Vol 124 Issue 9

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thursday january twenty first, 2016

THE xaverian Jan 21 2016 Vol 124: Issue 9

OUR STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Julia O’Hanley xw.eic@stfx.ca MANAGING EDITOR Ryan Finn xw.managing@stfx.ca ART IST IC COORDINATOR Devon Chisholm xw.artistic@stfx.ca COPY EDITOR Molly Schreiber xw.copy@stfx.ca NEWS EDITOR Izaak MacMullin xw.news@stfx.ca OPINIONS EDITOR Emily Keenan xw.opinions@stfx.ca FEATURES EDITOR Paige Chisholm xw.feature@stfx.ca ARTS&CULTURE EDITOR Rachel LeBlanc xw.culture@stfx.ca DIST RACT IONS EDITOR Ty Kingston xw.distractions@stfx.ca SPORTS&HEALT H EDITOR Shelbi Kilcollins xw.sports@stfx.ca SENIOR REPORT ER Lauren Agnew xw.reporter1@stfx.ca SENIOR REPORT ER Sebastian Jurga x2014hbq@stfx.ca SENIOR REPORT ER Mathias Rincon x2015jrh@stfx.ca STAFF WRIT ER Alejandra Torres x2015lqa@stfx.ca STAFF WRIT ER Jane Stevenson x2013gcp@stfx.ca COLUMNIST Lindsay Johnstone xw.columnist1@stfx.ca COLUMNIST Caitlin Vance xw.columnist2@stfx.ca DIST RIBUT IONS MANAGER Alyssa MacNeil xw.distributions@stfx.ca The Xaverian Weekly is the official student newspaper of St Francis Xavier University. The Xaverian Weekly is published on Thursdays by the Xaverian Weekly Publications Board and is editorially autonomous.

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Open contributor meetings are held Sundays at six in the newsroom: bottom floor SUB, left from the bookstore. X

EDITOR: IZAAK MACMULLIN xw.news@stfx.ca

Platform highlights Students’ Union candidates note three main pillars of election platform JULIA O’HANLEY Editor-in-Chief On Jan 19, The Xaverian sat down with each candidate, asking the same series of questions.

Candidates were allotted time limits to ensure concise answers were provided. Full interviews will be posted on xaverian.ca at the time of print. In the meantime, say hello to our candidates.

RYLEY ERICKSON The Vice President of the Students’ Union deals mostly with the academic side of things, and also with equity, but another lesser-known role is that they are technically the VP Executive, which means that they manage the rest of the executive team. They’re there for what the rest of the executives need, to aid them and assist them. They also help keep the executive meetings on track. One of the points of my platform is that a lot of people still don’t know that about the VP. A lot of people don’t even know that the VP is academic.

So what I really want to do, is I want to exhibit the different roles that the union has, and show them to the students, really show them, because the union does a lot of work, whether you agree that it’s good or bad, and I think it’s really important that students know what the work they do is and how they achieve it.

Another main point of my platform is just academic excellence. With the increased number of students, there is obviously a lot more strain on various resources that StFX has to offer, not only meal hall which is the main one, but also the library, the tutoring list, 24-hour study spaces, things like that. So part of my platform is to look at the different angles and see how we can more help it. When I was freshman senator there were lot of study spaces that weren’t utilized, so we made a list of them, handed them out to students. 24hour study spaces, talk with the SUB, see about that.

The third main point of my platform is really approachability. I feel that I am an incredibly approachable person. I know I’d say around 30-40% of the campus by name, and I always love to say hi and I love to meet new people. I think a vice president or any member of the union should be willing to go up and meet people who don’t necessarily fall into their regular social circles, because the union as they say is there for students, by students, so I think being incredibly approachable would definitely help make the motto come true.

Annie Sirois

Taylor Chase

It’s been my slogan since the first day of my campaign: I’m running to advocate mental health, academics and equity, as they are all relevant to each and every student at StFX. In terms of mental health I have three main priorities: ensure that all deans and heads of departments receive mental health first aid training. Second, create a workshop/seminar that educates all faculty on various forms of mental illnesses certain students may be struggling with. This is important because not all faculty treat all mental illnesses as seriously as they do others. Lastly, educate faculty on Aspiria, the progressive mental health program provided by the Students’ Union and all the services that it offers, so they can provide valuable information to those students in need of the program.

In terms of academics, I have three main priorities. First, ensure there is a significant number of tutors for students. This would be done over the summer: hire tutors over the summer so that we’re ready to start things right off the bat come September. Second would be to ensure that a specific student-to-teacher ratio is not surpassed, for fear of diminishing the quality of education at StFX. Many students came to StFX like myself, and continue to stay for those small, personal class sizes. I would work to form legislation with the senate that would ensure class sizes remain small and personal to prevent StFX from becoming just another university with hundreds of people in a lecture hall. And third, bring new courses to StFX. Lastly, in terms of equity I have four main priorities. First, ensuring that all future renovations on campus such as Nicholson Hall and Bloomfield Centre are accessible to those with physical disabilities and visual impairments.

Second, install a gender-neutral washroom in the Students’ Union Building - because it is the twentyfirst century. Third, change the wording in the Students’ Union and university bylaws from gender-specific pronouns such as he and she to gender-neutral pronouns such as they in order to be more inclusive of all gender orientations, again because it’s the twenty-first century and it’s something that we should have done.

And fourth, offer all major announcements/publications front he students union or the university in the second-most predominant language on campus.

I know our space is limited, so if students want to know how I plan to execute my platform above, I encourage them to visit my website at anniesirois.wix.com/vicepresident.

The three parts of my platform that I’m really excited to talk about are accessibility, advocacy, and student life.

For my accessibility platform, I really believe this union needs to be more accessible, more accessible in many different ways. What that comes down to I believe is a restructuring of the Students’ Union positions: the jobs, the way we advertise our campaigns, everything.

So from this, what I found from my experience working with the union is that we have a really top-down approach. We need to shift this. We need to take jobs, and bring them up from the bottom, bring ideas from these positions and drive them from the bottom. This will come from a full restructuring of the way the Students’ Union is conventionally seen right now. Next, accessibility of the Students’ Union services, something that is definitely not touched on enough either. I think definitely small videos, and in terms of the website a complete rebranding. If this Students’ Union Building is going to be redone, I believe a full rebranding of the Students’ Union is necessary, as well as the marketing behind this union.

The second one is advocacy. I do believe that advocating on behalf of the students with the university, we see increased enrolment rates on the provincial level and on the national level, making sure that university is more accessible for all students across the board. As well, [ensuring] students have the proper opportunities after they leave university, in terms of CoOps and internships, which I believe are crucial and fundamental to the education system.

And lastly, student life. So I have three points here: sexual assault protocol, mental health, and campus drinking culture. I believe we’ve had some great work done with our sexual assault protocol this year, and I really want to build on that and keep it moving forward.

It’s had a great impact on campus, and I believe there is definitely still more work to be done, and there always will be more work to be done. Mental health too, definitely advocating for students that do suffer with their mental health, especially with testing. It’s definitely something that needs to be looked at along with the Centre for Accessible Learning. Lastly, campus drinking culture, something that I believe is very crucial to look at.

Campus drinking culture is something I believe is part of this school, which we have to recognize, but we do have to recognize that we need to put in place measures for students so that we can ensure there is a safe drinking culture on campus, both in residence and in our drinking establishments such as The Inn.

GERALD FITZGIBBON Probably the first and foremost thing is that I want to be able to lower the cost of textbooks, because textbooks have a high rate of inflation. The statistic I read was that there was a 500% increase over the past 20 years or something. That’s a ridiculous number, so the first and foremost thing would be working with publishers, as well as implementing other things. I’m from Calgary, so other schools such as the University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge, have what are called book rentals, where you rent the textbook. It’s a cheap, effective way to be able to have access to these textbooks, to be able to use them inexpensively, and to not spend [as much]. You know, you’re spending $8000 on tuition almost, right, you don’t want to spend another $1-2000 a year on textbooks, and I mean are you really going to keep them? You might keep one or two because they are interesting, but in reality they are still textbooks and you don’t really want to keep them. So that’s probably the first one.

The second point will definitely be continuing to keep up to date with the sexual violence awareness and mental health stigma. I guess the big thing is keeping up with the good work that the Students’ Union has been doing: creating more awareness, more opportunities for people’s voices to be heard in those kind of senses. Also, creating a very safe place that people can come to, whether that’s to me, to the president, or to you know anyone at the Students’ Union, or whether that’s better counselling services to be able to deal with those things.

Finally would be working to make bursaries and scholarships more accessible, as well as academics more accessible on the whole. Again in the Albertan instance, there are accessible tutoring services for everybody on campus: it’s not just for people who work with the Tramble Rooms, everyone has accessible tutoring opportunities. Our website at theU right now, we don’t have any tutors on hand to offer to people if they wanted it. We don’t have any academic advancements that set us apart from other schools. I want us to be the leading contender in academic availability because first and foremost, we are students and what needs to be addressed is the academic availability.

REad more in the centrefold

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Porche Canada CEO visits StFX IZAAK MACMULLIN News Editor This past Tuesday St FX students had the opportunity to listen to the CEO of Porche Canada, Alexander Pollich. His talk was focused on the future of sports cars, and geared towards business students interested in learning more about the automobile industry. Mr. Pollich is the second automobile executive to visit St FX, after the CEO of Mercedes Benz Canada visited last year. According to German language professor Marlis Lade “From my perspective I think it is interesting for the whole community that they get to know, especially business students, that they get to know some of the most important and iconic German companies, and Porche is for sure one. Among students, of course everybody knows the name Porche, but whats is Porche? Where is it from? I mean there are weird ideas” Several members of the St FX German society also were able to have a lunch with Mr Pollich during his time at St FX. The Xaverian spoke to a few of these students before they had meet with Mr Pollich to see

what they hoped to learn. As one of the German students, Adam Kenney, explains, “I’m a car person, so obviously I would like to hear about the car as well as the personal side. Having a lot of the big companies like Mercedes and now Porche, its good to get those ones i find, because its really interesting to learn about business that have a lot of stuff in North America that they work on, but they are for the most part a foreign compa-

ny. So kinda getting that extra perspective.”

Rae Anne Becke, the president of the St FX German Society, was also excited to hear from Mr Pollich. “Im really looking forward to hearing about Mr. Pollich’s innovative thoughts and experiences. As a marketing student I am always interested in seeing and hearing new ideas and concepts…I would like to ask him about how Porsche markets their

cars to different segments, and if he notices a significant difference in advertising campaigns between Europe and North America.” Members of the German society will be visiting Germany in February,and according to Becke she “will be going to Stuttgart with the German and Business students next month. I am extremely excited to see the headquarters of Porsche and Mercedes, as well as to experience a real europe-

an soccer game live. We will also have the opportunity to visit with some friends who were German exchange students here over the last few years.”

This visit comes at an interesting time for Porche. The company, which is owned by Volkswagen, recently had one of their vehicles implicated as part of the Volkswagen emission scandal. The diesel version of the Porche Cayenne was found by the EPA (the American Eviromental Protection Agency) to contain a defeat device that could tell when its emissions were being tested and artificially lower them. Porche has stopped selling the Cayenne in the US as a result. When asked what the emission scandal could mean for Porche, Lade said that “I think that it is an overreaction from the American side, I think every company does the same…but they got caught.” Lade feels that the scandal is not all that consequential in the long run, “but in Europe I don’t think it has really had an impact…and with Porche I think it is a totally different story (compared to Volkswagen) nobody brings the two together, the connection.”

Saving face New book by StFX professor explores beauty and cosmetic surgery LAUREN AGNEW Senior Reporter In a culture obsessed with selfies, filters, and followers, it’s no wonder many women are striving to achieve beauty in every form. But for Rachel Hurst, PhD., its more than just an interest, it’s her area of expertise.

Author of the newly released Surface Imaginations: Cosmetic Surgery, Photography, and Skin, Hurst delves into the relatively new field of cosmetic alterations, both physical and photographical. As part of her ongoing research in femininity and beauty, as well as visual culture as a whole, the book will tackle some of the prominent perceptions of the cosmetic surgery industry.

Dr. Hurst is well-respected professor at St. Francis Xavier University with a long history of creative and evocative efforts for social change. This includes her involvement with numerous committees and serving on numerous faculty boards, as well as being the founder of the Hive for Feminist Research at St. FX and a photo-project entitled “Settler Fantasies and Colonial Before and After”. These two projects in particular are both in keeping with the same research as was necessary for Surface Imaginations, although

Dr. Hurst says that her new book has yet to be presented to the Hive.

The book uses a unique combination of feminist theory and psychoanalytic theory, in order to better understand the topic. Its aim is to investigate the common notion in today’s society that we are expected to fashion our identity and who we are largely through the surface presentations of ourselves, from clothes and cosmetics to the interior of our homes. Dr. Hurst believes that there is a common understanding that the ability to retrain behaviours on the surface will lead to deeper changes in the psychological state of mind. “This is where the title of the book and the central concept of the book is “surface Imaginations”, she describes, “which is the idea that what is on the outside is what is more important, and influences what is on the inside”.

She explains that the book focuses on the two “primary cosmetic surfaces”: the photograph and the surface of the skin.

Dr. Hurst points out that “[Photographs] present an ideal, something we aspire to. You can do anything you want to a photograph and it doesn’t hurt, it’s easy”, however the surface of the skin itself is not quite the same. Not as easily manipu-

lated, the surface of the skin is more “de-idealized”, meaning that it in many ways is not entirely predictable.

Through interviews with many cosmetic surgery recipients, Dr. Hurst inferred that while we aspire to achieve a photograph-like perfection for our skin, surgery often requires a compromise and an acknowledgement of its inability to achieve said perfection. As Dr. Hurst was made to understand, for many people “surgery didn’t do everything they wanted it to do, however it did enough”.

Dr. Hurst calls the book a “hybrid creature” in that it is intended not only to spark new research and discussion, but also as an accessible tool for those who find cosmetic surgery within their realm of possibility. “I’ve been really lucky,” she says, “to have a research topic that almost anyone has an opinion on, people are really willing to talk about it.”

When asked how she feels about other media portrayals of cosmetic surgery, Dr. Hurst was quick to point out how television shows and documentaries can be culturally informative.

She explains how many largescale studies of cosmetic surgery have shown that cosmetic surgery does make people happier, and she argues that “such

a small change to the exterior of your body can have such a positive impact […] because of the broader “surface imagination” way of thinking about our bodies and our lives in general”.

Dr. Hurst’s book Surface Imaginations: Cosmetic Surgery, Photography, and Skin is available at the campus bookstore and through McGillQueens University Press.

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New store sets up shop Convenience for U opens in the SUB SEBASTIAN JURGA Senior Reporter As of the beginning of the winter semester, the vacancy left by the closing of the U clothing store on the second floor of the Bloomfield centre has been filled. Convenience for U, a front-store convenience, opened on Jan 4. It is a business run by Antigonish’s own MacKinnon’s Pharmasave, managed by Tony Parsons in partnership with The StFX Students’ Union as well as Sodexo.

The store is a precursor to what will eventually be McKinnon’s Pharmasave Convenience for U, as the area under construction in the back will eventually be expanded into a full-fledged pharmacy. Mr. Parsons commented that, “We are working on the dispensary and that area, and the consultation room…I can probably see the pharmacy itself opening up for September, the new school year.”

He also added, “[The pharmacy’s] hours would be based off the needs of the students…a pharmacist will be on duty during those hours, and the location will be able to provide the

services you’d expect of a normal pharmacy.” This means picking up and dropping off prescriptions and consultations as well.

As of now, Convenience for U is open from 9 AM to 9 PM, a schedule that Mr. Parsons explains will be quite fluid. “We are going to do that for a few months just to see what the students want.

We are getting lots of feedback from the students,” he said. He mentioned also that the hours may be subject to change in the following months, such as weekend,

evening, and holidays, saying, “Typically if other services on campus are closed for certain holidays, then we would probably follow suite.

Though if we are having a lot of people say they’d like to see us open on, say, New Year’s…then we would certainly have people who would be happy to help them out.”

DCB support is not currently offered in the store, though according to Mr. Parsons, “We are working with the university, and the student union right now to put

DCB into place.” Though it may be a month or two before the service is actually implemented, due a few “technical issues” which keep it from being implemented into a business, versus your average StFX service. He did mention, however, that it “is definitely something we want to see on campus”.

Alongside all of this, Convenience for U will soon offer a range of Sodexo products alongside products more typical for convenience store in an attempt to bring

fresh, healthier alternatives into the business. This will include things like soups, wraps, and sandwiches, and will “make up for the times when the cafeteria that is in Bloomfield is not open, and [Sodexo] would like to see their products still offered while [Convenience for U] is open.” There is also a range of toiletries and other essentials available for sale.

The store will also offer dry cleaning pick up and drop off, and eventually the option to make billing payments for Bell and Eastlink at the store.

At the moment lottery and Pro-Line services are “not in the plan”. Mr. Parsons did mention the possibility of them being included in the future if there is a high demand for it, but due to “university initiatives that do not want it on campus at this time” they will not be included in the current business model.

Alongside all of this, employment opportunities for those on campus are expected to be made available in the coming months, and Mr. Parsons did mention that he is accepting resumes from anyone who would like to drop them off.

quite similar to Finland. Although I live in the capital of Finland, Helsinki, still you can just go drive half an hour outside and then you are in the middle of the woods.” She also has not experienced much of a temperature shock, saying, “The climate has been not that much of a change for me, so no shock there.”

Alfthan explains that being on campus has allowed here to be more involved in events and not get bored. “I think if I didn’t live on campus I would miss some kind of organized activities for exchange students. I have a friend that lives outside campus with two Canadian girls but they’re never home so she never knows what’s happening or where she should go and so on. That’s good in my university still they have the tutors that or-

ganize lots of events, and trips and everything.”

According to Brenda Riley, the International Exchange Coordinator at St FX, an average of 30-35 students typically visit St FX every year as part of an exchange. There are currently only 19 exchange students on campus because many were here only for the first semester. On the other hand, 44 St FX students have already or will be doing an exchange abroad this year.

Riley says that St FX is seeking to “expand our partnerships” with universities around the world to facilitate more exchange opportunities. So far this year, new deals have been signed with 7 different universities including institutions in Japan, Korea, the UAE, the Dominican Republic, Spain and 2 in England.

Photo: Devon Chisholm

On Exchange at X IZAAK MACMULLIN News Editor As the school year at StFX passes its midway point, first year students are settling into the rhythm and routine of life in the ‘Nish.

However, one particular group of students has had to do a bit more acclimatizing than usual. StFX is currently home to exchange students from around the world, and the Xaverian spoke to a few to find out what they think of all the new people, new food, and generally chilly conditions they’ve gotten to experience.

The friendly nature of Antigonish residents came up right away. According to Pia Alfthan, an exchange student from Finland, “Everybody is friendly and eager to meet you. They are seriously interested in knowing where

you come from and everything; that’s so different from Finland. So it’s been a warm welcome.” Alfthan says the students are very receptive and including of exchange students. “Compared to my university, there is more friendliness in that the local students are interested in exchange students too. In our universities they have a tutor committee for the exchange students but otherwise no one is interested in them, they are just like, ‘Be with yourselves’”.

This point of view was seconded by Amelie Sribu, an exchange student from France. “The people are so friendly; they say hi to you.

Even if you are in a store the cashiers say, ‘Hi, how are you doing?’ In France that never happens.”

When it comes to things that are challenging about

living in Canada, Sribu points to the different kinds of food and drink than what are available in France.

“The biggest difference is that I know what is best in France, like, the food, the alcohol is so much cheaper in France.” But Sribu feels that the natural beauty of Canada is a huge plus, saying, “I think Canada has more green spaces and more beautiful natural landscapes and everything… it’s not overcrowded. If you walk away from town you just find nature everywhere, so that’s great. In France that is not especially the case.”

According Alfthan, the initial difference has not been as daunting for her because the Antigonish is fairly similar to Finland in terms of access to nature and the climate. “Talking about the environment and stuff, it is

opinions

5 EDITOR: EMILY KEENAN xw.opinions@stfx.ca

Resolution restoration A how-to guide for achieving your goals in 2016

SEBASTIAN JURGA Senior Reporter Current state of the gym this week: packed over capacity. Current state of the gym next week: probably a lot emptier. Why is this?

People seem to flush their New Year’s Resolutions down the toilet like old photos of an ex after a nasty break-up.

How does one maintain their goals for a full year when discipline fades to near nothing after the first few weeks of January? Since most people (I shamefully include myself in this group) give up on their resolutions, I will try to examine where we all go wrong in trying to right ourselves each year.

First and foremost, I think most of us screw up in the hazy days between Dec 25 and Jan 1. We’re all lazy arses in this time frame, so I think most people, feeling down on themselves after binging on chocolates, birds, and drink, generally set their expectations of themselves too high for the New Year. When you’ve been lazing around for two weeks, it’s easy to say you’re going to get your shit together once the break’s over.

As far as I can tell, this is

where we start going wrong.

Why not get the jump on the new habit while you have all the free time of the break instead of waiting until the New Year to kickstart your resolution?

So maybe you want to get fit. Start pumping iron or doing push-ups in your basement at home. But frankly, since almost everyone fails miserably at maintaining a workout routine, this brings us to point number two.

Fitness, be it trimming down or bulking up, usually accounts for about 70% of people’s resolutions. This happens to serve as a perfect metaphor for my next point: don’t set ridiculously overambitious goals. You’ll end up going hard for two weeks then stressing out, and ultimately failing, all because of how difficult it is to maintain (your discipline will run out).

Instead, set the bar low, so that it’s actually reachable.

Instead of going in with the mindset of “I’m going to lose 50 pounds by March,” tell yourself, “I’m going to make a conscious effort to be more fit.”

It will seem much less daunting, and you’ll be motivated by the reward you attain, rather than just engag-

ing in the act for the sake of fulfilling the resolution.

For me, this simply means making it to all my morning classes, instead of waking up at a set time every morning (I have been trying – and mostly failing – to fix my morning problem for a while now, though it is getting better).

F i n a l l y, persistence is the key to success.

There is truth in the age old saying: if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That doesn’t mean next year, either. To keep a resolution is a special kind of hell, because it sucks if you do, and it sucks if you don’t.

It does get easier though, just like any habit (and it

Photo: Devon Chishom must become a habit if you are to succeed). Repetition will cement it into your lifestyle. If you slip up once or twice, don’t beat yourself up.

Analyze what it was that made you give up, then try to figure out how to correct it.

Do not give up!

House cups are here: keep it cool this year LEAH GRAY Contributor There is a spirit in the air, one that is building. It is a feeling that corrupts our souls and makes us want to do things that can only be described as heinous or hideous. It is a spirit that whisks away our sense of humanity and instead replaces it with only the sheer prospect of victory and a pure triumph that cannot be rivalled (or can it?). This spirit can only be fulfilled and fed through one means: a house cup championship.

As we are carried further into second semester and the awfulness that is stress, an abundance of studiousness, and a faint glimpse of the stillfaraway summer, it’s time to revive that famous residence spirit for another season. As true Canadians, we are nothing but excited, pulling out our toques, sharpening our blades, and chugging that maple syrup to get ready to cheer on the champions. This is one of the reasons I was so excited to

come to StFX in the first place.

The house cups and the unadulterated adoration that X students have for their residences had an appeal that no other university offered. Little did I know how awful it could get.

Now I will admit to being a bit of an anomaly. I’m a MacDawg who is predominantly friends with Chillis Chicks and TNT Tigers. It is as if Romeo and Juliet have been placed into one conflicted soul with allegiances resting on both sides of University Avenue. But this has also allowed me to take an outside look at the rivalry as it stands.

At times, it seems as though these girls want nothing more than to tear each other apart, calling each other names your grandmother would never want to hear grace your lips, and suggesting things that could only cross the dirtiest of minds.

They are ruthless and cunning, devising ways to cut deep into the other sides’ guts. As bad as what they say to each other is, context is the tool that allows it

to be all right. If each party agrees that the intent of what is said is light hearted and all in the fun of the rivalry, then nothing can be bad about it. It is as soon as one side takes the leeway, no matter how small, in deciding that they shall take offense and cut deeper in the hopes of actually causing a wound that the fun evaporates.

It is for this reason that I warn Chillis and TNT, and all of the houses in general, that words and actions do hurt, but only if we allow them to. Say whatever you want. Say they eat their first-born children and feed the bones to zombies of their ex-boyfriends for all we care; just make sure that the intent is friendly fire. And for those at the butt of the jokes, learn to take one. Choose not to take offense in a time-old tradition that rests on one of the civilizations that even our humble Nova Scotia likes to boast about (the Celts, if you were wondering). Make it your mission this house cup season to be joyous, to take part in the joviality, but most of all to kick some ass!

Of course, all of this is easier said than done, so I expect the gym will be back to its normal, much less busy state by this time next week regardless of this article’s publication. And on that happy note, good luck with your resolutions!

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the students’ union Midyear report card JULIA O’HANLEY Editor-In-Chief It’s January and we’re buried up to our asses in snow right now. Some things never change, eh? Well, thankfully some things do. The year, for example, is new, and so is the semester. The reputation of this year’s Students’ Union is also thankfully different from those in years past. I said it in my first editorial this year that I felt something was different, and while every group has their shortfalls, this year theU has delivered. We still have the no-shows and the no-says in council, rebranding of executive titles (I get that you are technically the CEO, Troy, but it’s not exactly the most humble addition to your resume), and occasional overreaching of boundaries, but on the whole we’ve got a pretty good team.

With this being my third year with the Xaverian, I’ve seen my fair share of poor politics and decision-making at theU, but we’re doing much better this year. The team is for the most part approachable, welcoming, and have hopped off their pedestals. It’s a long-overdue breath of fresh air on the fourth floor.

With one semester down and 2016-17 council elections just around the corner, I’ve evaluated the decisions and actions of our elected and unelected student leaders over the past eight months. Report cards are in - let’s take a look.

Openness and Transparency: BRight off the bat, Mrazek consistently has commentary in his executive report in council. I know there are things said in pre-council that many VPs believe is enough, but the President does actually comment on the goings-on of his office in the open council space. Mrazek will always provide commentary when asked to for the Xaverian Weekly, but his points are always political, never really indulging into anything we don’t already know. Points for perfect council attendance.

As one of only two elected positions on the StFX Students’ Union, I believe it is more important for the President to serve and mingle with the constituents they were elected to serve. In comparing Mrazek’s general visibility to that of presidents in years past, he places low on the list. Last year’s President Brandon Hamilton was always in the crowd, making an effort to be where students were, and completed his office duties all the while. The year before, President Ben Gunn-Doerge was the same - perhaps not to the same extent as Hamilton, but you saw him on a regular basis. This year, I’m not entirely sure where our President is.

Initiatives and Action: A

Troy Mrazek President

It has been a pretty productive year for the Office of the President in this regard. The new convenience store and pharmacy was largely facilitated by Mrazek - an egregious undertaking. The President has also worked alongside SU colleague Emily Gale to ensure student input into the controversial noise bylaw amendment proposed by town council, represented students at CASA and Students NS events, among other things.

Openness and Transparency: A In her role as Vice President, Stordy has to wear many different hats. One such hat is her space on the Senate. There have been many developments from the Senate this year in terms of academics, such as changes to the nursing curriculum and the move toward more three credit course options.

Stordy, in my opinion, has done a fantastic job of explaining these events in council, making the work of Senate known to a larger audience than the Senate gallery. As such, her council reports are extensive, which I think we need more of from our executive members.

Like Mrazek, Stordy has been a resource for the Xaverian, always open to explaining initiatives she has been a part of. However, unlike Mrazek, at least in my observation, she is more heartfelt and less rigid.

Initiatives and Action: A

Hannah Stordy Vice President

Stordy has been active in a number of equity initiatives, including most notably, in my opinion, her work toward sexual violence awareness. This was shown during frosh week events, her work to have the SANE number on Student IDs, and her work to change the sexual assault policy and protocol at StFX. She also has worked on inclusiveness initiatives, such as ensuring the Student Food Resource Centre is wheelchair accessible as well as advocating to include an accessibility note on ERC forms.

Openness and Transparency: A+ Burgess is in my observation the most open and transparent of anyone in the SU. VPs tend to shy away from commenting on their work between meetings during their reports to council, but Burgess always has an update. As well, she was vocal during the residence issues last semester and was more than willing to give students and us at the Xav all the information she could to keep us updated.

Initiatives and Action: A Burgess was dealt a difficult card this year, with the university making such radical changes to residences with little or no desire for student input. Her efforts to ensure adequate student consultation as well as advocating for students even when the university planned to go ahead anyway was a highlight of her first term. As well, Burgess brought the Elephant in the Room campaign to StFX and has maintained a close relationship with seemingly all of house councils. In speaking with her earlier in the year, the VP Internal noted that she makes an effort to attend house meetings in instances where things like house damages are being discussed - not something I had ever observed in my time in residence.

Bridget Burgess VP Internal Openness and Transparency: C+ Unfortunately, the VP Finance doesn’t usually have an in-depth report to council if one at all. Carney was absent once from council, participating in a conference with General Manager of theU Sean Ryan - a perfectly acceptable absence.

For the remaining four council meetings she attended, she gave a lengthy report re: frosh week and health and dental plans at the first meeting in September; had nothing to report on Oct 4; following a one-line commentary from the President on the university budget, added nothing further on Nov 8; and commented a reasonable amount on activity in her office on Nov 28, although more comment on the university budget and the recent finance committee would have been nice. I think there is a lot we can learn from the Finance and Operations Office, so I hope to hear more of the work happening within it at council in the months to come.

Initiatives and Action: A-

Alex Carney VP Finance and Operations

I’m a little jealous of the travel associated with job, if I’m being honest. Carney’s term as VP Finance has taken her to conferences throughout Canada and across the border, gaining information on services provided by theU, such as the Campus Trust, which provides the health and dental plan. In terms of unique initiatives, Carney has helped the President in the pharmacy/convenience store project and worked toward extending Inn hours until 2:00 AM. Admittedly of all the executive positions, it is probably the area with the least room for projects of this sort, so although it doesn’t appear that there is a lot of excitement coming from the Finance office, it is not entirely the fault of the Vice President.

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an editorial evaluating our executives Openness and Transparency: C+ VP Activities and Events is different from many of the other roles at the SU as it involves very little to no advocacy, hand-shaking, or baby-kissing. That said, from what I have observed, Carpenter has attended most if not all of the events he helped coordinate this year. He takes a big hit in points, though, for almost never providing an update at council.

On Sept 20, he had a large report, mostly about frosh week, Halifax Pop Explosion, and Rick Mercer. On Oct 25th, he noted the success of the Jays series and Inn attendance on election night. Other than that, council minutes note no comment for the other three meetings in first semester - even though he was in attendance for all meetings.

Initiatives and Action: A-

Nick Carpenter VP Activities and Events

Frosh week largely falls into this portfolio and Carpenter did an exceptional job. For the first time in years, he successfully booked a nonCanadian headline concert, so points for that. There have been a LOT of Supersubs this year which is neat, especially for first year students.

He loses points for not booking a band for Epic Wing Night, which did not take place in November as suggested by theU calendar.

Openness and Transparency: B One of the parts of the Communications Office is to maintain a relationship with the Xaverian, updating us on the goings-on of theU. In this regard, Elliott has been a great resource, keeping us up to date on what we need to know. I would argue that the entirety of her job is to display transparency as the messenger of theU, so it’s hard not to do well in this regard.

She loses points, however, for some of her executive reports to council. On one occasion she had “nothing to report,” when in fact theU website had been down for a period of time since her last report to council. On another occasion, her only commentary was that she met with the new Chancellor of the university - which doesn’t really have any connection to her office.Kudos for clean attendance in council, but attending and not having a report is effectively equivalent to not attending.

Initiatives and Action: B+

Hillary Elliot VP Communications

Within the office of VP Comms, there is the design and graphics aspect, social media, and the website. Since coming into office, Elliott completely redesigned theu.ca, alongside re-vamping the Ooh La La App, boosting its usage immensely. Both of these were very well done.

TheU’s social media has also been tended well, with the exception of that time they congratulated students on finishing exams when there were still two exam blocks left. Design/graphics this year were very weak early on, but have since improved since the marketing team took the reigns.

The calendar is disappointing. Unlike last year, Black History Month was included, which is a bonus, however there are SO many blank spaces. The fun of theU calendar is not only to inform, but as it is something that’s in most dorm rooms and off-campus housing, is also to look good.It really doesn’t look good. The numbers are awkward and hard to read, the advertiser’s logos are stretched, and there are lots of white space. Last year there was some sort of cheeky-event almost every day (National Hotdog Day), but with most dates left blank there is little to entertain for 2015-16. I have been told that the VP might not have been responsible for the actual design itself, but had sign-off as a part of her office.

Openness and Transparency: AIt’s quite rare to be on the fourth floor and not see Gale in her office. While the others are in and out all the time, I’m not sure that the VP External ever really leaves. Her dedication is evident, and she is always willing to answer any questions we might have at the Xav. Perhaps providing students with more information about the conferences and meetings she is mandated to attend could be an improvement - maybe a post-CASA press release or something of the like, or a bit more commentary in her executive reports, going into more detail of her work at CASA and Students’ NS conferences, among others that she attends.

Initiatives and Action: A

Emily Gale VP External

Gale’s work with the GOTV campaign was extremely well organized in the weeks and months leading up to the federal election.

Student voter engagement is a tricky thing to accomplishment, and we managed to hike our voter turnout, pack the Keating Centre for an All-Candidates Debate, and land ourselves on TV. Alongside Mrazek, Gale has worked to promote student input and consideration with the noise by-law, has represented the student body at CASA and Students’ NS, and has maintained a relationship with newly elected MP Sean Fraser, all the while remaining professional, yet relatable.

Are you playing the weighting game?

Make revolutions, not resolutions LINDSAY JOHNSTONE Columnist It seems that commercials on every television show or YouTube video I watch are advertising weight loss groups or food products that will make you lose weight. Weight loss companies are desperately attempting to grab your attention and distinguish themselves from their other competitors, and these types of advertisements appear to be in particularly high rotation right around the New Year. January means time for resolutions, and as per usual, one of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions is to

lose some body weight.

Some people question whether these companies do any good at all. What these companies succeed at doing is making money from a vulnerable group of people who think poorly of their bodies and who have likely failed at losing weight. The weight loss industry exists to try and convince us that by paying more money to continue their ‘program,’ we will suddenly start to love our bodies once they reach ‘the desired weight’.

What if we started to love our bodies the way they are? If we started to do that and stopped criticizing our bodies for differen-

tiating from the ‘norm’, then these companies would not be making an incredible profit from the population. We would no longer look in the mirror and disapprove of what we see in ourselves. Society makes us believe that if our bodies are overweight we should start to hate them and work to fix this flaw. If we had a ‘flaw’ such as a scar or a birthmark that deviates from the ‘normal’ body, would we hate our body more? Probably not. But if our body carries more weight than someone said it should, we immediately begin to body shame ourselves.

The weight loss industry

makes billions of dollars in profit by exploiting vulnerable population. Every weight loss oriented ad is trying to get you to think that there is something wrong with your body. Marketing teams work tirelessly to persuade you that by buying this product or by becoming a member of that organization, you will be able to ‘fix’ your body.

What is there to fix? Why do we generally cave to the pressure and believe that because our body is a different than the so-called ‘norm’, it is something we can no longer like?

Look at what your body gives back to you. It gets you to

different places, it allows you to help others, and it allows you to accomplish your dreams and goals. Your body is so giving to you. It does not deserve the negativity and low self-esteem it is constantly bombarded with.

Look at where your body has gotten you today.

As many body activists say, intead of making unrealistic New Year’s Resolutions, make revolutions. Do what your body loves to do. Enjoy your body. Give some love back to yourself and thank your body. Try to do something that your body will appreciate.

Your body provides you with so much; it’s time to give back.

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thursday january twenty first, 2016

Who's Going to Represent ?

continued from page 2...

Design: Paige Chisholm Features Editor 9

Let’s get specific XW: This past fall, a hot topic for students was the university’s decision to make the Quad Macs frosh only. As such, if elected, what would you do to ensure both safety and overall satisfaction for all students living in residence?

Taylor Chase (President): A great question, and one that is very dear to my heart since I did live in MacPherson for two years. In terms of consultation, I definitely believe that student consultation is necessary in all forms, as everyone would believe. And do I believe there was enough student consultation? No I don’t, obviously.

It does trouble me that there are individuals living in those buildings right now that are paying for the troubles that were brought forward by previous years, people who lived in that building for the last 5, 10, 15 years. It’s now being paid for by the individuals that have only been there for two years. Moving forward, I definitely think that a strategic plan needs to be made with the leadership within these houses.

We have seen that complete wipes have happened in the past - I know 2010 was a big year when the school was again threatening this restructuring of these residences. A complete wipe didn’t happen then to my knowledge, but we have seen where they have become only frosh residences only to have similar problems in the near future. Definitely working with the leadership within those buildings, making sure there is a strategic plan that falls within the university, within the Students’ Union so that students are having a great experience in residence, and are satisfied with their experience while still maintaining that single-gender culture which I believe is crucial to a campus like ours.

Gerald Fitzgibbon (VP): Of course, safety has to come first. In recent events there have been reports of some not-so-great things happening in some of the residences. Of course, I spent all my time in first year and second year in Mac, I know that it’s a great place to be able to go and have fun and party, but first and foremost you have to remember that it is a safety concern. I guess the way we would attempt to satisfy the students would be to maybe keep a res, maybe MacIsaac, as a first and second year res, but the majority, like the TriMacs as first-year only - especially with last year we saw the biggest increase in students ever, which is awesome. It means that more people are wanting to go to this school, but it also means there is not a lot of places for them to live. Because StFX is a destination university, we need to be able to house them at least until they can have firm, planted roots in this Antigonish community; until they can find houses on Church St or Pleasant St; until they can find these kind of houses, we can’t leave them stranded. I feel as though the way we can both make it safe, while simultaneously make it satisfactory for everybody is to have some houses which are strictly designated for frosh, to accommodate for the large amount of frosh that are coming in, as well as preventing any safety concerns that might ensue.

Ryley Erickson (VP): Obviously this is the topic of this year. Beginning with obviously the university’s response, I think the university was fair to bring up these concerns, because you know it is important that every student feel safe in residence. I

do not agree with how they went about it so quickly and kind of just told the students without giving them a period to decide. One thing when I’m VP, it might not necessarily be just with this issue, but with all of them, is to make sure that the students get an adequate amount of time to respond to decisions before they are finalized, because I think it is just awful if someone can just decide your future for you without giving you any time to respond, without giving you any leeway. I don’t think that’s very fair.

Regarding this specific issue, I lived in a TriMac and I can definitely see how it would not be for everyone. It’s a very tightknit group of people, you’re always with the boys, etc. etc. But the thing is, as we can see from this year, MacDonald as a first year only residence, they’re doing astoundingly well. Whenever I’m hosting events for X-Pride, or for the different society I’m a part of, MacDonald is always there with the frosh, and the frosh are always extremely involved with all of that.

So it might be the unpopular opinion, but I think that the MacDonald changes seem to have been working so far, so I’d say let the year run through. I will obviously if by the end of first semester there is no change in the behaviour, a wrong decision has been made. I think that the university would be smart enough to see that they’ve not made the right decision, and would be willing to have talks with me, the VP Internal, and the rest of the executive team on how to prevent the problem from happening from a different perspective.

Annie Sirois (VP): Living in residence should be one of the best experiences of your life if you opt to take that route of living in residence while at StFX. No student should ever feel that their safety or satisfaction is in jeopardy, and a lot of concerns toward the changes made were due to the fraternal and sorority nature of the residences at hand. The changes were made in hopes to break any habits that may reflect poorly on the university, and I would argue that these changes are not specific to the residences that received change, and are not issues that are directly specific to StFX as well. It is an issue that affects all universities across Canada and North America. There are however issues that need to be addressed moving forward if we are to ensure the safety and satisfaction of all students living in residence. The first message that we need to teach incoming students when they first arrive on campus is that StFX has a zero tolerance policy for sexual assaults. This message needs to be delivered during frosh week. I was part of OCrew this year, and while I appreciate the effort that was made to inform students on how to report a sexual assault, I was however disappointed that the message wasn’t simply don’t assault other students, or others in general. I specify frosh only because moving forward they will be living in the residences that received the most change, but this issue obviously affects everyone that lives on campus.

The current Vice President Hannah Stordy has made incredible strides at addressing the issue of sexualized violence on campus. Her efforts have led to the formation of the Sexualized Violence policy on campus which is in it’s final stages of review, and if I was elected vice president I would make it my priority to ensure that

the wording is accurate and concise before passing it. I would also like to establish a sexual assault committee that doesn’t just have students union members sitting on it, but is also open to the generic student body, to be inclusive and to really represent the entire student body.

XW: This year saw the biggest incoming class in StFX history, and as such campus facilities are often full to the brim. If another larger-than-average class enrols for 2017-18, how would you ensure students have adequate access to campus services?

Gerald Fitzgibbons (VP): I remember hearing once, when I was in Bloomfield, that [the cafe] used to stay open until 11 o’clock at night, but now they close at 4. It’s not a lot of opportunity for people who have classes until 9PM at night. It’s not a viable solution for meal hall to close and have specific hours in which they are closed. Of course there are still [Sodexo] workers, and we have to accommodate them, because of course they are working for us and they need to make food prep, but longer hours for things such as food services on campus would probably be the most viable option to make sure everybody has an included chance, to be able to filter everybody through so everybody is not rushing at 6 o’clock, being like “Oh no, meal hall closes in an hour, I’ve got to make sure to go eat.” Whereas also, stuff with the library, the library and the SUB, those are two spaces where I’ve personally gone and studied, and there’s been no room. If you don’t get there at 7 in the morning to line up in the cold weather, you’re not going to get a seat, which is totally not cool.

So I think that providing large spaces such as the Wellspring Centre up above meal hall, opening up Nicholson Hall, and allowing people to study in the classrooms [would help]. Statistics show that actually if you write in the classrooms and you’ve studied in that classroom, you’re more likely to remember the stuff that you’ve studied. Making these different buildings that are usually closed off, making them more available so that we can house this upcoming population in a more effective way.

Annie Sirois (VP): This is a question that I really hope readers are critical of when reading the responses of myself and other candidates. As vice president of academics, I can suggest to the administration or executives that change should be made to things such as meal hall, but it not my overarching responsibility. My responsibilities are to ensure that with the university expansions, the quality of education is not being diminished. As I noted in my platform, if student population goes up, then the university needs to hire more qualified professors to teach those students. There needs to be a sufficient number of RAs in residences to make sure that no students are being overlooked. We need to provide more study spaces on campus, that’s been an issue this year, an issue last year, especially during peak periods like exams. The building that I would really like to make open and more accessible during those peak study times is the Schwartz Building, because it is the most sustainable building on campus. Lastly, we need to reevaluate the services that we are offering, seeing if there is too little demand for one, or if we

For full interviews, visit xaverian.ca

are stretching any particular one to its maximum capacity.

Ryley Erickson (VP): Now the problem with simply expanding things that are already there, is that soon there is nowhere left to expand. So we see in meal hall, I know a couple years before i came they expanded it in so it includes the yellow room, and they expanded it so it includes the back. The thing is you cant just keep expanding it forever. So I think instead of focusing on how to make meal hall bigger and more inclusive to students, we should look at other options. So for example, a lot of students from Riley, O’Regan and Mac could use a smaller cafe that is close to them where they can use their meal swipes, which honestly would take a lot of planning, but it not something that is completely undoable: as we can see we just opened theU convenience store and there are so many cafes around school that people don’t know about. Then in regards to the library, like i said before, we have a lot of other study space on campus which is simply not utilized. Most people have not heard that you can study in the Xaverian library, or you can study in the Coady library, or that the PSC - I believe they stopped doing the 24 hour rule this year - but that is a part of my platform is revisiting if the 24-hr rule can be reinstated where they lock the door at night, etc.

There’s so many other spaces, certain classes are open during exam time. So I think what would be the best idea for anything where we find that there are too many students and the capacity is overflowing, instead of trying to make that place bigger, create a new space for them to divert some of the traffic, so that way you wont just continually have this problem of, oh the university is expanding?

Gotta expand again. It just perpetuates itself, so creating new spaces instead of the old spaces.

Taylor Chase (President): This is definitely an issue which I see as prominent in the incoming year. We’ve seen an increase trend in student enrolment rates which are part of the university’s strategy moving forward. However, we do need to make sure that we hold the university accountable, to make sure that they don’t lose the way university is meant to be, that we don’t lose why many of us chose to come to this school. We come to this school because of the small class sizes, because of the intimate relationship we have with individuals here and with the schools. We need to make sure that the university does not lose sight of these crucial cultures on campus just for enrolment sake.

This year currently I do have a meal plan, a small meal plan, and I have seen that the amount of people in meal hall at times is troublesome for students because now they have to wait in meal hall. If they want to eat healthier foods such as the stir fry line it is taking so much more time, time that they could be studying, time that they could be exercising, endless opportunities. But definitely looking at something like different types of meals, maybe meal equivalents at Sodexo outlets, advocating for students that these services are still provided with high quality, because many of us came to this university like I said for various reasons, and the university can’t take away from this reason we all chose to come here.

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thursday january twenty first, 2016

culture

EDITOR: RACHEL LEBLANC xw.culture@stfx.ca

Kiss it goodbye New Year, Same Love.

ALEJANDRA TORRES Staff Writer It was the night that everyone waited for - a night that ended, but also began, a journey. The colours vibrating with thousands of sequins and silky fabrics shone brighter than any other night. Loud voices overlapped each other while various bodies moved from place to place trying to organize themselves amidst chaos. Music blared incessantly from wide speakers while blinding flashes tried to capture every moment for eternity. Champagne sparkled in clear glasses in the last minute of a recollection of 365 days, and suddenly the whirling and twisting of the room slowed down. All I could hear was a choir of uneven voices counting the last seconds of the clock out loud while a voice inside my head sang a song of its own.

10... What a year it has been.

9… I wonder if I could’ve done something differently.

8… Did I make the right choices, or am I screwing up?

7… I wonder what this new year will bring.

6… Hopefully I can lose the extra Christmas pounds.

5… Wait, I need resolutions or goals for next year.

4… What can I improve?

What do I need?

3… Should’ve done this before... I need more time to think.

2… New year, new me?

1… Breathe in, breath out screw this.

Happy New Year!

Cheering and laughter erupt-

ed from everyone’s mouth. Happiness and joy oozed from their faces as a year was coming to an end and a new one was just knocking on their doors. I looked around, trying to take everything in - parents hugging their children, brothers and sisters high fiving each other, grandparents kissing their grandchildren,

man who had ultimately turned my 2015 upside down. My eyes met his while our mouths smiled at each other in synch. And just like in any other “chick-flick” rom-com, he leaned in and we kissed. The first kiss of a new year. The kiss that taught me what a New Year was all about.

The first thing that comes to

new year as a new opportunity.

A new year is perceived by contemporary society as a universal starting point. It’s as if the universe was granting you the keys to a new car and told you to drive wherever your heart might lead you. And brand new blank page in the book of your life, ready to be written, is un-

Photo: amandapair.com couples sharing their awaited New Year’s kiss… My mind tried to dismantle what this moment meant for many people. A new beginning? A clean slate? A new opportunity? A second chance?

Suddenly my train of thought was completely disrupted by a sweet deep voice that whispered in my ear, “Happy New Year, Babe.” A hand slid around my waist and I turned to face the

everyone’s mind when they think about the new year is resolutions. Resolutions that are written on paper, thought out loud, typed into iPhones or even shared online. Some want to lose weight, others want to find love. Many want to pass their exams and some just want to sleep more. Whatever the end goal is, we cannot deny that almost everyone might see the

doubtedly a gift that should not be taken for granted, but there is something more important than this fresh start – that is, a New Year’s Eve kiss.

A change cannot happen if one is still attached to the past. It is as if you were trying to run towards something but had an elastic band tied around your waist that would always pull you back. In order to start new

or even simply to make a choice, we must leave everything that is dragging us back behind. I’m not saying you should forget what the past has taught you - every lesson is worth learning - but I am saying that you should move on past that experience. Embrace the lesson and embrace the struggle but do not get stuck in that point. If you do not kiss the past goodbye then you won’t be able to welcome the future with open arms. You might feel afraid or even nervous to lean in for that kiss, but isn’t it all worth it in the end? Sometimes we need to face the unexpected and face our fears to close a chapter in our book and begin a new one.

As I leaned away and faced my boyfriend I felt as if my heart was running through the finish line in a marathon race.

This race lasted for more than a year and brought me down to my knees several times. After every fall I would wonder if it was worth it to brush off the dirt and continue running. It was in that first minute of a brand new year that I knew every bruise had been worth the pain and the struggle because for the first time I felt that I was starting a brand new chapter in my book. I had finally kissed every ghost that had a little string tied around my mind goodbye and it was now my turn to pick up a pen to write my story. As the dancing and drinking carried on until very early hours of the morning, I knew that this was going to be a great year - and it all began with one kiss.

Netflix Pix: What’s worth a night in ALYSSA HILTZ Contributer

popular shows and movies to look out for this week.

Ah Netflix - how this internet phenomenon has changed the ways of cinematic experiences. It has made one of the biggest impacts on how we watch shows and movies today, and with only one movie theatre in Antigonish, students really do rely on this digital paradise. But with an enormous selection of shows and movies to choose from, it can be hard to find the diamonds in the rough. Some like to watch trendy shows, while others prefer to splurge on critically acclaimed films. For many, however, we don’t even know where to begin. Here are my picks for new, trending, and

Making a Murderer Our first pick has only ten episodes so far, but has quickly took over the internet. Making a Murderer was filmed over the span of 10 years. It is real-life thriller following a DNA exonerate who, in exposing police corruption, becomes a suspect in a grisly new crime. If you are a thrill seeking, crime show fanatic, this is the show for you.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine The show is an ensemble comedy that tracks the characters and cases of a Brooklyn police station, far from the dangerous and dramatic

challenges of Manhattan.

The show won two Golden Globes for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy.

Starring Andy Samberg as Detective Jacob Peralta, this is definitely a show worth binging on.

True Story This gripping crime thriller follows the complex relationship between the New York Times reporter Michael Finkel and an accused killer, Christian Longo, who seizes Finkel’s identity. The starstudded film features James Franco, Jonah Hill, and Felicity Jones, and fits perfectly into those nights better spent staying in with some friends.

IRIS A documentary that pairs 87-year-old Maysles with Iris Apfel, the quick-witted, flamboyantly dressed 93-year-old style maven who has had an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades. Iris tells a beautiful story about the creativity and expressive nature of the 93-year-old icon. For those looking for something a little whimsical, glamorous, and out of the ordinary, Iris is a movie for you.

Netflix is always adding new things to its catalogue of entertainment. There are 31 original Netflix series planned for this new year alone. Until we can get to the big screen experience again,

have fun binge watching these great shows and movies!

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Dorm Decor 101 Get your new year started right with a room you love JOELLE FRENCH Contributor If there is ever a time in the year when you want to feel the coziest in your bedroom, it is right now. As the season of snow storms, snow plows, and snow days is upon us, decorating your space is more important than ever. Your dorm is where you will hide away from the cold winter months, curled up on your ultra plush dorm mattress (we are kidding). It might be where you set new goals and keep your progress in check. Whatever makes your space unique, check out these tips to make it even better!

Tip #1: Get lights!

Christmas lights, twinkle

lights, flashing lights… Any kinds of lights you want! They bring a cozy and safe vibe to any dorm room and help to quell the industrial harshness of ceiling lights that are found in most dorm rooms. You can easily purchase a string of Christmas lights from Canadian Tire or Walmart for anywhere between $5.99 and $25.99, or buy twinkle or string lights from websites like Urban Outfitters or Amazon.ca at a relatively inexpensive cost.

Tip #2: Make photos pop!

Photos are a great way to decorate your room and help remind you of those great times with friends and loved ones.

With a bit of sticky tack and printed photos, collages can easily be created. Arrange

them on your wall to create interesting shapes, like hearts, stars, or funky patterns. There are tons of awesome ways to use photos for decorating - you can string them, hook them, or use clothes pins to give your wall a more vintage vibe. Try placing several photo strings underneath one another, or under your lights to create an even more decorative effect.

Just like snap shots of family and friends, posters can add colour and interest to any dorm room. From hilarious movie quotes to inspiring words of wisdom to authentic photography, posters can add to your collection of memories. Check out the Photo Lab at the Antigonish Atlantic Superstore to get your memories developed in high resolution, or simply

print them from a personal printer or one located at the Bloomfield Centre or the Library.

Tip #3: Hang a tapestry Tapestries can add colour and dimension to any dorm room. They serve the versatile purpose of covering large spaces and eliminating any industrial cement or marked up dry walls of buildings. Tapestries come in all different patterns and colours to suit your style, and can easily be purchased on Amazon.ca for less than ten dollars. Not an online shopper?

No problem, simply look into your local flea markets during the summer season to get some for the upcoming year!

Tip #5: Invest in a white-

board or cork board Wipe boards and cork boards are two great pieces that can be both decorations for dorm rooms, and tools to help keep you organized during the school year. Wipe Boards can help you keep up to date with assignments and plans, while cork boards can be used to pin small mementos up, like Christmas cards and souvenirs you carry along with you at University. Pick up a wipe or cork board at Walmart in the office section for roughly $10 to $35 per board!

Get ready to make the winter season a little less painful.

These little tips and tricks to spunk up your space are functional, practical, budget friendly, and easy!

Movies With a Meaning Education via cinematics RACHEL LEBLANC Arts & Culture Editor This January, star-studded events all over the globe were broadcasted, recognizing some of the new and old faces of film as 2016 dives headfirst into a mess of glitz, glamour, and golden statues. It’s the time of the year when cinema enthusiasts gather to relish in the experience that is movie watching. The kind that is larger than life, plastered on a big screen, made to compliment big red seats and enormous bags of popcorn. It’s not just any film season - its good film season.

The 73rd Annual Golden Globes were hosted this past January 10th at 8 PM, Eastern Time. One of the many film festivals, the evening celebrated the industry’s accomplishments in film and television this past year.

From the action-packed Mad Max: Fury Road to the beautiful, romantic Carol, the industry shined light on an array of films that zoomed in on the social, political, and economic issues we face today. Finally, movies really

got people thinking. And, in my opinon,, isn’t that what movies are all about?

Maybe not. In fact, more people would choose a light, happygo-lucky movie, or knee slapping comedy, over any critically acclaimed film. These films, however, are opening our eyes to new perspectives and making us ponder long after the movie is finished. This year, movies are more than a collection of recordings - they are making us really think. fluent in the cinematic In light of the season of snooty movies that finally have an educational purpose, here is a list of my must-see movies for those winter snow days.

The Revenant Directed by: Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu We are taken back to an 1823 fur trading expedition in the uncharted wilderness, where the frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is abandoned by his hunting team in the cold. After surviving a brutal

bear attack, Glass sets forth to find his way back to take revenge on John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), the former confidant who betrayed and abandoned him.

Why see it? The Revenant is a film that portrays silence as the loudest, most astounding noise on earth. Shot at dawn in the upper Alberta wilderness, The Revenant has been praised for being more than a just movie – it is an experience. The film also the focuses on Aboriginal culture, a very relevant topic in Canada today. In DiCaprio’s acceptance speech, he acknowledge First Nations people and all the indigenous communities around the world, adding that it is time we recognize their history and protect our indigenous lands. The film captures the beauty of these lands and the indigenous culture, and is worth seeing for that alone.

The Big Short Directed by: Adam McKay The Big Short is a comedy drama explaining the build-up of

the housing and credit bubble during the 2000s, which led to the financial meltdown in 2008. Based on the 2010 book Of The Same Name by Michael Lewis, the film shares the story of four outsiders who saw the financial crisis of 2007–2008. The star-studded film includes Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt, and is up for five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.

Why see it? The film does a fantastic job at accurately explaining what led to the United States’ housing market collapse – that is, the collapse based on subprime loans that are high risk and provide fewer and fewer returns. It was these forecasts that enable hedge fund manager Michael Burry (Christian Bale) to profit from the situation by creating a credit default swap market, allowing him to bet against the housing market.

It’s smart - business smart. And if you really want to understand the other side of business, you better start watching this one.

Inside Out Directed by: Pete Doctor This creative, endearing Pixar masterpiece follows young Riley’s journey as she grows up.

Inside Out focuses on all of the excitement, sadness, fear, disgust, and, most importantly, joy that Riley feels along the way. As she moves away from her Midwest life to San Francisco, all her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.

Why see it? Pixar’s creative brilliance draws attention to one of the issues of our generation mental illness. One of the mosstriking aspects of this film is the way emotions are placed in control of the brain. This is a dramatic shift away from what society traditional believes about emotions, and how we are taught to suppress them in favour of reason. In fact, St.FX plays a part in this like many other Universities, and lecturers might learn a thing or two from this animated film.

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thursday january twenty first, 2016

Put your best shoes forward How to dress for success on a tight budget RACHEL LEBLANC Arts & Culture Editor We are almost a month into the new year, and I hope everyone has kept their commitments to a bright beginning to 2016. Even though roughly 80 perceht of resolutions go unaccomplished, this year can be different. Why? Well, as they say, if you want something that you ‘ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.

Changing the way you get dressed in the morning might do the trick. Think about it when you get up in the morning, one of the first decisions you make is what to wear for the day. You have several options; A paur of Roots sweatpants or fitted jeans? A plaid button-down or an old pullover? What about that sharp blazer hanging in the back of your closet? The one you were dying to wear since you got it?

The key to starting your day off right is to put your best shoe - I mean foot - forward. When you put on clothing that makes you feel amazing, you will do amazing. On the contrary, if you decide to dress down to ease things up, you may find yourself carrying that same mentality throughout your day. Here are tips and tricks to make yourself look and feel unstoppable.

1. Break the Ice and Finally Wear that Blazer: Or those shoes, or that top, or any whimsical pants you dreamed about strutting your

stuff in. Some of our favourite buys hide in our closets, simply because we are afraid to stray away from the norm at school. By finally slipping on those boots you always loved, you might find that your wardrobe feels a little more diverse - and you feel a little more dynamic. The next time you reach for a pair of boots, you might opt out of the normal Uggs and kick it in those sleek new lace ups!

2. Find Yourself a Statement Jacket.

Man or woman, jackets that really make an outfit are essential in anyone’s closet.

They are what can transform a simple pair of black jeans and a tank top into an outfit ready to rock a business presentation or a night out. Look for jackets that are durable, even if you might need to spend a bit more to ensure the quality is good. You will save a lot of money in the long run by never needing a new jacket after the one you bought last week ripped at the seam.

Invest into some practical, versatile Accessories.

Any little accessory can take an outfit a long way. They don’t need to washed constantly, are often reasonably priced, functional in the winter and can be used over and over again to amp up any old favourite in your closet. They are the best way for students to dress well at a low cost.

3. Pay Attention to How Your Clothes Fit - Don’t Look at the Size!

Nothing kills your vibe more than an ill fitting shirt, and many people find nothing to wear simply because they got the wrong size. We sometimes get into a problem when we pay too much attention to what size we are wearing, as oppose to finding what looks best on us.

When we try on clothing in a dressing room, we often make a poor assessment on how the garments actually fit.

We stand in the jeans, look briefly at the back, button them up and are convinced they fit.

When you shop, make sure to walk around the store in your clothing to make sure it is practical for real life. Have someone come with you to check the fit of your outfits from the back, and always check the fit around your shoulders width. For pants, make sure to sit down in them so they are ideal for long classes and coffee breaks. If you find yourself wearing your regular clothing size, and it seems to be a bad fit, do not be afraid to ask or a new size to adjust to the problem.

Clothing can have both a generous or slim fit, depending on its manufacturers and designers. Asking for a new size to adjust accordingly will make you feel much more confident wearing that top in the long

Photo: Ask The Monsters run.

4. Check the Washing Instructions Before Making a Decision: Chiffon tops are beautiful and elegant, but can sometimes be a nightmare to take care of when you are at University. Nothing wastes money like buying a gorgeous piece and having to dry clean every other week. Look for clothing that you can throw in the wash, the dryer, and can still look just as amazing. If you have pieces that need to be ironed, and you don’t have one, hang them in your bathroom as you take a shower.

The hot steam from the water will take away any wrinkles that might appear after a laundry load.

SLAM: THE STUDENT POETRY SECTION My generation ROB HALLIGAN Contributor So it seems my generation is transfixed Behind computer screens Denying the means, though perfectly capable To purse their dreams, hiding behind the glow Judging the way lady liberties scale leans Gone are the days of talking face to face Jumping from space to space searching For their saving grace, that of course being Any place with wifi that needs to run Quickly at a runners pace, what happened To the handwritten letter, or the sound of a Voice saying things will get better, instead of Following the next trend setter on instagram, What happened to the go-getter kids The ones who played in the yard? Grew up To force conversation by reading from a card I know it’s hard, but at least make an effort to try

5. If You Like it, Get it in Bulk!

There are several wardrobe staples that need to be searched for day and night before buying the right one. jeans are one of them. To save yourself the trouble of finding a second pair later, buy them right away so you have the fit you like in an array of colours and styles. It will save you a ton of searching when they are sold out.

Male, female, tight budget or a lack of confidence, what you put on your back can change your outlook on life.

These tips and tricks will allow you to expand your closet’s potential without expanding your wallet.

distractions

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EDITOR: TY KINGSTON xw.distractions@stfx.ca

Ty’s home style weather predictions: Ty Kingston Butt plug Listen Jack wad, it’s 1:00 am and I need to earn my money so you’re going to read my predictions about the future weather. First, the sun

will rise tomorrow which prevents hell from freezing over.

Having said that, it’s gonna be cold! It’ll probably snow because angels love dropping their dan-

driff flakes here. It’ll be cold the next day, and quite possibly the next. The fates have not revealed which will be colder, but compared to June,

shit’s gonna be stiff and nippy.

Seriously, your appendages will will either shrivel back into your body, or get hard enough to cut diamonds - your

choice! It’s not all bad, the weather’s better for snuggling. Hey look, I’ve filled up my space. Mu ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

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thursday thursday january january twenty twenty first, first, 2016 2016

sports and health

EDITOR: SHELBI KILCOLLINS xw.sports@stfx.ca

An interview with Brooke the rook An x-woman with unique talent to hear without even listening SHELBI KILCOLLINS Sports and Health Editor Brooke Noseworthy of our X-women hockey team sits adorning a full teeth smile in her knitted toque to my left, and reacts like that of a child on Christmas when I present her a peanut butter cookie.

Although most would be distracted on the game going on in front of us, Noseworthy is fully engaged and gives me her total attention, as we begin the interview.

She stands 5’6, a radical height contrast to her line mates Jenna Macdonald and Conor Garagan. Noseworthy is a work horse on the ice, a no holds bar physical presence in the corner, yet gentle in manner, maintaining a consistent light hearted nature outside the rink. Before joining the X cult, Noteworthy attended Ontario Hockey Academy. The Newfoundland native, is a shimmy indulging, wink throwing rookie who unknowingly possesses a set of skills unique to the average athlete. Brooke suffers from high pitch frequency loss, an auditory impairment that translates many peoples voices into mumbles and makes yelling at her from behind useless. She’s learned to adjust to a world that largely depends on sound for communication through the

use of lip reading- to the extent that she has fooled her audiologist into thinking she knows what she is sayingand is the first person to admit missing a call for a pass if her line mate does not project loudly.

ed to my hearing aid, but when I went to prep school we had such small class rooms that I didn’t need to wear any of it.

SK: Do you think it is important to make your teammates and coaches aware

one knew.

SK: Did you tell everyone after?

BN: Yes, I told them I couldn’t hear anyone.

SK: Why don’t you wear your hearing devices now?

BN: I stopped wearing

Shelbi Kilcollins: When did you learn about your high pitch frequency loss?

Brooke Noseworthy: When I was three, my parents noticed I couldn’t pronounce words right and I got tested.

SK: How did you adjust the hearing difficulties in the classroom when you were younger?

BN: When I was younger I used to have to wear an FM system, so that the teacher would wear a microphone that was wirelessly connect-

about your hearing difficulty?

BN: Yes, for sure especially when they are at the boards explaining drills, so they can be louder when they are going over plays. We had a team building exercise, where you had to close your eyes and walk through mazes around a room using the help of your teammates voices, everyone was yelling at once and I read lips so I was trying to walk and kept stepping on everything, doing the task blindly. At this point no

them when I went to prep school, because I didn’t want to be the only one wearing hearing aids, so I just never put them on here either.

Sometimes if I wear my hair down I will put them in for bio.

SK: How do you feel if any of your friends make remarks/subtle jokes in reference to your hearing?

BN: I just laugh, I don’t take any offence to it SK: In a game how do you cope with not being able to hear as well?

BN: I have to keep more of a heads up. I don’t always hear a coach’s play during a shift or if my back is turned to the play and I can’t hear my teammate and feel like no one is there and don’t always know what to do with the puck. Guilty for throwing it away in practice if I don’t know where anyone is.

SK: Has anyone ever reacted negatively to your hearing difficulties?

BN: No, but sometimes after I ask someone to repeat something once or twice they just respond with ‘never mind,’ and I’m just like thats not fair, I just couldn’t hear them.

Noseworthy might not hear you but she knows what you’re saying, rarely blinking her brown eyes in case of a missed word. One sense might be dulled but its drastically compensated by her forceful play and minute vision on the ice. You might assume that juggling the role of a varsity athlete and nursing student while functioning in a world paradoxical to her biological makeup weighs on Noseworthy’s morale but that is simply not the case as she has only been described as positive and an advocate of humour to crumble moments of stress, by her friends and teammates.

wake up. 5. Get a buddy on board! Having someone on the same page as you working for a similar goal is great motivation. This person can keep you accountable for your actions and encourage you to make the right choices toward your goal. 6. Monitor progress: By monitoring our progress we can look back on how far we’ve already come on those days when we feel we are getting no where with our lifestyle changes.

Take measurements and start a food/exercise diary if the goal is weight loss or exercise. Write down how you feel after you do community work or acts of kindness if your goal is to be a kinder person or do something nice for others every day. Frequently remind yourself of your motivation and all the wonderful reasons for making this goal to begin with to

keep yourself going. 7. Reward yourself: Obviously we want to have rewards that will reinforce our initial goals so be cautious here. Rewards along the way for positive behaviour or progress are great reinforcements for you to continue reaching your goals.

8. Positive thinking! This one is key. By keeping a positive outlook on your progress you can ensure that you have an enjoyable journey towards the goal. Plus, you are more likely to reach your goal if you’re not constantly beating yourself up! “I’m working out because I care for myself and my body and I want to feel good” is a much gentler and more efficient mindset compared to “I hate my body and need to fix it”. Self-love not self-hate will get you there.

Here’s to another great year to come, happy 2016 and happy goal setting!

New year, new goals Eight steps to staying on track in 2016 CAITLIN VANCE Health Columnist Every January people old and young make new years resolutions with the hope to better themselves in the upcoming year. Unfortunately, these resolutions are often broken just as quickly as they are made. Of course you don’t have to wait for a new year to set goals for yourself, nonetheless the delicate promise of a new year is often a great time to implement change in your life. Here are some tips to help you succeed with your goals for 2016! 1. Be specific: Whether the goal is to get more sleep, get better grades, or lose weight, it needs to be specific.

For example, rather than saying you want to merely get better grades this semester, you can specify that you want an overall 83 average or whatever it is. This way you can monitor

your progress towards your goal and better acknowledge when it has been reached! 2.

Find your motivation: Dig deep on this one. You should elaborate as much as you can on why you want to achieve this specific goal. For example, if your goal is to meditate every day for 15 minutes acknowledge how this will better your life. A clear head, a positive attitude, an increase in an overall feeling of well-being, and a more relaxed mood are all great reasons that you can remind yourself of when you feel like throwing in the towel. 3.

Game plan: now that the goal is established, we need to figure out how to achieve it. By taking small steps everyday we can efficiently work towards our goal. For example, if you wish to work out 5 times a week, sit down and establish a schedule. Write down exactly what time in your day you’re

going to go to the gym and what you’re going to do once you get there. 3. Walk the path of least resistance: Human beings are creatures of habit and convenience. Breaking bad habits and achieving our goals isn’t easy! But, we can make it easier for ourselves by setting ourselves up for success. We can control our immediate environment as much as we can to encourage us to reach our goals. If you want to eat healthier, don’t keep junk food in the house. This way you won’t be left relying on will power to say no to the cookies in the room beside you once the cravings kick in. If you plan to work out more but you know you’re not a morning person, then schedule your workouts for later in the day. Similarly, you could ready your gym bag beside your bed so you don’t have to think about anything except getting to the gym once you do

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Calories in, calories out How to eat like a StFX varsity athlete LAUREN AGNEW Senior Reporter It’s that time of year where New Year’s Resolutions still seem possible and we’re still trying to stay away from that extra dessert in meal hall to make up for our total lack of self-control over the winter

break. But at the end of the day what it really comes down to is calories in vs. calories out. As long as they balance, who cares what you’re eating! Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps certainly be-

lieves so, as he released his 12,000 calorie-per-day diet to the public in 2008. For an athlete that swims over 50 miles a week, it’s no sweat to burn that many calories of both simple and complex carbs,

and he has the gold medals to prove it.

Everybody has different caloric needs however, and whether you’re fueling your brain to study, or fueling your body to compete, food is im-

portant. To see how they stack up to the 12,000 calorie-indulging Olympian, we asked veteran St. FX Athletes to tell us how they fuel their bodies over the course of the long season.

Athlete: Jake McKenna | Team: Varsity Track and Field | Year: 4 Breakfast: An “open-faced” egg sandwich with toast, whatever deli meat I have on hand at the time, and cheese one top.

Lunch: Usually it consists of making pasta or rice stir fry with whatever sauce and protein I have. Typically pork or beef, but some times chicken.

Dinner: “The Jake Special” aka Shepard’s Pie. Otherwise it’s two pork chops, or two chicken breasts, with some steamed veggies, and either rice or potatoes. No dessert, candy, or pop!!

Athlete: Heather Tillsley | Team: Varsity Ice Hockey | Year: 3 Breakfast: Oatmeal with a little bit of Nutella, 2 cups of coffee, and a protein bar Lunch: Turkey Club sandwich, popcorn, 2 hard-boiled eggs Dinner: Steak, potaoes, green beans, salad Dessert: Small DQ Blizzard

Athlete: Hayden Peters | Team: Varsity Football | Year: 4 Breakfast: 500ML of almond milk, 1 cup of fruit, 1/2 cup of yogurt, 1 scoop of protein powder, 2 packs of oatmeal Brunch: 4 eggs, 4 slices of bread, 3 slices of ham, handful of spinach, a splash of mayo and ketchup.

Lunch: Pulled pork sandwich, chocolate chip muffin, half a turkey pesto sandwich, protein shake Lunner: 2 chicken beasts, 1 head of lettuce Dinner: Bowl of chilli, other half of Turkey pesto, protein shake, 5L of water

Athlete: Bridget Brennan | Team: Varsity Track and Field | Year: 5 Breakfast: Oatmeal crisp triple berry cereal and 1% milk, sometimes an omlette Lunch: Beef meatballs, spinach, celery, carrots, broccoli, hummus Dinner: Roast beef, potatoes, carrots, green salad Snacks: Fruit, fruit cups, granola bars, orange juice, yogurt/berry/granola parfait

Athlete: Scott Donald | Team: Varsity Cross Country | Year: 4 Breakfast: A glass of water, banana, bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios with milk, and a glass of juice Mid-day snack: A muffin and bottle of orange juice from the KMC Lunch: A turkey and salami sandwich with mayo, hummus, cheese, tomato and spinach (I literally eat the same sandwich every day), with a side of crackers and cheese and some grapes Before practice: A banana or granola bar (or both) After practice: A bottle of Gatorade and a granola bar Dinner: Large plate of pasta, a Caeser salad with mushrooms, broccoli and cucumber, and if I’m still hungry ill add a bagel with cream cheese Late night snack: Any mixture of crackers/trail mix/another banana

What we’ll tell our grandkids A recap of 2015 and why you should be proud to be Canadian SHELBI KILCOLLINS Sports and Health Editor Canada was once the international community’s poster child for ice hockey (although that was tossed out the window during the World Juniors) however this years diversified successes helped cultivate an evolved athletic culture we now identify with.

2015 was an explosive year for Canadian sports however some moments mark it as particularly triumphant for our over friendly population.

Connor McDavid was drafted first over all in the 2015 NHL draft to the Edmonton Oilers. The forward is a stunning presence on the the ice only rivalling the entrance into the pros to that of

Crosby’s. The next most exciting day for Edmonton will probably be McDavid’s return to line post broken collar bone recovery.

Canadian basketball’s great one retired: Steve Nash. There is no denying his unbelievable talent, with two MVP trophies to back up his 19 year career, however his greatest impact might be that which has served as a role model and mentor for Basketball Canada. Although we shed a tear as we said goodbye to Nash, we should be comforted knowing his legacy will live on in the form of Toronto native Andrew Wiggins. The Timberland forward was drafted first overall in 2014 (which has only been done by one other Canadian), has stats rivalling that of Kevin

Durant and Lebron James and won NBA rookie of the year in 2015, the only Canadian to acquire such title.

Finally, there is not a moment inside an arena that ignites a Canadian’s heart more than the Jose Bautista bat flip. Toronto does not possess a positive reputation in any societal branch among Canadians, however by late summer of 2015 the Blue Jays were our baby and like most moms on Facebook we were flooding our friends on social media with images to point out just how special our child was. It was a romantic tale from Kawasaki’s hilarious interviews, to Josh Donaldson winning the American League’s most valuable player award and late comebacks against the Texas Rangers. The

only part missing was a spot in the World Series, but nonetheless the Jays run sent a surge of pride and optimism through the country, stamped with the hashtag “come together.”

A new year is upon us and so is the chance to dominate an even

wider range of sports. In 2016, we can look forward to a comeback from Genie Bouchard, further success from golfer Brooke Henderson on the LPGA and medals at the Rio Olympics from track stars like 800m Melissa Bishop and sprinter Andre De Grasse.

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thursday january twenty first, 2016

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