VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8
JUNE 2018
PIN TREE POS MEET THE NEW EDITORS
PRIDE SUMMER PLANS! Month Say Hello To OurValedictorian
2 FIRST GLANCE P.4: WORLD
P.6: SCHOOL
The Pinetree Post
STAFF
FOUNDERS Russell Kim, Felix Guo EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Briana Ho, Katherine Liu
PRIDE MONTH
P.14: FEATURED
The Valedictorian of the Grad Class of 2018
P.21: GUEST
ARTICLE EDITOR Briana Ho CONTRIBUTORS Kate Chou, Noemi Galdamez, Maryam Gamar, Emily Liang, Sunny Liang, Julia Park, Marvin Shi, Sophie Zhao GRAPHIC DESIGN Katherine Liu ONLINE CONTENT Saina Adamy, Katherine Liu SPECIAL THANKS TO The Pinetree Administration, Mr. Lau, Ms. Hopkin, Ms. Mohamed Ali, Ms. Browne, Ms. Ikeda, Sonia Sandhu, Camila Gomez, Bernice Liu, Shehzeen Arshad, Michelle Deng, Deborah Berman, Gabrielle Chu
Goodbye Comments From Former Editors
Guest Comic that You Cannot Miss!!
GET INVOLVED IN THE PT POST! Although we at the Pinetree Post try our best to represent the voice of the everyone at Pinetree, we are only a small group of students. To find the most pressing topics and interesting avenues to explore, we rely on input from readers to curate relevant content only. Anyone is welcome to suggest a topic or provide an opinion for Pinetree Post writers and
contributors to look into further. Do you have something to say that needs your voice? The Pinetree Post also welcomes guest content, any time, of any kind. Feel free to submit an article on a topic you are passionate for, a comic you think everyone deserves to see, maybe even a letter to the editor! You can submit your original content to us at thepinetreepost@gmail.com.
Have a question or a request? Contact us at: facebook.com/thepinetreepost
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First Glance EDITOR’S NOTE
Nice to Meet You!
Warm welcomes to Briana Ho and Katherine Liu, the Editors-in-Chief!
A hello from the new editors of the Pinetree Post Briana Ho, Katherine Liu Editors-in-Chief
Hey Pinetree! Even though sweet freedom is almost here in the form of summer break, the end of another school year brings with it brand new responsibilities. For us in particular, the now-former Executives of P.T.P. (Emily Liang and Julia Park) are both graduating - which means we, Katherine Liu (Design Editor) and Briana Ho (Article Editor) are now granted the honour of running things from now on. Well, more like “stumbling through” things from now on. Either way, we’ll be working hard to bring a fresh flavour to P.T.P., while of course still keeping former traditions alive! We’re both super excited and really nervous to be stepping up as the new Executives for 2018-2019, for Julia and Emily have left us some pretty big shoes to fill. To introduce ourselves a little, Briana is a grade nine who is also a selfproclaimed avid writer/journalist/artist, and Katherine is a grade 11, hardworking Design Editor. We’ve both been a part of P.T.P. since the beginning of this school
year, yet are confident that we will be able to play our parts well. As with anything, it will take practice to get the hang of this new position of ours, and we are prepared for the metaphorical bumps and bruises we gain along this journey. We sincerely thank our readers, our newspaper staff, and the admin in advance for enduring our oncoming shenanigans as we begin to experiment with new ideas for P.T.P. No matter what may happen, the bottom line is that we both have a goal to amplify the vast diversity of voices at Pinetree, and live with a strong spirit for hard work and personal growth. Hope you all stick with us next year, for to us, P.T.P. isn’t simply a bunch of papers that are a hassle to print, but a way to spread a sense of community, connection, and laughter (however awkward it may be at times). Until next year! -Briana Ho and Katherine Liu
4 WORLD INTERVIEWS
PRIDE MONTH
Happy Pride Month
The Most Fabulous Time of the Year! Sunny Liang Writer June is Pride Month, a month dedicated to commemorating the decades of struggle for the rights of those with sexual orientations other than traditional heterosexuality. Though significant improvements have been made to the fair treatment of self-identified members of the LGBTQ+ community, it has been a long struggle that is continuing to this day. The choice to place Pride Month on the month of June was a deliberate decision made to pay tribute to the Stonewall Riots from the June of 1969 in which
Source: GOOGLE
there were a series of violent protests against a police raid on the Stonewall Inn. The Stonewall Inn was a gay bar located in Manhattan, New York City that operated illegally only because gay bars were refused liquor licenses. Due to their unregulated nature, such gay bars were often run by associates of the mafia and other criminal organizations, and were often tipped-off in advance by police to prepare for an incumbent raid. On June 27, 1969, a group of policemen arrived at the Stonewall Inn to the surprise of employees who had not received and notification of the raid. Police frisked through the patrons of the bar searching for and arresting crossdressers as well as seizing liquor. The vast
World majority who were allowed by the police to leave the bar decided to gather outside and observe the events unfolding in the bar all the while throwing various objects at the police van. The real riot was sparked when a woman being hauled into the police van shouted, “Why don’t you do something?” to the crowd, to which the crowd responded by unleashing their pent up hostility over the course of the next six days. Police attempts at restraining the crowd only prompted more violent reactions including the damage of nearby property. While many argued that the violent reaction by the protesters was counterproductive to their cause, the Stonewall Riot ultimately sparked new interest into the controversy and paved the way for future progress on the issue. A similar incident occurred at four separate gay bathhouses in Toronto in which police raids directly led to the arrest of approximately 300 men prompting a protest of approximately 3000 people the next day. Around the same time as the Stonewall Riots, Canada began taking measures towards fair treatment of the LGBT community. In 1965, four years before the Stonewall Riots, Everett Klippert was questioned by the RCMP for an arson case to which he was not connected. During the questioning, he admitted to his homosexuality and was jailed for “gross indecency” solely on the basis that he admitted to having sex with other men and the assessment by psychiatrist hired by the court that he was “incurably homosexual.” This incident sparked national interest and prompted Pierre Trudeau to decriminalize homosexualiy in Canada in 1969. Everett Klippert was finally released two years later in 1971. In 1977, Quebec became the first province in Canada to pass a civil rights law that incorporated sexual orientation into its Human Rights Code as well as laws prohibiting discrimination against gays and lesbians in public accommodation, employment opportunities, and housing. All provinces except Alberta, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories would follow suit similarly by 2001. In 1977, homosexual people were taken off the list of immigrants inadmissible to Canada. Three years later in 1980, MP (Member of Parliament) Pat Carney introduced Bill C-242 to the House of Commons which would prohibit any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation nationwide. It would also
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include sexual orientation into the Canadian Human Rights Act. Her bill was ultimately defeated, along with several similar bills that were later introduced by Svend Robinson, the NDP (New Democratic Party) MP (Member of Parliament) who became the first openly gay Canadian Member of Parliament. In 1992, Federal Justice Minister Kim Campbell, again, introduced an act that would have incorporated sexual orientation in the Canadian Human Rights Act which, like the previous attempts, was defeated in parliament, though a bill proposing the same thing, Bill C-33, was finally passed in 1996. As attitudes towards the LGBT community, lesbians and gays in particular, began to change, many provinces began passing their own legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, starting with Ontario in June of 2003, then British Columbia less than a month later, Quebec, Yukon, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick. In July 2005, Bill C-38 is passed officially legalizing same-sex marriage across the nation making Canada the fourth country globally to do so after the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain. Delivering on a promise as leader of the opposition during the passing of Bill C-38, the newly-formed Conservative government tabled a motion to reopen the debate over same-sex marriage which was defeated in parliament 158-133. The current government under the Liberal Party of Canada has expressed their support for the LGBTQ+ community and announced plans to review cases in which homosexual people were convicted on charges such as “buggery” or “gross indecency” as well as posthumously pardon Everett Klippert though they have yet to act upon this announcement as of the writing of this article. Nonetheless, society as a whole seems to moving towards an increasingly accepting climate towards the LGBTQ+ community no matter the opinion of the Canadian Government. If you would like to take part, the Vancouver Pride Parade is planned to take place this year on August 5.7
6 SCHOOL INTERVIEWS
Say Hello to the Valedictorian
BRIANA CHAMBERLIN
Grade 12s share their perspectives. Briana Ho, Emily Liang Interviewers Commencement is fast approaching, and all the graduating students of Pinetree can feel the pressure. There is one particular student who is feeling the pressure a little more than her peers. That student is Briana Chamberlin, the official valedictorian for the graduating class of 2018. At lunch on Thursday, June 7th, the Pinetree Post chatted with Briana about her nomination speech, her upcoming commencement speech, and her future plans. Some conversational elements of the interview have been excised so as not to embarrass
Source: Mr. Wong
anyone involved, but otherwise, the following transcript remains faithful to the initial audio recording. The Pinetree Post congratulates Briana on winning the student vote for valedictorian, as well as for being a fun and friendly interviewee to chat with! We wish her luck at commencement.5
Briana Chamberlin - Grade 12 PTP: So how come you spell your name with one “n”? BC: All of my uncles are named “Brian”, so they just tacked on an “a” to “Brian”, and I became “Brian-a”, or
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“Briana”. PTP: How did you feel about becoming valedictorian? BC: I was really excited but I was also really nervous because I started thinking about all the people I’m going to have to present in front of, but overall, I’m really excited. But I’m anxious. And I started thinking about how I’m going to have to sit in the theatre for three hours just awaiting the speech… but other than that, it’s all good! PTP: Did you expect to win? BC: ...No? To be completely honest, I was up against so many people. I wasn’t necessarily surprised that I was nominated- wait that sounds really bad. Cut that out! But I know I’m kind of a teacher’s pet and I wasn’t really surprised there, but winning, I was like “Hmph, okay! I’m surprised! Thanks student body!” PTP: The student body chose well, I think we’re going to see a really great speech. BC: [in a strained voice] Thanks! PTP: What were you thinking about when you were in front of the grad class, reading your nomination speech? BC: Mainly “don’t mess up”. Because I’m in theatre a lot, I have a lot of monologues in my mind and when I went to rehearse my speech at home, I accidentally started saying monologues of mine, instead of my actual speech, so I was scared I was going to accidentally start reciting this Shakespearean monologue. But I’m glad I didn’t! It went well. I think once I got into it and I started off well and I know I didn’t do a monologue, it was good. I was less nervous. [laughs nervously] PTP: Did you have all of it memorized? BC: No, I didn’t have it all memorized but I had good chunks memorized, like the parts that I really wanted to get across and convey strongly… I don’t know, I’m bad at English, but uh, yeah. Um. [laughing] I don’t remember how to say anything! PTP: How did you prepare for your nomination speech? BC: Honestly, I just wrote it and rewrote it and rewrote it and rehearsed in the mirror a lot, and in the shower because that’s the best time to talk to yourself when no one else is there. I didn’t talk in front of anyone because I didn’t want anyone to hear it, and I didn’t like anyone else read it except for Alex, who was another nominee. PTP: That’s competition!
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BC: But I only let her read it about 20 minutes before the actual presentation. Other than that, nobody else read it, no one in my family, nobody knew anything. PTP: Very secretive… what was the tactic behind that? BC: I wanted to go with what I thought of Pinetree, rather than someone being like “Mmm… I don’t know how I feel about this”, because then it’s their perspective on Pinetree, and I wanted my perspective on Pinetree. PTP: What was the response from the crowd like? BC: Good, I think? It was a lot of “hahaha”! I was so ready to get off stage that I was not fully paying attention, but it was good! They applauded and laughed at certain jokes I wanted them to, but there were some jokes that I made, but they didn’t laugh and that kind of sucked. But it’s okay, I digress. PTP: What is your favourite joke that you have written? BC: My overpass tile joke. PTP: Mmm, that one got me! BC: Yeah, I’d say that one. Then I made a joke about teachers saying seniors versus teachers games showed us that age is but a number, but no one laughed at it so I think that’s going to be cut. PTP: What do you have planned for commencement? BC: [pauses] Do you mean like… my… speech? PTP: Can we have a sneak peek? BC: I think I’m going to include a lot of what I said at the nomination at my actual commencement speech, but I’m also going to add in the generic thanks to the teachers, thanks to the parents, because without them, how would we even get there? I’ll probably cut a few jokes that didn’t get laughs, like seniors versus teachers, and I’ll try to add in a few more here and there. But yeah, it should be good. PTP: What is your strategy for writing a good speech? BC: This is going to sound so cliche… but write it from the heart! I guess, just use your best judgement. Ask yourself “Is that good?”, and I might think it’s good, but would I think it was bad if someone else said it? Yeah, probably! So you cut it. [laughs] PTP: That’s a good strategy. I think it’s worked for you. Who inspires you? BC: Hmm… a lot of people. I feel like I get snippets of inspiration from everyone around me with no one single person just inspires me, you know? PTP: Do you inspire yourself?
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BC: Honestly, no. [laughs] Sometimes, I’m pleasantly surprised by myself! I wouldn’t say inspired, I’m just kind of like “Oh! Good job, Briana, you did that, nice”. PTP: How do you feel about public speaking in general? BC: I get super nervous and I shake a lot. I don’t know if anyone noticed, my friends said they didn’t notice, but my microphone so much… You can’t see this, but Briana’s fist is frantically shaking! [Miming the shaking of a microphone with her fist] It was so much! I was scared that the microphone was going to sound like “AaAaAa” because it was shaking. PTP: You were doing vibrato! BC: Yeah, that’s what I was doing. But… it was good! I’m okay with public speaking. I feel like I’m more at ease when I’m halfway through and I realize I haven’t messed up yet. I just have to make sure that I don’t focus on “don’t mess up”, because then I’ll mess up. I just have to be in the moment. Tune everything out and go for it. PTP: What does being valedictorian mean to you? BC: Being valedictorian means representing the grad class in an honest light, while also poking some fun at some people- not meanly! Not harshly! Just for fun, I’m not here to roast people. I think being valedictorian is about having fun and reflecting on the four years we’ve been at Pinetree while also thanking the people that have gotten us this far in life. PTP: How do you think this experience will carry into your future? BC: I don’t, honestly? I think it will just be a memory. I don’t think it will necessarily shape me in my future because I really don’t think I’ve changed all that much since Monday when we found out. I feel like it will just be one of those fun facts about me. It’s not like I’m going to be going around at job interviews like “I was valedictorian of my graduating class”. I don’t think it’s going to be rub-in-face-this-is-what-shapes-me-as-ahuman-being. I think it will be a good experience, and I’m thankful for it, but that’s it. PTP: Speaking of jobs, could you tell the readers about your post-graduation plans? BC: Oh yes! July 17th is when my flight leaves! I’m moving to New Zealand for a year where I’ll be working as a teacher’s assistant at an all girl’s high school. PTP: How exciting! BC: The high schools though, are age 13 to 18. That’s
not a high school, but that’s New Zealand’s idea of a high school. But uh, in North America that’s a… big school. [laughs] PTP: Alright, I think we’ve kept you for long enough, thank you for sacrificing your lunch time to come talk to us! BC: Thanks for having me! PTP: Any last thank yous or shoutouts? BC: Shoutout to the student body for electing me. Electing? That’s the right word? I always think of political candidates… PTP: I mean, you kind of are… BC: I’m not a political candidate! PTP: Anything else? BC: Thank you for being a great interviewer. Please don’t make me an awful person in the paper! PTP: Of course. BC: Thanks!
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INTERVIEWS
Grad Class of 2018 Says Goodbye to Pinetree!
Graduating Class of 2018!
Grade 12s share their perspectives. Maryam Gamar Writer, Interviewer
For most of us it has been four years since we walked down Integrity Highway and first entered Pinetree. We have seen teachers and administration come and go and have struggled with changing block schedules. Mr. Wintermans and Dale have always been there to brighten up our Wednesdays while some of us struggled through AP classes or sports tournaments. There really is no way to prevent this from being cheesy other than leaving out the lyrics of “We’re All In This Together,” but the truth is graduation is a sentimental time. It is a time of transition from understudy to leading actor when after much suspense, we are able to step from behind the curtain, cross the stage and begin performing the main part in our lives. There will be student debt, overuse of caffeine, and lowered standards for what can be defined as “clean laundry,” but we will have begun making the decisions that will guide us for the rest of our lives.5hh
Source: Mr. Wong
Ina Huang Q: What are your plans for next year?
A: “My plans for next year are to attend SFU and study economics and hope I don’t fail.”
Q: What is something you will miss about Pinetree? A: “The music and business department and the friends I’ve made.”
Q:What is something you wish you had done as a Grade 12? A: “Something I wish I had done would be to be more patient with everything because I was super stressed out about so many things at once and it didn’t turn out so well.”
Darian Shirzadi Q: What are your plans for next year?
A: “Next year I’ll be studying business at SFU”
Q: What is something you will miss about Pinetree? A: “I’ll really miss seeing all the friends I’ve made over the last 4 years.”
10 SCHOOL Ziad Qumizakis
Q: What are your plans for next year?
A: “For next year I am going to Europe on a backpacking trip for the first semester of the school year, then I’m coming back to BC to start school at SFU for the second semester.”
Q: What is something you wish you had done as a Grade 12?
A: “I wish I took more electives, and didn’t overwhelm myself with a lot of academic courses.”
Sofia Musa Q: What are your plans for next year?
A: “I’m going to post-secondary school and travelling to Argentina.”
Q: What is something you will miss about Pinetree?
A: “I’ll miss being able to paint in the art class and seeing my friends every day.”
Q:What is something you wish you had done as a Grade 12? A: “I wish I had applied to more scholarships.”
Jodie Barros Q: What are your plans for next year?
A:“I will be studying biology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University! I’m also planning to get a part time job.”
Q: What is something you will miss about Pinetree? A: “I will miss the community, the music department, and the drama department.”
Q:What is something you wish you had done as a Grade 12?
A: “I wish I took more academic courses. I feel like I would have had more opportunities if I did.”
Morgan Cowley Q: What is something you will miss about Pinetree? A: “I’ll miss seeing all the great people I’ve met every day and of course the cookies!”
Q: What is something you’d like to say to a teacher?
A:“I’d like to thank Ms. Fera for being so positive and supportive and for dedicating her time to the drama department.”
Shehzeen Arshad Q: What is something you’d like to say to a teacher?
A: “It’s interesting how I came into high school perceiving that my teachers were going to be strict but now that I look back at all my 4 years I truly realize that some of my friends are teachers. My teachers and counsellor have helped me immensely to take me to my dream school. They encouraged me and made me stronger in all failures and successes.”
Simon Shou Q: What are your plans for next year?
A: “My plans are to enroll into Royal Military College to study psychology. So far I’m planning to enlist for infantry officer but that might change… I’m passionate about serving my country.”
Q: What is something you will miss about Pinetree? A: “I will miss my friends… if I had any.”
Jenny Zhao Q: What is something you will miss about Pinetree? A: “I will miss the amazing people I’ve met here.”
Q: What is something you’d like to say to a teacher?
A: “Thank you to Mr. Gleckman, the Carmichaels, and Mr. Lin for helping me find my love for art, music, and math and giving me incredible life advice.”
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INTERVIEWS
What Is Pinetree Planning For The Summer?
Grades 9 to 11 of Pinetree Secondary
Source: Mr. Wong
Grades 9 to 11 talk about their Summer Sofie Zhao, Elisa Korner, Katherine Liu Writer, Interviewer
As the year comes to a close, everyone is starting to count down the final days before summer break! Everyone can’t wait to get final exams over with and start having fun in the sun. As our seniors get ready for their commencement and graduation, the juniors want to share some of their insights about their summer plans! 5
What are your plans for the summer? Anonymous Grade 9’s
A1: I am going to summer school for math 10, so I don’t feel lazy. I am planning to hike with my dog, and train him to do more advanced tricks! Around August my family and I are planning to travel to Nepal to meet our family. I am also going back to my extra-curricular activity! Other than that I’ll be relaxing at home! A2: For this year’s summer break I am not really sure, but probably staying at home and going to summer school to get a head start on math for next year and reviewing homework and practicing it.
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A3: This summer I will actively be doing gymnastics, attending an intensive summer training camp to build muscles, boost endurance, perfect technique and get ready for the upcoming season. I also plan to do a lot of activities with my family, such as camping in the Okanagan, visiting the Niagara Falls in Toronto and hiking along local trails. I would also like to finally take a break from studying and take advantage of the promised sunny weather and head down to the beach or park with friends. A4: My whole family is going on vacation right after school ends for four days, and then I need to go to summer school. After that, I’m just going to chill at home.
Fei Wang - Grade 10
PP: What are you looking forwards to this summer? FW: I am going to sleep 14 hours a day and catch up on tutor homework. PP: Does your family have any plans to travel? FW: We might go to China for a visit but it is not for sure. PP: Are you going to spend time preparing for the next school year? FW: Yes. I am going to go to tutoring places 3 times a week for math. PP: Do you think you will enjoy the break? Why or why not? FW: Yes I will because I like going to tutoring and learning more than the school teaches.
Anonymous Grade 10’s
A1: I’m going to go to summer school, I’m taking Chem 11. I’m going to Toronto for a week, nothing is very concrete yet but I might go visit Niagara Falls. I might look for jobs for the summer. A2: A: I’m taking Physics 11 in summer school at Gleneagle, so I’ll be waking up at 8 a.m. every weekday like a slave to academics! I chose the morning class so that I can use the rest of the day after 11:30 like someone on summer break SHOULD. In any case, I look forwards to speed studying physics with people from other schools and enjoying my hard fought freedom after the course is completed. Also, I’ll be training for badminton in a club so that I can make it onto the senior team, trying to read as many books as I can, and spending time with my family and friends!
Nghi Le - Grade 10
PP: Do you have any plans with family or friends this summer? NL: Yes I do? I plan to go to Universal Studios in Orlando with my family and another family who are close friends with my parents! After that, I might start doing a consistent summer badminton training with friends! PP: Are you looking forwards to travelling, and do you travel often? NL: Yes I do travel quite often but I do a bit less now because high school IS getting harder by the year and so does badminton! Normally each summer I would go to vernon for army training or me and my family would go to Las Vegas or California! PP: How will you spend your days differently compared to regular school days? NL: I would spend a large portion of my summer studying for courses I will be taking next year but on weekends I will be focusing on improving my badminton skills and fitness by going to badminton drop ins and practices! Of course excluding the first week because of the vacation.
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School Anonymous Grade 11’s
PTP: What are you doing this summer? A: Probably working a lot and, ugh, volunteering PTP: Other than sleep, what do you want to do this summer? A: Travel......... MEXICO! PTP: What is your opinion on summer school? A: Don’t want to do it. PTP: What are you doing this summer? A: Working a lot and going to Europe and stuff. PTP: Other than sleep, what do you want to do this summer? A: Go mountain biking PTP: What is your opinion on summer school? A: Waste of Time.
Kyle Fernandez- Grade 11
PTP: What are you doing this summer? A: Yeah, um I am volunteering for about 3 weeks this summer for SFU camps and for the 2 weeks... for 2 weeks I am going to the Philippines, and for a week I am going to Calgary. So its pretty crazy/ PTP: Other than sleep, what do you want to do this summer? A: Thats kinda hard, after you said other than sleep (laughs). I just want to hang out a lot and just hang out with my friends. PTP: What is your opinion on summer school? A: Its kinda a bummer cause for a month, like half the summer is learning thing. But, its also fun because I get it over with so during the school year when I hear people complaining the subject, I’d be like ‘Can’t relate, can’t relate, cause I already took it’
Raghda Naji - Grade 11
Rebecca Liu - Grade 11
PTP: What are you doing this summer? A: I’m going to be taking Chem 12 in the summer, at Glen 8:30 to 11:30, and than I’m going to work a lot but yea, my mom will be here over the summer, so as much fun as possible will be happening. PTP: Other than sleep, what do you want to do this summer? A: If I am productive, which I probably won’t be, I’d really like to learn either a language or regular gym, cause I really need to do that. PTP: What is your opinion on summer school? A: Um, well when I was in middle school, I thought people who took summer school were dumb, cause I just thought that its was just like ‘oh you failed a class, you have to take summer school. But, its actually a really a smart thing to do, to get like um the rest of your like courses and years planned out at Pinetree like the way you want it because a little tough work over the summer is gonna pay off in the long run for a good year with your friends
PTP: What are you doing this summer? A: I think, I am going to be taking it easy because its been really stressful this pass year and I have been going to summer school lately, so I have a bunch of projects I will be working on, but I am also going to Joffre Lakes (Not Jeffrey Lakes) for a few days PTP: Other than sleep, what do you want to do this summer? A: (laughs) I’ve already kinda said it though. PTP: What is your opinion on summer school? A: (Groans and laughs) I think I would just be repeating what Kyle said, because while you are learning, at the same time you are getting it over with so you don’t have to worry about it in the long run. But also at the same time, you go at a faster pace sometimes, and thats a bit stressful, especially if you are taking a course with a lot of memorization. ( Kyle says “yeah, we took Socials together.”)
14 FEATURED GUEST ARTICLE
The Value of Playing Sports!
Pinetree’s BADMINTON TEAM!
Inside look into Pinetree’s Senior Badminton Team Chenille Wong Writer
Pinetree, our very name strikes fear in the hearts of our opponents on court, sends quivers down their spines, and increases the speed of sweat dripping off their foreheads by ten times. This is not a testament to the size of our players nor does it indicate foul play, but rather the formidable strength, resilience, and closeness of the Pinetree senior badminton team. Many of you have probably heard, or read on the Howl, that the senior badminton team won silver at the 2018 BC Badminton Provincials late last month. Many of us are in the numerous clubs our school offers, from SPCA, Indian Umbrella, to E-sports. But only a select handful of us join the wide variety of sports that range from beginner to advanced skill levels. During my three years participating in badminton,
Source: Chenille Wong
I’ve realized that there’s something special in being a part of sports at Pinetree. Besides seeing Ms. Chan get lucky while playing Bean-Boozled, moments on and off court with my team and coaches has made this year memorable. When we first stepped inside Drive Badminton Centre in Richmond on the first day of provincials, I couldn’t believe how different everything was; the energy in the facility was electric, students from schools I had never heard of before surrounded me from all sides, and there was something different about the dynamic of our team. Though we still smiled at frequent jokes, I noticed the atmosphere change into that of quiet concentration and seriousness. It’s difficult to imagine because we are hardly ever serious, but as we stretched for five minutes prior to our first games, I realized the inevitable thought that rested in the minds of my teammates. For many of the people that I have practiced with every Tuesday after school for
Featured four hours, this was their last year at provincials. Their last games of high school badminton would be played on those courts. With this in mind, we brought our ‘A’ game to each match; we played each point to the best of our ability and never became fazed by the deafening cheers from the other team. We played some of the hardest schools that day, and it ended with a three-way tie between Pinetree, Semiahmoo, and Steveston-London. We sat huddled together on the floor beside the other two teams. I remember vividly: the coaches were crowded around one small table, their brows furrowed as they moved scoresheets around back and forth in a rhythmic dance. At last, after twenty minutes the coaches dispersed from calculating the tie-breakers. After analyzing the numerous outcomes that would occur if we placed in first, second, or third in the round robin, we all knew we either wanted first or third to have the best chance in making it to the finals in our bracket. When David Dryden of Fraser Heights stepped in front of us, a quiet hush fell upon the large badminton centre. In a loud, clear voice, he proclaimed that this was the closest tie he had ever seen in his years at the provincials, and that only one small thing separated our three schools: a single game point. As if it was yesterday, I remember feeling a huge wave of relief cascade upon me as soon as the words left his lips that Steveston-London finished second. By then, I was so relieved that when Dryden announced that Pinetree placed first, I couldn’t believe it. Unexpected sounds of joy erupted from my team, and many of us collapsed on each other with huge, happy smiles. I continue to reminisce about that moment, one of the many moments I would have never been a part of if I wasn’t on the team. In addition, more goes on off court than what meets the eye. Who knew the senior badminton team goes late night shopping at Walmart to load up on snacks before provincials commenced? Or put on face masks from The Face Shop while playing Bean Boozled in their hotel rooms? I sure didn’t. Now, I can’t imagine not being a part of the senior team, not wandering around the food court at Aberdeen Mall in aimless awe, or never browsing the Asian food aisles in Daiso after dinner. There is something special about taking a brief break from the hustle and bustle at
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school to stay in a hotel with a small group of people. Not many students experience being woken up by a loud knock on the door every morning at 7 am by Ms. Chan – and though this may seem like an undesirable circumstance, she did have warm Egg McMuffins to lure us out of bed. During my time at provincials, I experienced a lot of firsts. First time attending an athletic banquet, first time seeing a birdie-spewing automatic machine, and of course, first time winning a silver medal with my badminton team. I will never forget our team huddles and cheers before starting each day, our late-night pep talks with the coaches, and our games of Werewolf that revealed who truly sucked at lying. But most importantly, I will never forget the people who made this season especially memorable. Though I can’t help but sadly watch the majority of my teammates leave Pinetree, I am excited to see them turn over new leaves and start a chapter of their lives away from high school badminton. Through a greater perspective, I wouldn’t be writing this article without first joining badminton in grade nine and continuing until where I am now. I went to tryouts on a whim because I thought I had nothing to lose. And I realize now, that I didn’t have anything to lose but so much to gain. Being part of badminton at Pinetree has not only offered me an escape from the repetitive stresses we often experience at school, but also an avenue to making new connections and friendships with people I would have never met otherwise. Though I haven’t gotten any wiser about the technique behind applying face masks, I do know this: your four years at Pinetree are short, so why not enrich them by taking a kick at a ball or a swing at a bird? 2
16 FEATURED EDITOR’S COMMENTS
Goodbye and Thank You
Emily posing next to a photo of Julia
Four years with the Pinetree Post Emily Liang, Julia Park Writers I first joined the Pinetree Post around the end of my Grade 9 year, at the behest of my Grade 11 friend who said that the PTP was in need of a comics artist. As a young teen looking for a public receptacle for my very funny jokes, I was all too enthused to join the team for the May 2015 issue. You might be thinking: wait, May 2015? Doesn’t that mean that going by calendar years, you’ve only been part of the Pinetree Post for a little over three years? To which I say, we are going
Source: Katherine Liu
by volumes of the PTP, for which I’ve been kicking around since Volume 1, and 3.2 rounds up to 4, thank you very much.
I’ve witnesses and even initiated several different phases of the PTP. I’ve witnessed and even initiated several different phases of the PTP. Starting in Volume 2, the September issue opened with an entirely redesigned paper, oriented towards newsmagazine style, and the official expansion of the PTP to online content on Facebook and Youtube. The September 2015 issue
Featured was also when I started my favourite recurring work, Classless Reviews of the Classics. If I have any regrets, it would be not writing more Classless Reviews and subjecting more innocent readers to my movie opinions. I was around for when the PTP delved into multi-issue long form pieces, such as the investigative article series on theft in school, from 2015-2016. I remember the interviews with the then-new administration of Pinetree, and the controversy surrounding the block schedule change of February 2017. I remember mapping out Volume 4 of the PTP with my co-editor, deciding on what themes to focus on for the year, how to organize the paper, and just what to do with the fact that practically all of the Volume 3 staff was graduating and we’d be left to build up with new recruits. I’ve experienced the tyranny of all the editors in the PTP’s existence (sorry Russell, Beverley, and Julia), including myself. Over my tenure at the PTP, I’ve also fulfilled a variety of different roles within the paper. I’ve done interviews, editorials, reports, investigative pieces, reviews, columns, comics, and all manner of content creation. I’ve done graphic design, video editing, social media management, all the jobs that a lowly staff writer to a co-editor might be expected to do. I have been the forgetful reporter, leaving assignments to three days after the deadline, as well as the frenetic layout editor, formatting all the articles at the dead of night, cursing the late hand-ins and the very concept of time. Suffice it to say that I am the most qualified surviving member of the Pinetree Post to speak on its past. By surviving, I don’t mean that past members of the PTP are deceased, I simply mean that they winked out of existence upon their graduations, of course. I have seen a lot of change in the paper, and I expect to see more, now that I’ve officially moved into the Pinetree Post Retirement Home for High School Seniors. Still, I hope that the few constants I have also observed in the paper will also stay long after my tragic exit. I am excited for what’s to come and what the new management will present to the school next year, don’t get me wrong, but in some things, I must be traditional and curmudgeonly. Despite all its changes, the mission of the Pinetree Post has remained very much the same:
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to serve as the voice of Pinetree. Through the logo redesigns and the leadership handovers, every piece published in the PTP has represented a part of this school, brought to light by a student who is committed to the vision. I know that however the PTP changes to suit the future of student journalism, the editors will continue to guide the writers in innovative ways, the contributors will continue to be dedicated and hardworking, and that the paper will continue to serve the students and staff of Pinetree. I couldn’t be more proud. Finally, I’d like to end off with some thank yous. Thank you to the administration and Mr. Lau for continuing to sponsor the PTP, and provide a modicum of sense to our high school shenanigans. Thank you to past editors and PTP staff who showed me how to run a student newspaper. Thank you to all guest contributors, interviewees, and quoted individuals for agreeing to give their unique perspectives to be part of the paper. Thank you to all the current staff for their patience and incredibly high quality work, month after month. Special shoutout goes to Julia Park, my co-editor, who didn’t mind playing the bad cop in managing the staff, stayed up with me many late nights to finish the issue, and remained a loyal friend despite our disagreements on punctuation marks around quotations. And thank you to the readers, without which the PTP would be impossible and purposeless. I have a great amount of pride for the past of PTP and a great amount of hope for the future of PTP. I don’t know if we’ll stop accidentally publishing articles with off-centre quote boxes (my fault) or if the office printer will stop running out of paper (no one’s fault) or if there will be blind dates again next year (Julia’s fault), but I know that Briana Ho and Katherine Liu are going to be great editors next year and the PTP is going to keep doing what it does best. I started off my student journalism career with a comic, so it seems fitting to end with one as well. Thank you Pinetree and thank you Pinetree Post. I almost wish I hadn’t finished by Graduation Transitions so I could stay on longer, but a high school newspaper seems like the right place to say goodbye. So… goodbye! I’ll miss this. - EMILY LIANG2
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Emily’s comic version of the Pinetree Post in her 4 years To the poor souls with endless more years left of high school, I pity you and envy you. I for one have attended five years of high school (don’t believe Emily I didn’t fail a grade I promise) in three different countries at four different schools so I have a lot to say about high school. Honestly though, it kind of sucks. My biggest issue with school is the start time. As someone with the natural sleep schedule of 6 a.m.,
to 2 p.m., over five years I developed a quite problematic addiction to caffeine and naps. I counted the hours until Saturdays and breaks, where I could indulge in my unhealthy sleep patterns. Moreover, there were also the disappointing group projects, the disagreements between classmates, teachers, or admin, and as we shall never forget, the spine chilling, blood curdling, Mr. Lau’s limits test.
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Featured But I think these moments are the best moments of high school. Through the group projects I learned teamwork and met my closest friends (#dreamteam) and through the disagreements I learned to communicate and express my thoughts without hurting anyone (shout out to online Family Studies 12 for teaching me about I-statements!). Finally, the limits test humbled me. Now no matter what your teachers may claim, these lessons are more valuable than say, knowing the enzymes of the Krebs Cycle or the details of the Treaty of Versailles. Anyways, I am sitting in a study center in Korea at 3 a.m. and trying to think of what I want to say as my last words as a Pinetree student and exCo-Editor-in-Chief, and I just received a note from a girl beside me asking me to keep my typing noises down or move. Strange thing – we are in the laptop-permitted section. So shouldn’t she move? You will meet many strange people such as this Korean lady and they will cause you trouble, but you will also meet some who will help you through anything, even the acid-base unit in AP Chemistry. I want to give an endless thanks to my friends and teachers who somehow managed to bear through my two years of “American antics” and complaints of Canada’s poor educational curricula, strange humans, and horrid weather. Special shoutout to my trusted ex-Co-ENC EmGod Liang who, though is unable to name the five tastes, is probably the most respectable, diligent, and sincere person I have come across. Thanks to her invite to run the Pinetree Post alongside her, I learned from her what it looks like to be a leader and a student. To all the graduates, congratulations and best of luck in whatever future endeavors. As most of us are headed to post-secondary, I hope we can overcome our urge to skip classes or indulge in illicit activities. As for the undergraduates, make the best of high school and all that it offers, yes even the tests and the friend group drama, and since you can’t get out of it, might as well enjoy it, no? Signing out for the last time. Toodles, Julia2
Pinetree Post Crew!
The Pinetree Post’s New and Former Editors!
20 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
Music Trip To CUBA!
Carmichael’s with the people of Cuba.
Experiences from the music department’s recent visit to Cuba! Briana Ho Writer Summer vacation is fast approaching, and with it come hopes and dreams of warm, sunlit beaches. However, some of the inhabitants of Pinetree got to enjoy the sun a little early last month. In May, the Carmichaels took a group of music students to Havana, Cuba, where they had the amazing opportunity to participate in another culture and enjoy the beautiful landmarks. It surely was a once in a lifetime chance,
Source: FACEBOOK
and many of our aspiring instrumentalists and vocalists were lucky enough to go. Here is the trip from the eyes of the students (and teacher) themselves: 2
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Featured Beth Miyanaga, Grade 12 PTP: What made you decide to go on this trip? BM: I decided to go on the trip because I love to travel! I had never been to Cuba previously, and knew that it was going to be different from any place I had ever been before. I have been on many school music trips, and always enjoyed myself. I really wanted to go, since I am in Grade 12 and knew this would be my last opportunity to go on a school music trip. PTP: What are your favourite moments of the trip? BM: I really enjoyed performing at the performing arts schools and at the community centres. The applause we got from the students was so enthusiastic and encouraging, especially when we performed some Cuban songs! At one community center, these little girls got up and started dancing during our performance. It was so cute! I also really enjoyed all the performances of the Cuban students at the performing art schools and at the community centers. We saw lots of dance performances, which were really well done and entertaining. One performance that sticks out to me is that of some students studying jazz music at a performing arts high school. There was this one maybe 12 or 13 year old boy, who played the clarinet (the same instrument as me) so well and with such natural talent. He and all his classmates were so impressive, and they sounded so good together! PTP: What are your least favourite moments? BM: I can’t really think of any parts I didn’t really enjoy off the top of my head, other than mosquito bites! PTP: Did this trip impact you? If so, how? BM: This trip really made me appreciate everything we have here in Canada. The Cuban people all seemed so content and happy with what they had, even though their living standards are way below ours. That really opened my eyes, and made me think about how lucky and I am. PTP: Would you like to share any other stories from Cuba? BM: On the last night, we had the opportunity to invite some local Cubans to eat dinner with us at our hotel. I was sitting at a table with several of my classmates and these two Cuban girls who were about 14 and 15. Through a bit of broken Spanish and English,
and the power of Google translate, we managed to communicate with them, which was really cool. One of the girls started talking about her K-pop obsession which I found quite unexpected and really entertaining! It was really cool to get that experience to connect with the local kids, and to see that we shared similar interests. Later that night, we had a dance party with them, which was actually really fun! The Cubans are really good dancers, and we definitely did a lot of dancing on the trip! We definitely weren’t as talented at dancing as the Cuban kids but we were probably just as enthusiastic! PTP: Would you go back? BM: I would definitely go back because Cuba is a really beautiful country with a rich history that I would like to learn more about! However, I don’t know if I will ever really get the same experience as the one I got, as the school performances and cultural exchanges really added an extra layer to our trip! PTP: Thank you so much, Beth! It was really awesome to hear about all this. BM: You’re welcome!
Jenny Zhao, Grade 12 PTP: What made you decided to go on this trip? JZ: This is the year I’m graduating, so I wanted to go on this as like a grad trip, um, and also I’ve never been to Cuba and I always wanted to go somewhere with, like, a warm climate and beaches and stuff. Also I wanted to meet, like some new people and get to know the culture and hear the music from Cubans. [proceeds to eat food while waiting for the next question] PTP: Awesome! What are your favourite moments of the trip? JZ: Um… I really, really liked hiking, and I really liked swimming under the waterfall [PTP gasps in awe], and I really, really liked going to like, the community centres and the elementary schools. I mean basically liked everything. PTP: That’s so cool. Okay, what are your least favourite moments? JZ: Probably like waking up [laughs]. Like, waking up early was my least favourite. PTP: How did this trip impact you or change you?
22 FEATURED JZ: Well, this trip taught me a lot… um… it kind of introduced me to another culture, like, Cuban music. Also I just really… I thought that…[sighs in a befuzzled manner] how do I even say this? I mean it’s just a once in a lifetime experience and I learned a lot from it, and I really enjoyed meeting, like, kids my age from other cultures. It was a good bonding experience. PTP: Would you go back? JZ: Yeah, definitely. I would go back to the beaches. They’re so, so nice. PTP: Okay, yep! That’s it, thank you! JZ: Alright!
Mr. C. Carmichael, Music Teacher PTP: Summary of your trip? CC: The music trip to Cuba was awesome. We played several times, and participated in several music/cultural experiences and lessons. The weather mostly cooperated, and we enjoyed the beach at our resort. Two of our concerts were at Cuban Fine Arts schools. These schools help prepare Cuban students for careers as professional musicians, and or singers. We were very impressed with their level of skill. Our students performed for these Fine Arts students, and were also well received. The Fine Arts school prepares students individually, while we focus on larger ensembles. They enjoyed our music. We were treated to an Afro-Cuban dance and rhythm workshop in Havana, which included several of our students joining in through dance/movement. The city of Havana was fascinating to explore also. Our guide, Juan Carlos, was very knowledgeable, and led us on a walking tour of the old city. We were able to see the old fortresses, built by the Spanish, and see the picturesque squares that are integral to the life of the city. Our trip also included seeing and experiencing the beautiful Cuban landscape. We were able to walk through ancient limestone caves, and swim in a river with a huge waterfall cascading over us. The hotel we stayed at was located right on the ocean. We walked right on to the beautiful white sand. The resort was a great place to relax and be together after a long and busy day. Mr. Lau was able to arrange several games that many of our students enjoyed playing
while at the hotel. Our group was able to visit two community centres and make donations of pens, pencils and personal grooming products. The centres put on dance recitals for us. The best part of the experience was getting to dance with these students, and spending time getting to know each other. One of the groups was invited back to our hotel for dinner and dancing later in the week. During our trip we also learned about percussion instruments that were integral to the Cuban music and life. We were treated to an awesome vocal jazz group concert. After this concert and lesson, we ate lunch together. New friends were made. One of the music highlights was an evening jazz night club show we played at. Our students played as the opening act, and then later, danced to a great jazz group. It was a fun evening. The trip to Havana Cuba was awesome. It was filled with performances, and opportunities to see and meet the students and people of Cuba. Our students returned happy that they had a chance to experience a part of the world many others may never get a chance to visit. Cuba 2018 was memorable! PTP: What are some of your favourite moments? CC: The jazz night club, the waterfall swim, the Afro-Cuban dance workshop, percussion workshop, and the performances at the cultural centres and the Fine Arts school visits. PTP: How do you think you and your students benefited from this trip? CC: They were able to travel and perform in a different context. Making connections with others through music is powerful. PTP: What surprised you most about your experience? CC: This my second trip to Cuba, and I was surprised by how much the country has developed since 2002. There still seems to be an optimism in the people that we met, and a love of life, that was easy to see.
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