November 2017 Issue

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2

NOVEMBER 2017

PIN TREE POS TERMS COMING TO WITH A look back at midterms, from students and staff

MIDTERMS

STUDENT COUNCIL

INTERVIEWS We know who we elected.

Now we find out who we elected.

STARTING AND ENDING

Ski and snowboard is in business, while cross country concludes

WHAT’S NEW IN TOWN

A quick overview of new businesses in Coquitlam

2 FIRST GLANCE P.4: NEWS

P.8: SCHOOL

The Pinetree Post

STAFF EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Emily Liang, Julia Park ARTICLE EDITOR Julia Park CONTRIBUTORS Kate Chou, Noemi Galdamez, Maryam Gamar, Briana Ho, Aida Kadiric, Noor Khawer, Elisa Korner, Emily Liang, Sunny Liang, Katherine Liu, Julia Park, Yvonne Wang, Sophie Zhao GRAPHIC DESIGN Emily Liang ONLINE CONTENT Saina Adamy, Kate Chou, Katherine Liu SPECIAL THANKS TO Mr. Clarke, Jeremy Chung, Kate Lee, Bernice Liu, Kevin Zhou, Jeffrey Shen, Sophia Lacuna

News Beyond the Borders of Pinetree

P.12: STUDENTS

Student Council Interviews and Midterms

Ski and Snowboard, Cross Country, and Remembrance Day

P.18: FEATURES

The Alt-Right, New Coquitlam Businesses and Winter Activities

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. 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

Thoughts and Reflections

It’s quite literally impossible to find the two of us in the same room.

It’s November, the penultimate month of the year.

Emily Liang, Julia Park Editors-in-Chief

Hello Pinetree, it’s us again!

As per usual, we’re bringing to you the hottest scoops as the weather gets colder and 2017 hurtles towards it timely end. Seeing as “the holidays” are almost upon us, we thought we’d use this directly preceding month for a quieter purpose: Reflection.

November is arguably one of the more solemn months out of the year. The Northern Hemisphere says goodbye to sunshine, and we in the Vancouver area especially say hello to rain, which unfortunately doesn’t have the same magic as the powdery white snow of true winter. In between the grand celebrations of Halloween and winter holidays, comes Remembrance Day, which also provides more reason for a sterner, more serious month. Let’s look back on our past and ourselves, if only now.

Emily Liang / Pinetree Post

Would you like to join us in our reflections of the recent past, with news snippets from the world, British Columbia, and the school district (page 4, November Ongoings)? Or would you rather relect on sports successes of the past and present (page 8, Ski and Snowbard, Cross Country)? Are you taking a minute to remember (page 11, Remembrance Day)?

Or maybe you’re ready to reflect on the elections alongside your new student council leaders (page 12, Student Council Interviews)? Are academic marks still on your mind? (page 18, Midterms)? Are you looking back on the political climate of the past year since November 2016 (page 20, Alt-right Editorial)? Or would you rather forego reflections for now, and look at what’s in store this season (page 22, What’s New in Coquitlam and Winter Activities)?

We hope you enjoy this issue, and more thematically, that you reflect on it!

Sincerely, Emily Liang and Julia Park Editors-in-Chief

4 NEWS NEWS: GLOBAL, LOCAL, AND DISTRICT

November Ongoings

A general strike bring Catalonia to a grinding halt.

Education costs, rising tensions in Catalonia, winter sports starting in earnest, and a coup in Zimbabwe.

Noemi Galdamez, Sunny Liang Writers

GLOBAL NEWS MORE PROTESTS IN CATALONIA AFTER SEPARATIST LEADERS ARRESTED

On Saturday, November 11, which also happened to be Remembrance Day, hundreds of thousands of Catalan protesters filled the streets of Barcelona demanding that jailed Separatist leaders be released. The leaders were detained under charges of sedition in October prompting two independence organizations to organize the protest. Approximately 750,000 people filled Barcelona’s Avenue Marina with the slogan “Freedom for the Political Prisoners.”

Source: Al-Jazeera

Investigations are ongoing as eight former Catalan Government members and leaders of the Catalan National Assembly and Omnium Cultural have been arrested. The Spanish Government has completely

“Approximately 750,000 people filled Barcelona’s Avenue Marina with the slogan ‘Freedom or the Political Prisoners.’” dissolved the regional government in Catalonia, temporarily taking control of the region and calling for new regional elections on the December 21. The previous regional president, Carles Puigdemont fled to Brussels, Belgium with four other former government officials after being discharged by the Spanish Government. The Spanish High Court has since placed an arrest warrant for him. Meanwhile, the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) has announced that its currently jailed former Catalan Vice President would be its candidate for the December regional elections where he would campaign from behind bars.

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News ZIMBABWE MILITARY PRESIDENT MUGABE

DETAINS

The Zimbabwean Military seized control over the country Tuesday, Nov. 14, as the result of growing tensions between former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace Mugabe. Both figures were poised to succeed 93-year-old Robert Mugabe as president but Mugabe fired Mnangagwa, a former close ally of Mugabe who was a key figure during Mugabe’s 37-year reign.

Mnangagwa, who fled to South Africa, vowed to return and urged ZANU-PF members to abandon President Mugabe. The military refused to describe their actions as a coup d’etat. Regardless, they placed President Robert Mugabe under house arrest and blocked off roads to major government offices using armoured vehicles. On Nov. 19, Mugabe’s own political party, ZANU-PF, sacked him from his position. Despite growing pressure from the Zimbabwean public and his

own party’s actions, Mugabe publicly announced in a televised speech that he would not resign. The military subsequently announced that they would give Mugabe twenty-four hours to either voluntarily resign or face impeachment. On Nov. 21, an impeachment hearing

“Additionally, a Zimbabwean high court judge controversially ruled that the military takeover was legal and not a coup d’etat.” against Mugabe was interrupted by the speaker of the parliament who read a letter written by President Mugabe stating his voluntary resignation from his position. Despite legal ambiguity, the position was quickly filled by Emmerson Mnangagwa. Additionally, a Zimbabwean high court judge controversially ruled that the military takeover was legal and not a coup d’etat.

Military vehicles fill the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe during a military coup.

Source: Reuters

6 NEWS

Snow on the peak of Grouse Mountain.

LOCAL NEWS CYPRESS AND GROUSE OPEN EARLY FOR SEASON

Winter came rather early this year, as the first snowfall arrived Friday, November 3. Cold weather prompted Cypress and Grouse to open their slopes Nov. 10, much earlier than in previous years. The

“‘We’re thrilled to be able to tie our earliest opening day in 40 years.’” snow Vancouver received on the previous weekend gave Cypress a fresh 30 centimetres of snow and cold weather allowed mountains to artificially make snow on top of the natural snow. Snow machines artificially create snow by forcing liquid water and pressurized air together then firing them into the air in the form of miniscule water droplets which turn into snow as the surrounding cold air freezes it. Without a cold

Source: grousemountain.com

environment the crucial step of turning liquid water into ice would not occur.

Grouse Mountain also benefitted from colder weather and its allowing of the use of snow guns.

“We’re thrilled to be able to tie our earliest opening day in 40 years,” said Grouse Mountain spokeswoman Julia Grant. Cypress and Grouse account for two of Vancouver’s three ski resorts. The only one to not open on Nov. 10 is the smallest of the three, Mount Seymour. Seymour was not able to open so early as it does not use snow-making machines, relying purely on natural precipitation. Last year, Seymour opened on November 30, and based on current weather forecasts, Seymour intends on opening even earlier than last year.

Many skiers and snowboarders, however, will likely wait until later in the season before heading to the slopes as ski resorts usually only open a select few slopes at the start of each season and close early in the afternoon.

Other British Columbian ski resorts opened fairly early as well: Sun Peaks on Nov. 18, Big White on Nov. 23, Revelstoke on Dec. 2, and Whistler/Blackcomb on Nov. 23.

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News DISTRICT NEWS COSTS GROW A YEAR AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING

Approximately a year after the ruling by Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of the BC Teacher’s Federation and against the provincial government, the effects continue be observed. In order to meet the requirements teachers campaigned for, as approximately 780 classes in School District 43 are in violation of the collective agreement achieved by the BC Teacher’s Federation with the provincial government, teachers in these classes are given the right to request help in the form of more preparation time, and/or assistant teachers and special resource teachers. Special resource teachers assist classroom teachers by providing additional support to students who may have a variety of difficulties learning.

School District 43 spent an additional $21.1 million on extra teachers and assistants to compensate for the required smaller classes and special needs students. The district also requested another $2.5

million from the provincial government to aid educators in classrooms that do not follow the agreedupon requirements. School District 43 also needs $20.7 million more to build or buy extra classrooms to account for the higher quantity of smaller classrooms.

This includes extra classrooms for Smiling Creek Elementary and Banting middle school, two new schools under construction.

“The effect of that [earlier government legislation stripping the contract] was that composition went crazy,” said Ken Christensen to the Tri-City News. “The needs in those classes went incredibly high.

It’s the first meaningful relief for enrolling teachers in the better part of 20 years.”

On top of the requirements of the collective agreement, the increase in real estate development spurred by the Evergreen Line extension and increasing rate of foreign immigration is causing Coquitlam’s population to grow rapidly. This is creating a lack of available classrooms, especially around the city centre and Burke Mountain, how the school district responds will continue to be revealed over the course of the next several years. 9

A protesting teacher, supporting smaller class sizes.

Source: The Georgia Straight

8 SCHOOL SPORTS

Seasons Opening, Seasons Closing

The coldest sports, but only in temperature: Ski and Snowboard.

Kate Chou Writer

It may come as a surprise to those unsuspecting that most of Pinetree Secondary’s racers who compete in the Ski and Snowboard team are recreational; there stands a slim count who partake in the sport competitively outside the parameters of the school team. This may put any nervous intermediates or fresh newcomers who are interested in joining the current season at ease in their pursuits to gain exposure at a competitive angle and of ultimately topping the charts.

Seemingly, with the annual high of each fresh season, it is rather commonplace that students itching to glide down Whistler’s immaculate, snow-capped mountains inevitably engage in Pinetree’s Ski and Snowboard club alone. However, members invested in the competitive race team fervently encourage those not only in the club, but individuals outside of it, to make the switch as

the thrill of these races is an incomparably sensational experience, one indisputably like no other. It is also acknowledged that there lies no time better than the high school career to partake in either the club or team, whichever option better fits said newcomer’s comfort zone, as the present package price offered at the high school level compared to the deals offered elsewhere are second to none.

As the past season’s ski and snowboard team was unsure they would acquire the same interest level with the new year, the turnout at the team meeting pleasantly surpassed that of recent years.

After inquiring with an avid skier on the team, it was evident that from the preliminary year when the team commenced in 2015, a cozy total of only four people joined with a boost of seven members welcomed in the next season. In spite of low member count, the skill level present is exceptional. Certain members have made it to provincials two years consecutively, and others have made it to an impressive top five or top ten ranking. This, however, on no accounts, should deter from those who are nervous, yet yearn to enter.

The exciting races will take place on none other

Whistler Blackcomb is a popular location for ski and snowboard.

Source: whistlerblackcomb.com

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School than the enchanting mountains of Whistler at the GMC Racetrack. Atop Blackcomb Mountain, the runs that they ski down differ depending on whether a team member is part of the morning race or afternoon race.

Experienced racers quickly realize that afternoon races substantially vary in condition as the snow becomes compacted and coarse subsequent to indention of

“As the past season’s ski and snowboard team was unsure they would acquire the same interest level with the new year, the turnout at the team meeting pleasantly surpassed that of recent years.” slicing tracks by the racers of the morning group.

Those who are concerned of the length of each race are usually relieved once informed of the simplicity that accompanies each one. All competitors are timed through their race and each standardized set lasts no longer than a few hours. Prior and subsequent to races, plenty of free time is permitted for those taking part to explore the mountain independently, which explains why each racer must be equipped to comfortably ski or snowboard through blue runs at the very least.

Pinetree Secondary’s ski and snowboard team supervisor, Mr. Wintermans, seeks out the following prerequisites in every participant so as to ensure safety: pre-eminently, that an individual can make it down the race track comfortably, and secondly, the individual should not hurt themselves or get lost if they choose to explore independently during spare time. Many resources are available to participants, one of which is the optional lessons with skilled instructors.

The blistering mountains can pose intimidating slope conditions, especially icy ground and low visibility, putting those competing at risk. Racers wielding experience often advise caution in order to avoid the chance of disqualifications induced by wiping out or missing race gates during rough conditions. Roaming periods for a racer supersedes that of racing time, thus the thrill of the entire experience is worth investing in.

The sheer contest and speed of it all may strike one as intimidating, yet once on the track, the slopes become a habitual playground, and the race an addiction. 2

Drive for five in 2018 with the victorious Cross Country team.

Yvonne Wang, Sophie Zhao Writers

After two months of hard practices and individual improvements, the Pinetree Cross Country All Star Team has won its fourth consecutive district championship. The number of runners on the cross country team this year is more than ever, at around 50. Particularly, participation rates are highest in grade tens. However, there was not a single grade nine boy that participated. All the members of the team took part in practices that often took place at the Coquitlam River trail. Practices last for about 45 minutes, which is longer than real races. The objective and focus of these practices were to improve at one’s own pace every week. For this reason, some of the best words to hear from a team member is when they declare that running a certain distance no longer exhausts them as it did before.

The team is split in four during the races: junior girls and junior boys of grade nines and tens, and senior girls and senior boys of grade elevens and twelves. As these separate groups, the junior girls won 46 points in fifth place during the second meet. The junior boys placed fifth in this meet as well with 57 points. Last but not least, the senior boys had placed third with 41 points. The coach said that many runners were absent during those races because Senior Sail had been happening at the same time.

All of the runners had positive things to say about their experience this season. Ivana Troung, a grade 11 student, said, “My favourite part of cross country was the team spirit everyone had. It seemed Pinetree was always the loudest school when cheering people on at every meet.”

When asked about what he learned about himself, grade 11 student Angelo Wang said, “I learned that anything is possible. It sounds cliché but sometimes when you feel that the runs are impossible to finish, you will, if you put your mind to it.”

Grade 9 Samantha Nix has some advice for the newcomers: “They shouldn’t be afraid to try and that

10 SCHOOL they should join because it’s a lot of fun and a great learning experience.”

Cross country is an unpredictable sport that is full of hardships but very rewarding. Grade 12 Judit Nagy said, “There will be bumps along the road (literally and metaphorically), but that’s what makes the greatest memories and stories. Cross country isn’t just another club you’d be joining. It’s a family where everyone is supportive; no matter if it’s pouring rain or if it’s blasting wind, they will always be there for you.”

Nick Rodriguez, a grade 11 student, agrees. He said, “No regrets, I fall in love with the sport every time I join.”

Although running is portrayed as an individual sport, cross country runners at Pinetree are undoubtedly part of a safe and supportive team. Together, the process of improvement and experiences gained reflect more than the straightforward results. Some members joined the team not knowing much about it or started off being unfamiliar with running. This, however, did not affect them as everyone participates as a team and has fun together while showing improvement.

“It doesn’t matter what level you’re at, you’re going to improve a lot,” said Coach Wazny. “And sometimes, people who are dead last improve the most.” 2

CROSS COUNTRY DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS GRADE 9 GIRLS (2nd overall)

GRADE 10 GIRLS (4th overall)

GRADE 10 BOYS (4th overall)

5th - Matteus Ticne, 17:46 15th - Richard Wang, 19:25 16th - Thomas Gabut, 19:29 23rd - Richard Lee, 22:02 25th - John Wang, 25:53 26th - Nathan Lee, 29:55 27th - Orien Huang, 38:05 DNR: Leon Li, Nestor Lin, Caesar Ni, Michael Zhang

GRADE 11 GIRLS (3rd overall)

7th - Yvonne Wang, 21:19 10th - Ivana Truong, 24:16 13th - Rebecca Liu, 29:35

GRADE 11 BOYS (3rd overall)

14th - Angelo Wang, 39:10 15th - Sunny Sun, 39:30 16th - Jeff Wang, 39:50 DNR - Jacob Angeles, Nick Rodriguez, Seongho Yeon

GRADE 12 GIRLS (4th overall)

6th - Camila Gomez, 23:44 18th - Judit Nagy, 29:58 19th - Phoebe Zhang, 30:18 20th - Elena Balogova, 40:00 (ran extra lap)

GRADE 12 BOYS (4th overall)

6th - Taishi Ishioka, 26:37 11th - Cameron Lee, 27.35 17th - Michael Chan, 31:34 19th - Yiheng Jacob Sun, 39:10 20th - Malcolm Koh, 44:43 DNR - Pudam Jayasekara, Abay Nassimov, Chadi Sahlane, Nick Tara, Simon Yu

4th - Samantha Nix, 21:25 7th - Sarah Ip, 28:42 8th - Nona Mohammadi, 29:54

13th - Erin Petrik, 25:46 14th - Martine Crespo, 25:52 17th - Alice Niu, 32:17 18th - Liya Asgharpour, 33:17 19th - Sarina Minaei, 33:25 20th - Kimia Mousavi, 33:35 22nd - Mehrsa Samani 33:55 DNR - Emily Jeon

School NATIONWIDE EVENTS

Remembrance Day

From Flanders Field to Pinetree Secondary: how do they connect?

Maryam Gamar Writer

The man stands outside the entrance to the No Frills supermarket and shifts his tray of poppies as shoppers walk in and out of the grocery store. It is early November and volunteers like him are commonly seen in public spaces urging passersby to take a poppy. Most people drop a tooney into the donations box and pin the felt flower onto a lapel, a simple act that inspires feelings of patriotism and solemnity. But where do these feelings stem from, and why does Remembrance Day still have recognition?

The national tradition originates from the first “Remembrance Day” on November 11, 1918: the day the first World War ended after four long years. In the time following, the horrors of the war remained vivid in the minds of Canadians, and so the annual custom of remembrance and reflection began. This day came to be a reminder of an international event that needed to be prevented from happening again, as well as a day to mourn all that had been lost.

Because of its underlying purpose, Remembrance Day is an occasion that every Canadian can be involved in regardless of religion, ethnicity, or citizenship. Some observers may have a great grandfather who fought and died in a war, while others might have no direct connection at all; however, everyone is encouraged to wear a poppy with pride.

This is important to remember as the generation gap between the end of the Great War and the present day continues to grow. High school students now do not participate in Remembrance Day activities because they are mourning the loss of a relative, rather, they understand that the commemoration of Remembrance Day must be perpetuated.

Here at Pinetree, Remembrance Day is marked with an assembly organized by students and faculty

11 that strives to remind the school of the events that Canadians veterans had to endure for us to currently live in peace. The assembly lasted approximately 40 minutes and featured guest speaker Antoine Le, a 19-year-old Corporal who spoke about the privilege of being in service and the legacy of Canadian veterans. Corporal Le had a large impact on the audience because of his young age and dedication. It was inspiring to see someone so close to high school age honouring the history of Canadian military, particularly because he has also chosen to assume the duty of continuing this legacy. After the Corporal spoke, the drama group, directed by Ms. Fera, presented a creative piece that brought together song, dance, and spoken word. Their performance not only touched the audience emotionally, but also reinforced the message that Remembrance Day is a time to think about the sacrifices that were made in the past, as well as the changes that must still be made in the present.

All of this considerably affected the student body. However, they were expected to do more than simply attend the assembly. This year students and faculty were urged to dress formally as a sign of respect for the women and men who have fallen in combat, and to establish awareness of the importance the day holds through school-wide recognition and self reflection.

This duty of self reflection is one that is not

“Every Canadian can be involved in Remembrance Day.”

immediately obvious. After observing Remembrance Day all our lives, it is easy to get lost in the recurring ceremony of the day and forget that it is a significant reminder of what we have lost, and what we still must gain. The harsh reality of the past will always be present but the truth is that death, pain, and suffering are still present in so many parts of the world. It is evident that Canadians must be grateful for the wars that they did not have to fight, but this cannot be an excuse to shy away from other struggles that need advocates.

So as this month draws to a close, it is important to not only reflect on events and people that deserve recognition, but also consider what action we as individuals hope to take part in to continue the Canadian legacy of selflessness, courage, and aspiration for change. 2

12 STUDENTS ELECTIONS FOLLOWUP

Who exactly have we elected?

Get the scoop on our new student leaders up close and personal.

Elisa Korner, Briana Ho, Katherine Liu Writers, Photographer

The student elections have come to a close and the results are no longer a mystery. As the winning candidates get used to their new positions, it leaves the student body wondering what they should expect from the Student Council this year. For this issue, our newly appointed student leaders gave us the chance to interview them each about what they plan to do for the school, and ultimately, themselves.

JEREMY CHUNG (GRADE 9)

PTP: Describe yourself in three words.

JC: Outgoing, light-hearted, and short.

PTP: Do you have any hobbies? Play any sports or instruments?

JC: In my free time I practice guitar, ukulele, and beginner piano (though I’m not any good at any of

these). I only started playing instruments when I was 12 years old, so not that long ago. I also play soccer for Coquitlam Metro Ford.

PTP: Do you have a favourite book or movie?

JC: My favourite book is the one I’m reading right now: Tom Sawyer. I think everything about it is interesting, from the old 1870s slang terms, the childish insults, and the antics that remind me of when I was younger.

PTP: How do you feel about your victory in the elections?

Did you expect to win?

JC: I feel very lucky to be in the position I’m in, but I had no idea that I’d win.

PTP: What are you most looking forward to?

JC: I don’t feel like there’s a lot to look forward to when you’re 14, but when I’m older I want to learn how to drive, get a job, and move out on my own. I just enjoy feeling mature.

PTP: What are you most nervous about?

JC: I’m worried that in the future I won’t be able to afford going to college or university, because the price is so high.

PTP: Why did you decide to run for the position?

JC: I thought it would be a fun challenge to run for leadership. I’ve never really been a part of any of the schools I’ve gone to, just been there and done work, but as the grade nine representative I feel like I can actually make an impact now, and leave a long lasting impression.

PTP: Have you been a part of student leadership before?

JC: I’ve volunteered for the city before, but not as student leadership.

PTP: What do you think helped you win?

JC: I think the major popularity stunt that we pulled was putting all of the campaign posters up on one wall. It was impossible not to notice. I owe the idea to my friend Haipeng; he took the initiative in taping everything up there as people walking by stared in amusement.

PTP: How do you think being a Grade Nine Representative will influence you?

JC: Now, in everything I do at Pinetree, I need to be

Students more cautious about how my actions will impact my image. I’ve met some wonderful people in Student Council that I had never talked to before, and I feel like I’m following the right path.

PTP: As Grade Nine Representative, what do you think is the most important thing our students should know about you, or what you plan to do for Pinetree?

JC: I’m a pep rally, school events kind of guy. Here at Pinetree, we don’t really have major problems, so I’d like to focus on making a good school even better.

To do that we need more school spirit. The Student Council is currently planning out a few great events for the future, but we need more involvement from the students of Pinetree to succeed.

PTP: What kinds of improvements do you plan to bring to Pinetree?

JC: My initial goal was to fix the wifi, but the day that the campaign speeches previewed the wifi was back up running. Right at this point I’m not really sure how much power I have to change things.

PTP: What do you think will be the biggest change student council will put into effect this year?

JC: We’re bringing back pep rallies!

KATE LEE (GRADE 9)

PTP: Describe yourself in three words.

KL: Adaptable, intuitive, and ambitious.

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PTP: Do you have any hobbies? Play any sports or instruments?

KL: I love sailing, taking pictures of food, exploring cafés, and spending time with people I want to be like. I play soccer and Ultimate, and this year I started playing volleyball and have tried out wrestling. I play the piano, guitar, ukulele, saxophone, flute and violin.

PTP: Do you have a favourite book or movie?

KL: My favourite book would have to be Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, because even though I usually don’t like poems, the writing is very eloquent and relatable at the same time. It’s full of aesthetically pleasing text and art on one page. I have quite a few favourite movies, and one of them is Harry Potter. I really enjoy it because it’s a long, connecting story full of magic and adventure.

PTP: How do you feel about your victory in the elections?

Did you expect to win?

KL: I feel very excited but a bit stressed as I am very new to an actual voting concept of a student council board within a high school. Previously, I have served on a District Council League, and because we were only sending in applications and being interviewed, voting scared me. To be very honest, I expected to win not because I found the other candidates under qualified, but because I really found this to be a “have connections among your peers” election, since all the grade nines are so new to Pinetree. I knew a lot of people who were willing to support me and asked their friends to give me a vote as well.

PTP: What are you most looking forward to?

KL: I am looking forward to seeing what Pinetree has to offer for my future and the future of my fellow peers, as I know it will be special and unique. I already know that the people here are encouraging, and will help me overcome the obstacles I will have to face.

PTP: What are you most nervous about?

KL: I am the most nervous about being too overwhelmed and stressed with my current activities, thus not being able to work with the Student Council as much and as well as I hoped to.

PTP: Why did you decide to run for the position?

KL: I decided to run because I find being in the position of leadership gives me a lot more insight on what’s going on and what’s influencing the environment I learn in. I really do think that the way I think is from the

14 STUDENTS perspective of the students, allowing the voice I have to be both effective and helpful for the student body.

I really wanted to see a tangible change in the school if anything is currently unfavourable to a majority of students.

PTP: Have you been a part of student leadership before?

KL: Yes I have, and I am also currently on the Executive Board for Student Council Leadership, which is the communication link between the student voice and the District’s School Board. In middle school I was on the Public Relations team for leadership as well.

PTP: What do you think helped you win?

KL: As I mentioned before, knowing people and being on their “good side” really influences how the people who don’t know you get an impression. I like to keep myself in a positive and supportive environment among my friends, and I am sure that it was a huge factor for winning, as I didn’t really put in much effort into campaigning.

PTP: How do you think being a Grade Nine Representative will influence you?

KL: I think this means I will have to watch my behaviour and language much more carefully, conduct more appropriate behaviour than before, and make sure I am always giving a 100 percent effort. Hopefully “improving” myself shouldn’t be such a noticeably big change, however I do think it will make me a more organized, reliable and responsible person.

PTP: As Grade Nine Representative, what do you think is the most important thing our students should know about you, or what you plan to do for Pinetree?

KL: A definite thing that the students should know is that yes, I do care. I may not be very good at conveying this, but I really do go over the thoughts and opinions of my fellow peers. I seriously consider the options at hand to make an influential change to our school. I plan to make “Pinetree great again” with the support and help of all the students together.

PTP: What kinds of improvements do you plan to bring to Pinetree?

KL: I really hope to bring Pinetree’s spirit up through more genuine participation and excitement, which means that we are going to step up the events, how they run, and the content. This will allow students to really enjoy and embrace our school’s atmosphere.

PTP: What do you think will be the biggest change

student council will put into effect this year?

KL: I think the biggest change Student Council will put into effect this year is active student involvement.

I find this is actually the biggest concern we are facing right now; simply “participating” can often lead to just becoming a follower, while actively engaging allows each student to develop leadership skills and experience for post-secondary life as well. So as I’ve mentioned earlier, coming up and putting into effect creative and impactful activities will likely be one of our goals.

BERNICE LIU (GRADE 10)

PTP: Describe yourself in three words.

BL: Caring, energetic, and polite.

PTP: How do you feel about your victory?

BL: It’s an amazing feeling to be elected for this honourable position, and I’m glad that I was able to receive the support from so many of my peers. I had a feeling I would get pretty high up there in the votes, and luckily I was correct!

PTP: What are you most looking forward to?

BL: I’m excited to be able to go through this experience and help this school become a more welcoming and fun place for all of the students here.

Students

PTP: What are you most nervous about?

BL: I am a little nervous about having to make some decisions that could end up successfully or terribly, but hey, it’s all part of the experience.

PTP: Why did you decide to run for the position?

BL: I decided to run as a Grade Ten Representative because I felt like I was ready to take on the job, and do a good job too. Along with some friendly peer pressure, I was able to take the plunge.

PTP: What do you think helped you win?

BL: I think promoting in my classes help quite a bit, since it allowed my peers to get to know me a little bit before the elections. Promoting while just being who I am, that helped as well.

PTP: How do you think being a Grade TenRepresentative will influence you?

BL: I think being Grade Ten Representative will influence me to be a great leader as well as be more outgoing.

PTP: What do you think is the most important thing that our students should know about you, and what do you plan to do for Pinetree?

BL: I think everyone should know that I’m super approachable and easy to talk to. So if you want any changes for the school, you can come talk to me about it. I plan to make this year pretty awesome with lots of fun activities for all of the students and teachers alike.

KEVIN ZHOU (GRADE 10)

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PTP: Describe yourself in three words.

KZ: Authentic, passionate, and humorous.

PTP: How do you feel about your victory? Did you expect to win?

KZ: I was confident that I would be able to obtain one of the two spots for Grade Ten Representative, and sure enough, I did. It is a privilege to be one of the representatives here at Pinetree, and I feel extremely honored to be able to serve the student body.

PTP: What are you excited about? Nervous about?

KZ: I’m stoked to take on the obstacles and the tasks in the school, but at the same time, I must endeavor the hard work and improve myself to fulfill my obligations and responsibilities.

PTP: Why did you decide to run for the position?

KZ: I decided to run for this position because I believe that it is a great learning opportunity, and it allows me to express my ideas and thoughts in a more direct, clear way. I also felt that I was capable of being not only a great team player but also a virtuous leader.

PTP: What do you think helped you win?

KZ: My involvement is certainly one of the biggest factors that lead to my victory. By volunteering, participating in school events, and attending clubs, I’ve made a lot of great friends who are reliable and supportive.

PTP: How do you think being a Grade Ten Representative will influence you?

KZ: I think being the Grade 10 Rep will strengthen my relationships with students and teachers, my problemsolving skills, and most importantly, my self-awareness.

This will make me a more competent and mature leader.

PTP: What do you think is the most important thing that our students should know about you, and what do you plan to do for Pinetree?

KZ: I think everyone should know that I make a lot of bad puns and jokes. My jokes are so terrible they are actually funny, occasionally. Anyway, I plan to create exciting events to bring up the school spirit; it is extremely hard, but it is achievable.

PTP: Any last comments?

KZ: If you want to come and talk to me about anything, I will always be in either the choir room or the band room after school.

16 STUDENTS

JEFFREY SHEN (GRADE 11)

PTP: Describe yourself in three words.

JS: I would say hardworking, driven, and kind.

PTP: What hobbies do you have?

JS: I like to debate, and I do Model UN, so I’m very into public speaking and such. I am not into sports at all. Other hobbies are just hanging out with friends, listening to music, and drawing.

PTP: Who do you look up to the most?

JS: My dad, probably, just because he always works very hard and he’s very successful. He’s always very motivated to get whatever it is that he wants, and believes in reaching dreams and goals.

PTP: How do you feel about your victory? Did you expect to win?

JS: I don’t think you can ever really expect to win. I think that all the candidates were exceptional people, and I’m friends with all of them. I definitely did not expect it and it was definitely a shock, but I’m very excited and happy that I won.

PTP: What are you most looking forward to?

JS: I think this year, Student Council is a lot different than the way it looked in previous years, so I think this year I’m just looking forward to new things and new events. For example I’m really excited for the pep rally that’s coming up, and just little things like that.

PTP: What are you most nervous about?

JS: Potentially speaking in front of the whole school; I’ve never done anything like that before, so that’s probably the most nerve-wracking.

PTP: Why did you decide to run for the position?

JS: I wanted to run because I’ve been a part of Student Council since grade nine, and I just wanted to become more involved in Student Council and take on a position of leadership, whether that means representing the students or taking on a larger role during school events.

PTP: What do you think helped you win?

JS: I actually don’t know. I mean, I didn’t really expect to win. I was procrastinating and put up my posters so late, but I think what helped in the end was just being myself, and being authentic so people know what my message is and what sort of things I want to do.

PTP: How do you think being the Student Council Vice President will affect you?

JS: I think it’ll definitely make me a lot more conscientious about the things that I do and say, now that I am the Vice President. I need to be a lot more aware and make sure that what I’m doing is a good reflection on Pinetree as a school.

PTP: As Vice President, what do you think is the most important thing our students should know about you or what you plan to do for Pinetree?

JS: Besides “Make Pinetree Great Again” and Meme Day, I just want to be the best VP possible by listening to people. If they have any concerns about the school, you know, message me or talk to me if you see me in the hall, and I think that it’s just really about being the best version of me for both myself and for the student body.

PTP: What kinds of improvements do you plan to bring to Pinetree?

JS: I don’t eat meat, so that would be the first thing: more vegetarian options in the cafeteria. Besides that, I just got the position so I’m still not fully sure what my authority is, but I definitely think that a lot more school spirit and a lot more events in which you get all the grades involved are things that I’m looking forward to.

PTP: What do you think will be the biggest change Student Council will put into effect this year?

JS: I definitely do think that it’s the cohesiveness of all the grades. Before, we had separate events for each grade. I think this year it’s really about combining all

Students the grades. We’ve already seen that with Fright Fest, which was a grade nine/ten event, so I think that’s really what we’re looking for: getting the different grades interacting and talking.

PTP: So do you have any last words for students?

JS: My goal is to make the school the best it can be, so if you have any concerns, if you have any problems, please let me know, and I’ll do everything in my power to improve all that.

SOPHIA LACUNA (GRADE 12)

PTP: What is your go-to icebreaker line or joke when meeting someone new?

SL: I don’t have a line or joke that I use. To be honest, I just smile, say hello, and a conversation usually sparks from there. It’s very effective!

PTP: Who do you look up to the most?

SL: I don’t really have a specific person I look up to because I admire little qualities in everyone that I meet: for example, my dad. I’ve always admired how patient, kind and hardworking he is, which are traits I strive to have every day.

PTP: What movie would you recommend?

SL: I just recently binge watched the X-Men series, so if you haven’t seen them already, I highly recommend watching.

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PTP: How do you feel about your victory? Did you expect to win?

SL: Well, obviously I was ecstatic when I found out that I won! I honestly didn’t expect it at all. I thought it would be close amongst all candidates.

PTP: What are you most looking forward to?

SL: I am definitely looking forward to all the events that Student Council is organizing this year, some of which I will be MC-ing! From food drives to pep rallies, they will require lots of work, but they’ll be loads of fun.

PTP: Have you been part of student leadership before?

SL: Yes, I have been a representative for the Principal’s Advisory Council for the past four years!

PTP: What do you think helped you win?

SL: A huge part definitely came from my involvement with the school. Playing volleyball, being a part of Red Cross, and Grad Council are just a few things that allowed me to meet and create friendships with many people from all grades! I was also very keen on self promotion, to the point where my friends and I would randomly shout in the hallway “Vote for Lacuna!”

I’m not really sure if that was effective, but at least the effort was there!

PTP: How do you think being the Student Council President will affect you?

SL: My experience as president will teach me what it means to be a good leader. One that is fair, responsible, and hardworking.

PTP: Are you planning to pursue politics in the future?

SL: Honestly, probably not. I think being Student Council President is enough for me.

PTP: As president, what do you think is the most important thing our students should know about you, or what you plan to do for Pinetree?

SL: I want Pinetree students to know that I will try my absolute best to be their voice and to be the president they voted for. I am willing to put their needs as my priority. My goal is to make Pinetree a place where everyone, including staff and students, feel safe, welcome, and happy.

PTP: What kinds of improvements do you plan to bring?

SL: I plan on improving our school spirit because it’s definitely something we lack as a student body. Student council is organizing more school-wide events where students can really feel what it’s like to be a proud Pinetree student. 5

18 FEATURES STUDENT INTEREST

Midterms

Students often feel that they are “drowning” in studying during midterms.

Midterms “term” out to not be so bad, after all.

Aida Kadiric Writer

In mid-November, many students in grades 9-12 are given midterm exams. Midterm exams are tools for evaluation of the material students have learned in the first half of the semester. Written tests originated in Ancient China, when candidates needed to be selected for positions in the government. In the 1850s, Britain adapted the written exams and standardized testing became more commonplace. In North America, the shift into these written exams helped advance education and served as the inspiration for the unit tests, midterms, and finals today. Many students believe that midterms will help prepare them for the final exam at the end of the semester because it gives them a better understanding of the material they have learned so far. Mid-November is usually a stressful time for the students since teachers

Source: Her Campus

tend to schedule the exams close to other exams.

There are many ways to avoid being stressed.

Some ways include getting adequate sleep the week before, having good time management, taking breaks, and organizing the content that needs to be studied. Lack of preparation and procrastination are huge factors in causing stress. Ways to avoid these factors would be to make cue cards or be quizzed by a friend who is in the same class.

One of Pinetree’s seniors said this when asked how they manage, “After 4 years of high school I learned that mental health is a very important factor in my studying because if I am not in the right state of mind it is hard for me to focus. That is how I avoid being stressed.”

Teachers also have great advice for what to do in preparation for the tests. “Keeping up with the course as you go through it instead of doing everything on the days leading up to your midterm would help a lot,” said Mr. Utting. “Also, budgeting your time would be useful because some tests fall around the same time. I usually let my students

19

Features review during class so they can ask me questions.”

Although there are a variety of ways to cope with the stress, midterms are still something that students feel indifferent about. Some feel that it is a waste of time and puts lots of pressure on them, while

“Mid-November is usually a stressful time for the students since teachers tend to schedule the exams close other exams.” others feel that it is great preparation for the finals.

“It is a bittersweet feeling because even though it is a very stressful time and you need to study all the previous units, it just means the start of a new part of the semester, meaning new material, and it also means that the semester is half over,” said a Pinetree student.

Mr. Utting believes midterms are useful. He said, “They can help if you need a second chance to show you know the material. The midterm usually has easier versions of the questions because it is focusing on all the units instead of just one. They’re beneficial because after studying for the unit test and studying for the midterm, you’ll remember better by the time you need to take the final.”

Now that midterms are over students can finally sit back and relax, but midterms are not always followed by positive results. Many find that lack of preparation or unforuntate circumstances have led to poor results on the exam, resulting in a decrease in the grade.

“I had a chemistry midterm this semester and I spent time planning out which days I would focus on a certain unit. I went into the exam thinking I was ready and after I handed in my paper I felt really good. I was disappointed when I received my mark a couple of days later,” said a Pinetree student. “I was upset that I had spent so much time reviewing and preparing to receive a mark I wasn’t proud of. Looking back there are definitely things I could have done differently, so now I know what to do to be prepared for the final.”

Some students may be discouraged when midterms lower their marks, but they must not forget that the exams force them to review earlier topics and be prepared for the final exam. In the end, midterms are unavoidable so learning new ways to prepare to make the best of them is beneficial. 0

I HAVE OPINIONS

Applicable Skills

Are university websites poorly designed on purpose?

Emily Liang Columnist

The problem with university websites comes when one clicks on the “admissions” tab, and then to “apply”. Suddenly the webpage becomes a mess of requirements tables, outwardly branching redirect links, flashy but unclickable graphics, and a cluttered interface showing far more than necessary, yet at the same time showing nothing of use to the prospective student.

It takes a good while of digging to find the actual application form, after which the student will be asked to take a leap of faith and cash in at least $70 for the application fee. Cue complete silence for a few days, until an email comes in, claiming to contain all the information a student needs to complete their application. Unfortunately, these are generalized emails that merely tell the applicant to create an account on the university’s external online student centre. It is then the responsibility of the student to check the centre periodically, because the university will send no further emails regarding deadlines and required documents. As for supplementary applications or portfolios, well, that’s up to the student to go diving back into the main website.

For example, the University of [REDACTED], which directs applicants to check if their desired faculty requires extra documents on a webpage that lists only program overviews. Or, from Another Anonymous University, whose mandatory supplementary application form is hidden beneath five layers of irrelevant links, and not even mentioned in the student cetnre portal.

Perhaps this is part of the application process.

Much like the painful application fees, challenging user interfaces limit the applicant pool to only the most puzzleloving and money-having. How can a student unable to figure out a simple labyrinthian website be expected to do well in university? 4

20 FEATURES EDITORIAL

What is the Alt-Right?

More than an internet subculture.

Emily Liang Writer

[Note: This is an editorial, which means that the views expressed belong purely to the author, rather than to the Pinetree Post as a whole.]

The first time I heard the phrase “alt-right” was one year ago, when Donald Trump was elected as President of the United States. A year later, I’m finally looking deeper into what that phrase really means. “Alt-right” refers most generally to a loosely organized movement of right-wing ideologies outside of mainstream American conservatism and libertarianism. In the words of alt-right activist Vox Day, “The alt-right is a Western ideology that believes in science, history, reality, and the right of a genetic nation to exist and govern itself in its own interests.” The alt-right has been associated with use of websites such as Twitter, Reddit, and Breitbart, where users express their views with relative freedom, although the Reddit subcommunity r/altright was banned from the website for sharing private information without permission.

None of the official sources I read online gave satisfactory explanations for some lingering questions I still had about the alt-right. I turned to a real life source for a closer look. While he is not exactly the official voice of the alt-right, he is much more knowledgeable than I am as an outsider. His views represent his personal experience with the alt-right, in the form of responses that I’ve transcribed here.

Q: WOULD YOU CALL YOURSELF PART OF THE ALT-RIGHT? A: No, and I don’t think that I ever would have.

Personally speaking, I prefer to see people as individual people, and treat them based on their individual characteristics, rather than their identity. Where I break with some on the left and all of the alt-right is that I believe in individualism, while they often believe in collectivist principles.

Q: HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE ALT-RIGHT?

A: About two years ago, when the subject of religious bakers and their right to not create products for gay marriages was a culturally relevant issue, I came across a mainstream, conservative YouTube channel which was creating content that was contrary to the more liberal perspectives I was otherwise exposed to in school and in the media. As I began to explore online conservatism and libertarianism, I found that many people on the political right, though rejecting the principles of conservatism, had also aligned themselves against the prevailing, as they would describe it, politically liberal culture and media. This new group of people, I found, echoed many of the criticisms of today’s culture and society that I had seen others consider but never raise in public.

Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE ALT-RIGHT? A: This can often depend on which sphere of the alt-right one is referring to. Generally speaking, since the ideology is a Western invention, from the U.S. and Europe, its public proponents tend to be white. However, I’ve found it difficult to actually find people who genuinely believe in many alt-right principles. I’ve found that eccentric, high-functioning individuals, in large communities like debate and MUN often believe in some, not all of the principles laid out above, and that these people comprise a very diverse community of all ethnic backgrounds

Q: DO YOU THINK THE MEDIA’S DEPICTION OF THE ALT-RIGHT IS ACCURATE? A: The media’s depictions of the alt-right are usually wrong, especially when they’re from leftleaning sources such as Buzzfeed, Salon.com, and

21

Features NowThis. They tend to believe that the alt-right is much bigger than it actually is, and include typical conservatives such as Glenn Beck and Ben Shapiro into the camp. Some even go as far as to put anyone who goes against the so-called regressive left part of the alt-right, and this is a truly asinine definition, as it can include left-leaning individuals like Dave Rubin, Sam Harris, Christina Hoff Sommers. I think that the Wikipedia article is fairly unbiased, as all it does in effect, is list the perspectives that many different parties and people hold on the alt-right.

Q: WHY DO YOU THINK THIS MOVEMENT HAS BEEN RELEVANT AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE? A: First of all, I don’t know how truly relevant this movement is among my generation. I know that this generation is quite conservative, and that many smart, young high school leaders around me reject what they consider modern, liberal culture. However, I know very few people who would make the jump from that conservatism to the identity-based, anti-equalitarian altright, and I suspect that not many do.

That being said, I believe that the hatred of modern culture which motivates some members of the alt-right comes largely from the hatred of the so-called social justice movement, and their adherents who are called “social justice warriors”, or SJWs for short. These people are often hated because under the guise of creating a better society for minorities and the disadvantaged, they often support policies and participate in extremist rhetoric that mislead the public, split people across ethnic, cultural, and gender-based lines, and promote hatred against people deemed to be members of a privileged group based on identity.

Q: DO YOU THINK THE ALT-RIGHT WILL BECOME MORE ACCEPTED IN MAINSTREAM CONSERVATIVE CULTURE? A: (Insert hilarious laughing emoji here) Nope.

Now, there are lots of people who get called altright but aren’t really alt-right, people like Ann Coulter and Milo Yiannopolous. These people, and their popularity is often equated with the alt-right,

but they just represent a group of anti-SJW right wingers who don’t fully side with the conservative agenda. Actual alt-righters like Richard Spencer, Peter Brimelow, Vox Day, and others are hated universally by conservatives, liberals, and weirdos alike. Make no mistake, culture among young kids may or may not be becoming more edgy, right-wing, or conservative, but that is a far cry from the identity politics of the alt-right.

Afterwards, I thanked my source for his responses, and set to writing this article. It should be noted that he asked to see the article before its submission, but did not ask to be kept anonymous. I decided at my own discretion to obscure his identity, but for transparency’s sake, I would describe him as an average Pinetree Secondary student in Grade 12, who regularly participates in open discussions of politics. I thank him for his candor and earnest answers.

In full honesty, I disagree with the views of the alt-right. However, I believe it is important to understand why people have the perspectives that they do, even when said perspectives are opposed to mine.

I have more questions still, but they would be more appropriate for a university thesis than an interview conducted over Facebook Messenger. Those are questions for another day. 4 An alt-right individual at a pro-Trump rally.

Source: Fibonacci Blue

22 LIFESTYLE LOCAL INTEREST

What’s new in Coquitlam?

Noor Khawer Writer

Nuu Life Cafe

Freshii

Location: 108-2957 Glen Drive Distance from school: 3 minute drive About: Nuu Life is a restaurant that serves healthy organic food packed with natural nutrition that helps give the body energy and burn fat. Beside selling food, the restaurant also sells meal plans made from organic ingredients. The menu consists of smoothies, fruit bowls, organic coffee, crepes, breakfast pizza, sushi, salads,pasta, sandwiches and wraps. The prices range from $5-$20.

Location: 2325 Ottawa S, Unit 100 Distance from school: 10 minute drive About: Freshii is a Canadian fast casual restaurant franchise that helps spread the word of eating healthy, with its fresh and all green ingredients.

The menu consists of salads, wraps, bowls, burritos, soups, frozen yogurt, breakfast, and smoothies. The franchise also recently introduced meal boxes ranging in plans of 1-30 days. The franchise is an active supporter of many different local organizations, such as Free The Children.

They also donates meals to children in need. The franchise uses biodegradable material in every item. The price ranges from $5-$20.

Nuu Life Cafe.

Source: Nuu Life Cafe Facebook

Taqueria Fiesta Mexicana

PappaRoti Location: 1196 Pinetree Way, Unit 100 Distance from school: 11 minute walk About: Best known for their coffee-coated buns, this Malaysian franchise opened up in Coquitlam early September 2017. There are two other locations of the cafe, one on Robson Street and one in Yaletown. The interior of the cafe is very industrialistic, yet still has a comfortable and warm atmosphere. The seating area is very spacious with counter top tables and high chairs. The cafe serves both hot and cold drinks, and delicious baked goods. They also sell sandwiches and salads. The price range is between $5-$20.

Location: 2851 Shaughnessy St Distance from school: 7 minute drive About: This family owned and operated business brings high quality, home style cooked Mexican dishes to your neighbourhood. The menu consists of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, saladas, tostadas, Horchata, Jarritos, and many more authentic mexican food. The restaurant offers a family, warm atmosphere with plenty of seating area.

Price range is between $5-$15.

Taqueria Fiest Mexicana.

Source: fiestamex.ca

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Lifestyle SNOW SEASON HAS COME, BUT FEAR NOT THE COLD

What to do in winter Julia Park Writer

Lafarge Lights

Vancouver Christmas Market

Lights at Lafarge are officially up and brightly lit, as of Saturday, Nov. 25. Enjoy the stunning light displays that decorate the 1.2 kilometer walk, just a minute walk away from Pinetree. Stack on the jackets and scarves and take a walk with family, friends, or significant other before the lights are taken down on Jan. 21. The greatest part of all? It’s free.

From Nov. 22 to Dec. 24, head over to Jack Poole Plaza in downtown Vancouver to enjoy Vancouver’s beloved holiday tradition, the Christmas Market.

There, one can find more than 75 huts of traditional sweets, treats, and gifts, and watch various shows and concerts. Warm up with steaming apple cider, grab some German snacks, and buy homemade gifts from the vendors.

Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen

Light display at Lafarge.

Source: coquitlam.ca

Christmas Tree Shopping Buy your very own fir tree at Aunt Leah’s Trees and decorate them with friends and family for maximum holiday cheer. From Nov. 24 to Dec. 23, trees will be sold at Eagle Ridge United Church. Don’t forget the tree toppers, the funky ornaments, or fairy lights.

Write a Card The holiday season, rather ironically, is one of the loneliest times for many. Show a loved one you care by writing them a card by hand – no, not a text or facebook chat, a real handmade card. For brownie points, snail mail it to them just in time for Christmas, Hanukkah, or the New Years. Express your gratitude for all that they do, and spread the love.

Give back to the community by volunteering for the homeless. Bring all your friends with you to distribute food hampers to those in need in the Tri-Cities. Distributions occur every Wednesday at Como Lake United Church, Trinity United/St. Catherine’s Anglican Church, and 2615 Clarke St., Port Moody.

Christmas trees.

Source: auntleahs.org

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