May 2016 Issue by The Pinetree Post

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7

MAY 2016

PIN TREE POS HOURS LONG THE AMAZING RACE Hoping to win in Hope For

Volunteering go-tos for this year’s summer break

Tomorrow’s latest school event

Pinetree and its first girls’ team in years for

SOCCER IN BYE, MEMORIAM A tragedy that sent shockwaves

PINETREE

A tribute tothe ourcommunity leaving members throughout

PASSING TIME Reviewing Casablanca (unfortunately, it’s not about the White House)

TAKE SHELTER

RainCity Housing’s local homeless accomodations

2 AT A GLANCE P.4: LIFE

P.10: EDITORIALS

The Pinetree Post

STAFF GUEST CONTRIBUTOR Ysanne Yong EDITOR IN CHIEF Beverley Fung

Volunteer Opportunities

RainCity Housing

P.12: HUMOUR

P.14: COMICS

Class-ablanca

Homonyms

EDITORS Elaine Gao, Matthew Yep JOURNALISTS Coco Chen, Jeff Feng, Emily Liang, Courtney Lau, Jeff Shen, Chloe So, Nigel Tan, Carly Wang, Jenny Zhao, Sherry Zuo LAYOUT DESIGN Elaine Gao COVER AND GRAPHICS Emily Liang WEBSITE DESIGN Jordan Liu, Zhen Zhen Tsai SPECIAL THANKS TO Mr. McCullough, Mr. Lau, and our faithful readers

SUBMIT CONTENT TO THE PT POST! Every issue, the Pinetree Post’s staff writers take on assignments based on what is relevant each month, ie. our “required content”. This is unimportant. What is important is the submissions we receive from guest contributors. They don’t just write on what’s given, they take the initiative to make

their topic relevant. What do you think is underreported on? What are you passionate about? How much do you want to fight Russell Kim? Submit a an editorial, an open letter, a question, an article, a comic, or any type of content to thepinetreepost@gmail.com to see your work in glorious print.

At A Glance EDITOR’S NOTE

Bye Pinetree Beverley Fung Editor in Chief Hey Pinetree, The end of the year has finally come and that mean’s this is the last issue for the 2015-16 school year! In this issue, we’ve covered Hope for Tomorrow’s Amazing Race event, accounts of Pinetree’s girls soccer team, film reviews of the movie, Casablanca, a collection of several summer volunteer opportunities, details on next year’s Spanish trip. This year has been an eventful one for many students. For some, it was their very first taste of high school. For others, it was their last. In my article, I talked about trying out a new sport (soccer, to be exact). And though I certainly was no where near phenomenal at it, it allowed me to branch out and learn new skills. It made me realize that it’s very easy to get stuck in the same routine, believing that there’s nothing one can do to change. How I am now is how I always will be. But if you’re not satisfied happy with your life, it’s never too late to break free from that, to learn a new sport, instrument, or even just talking to new people. They always say that your youth is the best time to take risks. Well, you’re the youngest you’ll ever be “now.” So whether you’re a teenager, or you’re in your later years, “now” is the youngest you’ll ever be and “now” is the best time to change yourself. This year, I took on a pretty hefty new role as editor-in-chief. I have to admit, I had some pretty big shoes to fill. I have had a rough first (half-) year, but I’d like to give a huge thanks to this year’s PT Post team for all their hard work and efforts in helping ease the transition. As well, I’d like to give a shout out to all of our graduating members: Russell Kim, Felix Guo, Elaine Gao, Matthew Yep, Henry Liu, Jordan Liu, Nigel Tan, Hannah Im, Michael Lin and Sam Hong. Thank you for creating Pinetree Post and acting as the foundations to what it is today. Good luck and well wishes in each of your post-secondary endeavors. Sincerely, Beverley Fung 2

RECIPE FOR A: High School Student Newspaper 1. Acquire teacher sponsor, administrative approval, and staff of cool teenagers*. 2. Set up social media accounts and advertise among audience. 3. Commit to year-long plan, be organized. 4. Find content to report and write about. 5. ????????? 6. Oh my g*sh it’s the end of the month 7. PRINTER JAM 8. Present, hot off the press, in the hallways. *Journalistic skill optional for extra zesty flavouring!

Serves: One Pinetree

4 LIFE

GET INVOLVED

Volunteer Opportunities Youâ€™ve got nothing to do this summer. Why not get out and volunteer? Coco Chen Journalist As summer break draws near, some students are wondering what they can do to occupy their time. Volunteering is a great option, as you can meet new people, network, learn, add things to your resume, gain references, and earn the necessary hours for graduation and various awards. If you are genuinely interested in the field you are volunteering in, it can be a lot of fun! Here are some options of volunteering in the area, both for the summer and year-round. COQUITLAM PUBLIC LIBRARY - The library has many programs for volunteering. The main branch of volunteering is Teen Advisory Council, where once a month , volunteers from grades six through twelve host a meeting about upcoming events and possible future programs. The events and programs are planned and executed primarily by Teen Council members. If you have ever been to a movie event, Quiz Night, or holiday celebration there, most likely it has been organized by the Teen Council! If you are not looking to plan and host events, many programs are available, though the easiest way to join them would be to join Teen Advisory Council as well. Most of these programs only run at specific times during the year. When they do run, they usually occur once a week for an hour or two. Typically, to volunteer for these programs, you must sign up to do so at the start of the program. Computer Buddies is a program that just began last year, where you can assist kids grades three to five in computer programs, ranging from the different features of Microsoft Word to how to code. In Reading Buddies, volunteers are paired with a young student and either read to them or assist

them in reading. Homework Help Club is a tutoring program, and Parlez-Nous Francais is a specific tutoring program for French. To apply for volunteering at the library, email Chris Miller at cmiller@coqlibrary.ca. He will typically add you to the Teen Advisory Council email list, where you can find out about all upcoming volunteer opportunities at the library. Chris keeps track of all your volunteer hours, and will also write reference letters. EVERGREEN CULTURAL CENTRE The Evergreen Cultural Centre has many perks to volunteering there, and for volunteers under 19, there are three ways you can do so. Being a gallery attendant means sitting in the art gallery for two to two and a half hours at a time. The times and days of when the gallery is open will vary between exhibitions, but the basis is the same. You sit there, welcome people in, explain the art if they ask questions, ask them to sign the guestbook, and reinforce the rules of the gallery. Another volunteering opportunity is helping out at shows as an usher. Volunteers hand out programs, check and rip tickets, direct people to their seats if necessary, and be ready to help people out of the theatre if they must or if there is an emergency. Usually, you only have to really worry about volunteering at the beginning and ending of a show. During the show, you can just watch it, and you still get volunteer hours for the time of the show. The last method is to volunteer at one of the many (mainly art) camps that the Cultural Centre holds, usually during breaks from school. You can volunteer for the full day (six hours) or half a day (three hours). As a volunteer, you must help out during workshops, supervise during workshops and lunch, know your way around the building to lead the kids at the camp, and anything else that the coordinator of the program requires you to, which can vary. For volunteering, every certain number of hours you will receive one ticket to a show for free. Volunteers can go to Membership Movie

Life

nights for free as well. To apply, go to the Volunteer Opportunities page on the Evergreen Cultural Centre website and submit an application. The volunteer coordinator has just changed, so the procedure may be different, but previously there would be an interview, orientation (a different one for each program you volunteer for, and then sometimes for specific art exhibitions), and you must get a criminal record check. There are forms regarding whether or not your photo is allowed to be used for their flyers or website, which, if you are a minor, must also be signed by your guardians. There will be monthly, sometimes weekly emails that the volunteer coordinator sends out regarding volunteer opportunities. The volunteer coordinator is Filio Kondylis, who you can contact at volunteer@ evergreenculturalcentre.ca. Even if the website says that there are no volunteer spots available, still apply! They will keep your file on hand for one year, and typically will interview you and accept you within one month despite the lack of vacancy for volunteers. This is because the volunteer schedule is different every month, and the volunteers’ schedules may change as well. Having more volunteers wouldn’t hurt.

already have one already from attending events in the city, and then begin signing up for the programs you wish to volunteer for.

CITY OF COQUITLAM - As we are right next to Pinetree Community Centre and the Aquatic Centre, it is super convenient to volunteer at these locations for the City of Coquitlam. There are too many options to write about - you can choose from assisting at birthday parties to helping prevent crime with the RCMP. Every recreational complex requires volunteers for their programs. There are also different leadership opportunities for high school students, though they only run during the school year - Youth Leadership Committees and Coquitlam Youth Council. For more details, head to the Volunteer Opportunities page on the City of Coquitlam’s website. To apply, find the specific method through the Volunteer Opportunities page. Some you must send in a specific application, others you can join through the basic City of Coquitlam procedure. Contact volunteers@coquitlam.ca, head to an orientation meeting, get and submit a criminal record check, create a City of Coquitlam account if you do not

EAGLE RIDGE HOSPITAL AND MANOR - The hospital has many different volunteering opportunities. Volunteering here can be especially beneficial if you wish to go into the medical field. The VolunTeen program is made especially for teens aged sixteen to eighteen in SD43. There is a wide range of different opportunities, ranging from planning events to doing office work to providing acute care. To apply, head to the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation Volunteer With Us page. From there, click the Fraser Health link. This site will provide you more information on what kind of volunteer work you will be doing, and it also includes the online volunteer application. After submitting the application, they will email you regarding an interview. Through the interview they will figure out if you are compatible for a volunteer program. Make sure to check your email, as if you do not respond to the email for an interview, they will disregard your application. To volunteer, you must be at least sixteen and be able to volunteer for a minimum of 75 hours or six months with a two

PLACE MAILLARDVILLE - Heading a bit further from Pinetree, Place Maillardville is like a combination of Coquitlam Public Library and Evergreen Cultural Centre. The two main ways of volunteering here are at events and at camps over school breaks. The types of volunteers always differ depending on the events and camps as there are many different types of events that are hosted at Place Maillardville. For example, the annual Easter Egg Hunt requires face painters and someone to wear a costume to be the Easter Bunny. An event photographer is sometimes wanted, but not always. To apply, email Melissa Bizier, the event coordinator, at events@placemaillardville.ca. Generally, there will be an interview process, though with events that is not always the case. There are forms regarding whether or not your photo may be used for the flyers or website. Anyone over the age of 16 is required to receive a criminal record check, though you only need to be 13 to volunteer.

Life

to three hour commitment a week. You must also get a criminal record check and have had a seasonal flu vaccination. SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Universities offer many opportunities for volunteering for high school students. Volunteering at SFU Camps are amazing opportunities as you can choose the type of camp you volunteer with (such as SFU Athletics and Recreation), earn 80 hours of volunteer work, and also receive valuable evaluation, confirmation and reference letters. If you have volunteered for an SFU Camp in the past and wish to apply for a paid position as a camp instructor, it is very beneficial to have had that volunteering experience when applying. There is an available opportunity for volunteering at SFU that is open until June 1st, which is for the Science Al!ve program. Like with SFU Camps, you will work with, lead, and supervise younger children in these programs during the summer, except with Science Al!ve the program is based completely on science, engineering, and technology. Science Al!ve is also looking for volunteer photographers. Again, similar to SFU Camps, there are paid positions open for students in grades 11/12 and it is beneficial to have been a volunteer previously. For both programs, you can choose the days where you volunteer. To apply for Science Al!ve, go to the Simon Fraser University Volunteer Opportunities page. Click the Job Description link for the Science Al!ve program, and there you will find the volunteer applications. You must email the application, as well as a cover letter and resume to volunteer@sciencealive.ca. Make sure you follow the guidelines of emailing as stated on the application, or your application will not be considered. If your application is successful, you are required to do a criminal record check, and there will be a group interview. The application deadline is June 1st, 2016, at 4:00pm. UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Another university in the area with a lot of volunteer opportunities for high school students is UBC. This includes instructing for after school clubs, spring break camps, and summer camps. These opportunities are all in the STEM field, with the camps and clubs

regarding those topics, called Geering Up. These programs require you to be in at least grade 11 to volunteer. You get to choose the days you volunteer, as well as which campus you volunteer at. Another volunteering opportunity is the Phenomenal Physics Summer Camp, where the volunteer’s main job is to supervise and set up experiments. For this, you must be in at least grade 10. To apply for Geering Up, find the Volunteer Geering Up page. There is a link to apply at the top, where a long application awaits. The Phenomenal Physics Summer Camp’s application for volunteers is no longer on it’s page, as the 2016 deadline has passed, but you must fill out the application and include your resume. These are only a few of the many ways you can get involved with volunteering in the community. For more information, check out this article on our website, pinetreepost.com, where there will be links to the official volunteer pages. Many volunteer opportunities can also be found on the HOWL. Happy volunteering! Note: Coco Chen has volunteered extensively with Coquitlam Public Library, Evergreen Cultural Centre, and the City of Coquitlam. She has volunteered for one event at Place Maillardville. Any information on the other locations mentioned have been located at their websites or collected from volunteers that have volunteered at those locations. --If you want to get involved with the community in a different way, consider joining St. John Ambulance. St. John Ambulance is a global organization where youth come together to be trained in first aid, meet new friends, and develop into prominent leaders. The Tri-Cities Youth Brigade is holding an open house to show you the different aspects of St. John Ambulance and our weekly meetings! If you are interested, dao.y1210@bc.sja.ca contact for more information on the open house on May 31st. Strangely enough, I found myself satisfied with the continued enigma. Charles Foster Kane, a puzzle to the end, portrays a realism in storytelling so often lost with the camera’s objective viewpoint: that a person can only truly be known by themself, and that sending people on a wild goose chase is a whole lot of postmortem fun. 4

Life GET INVOLVED

Girls’ Soccer

Ngl this is just a stock photo

What it was like joining a team sport I had never played before. Beverley Fung Journalist

Pinetree Secondary’s female sports are often neglected, with sparse interest and few available coaches. After years of having only men’s soccer cleats running rampant on the field, 2016 marks the introduction of a new female soccer team. Open to all, the team attracted a grand total of over 20 members, surpassing the average of most teams, which is about 11-16 players. The season started in March, and continued all the way until May, with practices and games every Tuesday and Thursday. The team, coached by Mr. Jack and Ms. Mobilio, featured girls who had never played on a soccer team before. Despite almost half of the team being relatively inexperienced, the group played remarkably well, garnering praise from referees who claimed the girls’ performance “did not look like it was their first time.” This team was the first place I had ever played soccer, as I never really had a strong interest in the sport. However, due to the power of my friend’s persuasion, I joined on a whim. At first, I figured

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

it would be a fun activity to try out and hey, if I embarrassed myself, no one would know (because I refused to tell anyone about it). In the beginning, it was frustrating. I had played other sports before, but they were hand sports. Who decided that it would be a smart idea to make a sport where you cannot use your hands at all? It took a lot of work, during and outside of practice, before I could at least sort of maneuver the ball without falling on my face- being a part of such a great, encouraging team, definitely helped. If it was not for the amazingly talented people I got to play with, I probably would not have stuck around for so long. There is this unexplainable rush about playing a team sport that is near impossible to explain in words. That feeling of spending hours at a task and then finally achieving it. That feeling of pushing through even when your body is utterly drained and having your team cheer you on. That feeling of watching your teammates score a goal and everyone screaming their heads off. That feeling of going into a game, expecting to lose, and getting an outcome you would have never guessed. Did I mention we tied with the best team in the league? Yeah, that was pretty cool. A huge thank you to the Pinetree’s girl soccer team for a terrific performance this season as well as for the wonderful experience. 4

8 EDITORIALS TUTORIALS

How To Study for Finals You’ve got nothing to do this summer. Why not get out and volunteer? Jeff Shen Journalist As we all may already know, it’s’ that time of year again. By that I mean the time of year for hair pulling, 2:00 cram-study sessions, and exorbitant amounts of caffeine. However, there are ways of preventing finals week from becoming an absolutely catastrophic nightmare. I have taken the time, to interview a few fellow members of the Pinetree Post. Fortunately, they have generously given me a peek into their insight and wisdom on how to study for finals. I have come up with 5 questions, and hope that their answers will be of at least a little help to my fellow students and testtakers.

A: Yes there is - when you study certain content so much, you stop thinking about it and start “reacting” to what you see on the page, based on what you’ve practiced however many thousand times. It’ll hurt you on tests if there’s a question that you’ve never seen the likes of before. Over-studying is also when you completely burn yourself out studying and are not in the correct state of mind to do well on finals. –Jordan A: Yes, there is. Sometimes, studying is a complete waste of time because you already know everything, but if it gives you peace of mind and helps you calm down; it’s not a bad thing. But if you haven’t eaten or slept, go eat. Sleep and exercise! Stay healthy; both physically and mentally. –Coco 3. What are some ways to prevent procrastination?

1.What are some of the biggest challenges when studying?

A: Set realistic timelines for yourself, and stick to them. Make checklists of all of the things that need to be studied and reviewed. –Jordan

A: It’s really hard for me to stay focused while studying. There’s always someone to roast in a group chat, some interesting post on Reddit, or other distractions. It’s hard to just sit down and exclusively study for a while. –Jordan Liu

A: Be careful not to overwhelm yourself to the point where it’s simply impossible to accomplish your list. However, you do want to make sure that you are putting in enough effort for the necessary results. – Jeffrey

A: Procrastination vs. staying healthy. For some reason, procrastinating is always more enticing than studying, despite it being counterproductive, sometimes even when you’re getting things done last minute. Don’t study so hard that you forget to or are unable to sleep or eat. Keep your body healthy so you can attend school, sleep so you are more productive and focus more. You can’t make your dreams come true if you’re not breathing. –Coco

A: Well, procrastination kind of comes from the fear of rejection. Rejection of perfection. You can still strive for perfection, but remember that it won’t be perfect if it doesn’t exist. Sometimes the hardest part is just starting. If you have a project due in a month, schedule when things should be done in chunks, and get someone to hold you accountable. –Coco

2. Is there such a thing as over-studying?

4. Are there ways of coping with stress and/or anxiety?

Editorials A: To deal with stress and anxiety, I like to hit the gym or go for a run. Physical exercise always helps. –Jordan

HOPE FOR TOMORROW

A: Make sure to take breaks when needed. Even getting up for a drink of water, will help with the stress. Make sure that you are well hydrated; by simply drinking a glass of water, your cortisol (your stress hormones) will decrease in level. – Jeffrey

Courtney Lau Journalist

A: If there are any, I wouldn’t know. Anyone who is around me before, during, and after a test knows that I just panic and stress the whole way through. However, I will say that stress balls are a godsend. –Coco 5. What are good tips when it comes to time management? A: Put your computer and phone away, and your time will manage itself. It may seem obvious, but most of the time people are going to social media, texting, or watching videos while studying. This will not only be a distraction from studying, but will also waste precious time! – Jordan A: The only way of truly preventing temptations is by taking them away all together. Hand over your phone and laptop to a parent or a sibling. –Jeffrey A: Don’t procrastinate. Keep track of what you need to get done – and break down large tasks. Remember that you have the same number of hours in a day as Beyoncé. –Coco I truly hope that the advice listed above has helped you in some way or another. They may not all be right for you, but I do believe that they will lead to a smoother finals-week journey. Finals are going to be tough no matter what, but there are ways of making the best out of a stressful situation. Best of luck to all of the students who will be taking finals! 4

Amazing Race

The Amazing Race hosted by Hope for Tomorrow happened on Friday, April 29th, 2016. Teams of 4 were able to work together in a variety of team-based and problem-solving obstacles around the world. Such trials included memorising a complex pattern in South Korea or taking a shot of Sprite in Germany as punishment for reaching the wrong answer. This idea originated from Stephanie, who hoped to hold a games night in the early spring. Stephanie and I, with the help of Hope for Tomorrow members, expanded on the idea which soon became the Amazing Race! Each team member was required to pay a $5 participation fee. The seven teams filled the event with excitement and enthusiasm. Each given a passport with 12 countries, the teams worked to complete the countries challenge in exchange for a stamp before the time ran out. Overall, the night was buzzing with the adrenalin, the participants eager to see which team came out dominant after eating countless wasabi-filled sushi in Japan and being dizzy from becoming a mummy in Egypt. The results of the race came out to be a tie between the team consisting of Eric, Colin, Simon, and Rick and that of Daniel, Phillipe, Kin, and James. Both passports were all filled with a total of 25 stamps! Congratulations! Pinetree’s Hope for Tomorrow is a club dedicated to fundraising money for the British Columbia Cancer Foundation. Many of us only think of the word ‘cancer’ during the Terry Fox run or when a loved one is affected; however, Cancer is too common of an occurrence, invading the bodies of millions across the globe. In order to spread awareness, Hope for Tomorrow is passionate towards ensuring that students contribute to cancer research, an undeniably worthy cause, all year long. If you are interested in becoming a part of our future fundraisers, we host meetings every Tuesdays at lunch in A110. Hope to see you there! 4

Editorials

COMMUNITY

RainCity

A Coquitlam Housing Project. Ysanne Yong Guest Contributor

On a sunny April day, we, as a part of Coquitlam Youth Council, had the pleasure of visiting Raincity Housing and later hosting a barbecue for its residents. The manager of this facility is Adam Prytulak, a social worker determined to provide accessible housing to those living on the streets. During the tour of the facilities, we realized that RainCity Housing was worlds away from the predetermined notion of what a homeless shelter looked like - it was clean, the staff and tenants were extremely friendly, and everyone had their own rooms. Located on 3030 Gordon Avenue, RainCity Housing is the only homeless and emergency shelter in Coquitlam. It has both transitional housing and emergency housing units, the latter being reserved for situations of extremely inhospitable climates. Unlike traditional shelters, it is an outcome oriented program that focuses on long-term solutions for its residents instead of being a temporary housing fix. People who check into this facility usually suffer from a mix of physical and mental impairments caused by exposure to the harsh reality of living on the streets. Homelessness often ties in with substance abuse, chronic health problems, and vulnerability to violence and exploitation. Upon admission into RainCity Housing, homeless individuals may spend anywhere from a few months to a few years working towards integration into a long-term home. There, they have access to food, showers, healthcare, and many more necessities that they may have previously been unable to obtain. A major part of RainCity’s initiative is their “housing-first approach”, which allows for individuals struggling with active substance use and untreated psychological problems to gain supported housing. This greatly improves accessibility, since most shelters require applicants to have already achieved a specific

“readiness”, which means that they must be first become drug-free and treated for their mental illnesses. The “housing-first” initiative allows for residents to treat behavioral problems without needing to stay on the streets. Having one room for each person is exceedingly rare in homeless shelters, but this prevents conflict from building between residents and allows them to become accustomed to individual living. With their own cubicle- style living area, the homeless have greater privacy and safety. Raincity also allows pets so that the residents do not have to abandon their animal companions, some of which have endured difficult times by their sides. During the barbecue, we were able to converse with the residents over food and music at a beautiful outdoors area within the facilities. While some of us were tasked with distributing food and snacks - we weren’t the ones cooking, thankfully - others were busy engaging with the people living at RainCity Housing. As time progressed and as the atmosphere began to liven, the conversations began to deepen. By the time we were getting ready to leave, we had gained much more insight about the homeless - that homeless people are just people is a truth that is often clouded by stigma and classism. We experienced this truth that day, watching the residents of RainCity Housing play the guitar, sing, and converse. Ysanne Yong, a tenth grader at Pinetree secondary, had a particularly meaningful experience and personal interaction at the shelter: “I had originally planned on having a relaxing day serving food, and having fun conversations with the residents at the shelter. What I had not planned for was a real, heartfelt conversation that would move me to tears and completely change my perspective on how I see other people. I was offering a hotdog to a man who was sitting on a bench underneath the sun with his dog. He gratefully took the hotdog and I asked about his dog, Teddy. This is where it all started. I learned that Teddy had been through a pretty rough

Editorials time before he was brought into a shelter. He previously had a very abusive owner that threw him to the streets to fend for him. During Teddy’s time wandering on the streets he was attacked by several wild dogs and dragged 4 blocks before authorities found him and brought him into an animal shelter. There, he was adopted by this man that I was now talking to. This conversation then steered towards his life and how we got to where he was today. I discovered that this man’s family was ripped apart when he was very young because of their aboriginal background. His mother had begged for her children to be kept together and she was promised they would. However, as soon as the mother was out of sight, he and his siblings were ripped apart and put on separate boats moving to different locations. He had then attended residential schools that the government provided for aboriginal children where he told me that he was bullied and abused for having light coloured hair. One thing led to another and soon he was telling me about his gambling addiction. There, it was when his life began unravelling. His addiction became so bad that he had robbed a bank to enter in one game. He had asked the dealer to hold his seat while he ran to a bank across the street to rob money. After that point in his life, it all went downhill. He was arrested and put in prison for several other charges such as drug possession and bank robberies. He then proceeded to tell me about his many relationships, particularly focussing on his third wife. I learned that she had passed away from lung cancer. This was the moment where I began to tear up, and in turn I made him cry too. He told me that he was grateful for this conversation, and was glad that someone was willing to listen to his story. He told me that we wished to see me again sometime in the future, and I promised him that I would. My experience at the shelter was truly enlightening and I too, was very grateful for that conversation. I hope that I will get a chance to see that man again and meet more people with their life changing own stories. 4

, , Resum(e)ptuous I HAVE OPINIONS

Extracurriculars? To put it in modern terms, how extra. Emily Liang Probably Not Going Far In Life

Let me make this clear: volunteering, clubs, and sports are good. The ridiculous expectations that come with these activities are not. Today, we live in a society that values “well-rounded” individuals, meaning that high achieving students begin stuffing their free hours with any sort of respectable extracurricular that they can find, starting from the tender years of middle school. This would not be a problem but for the unhealthy culture of résumé padding. No longer are spectacular grades enough for universities. Instead, the “free” time of any university hopeful is spent on looking good on paper. This means the sacrifice of energy, money, and time, valuable resources that too many studetns cannot afford. The expectation that high school students participate in extracurriculars they can include on a résumé breeds a generation of obssession with prestige. How many clubs are created with the intent of having a résumé byline of “President”? Which student leaders gain no satisfaction from their work? Why is “volunteer hours available” the most enticing part of an extracurricular? The most relevant trait of a successful person cannot be a a number of hours. Résumé padding means that skills that cannot be transferred into an official role or award are devalued. It means that marketability is more important than actual enjoyment or value. If high school is an audition for university, the judges’ favourite song looks to be the sounds of sleeplessness and lost youth. 0

12 HUMOUR

CLASSLESS REVIEWS OF THE CLASSICS

Class-ablanca

What’s a world war when you’ve got love?

Here’s lookin’ at the movie, kid. Emily Liang Featured Columnist

Note: I have come to the recent realization that most of my reviews are actually what those in the critic circles call “recaps”. In avoidance of having to rename my column to “Classless Recaps of the Classics”, prepare to not know anything that I’m talking about below. Unless you have watched the movie, in which case, prepare for me to riff the absolute h*ck out of it. As the great film critic, Roger Ebert, once said, “[Casablanca is] probably on more lists of the greatest films of all time than any other single title, including Citizen Kane because of its cooler name.” He was quite adamant about that fact, and this is a real quote from Mr. Ebert and not DVD commentary that I twisted for the purpose of comedy. Although I am hardly as qualified to judge, I find that I must agree. The name “Casablanca”, even to one with no knowledge of North African geography or basic Spanish, sounds rife with mystery and romance, punctuated with the occasional hard “c” sound. What does “Citizen Kane” have on that beautiful feather

Emily Liang/Pinetree Post

boa of a word? Minimal consonance and a silent letter? Psh. For fear of turning this review into a cage match of the two most highly regarded films of the early 1940s, I must move on from the subject of my last review. Casablanca, now stands before me, resplendent in black and white, its aesthetics aged finely like a wealthy urban widow with a wardrobe consisting exclusively of fur coats. Its storyline is almost kitsch in nature, its dialogue fraught with melodrama, and its theme could be summed up in a cross-stitched pillow truism. The film is unpretentious, appealing to the masses, and tonally light. By all means, Casablanca should be hated by film critics everywhere, bashed for twisting the serious setting of World War II era Morocco into a backdrop or convenient plot device for a cliched love triangle. Yet, Casablanca tops review lists of the century and remains one of the most beloved films by critics and general audiences alike. Why? Nostalgia. That’s right, the silly thing that ’90s kids have is the reason for Casablanca’s endurance in the modern age. I’m willing to bet three Cineplex theatre tickets that if Casablanca was released today, under no other pretense but “historical romantic

Humour drama”, it would either flop spectacularly, or do well in the box office only to get ripped into film reel shreds by the critics. Why is the plot so contrived? Where is the pessimistic theme statement on human nature? How are these vintage sensibilities relevant to the modern audience? Why is everything in black and white? Who cast all these Jewish refugee actors as Nazis? It’s the year 2016, and the world has no time for prototypical feel-good movies! The modern trend for films to lean towards dark, gritty atmospheres, particularly alongside audience acceptance of explicit violence and stronger resonance with bleak themes due to the current state of the world, means that making “nice” movies (unless they are comedies or for children or both) is no longer in fashion. However, reminiscing on a time when good and evil in fiction was allowed to be disparate and when movies didn’t have to be pretentious or convoluted to be considered “good” is perfectly acceptable! Casablanca survives because it is a reminder that actually having fun while watching a movie is okay. Casablanca, while set during one of the greatest and gravest human conflicts of all time, is tonally playful. Look! Characters with funny accents! Old timey gun usage! References to global conflict and secretly providing aid to the Allied cause! The film does a good job of explaining backstory without relying too much on expository derailment, and reveals plot thickening details with the deftness of a Masterchef contestant making a classic clam chowder. Although the climax and final twist of the movie is utterly predictable, the ultimate outcome is still poignant in its resolution. Reevaluating the film after watching it, I’ve realized how Casablanca is eerily engineered to be a beloved classic. Nearly every line spoken by Humphrey Bogart, playing Rick Blaine, an American nightclub owner and unenthusiastic protagonist, is quotable in some way, which certainly makes the character more compelling than his romantic rival, Victor Laszlo, as played by Paul Henreid. Laszlo may be the leader of the Czech Resistance, and escaped to Casablanca from a concentration camp, but Blaine tells lies about his political alignment and yells at his piano player sometimes, so it’s clear who the real hero is. Even Ilsa

Lund, Laszlo’s wife and Blaine’s lover in 1940, is ready to sacrifice her marriage (and possibly the whole antiAxis cause) to be with Blaine. Of course, Blaine uses his surly charm for good, giving up Lund so she can escape with Laszlo, eyes almost rolling at how easily she would have abandoned everything for a passionate affair with a true leading man. As much as I poke fun at how overdone the characters may be, they are nonetheless compelling enough, even if only for the fact that the script is prone to leading characters to make a shocking revelation out loud for audience convenience, but only elaborating on the topic some 10-30 minutes later. Imagine a stuttering claw machine, where the contraption itself is the script, and believable dialogue lies within, in the form of unattainable stuffed animals. All one has to do to play the script claw machine is insert a few arcade coins of character complexity! Several scenes seemed to be constructed so that the audience, after watching it, would say, “Golly, that was a good scene!” The most obvious of these scenes is the one where Laszlo literally defeats the Nazis… by singing “La Marseillaise” louder than the German officers can sing “Die Wacht am Rhein”. As silly as it sounds, it’s actually a pretty good scene, objectively. Rousing, powerful, historically improbable, y’know, all the things that make a scene good! It is also one of the only scenes directly intertwined with World War II, so I was obliged to like it. I am nothing if not a stickler for the proper use of setting and source of conflict. Casablanca, if billed as a modern film, would not do well. Casablanca, viewed as released and set in 1942, is a national treasure that Nicholas Cage would be running after in a second. Entertaining, if unbelievable, dialogue and solid timing save the film from what might have been a cliched and artificial mess. Not to mention that the ending does actually show significant character development as well as a triumph for the good guys. Rare as a satisfying happy ending is in the face of a cinematic culture demanding increasing ambiguity and human suffering, it made watching Humphrey Bogart be dour for 102 minutes a tolerable, and even enjoyable experience. I finished watching Casablanca, walking off into the fog and saying to no one in particular, “Louis, I think this is the ending of a beautiful movie.” .

14 Humour Comic Corner

EVENTS Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

June 2016 Wednesday

Saturday

15 Awards

28 Report 29 Card Pickups

19 Classes 20 Classes 21 Start 9am Start 9am Bllk 1-2-3 Blk 4-5-Off 27

Friday

Thursday