looking for a responsible charity, there are a number of thingsto consider. Program spending ef-

C

by: Vini Clare

harity work just got a lot more enticing for those animal lovers out there, with the help of an organization based in Toronto, by the name of The Toronto Humane Society. This not for profit charity runs year round, giving people the exciting experience of adopting an animal in need, or even by fostering an animal until the time comes for it to move into a new permanent loving

and providing equipment.

(A+) Natural Conservatory of Canada The NCC is Canada’s leading organization in terms of the environment. They have been defending natu-

ral diversity since 1962 and (A) United Way of Greater so far, have helped protect Toronto 2.6 million acres of land.

Donations given to the United Way go towards im(A+) Canadian Red Cross proving the social conditions Society of our city by breaking the This organization aims to poverty cycle, building stronimprove the lives of people in ger communities and supCanada and around the world. porting children in need.

They provide universal relief such as health care, shelter, (A)Toronto General & Westwater, supplies and sanitation, ern Hospital Foundation as well as immediate response This foundation gives to disasters and conflict. grants to the University Health *A simple way to donate Network to support research, $5 toTyphoon Haiyan is to enhanced patient care, edutext REDCROSS to 30333.* cation, renovating buildings

home. Unfortunately, the animals that are usually housed by the THS are often abandoned, abused, or stray animals that have not found their home.

This organization helps to find loving homes and caring environments for these animals on a daily basis in order to ensure that they are safe and healthy.

The Toronto Humane Society, after its opening in 1887, began working to help these pets by providing multiple services such as behavioral

modification, therapy, and the funding of any other medical attention they might need.

All animals in their care are spayed and neutered, which is especially beneficial due to the rising negligence of owners towards these loving pets, and by preventing further reproduction this reduces the amount of negligent care takers and the overpopulation of these precious animals. This organization does not, and will never put down animals because of

need the utmost care and with the help of these foster families, the care of these animals is extended to the community, and gives people the ability to help out. With the foster family being greatly involved in the animal’s life, they can also get the final say in which family they would like to see the pet go to. If your family falls in love with the pet during its stay with you, you can also adopt the pet yourself. With this foster care plan put in place, the commu-

ficiency, fundraising costs, governance/transparency, reserve size and degree of impact, to name a few.

Money Sense Magazine recently ranked 100 Canadian Charities according to the aforementioned criteria.

Here are a few of the highest overall grades:

inadequate spacing or length of stay in its facility. They genuinely care for these animals and go through a strict adoption process in order to determine a safe, new home for them.

Not only does the THS adopt pets, they also allow families to foster pets who wish to help out and house an animal while they find homes suitable for their needs. These foster families care for newborns, pregnant animals, and recuperating animals. Pets

(A)President’s Choice Children’s Charity The PCCC focuses on helping children with disabilities and fights against child hunger in Canada.

Last year, they gave $9.1 million in grants to over 1,900 families in Canada.

(A)Toronto Windfall Clothing Support Service This smaller charity provides new clothing and other basic needs to struggling

people in the Greater Toronto Area. These items are given to 64 000 people, 21 000 of which are children, through social agencies, shelters and newcomer centers.

Hopefully this will make your donation, whether it is money, clothing, food, presents, or even time, a little easier and more informed.

This winter, just remember- every little bit helps!

nity can play an active, direct role in saving a pet’s life.

The Toronto Humane Society truly is doing extraordinary work around this city and branches out to the community, giving others a chance to change lives. For those interested in helping and changing the lives of the hundreds of animals, give THS a call at (416)392-2273, or send them an email to help an animal in need find a place it can call home.

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 15

interview

A fitting farewell: Paying homage to Ms. Horvath F

by: Talon Times

or the past few years, Glenforest has been thrived due to the behindthe-scenes work done by our administration. Supporting the admin with her constant positivity and encouragement is our hardworking and dedicated principal, Ms. Horvath. From the effort that she puts into ensuring that events and assemblies run smoothly, to supporting parent council meetings, and, overall, making Glenforest a happy and safe learning environment, Ms. Horvath has contributed massively to the friendly and inviting culture of GFSS. However, at the end of January 2014, Ms. Horvath will be retiring, and, sadly leaving the “forest”. Talon Times thought that it would be important to mark this milestone with our beloved principal, and we are very excited to bring you an exclusive interview with the matriarch of Glenforest herself.

TT: Hi Mrs. Horvath, thank you so much for joining us today! So, just to start off, how long have you been at Glenforest?

Ms.H: That’s an easy one! I am currently in my seventh year, here at Glenforest.

TT: And why, or how, did you decide to pursue a teaching career?

Ms.H: I went through my university undergrad studying the sciences – environmental science and biology – at Queen’s University, which I enjoyed, but I wasn’t quite sure what to do after that. I wasn’t really ready to go onto a Masters in Science at that point, so I spent some time – a lot of time – thinking about it, and looking at different options. I ended up looking at schools for teaching the visually impaired and the hearing impaired, and from my research and experiences at that point in time, I thought,

“that’s something I would really enjoy”. I liked the idea of helping others, and I wanted to specialize in something. So, I applied to the program for Teachers of Hearing Impaired in Belleville, and this is after I went to Queen’s – I went to Queen’s for a year – and then I decided that I wanted to specialize. There were only, like, 20 spots for the 800 people that applied, and for some reason they picked me. So, that was the beginning of my teaching career.

TT: That’s really cool!

Ms. H: [It] wasn’t really your favourite part of being planned, it was just that some- an educator is? thing that really appealed to me.

Ms.H: Being with young people, and being with teachers TT: So if you could start all that keep you hopping and over, do you think you’d pick learning. You guys keep us the same path? young – well, young-ish – and current. It is so exciting to see Ms.H: I’ve actually been al- all of you, students and staff ways interested in hotel man- alike, develop and evolve. It’s agement. ever-changing, it’s dynamic, and it’s really all in the relaTT: Really? That’s a complete- tionship piece. So, and I guess ly different path! that’s also the hard part in leaving – it’s the people piece Ms.H: Actually, when I was of it. looking at this career change, I was looking at almost being TT: So what do you think concierge, in a hotel. I actual- you’ll miss most about Glenly made a few visits, and did forest, or about being a teachresearch interviews – talking er, in general? to a few people in the business, and I thought “I should Ms.H: Well, probably tying give this a chance, I could on to my last comment, the try it’. But for different rea- people part. It’s also the buzz sons I thought, I don’t know, of the school – when you are maybe not right now. Mainly in a building with 1400+ peobecause you’d have to start ple, you’re running, [laughs], low, low, low, and work your like, literally. I like the dyway up, obviously, the same namics of it because you nevas every [other career], but I er really know what’s happenthink I’d probably look at that ing minute to minute, I don’t [path] again. Again, it’s that control my time when I’m service concept. When you here. There’s some things that go to a hotel, the concierge I have to do – things I have to is a very important person to attend to, or I’m called upon make your stay the best it can to do, certain responsibilities. be. So, what can you do that But when I’m in the building, can make a memorable expe- it’s driven by the needs of staff rience so that the customer and students. So, that’s excitwants to come back. I think ing. It’s absolutely exhausting that appealed to me.

– but in most cases it’s a good tired. It’s not an easy job, it’s TT: So, back on track with ed- not an easy position. It takes ucation, what would you say its toll, it’s emotionally drain-

ing, but hopefully I’ve helped make it easier for staff to teach, and easier for students to do their best, here. That’s really my mandate. Again, going back to the service component – trying to set the conditions for maximum teaching and learning.

TT: So, what do you plan to do after retirement? Do you have anything planned out already?

Ms. H: I do! I am still going to work with young people, which is great, and parents, helping them sort out post-secondary choices and options. So I’m joining my friend’s business in that endeavour. So, [helping students] is familiar, but I have a lot to learn because I’ve been out of that loop for a while. I used to be in counselling, as a guidance counselor in a high school, so that is familiar to me, but the whole research aspect is a lot of work ahead of me, but that’s still exciting.

TT: That’s fantastic! And finally, do you have any last words for aspiring teachers, or for the students of Glenforest?

Ms. H: Well, that one’s open ended! [laughs] I think it’s pretty challenging at times when I look at students and I can see and feel the pressure, regardless of what program or what level they’re studying

at. There’s so much going on out there, the whole technology piece, all the pluses that it brings to your life, there’s how you use that to your advantage, and try not to get sucked into things that are going to drag you down. It’s overwhelming – it’s tough on me when I hear young people, and they sound as though they don’t have any hope. That really worries me, and I’ve always said that we as educators can provide [hope] within our students, then that’s a great thing.

TT: That’s lovely. What a nice thought.

Ms.H: So, believe in yourself, is what I guess I’m trying to say. [laughs] I mean, you’ve got a pretty good environment here, at this school, to test things out. And I hope students agree with me, and I know it’s not a perfect world, nothing is, but I have been at a lot of other schools, and I have a line-up of coffee cups from the schools I’ve been at, and this is my 7th school in Peel, and getting back to my point – take your chances here. Your risk taking, your positive risk taking, is something you should do here. Don’t always act your age – that’s a good one, it’s a good one for me. Sometimes it’s pretty heavy duty and serious, and sometimes you’ve just got to lighten up and, you know, chill, relax, keep

calm. Have some fun with it, don’t be shy, try to optimistic, all those good things.

It sounds kind of corny, but belief in yourself and your capabilities is really number one. Confidence is so key, it’s really tough, especially when I see students coming out of elementary school, and grade nine is good, and sometimes there’s a dip in enthusiasm there, in grade ten, and grade eleven is just.. crazy, and it really can be devastating. The thing is, confidence isn’t just something that we can bundle up, and be like, “well, here ya’ go!” It really is so difficult to have that [confidence]. And that’s where the parenting comes in, how you’re brought up when you’re young. And really, we’re your parents here within the school, so we do try our best to positively influence and help all of you.

TT: Awesome! Again, Ms. Horvath, thank you so much, for taking this time out of your busy day to talk to us, and we’ll really miss you around here.

Ms.H: No problem, it was my pleasure! Thank you for having me.

comics by: Amanda Yang

by: Bernadette Abalos

by: Hellen Ngo

by: Lena Phan & Carole Handy

by: Victoria Le & Suriya Ratnam

VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2013 PAGE 16

For the students, by the students.