The Horseshoe - Fall 2024/25

Photo credit to Cameron Mackey

Fall 2024

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Preface

Masthead

Letter From the Editor

Leadership Team Editors-In-Chief Ciel Nduka Oliver Principe-Beer Managing Editors Cody Parise-Davis Daria Tiganas Lead Copy Editor Sayano Hay Promotions Leads Kas Dallas Tunir Maity

Editorial Team Arts & Culture Editors Xia James Max Sinkovic School Culture Editor Daniel To Sports Editor Noah Pearen Illustrations and Photography Editor Cameron Mackey Wild Wild West Editor Tristan Mammitzsch Junior Editors Lane Slavinski Baxter Grace Hernandez Riley Yaron

horseWelcome to our fifth issue of The Western Tech Horseshoe! This marks the beginning of our third successful year as a school newspaper.

Things have changed since we started in 2022—just to name a few we’ve welcomed a new principal, our enrollment has increased, and a number of clubs have started up around the school. Courtesy of the newly founded DIY Club, there are a multitude of great murals around the school as well, distracting us from the hanging lights and broken PA systems. Fun fact, did you know that we have approximately 1,430 students enrolled at Western? No wonder why the hallways are always so busy. horseJust like the new windows appearing around the building, lots of new names have appeared on our masthead list too. For the past two years the masthead team was composed of a recurring set of students. Many have since graduated, going off to colleges and universities around the world. Their impact on the club hasn’t been forgotten though. (The illustration used for Brody’s hot takes was made by a student that graduated after our second issue!) If you haven’t already noticed, this letter wasn’t written by one of our previous mastheads. This year, two new Editors-in-Chief are making their debut. Worry not though, the quality will remain the same regardless of who’s in charge, as a new set of editors means a new set of skills. For example: this year's cover photo!

The beautiful image on the front page was taken by one of our photographers, Cameron Mackey. horseBefore I close this letter, I must admit that writing it was harder than expected. There are so many things I’d like to mention and so many ways to word them, but I fear Advanced Functions has used up the last of my brain power. Nonetheless, I’d like to thank Mr. Koczij, Mr. Rizzuto, Mr. Santos, Mr. Kwa, Kate Curtis, Mr. MacRae, Mr. Levin, and Mr. Berube for making time to read over our articles before publishing. I’d also like to offer a big thank you to Mr. Wang, Ms. Prinn, and Ms. Novak for support with printing. And to the students that have picked up this issue, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did making it! Your support over the years is one of the reasons why we keep on coming back.

Thank you for your time, Ciel Nduka

Design Team Anna Gordon Benny Gyorke-Wong

Please send submissions to: westerntechhorseshoe@gmail.com

Fall 2024

Sports

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Live from Etobicoke, it’s Friday Night Lights!

Grace Ceriz

horseFrom the parking lot I can hear the intense cheers that fill the stadium. When I enter, they become a roar. horseWestern and Chaminade students shout letters back and forth, with each group trying to make their chants louder than the others. Both sides scream as loud as they can whenever their team makes a key play. The atmosphere at September’s “Friday Night Lights” is electric. The whole vibe of this night is incredible, and it is clear that students are having the best time. horseThis is just one of many “Friday Night Lights” football games that have infested the Toronto District School Board, with Western Tech becoming yet another victim of the American tradition.

What is it that makes these events so appealing to students? School can be very stressful and irritating, so being around your classmates – who remind you of that stress and irritation – is not always ideal.

So, with it not being mandatory for students to come out to Etobicoke to be reminded of school on their Friday night, why do FNL games see so much success?

I attended our school’s FNL myself to discover what makes the game so vital to our student body. horseAs I talk to Ms. Carvalho, one thing is made extremely clear: she has no idea what this game is about and yet she’s loving every moment. If the vice principal of our school is in the dark, then what good does that do me? How do I fully understand the overall importance of these events if even the people who are expected to don’t? horseIt’s no secret that the players enjoy it—those who play football only have intense praise for the game. It’s an almost adoring worship unknown to the rest of us. It doesn’t even matter if a player gets all that much play time—he’ll talk about football like the world revolves around it, with passion and pride. Junior football player William Russell remarked, “It’s

just a game that’s truly one of a kind, you know. There’s no other game like football. You can’t beat the feeling of going out there and tackling someone.

It’s well worth the risks and if something happens, it happens.”

Friday Night Lights, captured by Aiden Hunter

horseSo…it’s about hurting people? horseIn another interview with junior player Andrew Rodriguez, I asked to know a little more about the game to try and further understand what it was all about. It was no surprise that the answer orbited around aggressive, passionate feelings. “You know the guy running with the ball? The other team is trying to kill him.” I responded, “So it’s life or death?” The response was simple —“Yes.” horseSo…it’s about hurting people. horseBehind all this passion, I have to ask myself: is it the football that draws Western students to the field on a Friday night? Or is it something else? horseWhen asked about the importance of winning, Chaminade and Western players preached to me that they cared most about “bleeding [their] school's colours.” I was intrigued. Winning is fun, of course, but what does one’s “school blood” have to do with it? horseWe all want our school to be the best, and—for many people in this school —a key part of that is dominance in football. It’s obvious why this applies to

Western’s football players—they put so much hard work and time into practice every day and they want to have positive results so the work isn’t all for nothing.

Andrew Rodriguez proclaimed, “We lost last year and we’re not trying to do that again. I couldn’t sleep… I couldn’t sleep for 6 months and I want to change that, change the mindset, the mentality. It’s all about winning.” After all, who doesn’t love a good redemption story? horseBut what about the rest of us? We didn’t put in that work or commitment, so why do we all care so much? horseSuperfan Nicky told me “You know it’s all about the culture, the school. A lot of my friends are here to play so I wanted to come out and support. You can’t see right now but I am very green. I bleed green, let’s go Colts!” horseLater in the game, I asked Ms. Carvalho what her favourite part of the night was, and like Nicholas, she didn’t talk about football. She talked about the Western culture and the feelings of just being there with a community that supports each other. This goes to show that ultimately, we care about these events because we all have some school pride in us, consciously gained or not.

School spirit makes school a more enjoyable experience, not just a part of life one must endure. It makes students feel closer and more connected to both each other and their school. Perhaps it is because at these games, people can separate their classmates from the feeling of a school environment, manufacturing an enjoyable experience for students. horseIf Western continues to promote school spirit through events like FNL, then it will continue to create an environment where people feel excited to participate. I encourage everyone reading this to get involved in our school events to create a better experience for everyone. I hope I will see you all at our next Friday Night Lights!

Fall 2024

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Western Tech News

Love and Legacy: A 74-Year Journey Together Amelia Beeser, with assistance from Jasper Jordan

horseWhen Western Tech students Bill Pattison and Jean Ralph first met in the school swimming pool, neither could have imagined that their encounter would ignite a lifelong love story. Now, 74 years later, their journey reflects not only their bond but also the profound impact the school has had on their lives, careers, and friendships. horseIt all began in the 1940s during the Western Tech Open House, where Bill, a star swimmer on the school team, dove into the pool. At the same time, Jean, a sophomore, was swimming nearby when their paths quite literally collided underwater. “I was sculling along when she came too fast. She practically started to drown me!” Bill laughs, recalling their unexpected meeting. horseFrom that day on, Bill and Jean became inseparable. They credit their long and happy marriage to their deep friendship, describing themselves as more than just husband and wife but best friends. “We’re very compatible, mainly because of her,” Bill says. “She takes the lead, and I follow like most guys do,” he jokes. “We enjoy doing everything together—swimming, boating, and spending time at our cottage up north.

We’ve had a wonderful life together.” horseBeyond romance, Western Tech also provided Bill and Jean with the skills to build successful futures. Bill, who studied mechanical drafting, eventually became the shop director for around 26 schools, thanks to the hands-on classes he took at school. “I took electricity, woodworking, and machine shops, and I ended up teaching them all as an industrial arts teacher!” he explains. Meanwhile, Jean discovered her passion for swimming, which led her to compete in open-water events and swim alongside the famous Canadian athlete Marilyn Bell as a part of the Toronto Dolphinettes. horseTheir gratitude for Western Tech extends beyond academics; they cherish

Jean Ralph and Bill Pattison

the supportive community that made their experience unforgettable. Jean fondly remembers her last day of school, when her classmates gathered in the locker room, crying as they realized how much they would miss Western and the friendships that had become like family.

“We had an incredible experience at that school,” she reflects. Today, they see that same sense of community and tradition continuing, especially in the friendly rivalry with Humberside. “My brother went to Humberside too; they’re traitors in the family!” Bill jokes, reminiscing about the fierce competition in both sports and academics. “Some things never change,” he says, smiling at Jean. “It’s great to see students carrying on that spirit.” horseAs they look back on the school's development, Bill and Jean are amazed by how much has changed over the decades.

In their time, the military played a significant role in shaping the school’s culture. “You’d know your classmate one day, and the next they could be gone off

to war,” they recall. At one point, the basement was even converted into a shooting range for military training. Bill himself graduated early to enlist and apply the skills he learned in school to serve his country, just as his father had done before him. Today, they take pride in the school's focus on fostering creativity and helping students develop skills for a wide range of careers. “The school has everything you could think of, no matter what career,” Jean adds. horseBill and Jean's story beautifully illustrates how school experiences can shape the course of our lives. As students, we may not realize it now, but the friendships we form, the interests we explore, and the people we meet can have a profound impact on our futures. For nearly 80 years, Bill and Jean have embodied what it means to carry the legacy of our school. Their love story, rooted in the very halls of Western Tech, stands as a testament to the enduring bonds that can be formed here—a legacy that we, too, can be part of.

Fall 2024

Western Tech News

Dungeons, Dragons, and Deep Fryers Jasper Goldie

horseIn the culinary room 248 every Friday at lunch, there lies a Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) club with no students.

The teacher’s D&D group has been telling stories, slaying goblins, and making friends for the past six years, with many familiar faces occupying their ranks at one time or another. Originally just Kate Curtis and Mr. Barltrop, the club has now grown to six members, representing all corners of D&D’s audience. Holding down the good times crowd is Mr. Santos and his character, whom I will refer to as simply “The Ranger” for mystery (and due to the lack of details recalled by Mr Santos himself). In contrast, the Dungeon Master, Mr. Barltrop, can and will (on request) recite a detailed history—along with a passionate and captivating review —of each edition of D&D. The members of the students’ D&D club should sleep easy knowing that Mr. Barltrop is representing their best interests in Western Tech’s staff. The rest of the group features Ms. Rabko, playing a “chaotic neutral(?)” rock gnome wizard named Finnan, Mr. Sinclair’s natureloving and druid-sympathizing barbarian, Plurian Snietzsche, Kate Curtis’ wise tiefling warlock, Killian, and, last but not least, Mr. Berube’s dragonborn bard, Zamfirion, named after and inspired by the Romanian pan flute virtuoso, Zamfir “Master of the Pan Flute.” horseThe party traverses Mr. Barltrop’s world of Haven, playing with—and sometimes abandoning—the norms of a typical D&D campaign. The current iteration, known as Red Haven, is a futuristic Matrix-inspired world with tech-based magic. The only artifact that remains of the old world is a mixtape, which interjects 90s music and lyrics throughout the story.

Through interviewing this group, I learned of the many eclectic adventures they’ve had: from Ms. Rabko’s botched zombification attempt to save Mr. Berube’s first character, to a session entirely set around

Mr. Barltrop as a wizard, illustrated by Cameron Mackey

the cast of creatures ordering brunch (fitting, given the setting of the meetings). horseMr. Santos originally offered the culinary room to host the meetings for one titular dream: Dungeons, Dragons, and deep-fried Mars Bars. Though this dream has never been fully realized, hope remains for a prosperous, deep-fried future. horse In truth, I chose to write this article because the thought of a teacher’s D&D club seemed funny to me. They spend their whole work day around snotty high school kids—many who probably think more about their D&D campaign than school—though in their free time they still choose this game. horseStudents experience teachers almost entirely independently of each other, and though the idea of a teacher as merely a robot which turns on every morning at 9:00 isn’t as prominent as in elementary school, traces of it still remain. In the obvious reality, they were once on the other end of the classroom, going through the same high school that some students now loathe. All of them had different experiences, some bad and some good, though they shared something in common that pushed them to become a teacher: they believed that high school could be a rewarding time for all students. horseIn my pursuit of a differing opinion on this group of teachers playing a game that would have gotten them barred from their profession 40 years ago on counts

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of Satanism, I went to the most eloquent (and terrifying) man I know. Mr. Levin, a man who has “nothing but respect for the D&D community,” made me challenge my preconceived notions around this group, as well as the school’s larger social ecosystem. horseSchool itself is a microcosm of our culture whether we realize it or not.

Though the dynamics may be different than the outside world, looking at it differently doesn’t provide an accurate picture. No matter the culture, we are all looking for something, and even though most of us don’t know what it is yet, we know it’s out there. The dynamics between teachers are much the same as between students—give or take a few decades of social maturation—with groups, cliques, and gnarly social dynamics. Just like students, there is a group of a few teachers who get together once a week and play a game with wizards, goblins, and robots. The gap between the two groups is much less jarring than the classroom can make it seem. horse Mr. Levin gave two conclusions on the dynamic between students and teachers that may make you question if Mr. Berube is secretly writing this article: one, “There is something to learn from anybody, regardless of whether or not it’s what they want you to learn,” and two, “Your best bet with a teacher, whether you love them or you hate them, is to see them as a human being.” Though this article started as a “hit piece” (Mr. Berube’s words, not mine) around teachers playing a roleplaying game, I came to find that it represented more than just D&D. Education is a strange and powerful tool, though too often it is stunted by a lack of understanding between two groups who share more in common than they might think. Seeing teachers as more than just a vessel for a grade can add context and compassion in place of a knee jerk reaction, as anyone can connect given the right mindset… or a critical roll.

Fall 2024

Sports

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The Deceiving Intricacies of Relief Pitching Noah Pearen

horseThroughout the history of baseball, ERA (Earned Run Average) has been the premiere stat used to evaluate pitchers.

Typically, major league pitchers’ ERA over a given season range from 2.00 to 5.00, with a lower ERA reflecting a stronger performance from the pitcher. horseOn August 29, Chad Green had a 1.61 ERA. horseUp until this point, Green—a veteran relief pitcher for the Blue Jays— was seen as the one light in an otherwisebleak team bullpen. He had effectively replaced injured closer Jordan Romano, and helped keep the Jays above water (though just barely) entering the final month of the season. For those who glanced at his surface-level statistics, he seemed unstoppable. horseIn his next 5 appearances, Green pitched 4.1 innings and gave up 11 runs.

His ERA rose to 3.49—almost a full 2 runs. This was a level of collapse rarely seen this late in a season. horseYet many saw it coming. horseEven with Green’s elite ERA through the end of August, his peripherals (expected stats) were just average to below-average; for anyone who looked further into Green, it was obvious that it was only a matter of time before his ERA ballooned. horseThere are many things that ERA doesn’t track. It records how many earned runs a pitcher lets across the plate in a given volume—and that alone. It’s indifferent to how said runs scored, the quality of the contact one gave up, or the fielding behind the pitcher (save for errors). Thus, Green, who allowed a lot of hard contact and was often bailed out by the incredible outfield defence of Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier, was able to maintain an outstanding ERA for 5 months while not actually pitching at an elite level. horseOver the last couple of years, there’s been a “peripheral revolution” throughout

Chad Green, captured by Edward M. Pio Roda

the game of baseball. With the help of the online platform Statcast, one can now see not just how many home runs a hitter hit or how many runs a pitcher allowed— they can see how many home runs a hitter should’ve hit or how many runs a pitcher should’ve allowed, depending on various factors. horseBut relievers are an enigma.

They’re inherently inconsistent— pitching for random brief amounts of time on random days, with varying effectiveness. Baseball executives have never had access to more information, and yet almost all recent high-end reliever deals still end up looking awful. horseJust look at New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz, who was handed the richest reliever deal in history (5 years, $102M) after his historic 2022 season. In 2024, Diaz was just about an average reliever, pitching to a 3.49 ERA and blowing 7 saves (in fairness, he was coming off a knee injury that left him sidelined for all of 2023).

Edwin Diaz, captured by Jason Szenes

horseOr star closer Josh Hader, who signed with the Houston Astros after the 2023 season on a 5 year, $95M contract.

Not only did Hader not fulfill expectations in the first year of his contract (3.80 ERA, 4 blown saves), he also blew game 2 of the Astros’ AL Wild Card matchup against the Detroit Tigers, eliminating his team from the postseason. horseGiven earlier context, it would seem to be clear why they struggled—they got “lucky” in their contract years; their actual stats didn’t represent the quality of their pitching. This can be somewhat accurately applied to Hader’s 2023—his xERA (expected ERA) was more than a full run higher than his 1.28 ERA, and his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching, which eliminates all balls put into the field of play) was similarly less impressive. However, Hader was still elite in these two analytical stats, and his 3.80 ERA in 2024 was far from anticipated. horseDiaz’s case is much stranger. His FIP was actually better than his ERA, and his xERA was certainly comparable to his ERA—inarguably elite. horseDiaz and Hader should both still very much be in their primes, with both turning 30 this year and ostensibly healthy. Their careers have been excellent and both of their contracts were well-earned—yet they’ve failed to continue their dominance under said contracts, begging the question of whether MLB General Managers should just throw things at the wall and see what sticks. horseIn any case, there’s an important lesson here: no reliever may ever be reliable enough to receive a megacontract—no matter their past expected or actual performance. As many General Managers begin to make transactions this offseason, it’s imperative that they proceed with caution when allocating large sums of money to bullpen arms.

Fall 2024

Arts & Culture

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Greek Misogyny Clay Langdon

horseWhile Greek mythology has always been a well-loved and well-researched topic, its return to the public eye can be largely attributed to the many popular retellings and adaptations of its myths.

These new stories rework the myths of old in new and inventive ways, but fail to mention how they were born out of a patriarchal society and built upon the abuse of women.

Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Pandora.

horseIt should be a surprise to no one that women, mortal and immortal, are rarely treated kindly in Greek mythology. If Zeus’ constant non-consensual conquests aren't enough proof, one needs only to look at the myth of Pandora’s jar and its origin story of women in Greek mythology. It states that women were created to punish men and bring sickness and despair to their otherwise happy and carefree lives. Since their creation, women have been a curse on mankind— at least according to Hesiod, the perpetuator of this deeply troubling myth.

Pandora, and subsequently women as a whole, were sculpted to be beautiful but deceptive. Hesiod’s misogyny fuels his writing, and subsequently fuels the continued abuse of women in Greek myth and the real world for centuries to follow. horseThere are very few epics or hymns

belittling or objectifying women. One of the most well-known epics, and also one of the guiltiest, is The Iliad. Homer’s Iliad depicts the events of the Trojan War, centered on the story of Achilles. It, like many other epic poems, is also overrun with misogyny. horseThe iconic opening line of The Iliad, as translated by Samuel Butler, reads, “Sing, O Goddess, the rage of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills about the Achaeans.”

Achilles' rage and suffering at the loss of his friend, Patroclus, is a central theme in The Iliad, and this loss would lead to Achilles’ own death soon after. The Iliad barely, if at all, touches on the women of Troy or Greece who suffered just as much as Achilles. It sings not of Helen, whose objectification and kidnapping at the hands of Paris and Aphrodite brought about a decade-long war. Sing not of Briseis, war prize of Achilles, whose family was slain by Achaeans and who was subsequently enslaved. Sing not of Cassandra, who was cursed by Apollo to never be believed after refusing his sexual advances. Sing not of Thetis, mother of Achilles, who was destined to birth a son greater than his father, and in fear of usurpation was forced by the gods to marry a mortal king. Sing not of the women who continue to be trafficked, raped and abused to this day, but are never believed because we continue to silence these stories. horseEven the Greek goddesses suffer under this patriarchy. The most prominent example, whose villainization still persists despite historical evidence, would be Demeter. In popular modern media, we see Demeter depicted as an overbearing and sometimes abusive mother who refuses to allow her daughter, Persephone, any sort of freedom. horseThis unfavourable interpretation of

Demeter as a bad mother has only started to become prominent in later years, and does not accurately reflect her original portrayal in early mythology. Like many other gods of her time, it wasn't uncommon for Demeter to be painted in shades of grey. However, modern retellings have started to skew her original myths to uplift her male counterparts like Hades and Zeus, and are hypercritical of all her flaws while forgiving of theirs.

Evelyn De Morgan, Demeter Mourning for Persephone

horseDemeter’s Hymn offers us the most perspective on the goddess’ parental role, and the start of Hades and Persephone's infamous love story that she vocally detests. In this hymn, Demeter's daughter Persephone is kidnapped by Hades, at the will and consent of Zeus, her brother, and in certain depictions, father of Persephone.

After Persephone's kidnapping, Demeter is seized by “akhos” (intense grief and suffering) and quickly sets out to find where her daughter had been taken. horseSo how did this protectiveness and grief over the loss of her daughter translate into her later interpretation as abusive and overbearing? It's simple: misogyny. As the love story of Hades and Persephone was popularized, new adaptations needed a new villain to fit the

Fall 2024

Arts & Culture

horseIt's easy to look past these shortcomings and just enjoy the stories, especially when Greek Mythology continues to skyrocket in popularity. It's hard to find fault in stories we’ve grown to love, and even harder to be open to criticism about them. Our own library has started to pick up new versions of old myths, such as Lore Olympus and its

“But, ignoring problems has never caused them to disappear; it just causes them Colton as Demeter, by Cameron Mackey to silently worsen.” role that Hades and Zeus once held.

Demeter transitioned from a concerned mother trying to save her daughter from modernized adaptation of Persephone and being kidnapped, to an oppressive force Hades. And yes, it's possible to ignore the who wants sole control and power over red flags and abuse of women in these her offspring. While both interpretations stories, especially when many retellings have their own merit, it's impossible to decide to ignore them entirely. But, ignore that this continues to happen over ignoring problems has never caused them and over again to women.

Anna’s Book Picks

Bluebeard’s Egg by Margaret Atwood

I have a love-hate relationship with short stories. It took me seven months to get through Welcome to The Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut, but a week to read Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman. I don’t remember half the stories in a book I read a month ago, but I still can’t get over Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” which I read when I was twelve. When Haruki Murakami finishes writing a novel, he writes short stories, and vice versa. In the introduction to Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman, he notes, “If writing novels is like planting a forest, then writing short stories is more like planting a garden.” He believes the two forms are complementary, and that it’s best to alternate between them one after the other like clockwork. If you’re also looking for a change of pace, these volumes are worth it.

horseLike many of Margaret Atwood’s novels, the themes that permeate this book include power, sexuality, and the female condition. What makes Atwood such a great author is her ability to hide subtle meaning in her work without drowning it out with excessive detail or obscure wording. This makes her writing perfect for crawling out of a reading slump. Bluebeard’s Egg is no exception; although each story is wildly different from the next in terms of setting and tone, they all leave you with the same melancholic feeling, which makes this collection a cohesive whole. My favourite story is the first, “Significant Moments in the Life of My Mother,” which seems almost autobiographical. It’s a recounting of the speaker’s mother’s life, describing her as a fearless, sentimental person in a constant battle against the traditional environment around her. It also has the

Anna Gordon

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to disappear; it just causes them to silently worsen. The more we erase or rewrite the abuse and mistreatment of fictional women to fit our tastes, the less real women have their experiences heard and depicted. So the next time you check out Lore Olympus or The Iliad from the library, instead of ignoring its problematic origin, embrace it. The first steps have already begun, with the recent translation of The Iliad by Emily Wilson, which corrects the gendered language that had been skewed by translators and scholars over time. She doesn’t change or erase the patriarchal beliefs that were present in the original texts, but rather restores the stories closer to how they were originally written, prior to its biased mistranslations which were especially critical of women.

The only way to stop a problem is to shine a spotlight on it, and to be open to the conversation of change.

Cover for Bluebeard’s Egg

best beginning to any collection I’ve ever read: “When my mother was very small, someone gave her a basket of baby chicks for Easter. They all died.” If you don’t already know anything about Margaret Atwood, that line pretty much sums her up. Other great stories here are “Hurricane Hazel” and “The Sunrise.”

Fall 2024

Arts & Culture

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Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman horseUnlike Bluebeard’s Egg, Neil Gaiman’s collection is anything but cohesive. The included stories are scraped together from across years of his decades-long writing career. Some of them were published before Fragile Things, and one was even written for his daughter as an eighteenth birthday gift.

He gives descriptions and context for each piece at the beginning of the book, which he sneaks “The Mapmaker” into, a story about an ambitious Chinese emperor that spans about three pages. My favourite out of the other thirty stories in here is “Bitter Grounds.” It’s about a mysterious narrator who takes on the identity of an anthropologist that disappears without a trace. Similar to other stories in this book, it’s not exactly a horror story, but it still leaves you with a sense of uneasiness as the real world and the imaginary overlap. Other good stories in this collection are “Other People” (a lot creepier) and “How to Talk to Girls at Parties” (a lot funnier). The last short story is also one of the best; it’s a mini-sequel to Gaiman’s novel American Gods—which is worth checking out after getting a taste of his uniquely eerie voice in Fragile Things.

Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, Tessa Hadley, Kurt Vonnegut (left to right)

girl who spends a summer day in a state of rebellion she will never live out again.

The imagery is what ties this story together, and what keeps it intriguing the whole way through is the way Hadley weaves in the perspectives of secondary characters, offering a glimpse into their minds if only for a few sentences. I also like “Under the Sign of the Moon” and “Silk Brocade,” both narrated by older women—one of my favourite perspectives because you don’t see it often in fiction. Hadley’s take on innocence, maturity, and how the two overlap is what unites Bad Dreams as a complete collection.

Bad Dreams and Other Stories by Tessa Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut Hadley Despite its name, this collection doesn’t necessarily feel like a bad dream, but more like an unsettlingly distant dream that you keep thinking about for hours after waking up. A lack of quotation marks and exposition adds to this trancelike effect, and Tessa Hadley writes in a way that makes it feel like you’re peeking through a keyhole into her characters’ lives. After finishing one, you feel like there’s more that exists beyond the page than what you read. It’s a curse for some stories and a blessing for others. One that utilized this best is “An Abduction,” a story about a young

horseThese stories are collected from Kurt Vonnegut’s earlier career, around the 1950s and 60s. There are a lot of similarities between Welcome to the Monkey House and Vonnegut’s novels in terms of tone, humour, and his signature political satire, so this book is a great introduction to his heavier stuff like Slaughterhouse Five or Breakfast of Champions. Almost all of the stories here are commentaries on mid-century American society, with overbearing themes of technology, war, and human futility. Vonnegut has a way of intersecting realistic fiction with full-on

sci-fi that’s impressively seamless and easy to digest. The stories in Welcome to the Monkey House range from reminiscences of a small village in Cape Cod to an immortal man’s rule over his family, set in the year 2158. A stand out for me is “Manned Missiles.” It’s about two fathers, one American and one Russian, who write back and forth to each other about their sons who both died on a space mission. It was written in 1958, so the historical and political context makes it especially compelling.

Other memorable ones are “The Euphio Question” and “All the King’s Horses,” which both have explicit meanings, but clever and intriguing storytelling. horseDespite my contradictory experiences with them, I have never read a short story collection that I haven’t enjoyed. What makes them worthwhile is the fact that there’s little to no risk; if an author has enough stories in one book, you’re bound to enjoy at least one, even if it takes some searching. They’re also a great introduction to an author you’re unfamiliar with, and helpful if you struggle with committing to long novels. I think it’s important never to underestimate the short story, because sometimes spending less time with something makes it all the more impactful. These four collections are solid places to start for anyone looking for a brief glimpse into some great fiction.

Fall 2024

Opinion

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Queer Representation, Stereotypes, and What Can We Really Do About It? Anonymous

horseRepresentation is hard to come by.

It's also a double edged sword. Growing up, I had the privilege of having access to hundreds of movies containing people who looked like me, lived like me, and spoke like me. People who celebrated the same holidays as me, and lived in the same socio-economic class as me. What I didn’t see, however, were people who acted like me. Who felt like me. Who loved like me. I just saw copy-paste molds of what I should be. Men and women getting married. Boys wearing pants and playing in the mud and girls wearing skirts and talking about makeup.

There’ve been hundreds of highschool romances where boy meets girl, and in an “unexpected twist,” fall in love.

Something I’ve seen repeated countless times. It's an isolating experience to say the least. The movies I watched and books I read were emblematic of a single, heterosexual experience that I just couldn’t relate to. I couldn’t relate to the elegant princess and her charming knight boyfriend, or the little girls dreaming of stardom alongside the boys who wanted to be sports famous. I dare say that most people don’t, even the ones who would otherwise fit the bill of what western media deems ‘normal’. horseAs I got older, I was able to put the word ‘gay’ to my experiences, and it became even more apparent just how little I could see of myself in stories. In the early stages of my teenage years I had watched several cartoons and television shows, and in almost every one of them I can distinctly remember two same-sex characters whose relationship walked a fine line between being friends, or maybe something more. Clearly those two are in love, but it was never directly stated. It was obvious that, had they been of opposite genders, they would have been together. As with most fictional queer romances, the writers had to rely on subtext and hinting to convey their intentions to the audience.

This essay was inspired in part by the essay "Why Am I Not on Star Trek?" by Sonya Ballantyne, pictured.

And guess what? They didn't even kill angst. Sometimes the story will keep them off! Which brings me to my second them alive, but have their relationship point. end by virtue of some horrific tragedy or deep emotional turmoil. When it comes “The movies I watched and to queer characters, the majority of the books I read were time they are either dead, traumatized, evil, or all three. It's rare to come across a emblematic of a single, heterosexual experience that gay romance that just ends happily, as highschool sweethearts or a loving I just couldn’t relate to.” couple growing old together. There's horseAs it stands now, queer always something. When you grow up representation is more abundant. Not being taught that people like you are plentiful with popular shows, mind you, often destined for a tragic life without but with the rise of the internet it's much happiness, it takes its toll on you. It's easier to find individually crafted stories hard to think you're worth much of with a plethora of queer characters. anything when all your favourite stories Unfortunately, many creators fall into the tell you that homosexuals ain’t worth a ‘bury your gays’ trope, and it’s exactly damn. what it sounds like: you take two gay horseOf course, queer people aren't the people, put them in a relationship, and only minority to be misrepresented so have one or both of them die to satisfy horribly. Watch, well, any movie ever the story's insatiable need for narrative

Fall 2024

and you’ll find a character that ticks off a number of boxes on a stereotype and tropes checklist. Every marginalized xxx group is misrepresented in different ways, and this only aids in alienating people that are part of those groups. It teaches their children that they won't amount to anything. It teaches people outside those groups harmful stereotypes and gives them justification for their cruelty. It teaches us to hate ourselves, and to hate other people. But what do we even do about this? How do we make sure everyone is represented fairly, accurately, and equally?

“The goal is to treat people like people.” horseOne solution is this funny little thing called education. And here's why it's important; If you are going to portray a group that you’re not personally a part of, it's time to hit the books and speak to people that you know. Don't rely on your preconceived biases about what it's like

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Arts & Culture

to be them. Rely on the truth, both the subjective and objective experiences of the individuals you speak to and read about. Understand nuance. It won't be perfect, but it will be better. Perfection isn't the point, anyways. Among every group, no two people will have the same experience in life, and their opinions on the right way to portray something will never be the same. Which is okay. The goal isn’t being 100% right about something, it's to make sure you aren't taking an image of someone and twisting it into an offensive caricature. The goal is to treat people like people. horseWhen it comes to confronting and deconstructing the biases we have against people, understanding the way they’re treated in popular shows and books is important. Queer people have historically been misrepresented in fiction, which has no doubt contributed to both their historical mistreatment and the rampant homophobia that persists today. Queer people, especially queer kids, deserve to feel accepted and understood. Tackling

“I just saw copy-paste molds of what I should be. […] It's an isolating experience to say the least.” the way we portray marginalized communities is the first step towards building a world where they, and everyone else, can feel safe and understood.

Illustrated by Benny Gyorke-Wong

So, What is Left For Me? Anonymous

A graceful swish of carefully embroidered silk and linen.

Tailored to perfection.

Beautiful hanfu from Korea.

So, is this what is left for me?

A soft brush packed with glitter smoothly swipes across an eyelid.

A Xiaohongshu influencer with perfectly powdered cheeks and peachy-pink lips.

Flawless makeup from Japan.

Watered down to disease, disgrace, shame.

What is mine does not belong to me, but to Japan, to Korea, But not to me.

So, what is left for me?

So, nothing is left for me.

So, what is left for me?

Colton in traditional Chinese menswear, illustrated by Ciel Nduka

A sickly illness sweeps the planet and poor, innocent dogs and cats in dishes.

Utterly deplorable from China.

Fall 2024

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Arts & Culture

Mac Demarco - Salad Days (10 Years Later) Max Sinkovic

horseIf you’ve been on any short-form content app over the past few years, you’ve probably heard a song by Mac DeMarco. From the somber tones of “Moonlight On the River” to the upbeat, catchy riffs of “No Other Heart,” his catalogue has a little something for everyone. If you’re also a fan of indie rock, it’s safe to say that you'll find something you enjoy in his extensive discography. About 10 years ago on April 1st of 2014, DeMarco released his 3rd full-length album, Salad Days. Featuring one of his biggest hits, “Chamber Of Reflection,” with over 790 million streams on Spotify, Salad Days is an interesting case. With a mix of DeMarco’s signature psychedelic production, reverberating guitars, and soft basslines, the album creates a palpable sense of reflection in the listener, drawing on its themes of looking back on the past with both joy and a potent sense of melancholy. horseMac isn’t afraid to make music that stands out; his use of detuned guitars and weird rhythmic patterns make for an almost hypnotic, dream-like sound. In recent years, this kind of sound has been adopted by many indie musicians of today, utilizing Mac’s signature of reverb pedals and stumbling guitars to make albums and songs that have a similar style. In a way, Salad Days was much ahead of its time, standing now as a point of initial inspiration for several artists of today.

“Mac isn’t afraid to make music that stands out” hirseA couple of my personal highlights from the album would be the most popular track off the album, “Chamber Of Reflection” for its potent emotional weight, “Goodbye Weekend” for its

photo

Mac Demarco, Salad Days, 2014

calming guitar ballads and relatable themes of wanting to control your own life, and the title track of the album “Salad Days” for its catchy chorus and its ability to tie the project together. horseThe album can be a bit vague with its themes, and like all music, it can be interpreted differently depending on the listener. Overall it tells the story of the feeling of worry and anxiety that comes from the things around us changing and the passage of time. It seems like sometimes, it’s easier for us to look at what has already happened, rather than paying attention to the often unpredictable and complicated future.

Salad Days represents this feeling of uncertainty and concern perfectly. Nearly every song mentions a theme of change, whether it be a want to return to an older era of life, missing or letting go of a relationship, or wanting to get yourself back on the right track. I think these themes can speak to anyone, but especially someone going through their high school years. As a student, Sometimes the future can seem incredibly daunting. Things are changing and evolving faster than you can keep up.

It’s important to remember that, as Mac says on the 2nd track of the album, “Honey, That’s the way that life goes.”

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Arts & Culture

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Love Letter to 100 Gecs Xia James

horseThe very first band that pops into many people’s heads when they hear the word “hyperpop” is 100 Gecs, and for good reason. If you’re into any sort of new and weird music, I can’t recommend them enough. Completely unafraid of the barriers between genres, I truly believe that there’s something for everyone in their discography. horseThe early music on their self-titled EP is more poppy, generally sticking to a twinkly and light sound. Heavy use of pitched-up and auto-tuned vocals are the main focus of this EP, with minimal and quiet instrumentation (which somehow manages to sound busy). The general avoidance of instruments is heavily contrasted by short moments of distorted and grinding bass. Short and sweet, this 13 minute EP is a good representation of what 100 Gecs would come to be, carving out the basis for their later work.

However, it was just that: a basis. horseTwo years later, 100 Gecs released what would be their ticket to stardom: their first full album, 1000 Gecs. When I think of revolutionary albums, 1000 Gecs is one of the first I think of. It completely redefined hyperpop, to the point that if someone doesn’t sound like 1000 Gecs, they don’t sound like hyperpop. Aided by

TikTok, many of the songs on this album blew up, notably “money machine,” “stupid horse,” and “hand crushed by a mallet.” horseTheir next album was 10,000 Gecs, which was a huge step up in both ambition and production value from both of their previous releases. I am not exaggerating when I say this album is perfect. Its sound is truly unique, while also weaving influences seamlessly throughout. Nu-metal influence can be heard on “Billy Knows Jamie” and “Dumbest Girl Alive,” pop punk on “Hollywood Baby,” along with tens of other influences I alone can’t name.

Along with these references to music the Gecs love, 10,000 Gecs brings an entirely new sound. Unmistakable on every track, this album is something no one has ever heard before. horseWith copious references to niche internet culture, it’s only natural that the internet is where 100 Gecs thrives.

However, this gives them both the fame they have now, and a stigma that they cannot shake. Their perceived audience is chronically-online 12 year olds, which causes music snobs to disregard 100 Gecs’ music as immature and unworthy of their precious time. While that is an

100 Gecs

100 Gecs’ debut album, 1000 Gecs

undeniable part of their fanbase, it isn’t a reason to dismiss them—who decided all 12 year olds have bad music taste? horseIt might sound a little crazy, but I judge people’s characters based on their opinion of 100 Gecs; I believe it is a good way to gauge how open minded someone is. If their music just isn’t for you, then there’s no judgment from me, I get it. The problem arises when you haven’t given them a real chance, or if you believe they are less sophisticated because of their reputation or audience. horseIf there’s one thing that 12 year olds have right, it’s unashamedly liking what they want to. They don’t yet have the idea of “objectively good” music in their heads, or any pressure to exclusively like high-brow and critically acclaimed music. Broadening one’s music horizons only has benefits; not only does it provide new perspectives on music we already like, but it also offers a glimpse into other people’s worlds. If you can’t be true to yourself with the music you listen to, how can you expect to be true to the other parts of yourself? We’d all be a little more authentic if we left our biases behind and liked what we enjoy, no matter what public opinion is.

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News

High Park vs Runnymede: which is the true Western station?

Alex Eliuk

horseAfter seeing the title of this article, I’m sure a lot of you instantly thought “Well Runnymede, obviously! You’re telling me people actually use High Park?” Well, simply put, yes… but maybe not as much as they should. horseA recent issue of the Horseshoe clearly stated that Runnymede is the station that “nearly everyone uses to get to Western.” That may be true, but I notice a lot more students opting to use High Park on the way home. Why that is, I’m not sure, but it may be a sign that High Park is overlooked as a get-toschool station. horseLet’s look at the stats. There’s no doubt that Runnymede station is a shorter walk to school.

However, experimentation has taught me that there really isn’t all that much difference between the walking distance, especially if you cross the curved streets strategically. For example, once I was commuting to school with my friends. I got off at High Park, but two of my friends got stuck on the train and had to go to Runnymede. I actually got to school like two minutes before them, anyway, so that’s gotta mean something, right? To sum that all up, if you are coming from the east (like most Western students), High Park could very well be faster.

High Park Station

horse“Wait a minute,” I hear you say. “If all that’s true, wouldn’t the senior students have figured that out by now?

Well, I do have a theory as to why so many people use Runnymede: Google Maps. The few times my dad has come to Western, he insists on using Runnymede because Google Maps tells him to.

However, I’m sure you know Google Maps can be wildly inaccurate, right?

Recently I was on a bike ride and Google Maps repeatedly told us to use the section of Yonge that has never had a bike lane and is currently a DUMPSTER FIRE due to construction. At the time we were far enough west that we could have

Runnymede Station

used University or even Beverley without backtracking (and we did use University), and yet Google Maps failed to consider the obviously better cycling routes that were available! horseI’d say that’s enough roasting Runnymede (and Google Maps) for now, so let’s look at the upsides of Runnymede. While we’ve established that it’s likely inferior to High Park timewise (from the east), it is generally a more cushy station. If amenities like a Gateway convenience store, escalators, elevators and even public art are worth the extra minute or two of travel time for you, then Runnymede is probably your choice. I think it’s noteworthy that High Park is currently being expanded to include some of the above, but the unfortunate truth is that they most likely won’t be too helpful for the Parkview Gardens exit (the one you would use to get to Western from High Park) horseAs for the question at the start of this article, the answer is simple: both.

Together, High Park and Runnymede are the true Western stations, and the fact that we have both offers diverse travel options, a unique piece of school culture and most importantly, something for this paper to tell you about.

Fall 2024

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News

What’s the matter with our streetcars?

Tunir Maity and Daniel To

horseWhen you think of the TTC, streetcars may not be the first mode of transportation that comes to mind, but they play a crucial role in our transit ecosystem. We have the largest and most expansive network of streetcars in North America right here in Toronto. They are a symbol of the city as a whole. So the question must be asked: Why does it seem like they’re only getting worse? horseI’m sure you’ve noticed this decline; either you or a friend has shown up to class late because that wretched 504 (King) has screwed them over. The old adages that “Toronto is an hour away from Toronto” and that you should “always expect Torontonians to show up late” have never been more true. Students at this school come from all over the city, from the 504 (King) or 505 (Dundas) to Dundas West, the 506 (Carlton) to High Park loop, or all the way from downtown, taking a triad of broken streetcars. horseWe spoke to students who use these streetcars every day, particularly along the all too Colt-populated and broken 504 King. We were told that the 504 is “the worst ever,” that they “hate the 504,” that during and after the pandemic the service was “abysmal” or “nonexistent,” and that it “definitely has some problems,” which may be a bit of an understatement. The numbers don’t lie either: as part of the 10minute network spearheaded by former mayor John Tory, wait-times along the 504 are supposed to be no more than 10 minutes. However many students have mentioned that wait times—especially in the critical morning rush—are over 15 minutes, sometimes pushing to half an hour or even beyond that. horseSAC treasurer Charlie Lam mentioned that the 504 “doesn’t work in the morning,” often finding himself walking all the way from Parkdale to Dundas West Station in order to get to school, an experience shared by many. He also expressed frustration at the 504 remaining at the station for so long,

saying that the streetcar is crammed without movement, and that he had “opps” on the 504—common slang to say that he believes there are people deliberately slowing his daily commute. horseSome were more measured in their criticism, noting that the 504 had improved since COVID, even if they had to walk some days. Downtown residents expressed satisfaction with their streetcar experiences, even though many cars are being replaced. It helps that the downtown riders have a diversity of alternate routes to hedge against cancellations, unlike our 504 regulars.

However, there was a consensus on one thing among all of the commuters we spoke to: streetcars are much faster and more comfortable than buses, and they generally benefit our city, even if there’s room for improvement. horseBeyond the 504, many routes are facing significant disruptions. As it stands currently, the Queen streetcar has much of its route replaced by buses, with service interrupted by the construction of the Ontario line. A portion of the Harbourfront streetcar is also a bus service now, for long term track replacement, much like the 512 St. Clair was last year. That’s not even the worst of it; the 510 Spadina has been replaced with

a slow, unreliable bus service, which over the past few months has somehow worsened traffic on its now-shortened route. These issues aren’t new, with the newest and current Flexity Outlook model of streetcars encountering some growing pains since its debut. On the 501 Queen, it was found that the Flexity was incompatible with the existing overhead wires and had issues with its emergency brakes. The problems along the 504 kept on ballooning, turning a brief maintenance project into a multi-year renovation, disrupting the 504 and the students taking it. Many students have to resort to neighboring routes that may be even less reliable, making the commute to school difficult, especially with constant delays along the Bloor line that involuntarily turn your half hour ride into a two hour snooze fest. horseStudents currently suffering from a slow transit network are holding out hope for a better Toronto, which can only be achieved by persuading the Ontario government to save the streetcars, especially the infamous 504 King streetcar. The streetcars have seen massive growth in the past, and almost all of it has been beneficial. Let’s pray that down the line, the government continues that train of thought.

504 streetcars ft. Colton, illustrated by Ciel Nduka

Fall 2024

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Arts & Culture

Megaflopolis

Oliver Principe-Beer horseLet me get this clear: Megalopolis is a bad movie. I will not describe the plot or characters because they meant nothing to me. The pacing is both incredibly fast and ploddingly slow, the performances are inconsistent at best, and the story is incoherent and pretentious. Unless you have a pathological need to see everything Francis Ford Coppola has ever made or you are intimately interested in giant films that flop, there is no real reason to see it. horseIf you know anything about movies, this should come as a massive disappointment. Francis Ford Copolla was at one point one of the greatest filmmakers in America. He had succeeded with similarly ambitious projects (Apocalypse Now) and with even more absurdist plots (Koyannisqatsi.)

Despite his semi-retirement to work on his vineyard (large portions of which he sold in order to fund Megalopolis’ production) he was still known as an incredible director. He was a titan of cinema who directed some of the greatest films I’ve ever seen. So why did writing the first paragraph in this article feel kind of good? horseI find joy in vicarious hatred, because it holds the same emotional weight as hatred without any of the baggage. Francis Ford Copola did not kill my dog. Adam Driver, who played the lead, did not steal my girlfriend, if only because he has not had the chance yet. All they did was waste three hours and fortyfive minutes (combining the runtime and the hours I had to work to purchase tickets, popcorn, etc) and millions of Copola’s own dollars. But the contempt I’ve felt for a film that was merely bad from a director who I really respect is something I want to interrogate. It’s not the worst movie I’ve ever seen, or the most disappointing movie I’ve ever seen, or even the worst or most disappointing movie I’ve seen this year. But the

Adam Driver in Megalopolis

experience has lingered for me like a pressure behind the eyes. I cannot stop thinking about Megalopolis, and I cannot stop thinking about why I didn’t like it, and I can’t stop thinking about what that means. horseBack when I used to go to the UofT theology library (they don’t let me in anymore, for some reason) I learned that Taoism is the belief that the world is made up of a spiritual balance of light and dark, or good and evil. Arising in the early Warring States period of preMedieval China, Taoism as a concept would go on to influence the writing of Confucius and the Gautama Buddha. To a Taoist, any sort of karmic imbalance will be matched with either a swell of opposing energy or an ebbing of the imbalance itself. While the way their theology interacts with the spiritual or material world is arguable, I have seen undeniable parallels in how people talk about the things they love or hate. horseIn 1967, New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther released a review of Orson Welles’ Chimes at Midnight.

Welles was the director of Citizen Kane, widely considered the greatest film of all time. In the years since, he has directed other critically acclaimed films like The Third Man and my personal favorite, Touch of Evil. After a commercial drought in which he had been unable to get his films funded, Midnight represented an opportunity for one of the greatest early Hollywood directors to get back in the game. Crowther did not care.

He tore into the film with a primal gusto,

calling it a “big, squashy, tatterdemalion show.” Crowther was famous for his controversial opinions (which ended up rankling the public so much that he was deposed later that year,) but the Chimes at Midnight review stands out as an epitome of critical wrong-headedness.

And if you read it (I highly recommend it, Crowther was a very skilled writer; that’s why they kept him around so long) you can see that one theme that comes up again and again is Crowther’s disappointment. Disappointment in the film, disappointment in Welles, disappointment in himself for expecting so much of it. Crowther couched all the rage he pointed at the film in the ashes of expectations crushed. The joy he found in hating the film came from the sorrow he felt when the film he watched was bad. horseI watched the film again two days before the newspaper submission deadline. It was worse than I remembered. There was no protective glaze of anticipation between the film and I. No surprise, no expectations, nothing worth my time except for Adam Driver telling a solicitor to go back to the cluuuub. I felt a burning core of resentment inside myself for sitting and watching this film again, for allowing myself to be suckered in a second time. I understood my feelings towards the film, my sheer dislike for it, for the first time leaving the theatre that chilly Tuesday night. Why did I so, so deeply hate Megalopolis? Because I wanted to love it.

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Western Tech News

Co-op Commons

Chloe Malcolm and Karina Dos Santos Pereira horseCo-op is a staple of the Western Tech experience. It is a rite of passage for so many of our senior students, for those in a SHSM, but also for those who are not. The cooperative education program (co-op) allows Grade 11 and 12 students to pursue unpaid work experience in an area of interest while earning High School credits. Western Tech boasts one of the most expansive co-op programs in the TDSB, and The Horseshoe is proud to partner with them to bring you Co-op Commons, a regular column that will give you a glimpse of the co-op experience with interviews from students in the program.

Chloe at her co-op, Toronto Barre Collective

My Co-operative Education Work When there's a rush, they’ll help me at Experience at Toronto Barre Collective the front desk, checking in people and sometimes they’ll help by putting away

by Chloe Malcolm some of the props for me. Overall, I’ve horseMy experience at Toronto Barre had a great experience at my co-op Collective has been amazing. The owner placement this year.

Shelley and her partner Eddie are so nice, easy going and sweet. I’ve been working with Eddie and he's been a good teacher.

He breaks things down for you to understand so you know what you're doing, and because of that it makes it easy for me to set up the various studios for classes. He's taught me how to multitask and because of that, my speed has been increasing everyday. Shelley’s amazing.

She is always willing to give you advice about how to set up the class and what you should do differently to improve for next time. She’ll encourage you to do better and it really helps with motivation.

When Eddie or Shelley are not there, I'll work with Tegean. Tegean used to go to Western Tech and now she works at Barre Collective. She gives me tips on how the studio runs and different methods on how to set up the space. The instructors are also a big help.

Karina Dos Santos Pereira horseMy co-op placement at Teeple Architects has been an experience like no other. This experience has given me a glimpse into the world of architecture, strengthening my passion while looking into the aspects of this career path. From learning new software like Photoshop to

understanding the process of site plans and architectural projects, every task given to me here has been an opportunity to grow. I am incredibly grateful to my co-op teacher, Mr. Kavourinos, for connecting me with such a supportive, growth environment, where I’ve built meaningful relationships that could lead to future opportunities, including a potential internship after I graduate university. This experience helped me develop valuable skills and showed me the importance of collaboration and creativity, lessons I will take with me as I continue my journey toward becoming an architect.

Karina at her co-op, Teeple Architects

Fall 2024

Page 18

Opinion

Hot Takes! With Brody Rapkowski DISCLAIMER: The views expressed herein are those of the author and in no way reflect the opinions of The Horseshoe, its editorial team, the staff and administration of Western Technical-Commercial School, or anyone, really.

Read on at your own discretion.

Singin’ In The Street, Oooooh I’m Singing In The Street horseWhen I first heard someone singing in public, I was a little shocked. How could someone have the confidence to do something like that with so many people around? Through the culmination of my vast 17 years of life experience, I can tell you that the answer is simple, mon ami: just open that mouth and start making sounds. Singing in public is about one of the most liberating activities possible. It's a beautiful way to experience music while releasing pent up emotions.

As long as you walk fast enough, no one will be bothered by you for more than a second, letting you live out your lead singer dreams on the walk to school. How long have you yearned to give your lip synching some sound? How often have you held back on shouting lyrics, only to come home and scream the rest of the song in your room? Well, the world is your home now. Don’t be annoying about it, running around and singing in people’s ears, or projecting your voice across the street, but let the world know that you are actually a big Celine Dion fan, or that Ed Sheeran really gets you going. Your hand is your microphone, the pedestrians are your audience, and the world is your stage.

Q: I have a friend who needs more sleep — what are some ways they can sleep better?

A: From experience, I can tell you that I sleep best after a long

day of exercise and work! When busy thoughts keep me from getting the rest I need, I might also put some headphones on and listen to quiet music or white noise.

Maybe they can try counting horses?

Q: How do you beat Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?

A: I lack the dexterity required to play most video games,

what with being a horse and all, but I heard Tears of the Kingdom requires you to think outside the box and find solutions to puzzles that you don’t always expect. Try not to dismiss ideas that you think might be too “out there” — it might just be the answer you need!

Swimming In Lakes: A Fishy Activity

Q: How do I balance having a job and getting all of my

horseTo put it frankly, lakes are revolting. It’s bad enough that we have to drink filtered sewage and nickel, but to swim in it? Now that is peculiar. With all the kinds of insects, bacteria, and urine from those who think it's appropriate to relieve themselves in a lake (that’s a whole other can of worms), it seems to me that there is nothing appealing about spending time in the lake. If I were to, say, draw you a nice bath, you might thank me for being kind and thoughtful. If you were to step into that bath and find yourself slipping on sand and cuddled by fish, you might scream. Why would you take that bath voluntarily? Additionally, I’d like to bring up the abyss that you might find yourself floating upon. If you decide to partake in this - and pardon my language - heinous aactivity out in the middle of the lake, the dead bodies of aahundreds of fish and ex-mafia members are the only floor aayou have beneath you. My point is, unless you have fins, ayour destination ends before the shore begins.

A: Whew, that sounds like a lot of work! Try setting

school work done? Feeling overwhelmed.

reminders or working with a schedule. Remember to take breaks and reward yourself when it’s over – whenever I’m done writing up advice column responses, I usually like to treat myself to a nice salt lick.

Q: The bathroom situation is dire. They’re all crowded, A:

broken, or both. How do I get through my day like this?

I understand your pain. As a horse, I’d consider myself something of an expert in this regard. I’d recommend sidewalks, dog parks, or maybe the middle of a bike lane.

Edited by Julia Story

Scan here to ask Colton

Fall 2024

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Artist Spotlight

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Clay Langdon

Cameron Mackey

Julia Story

Lizzy Cribbs

Fall 2024

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Artist Spotlight

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Lukenya Castelo

Kyle Morris

Grace Hernandez

Lizzy Cribbs

Fall 2024

Puzzles

I’m just a chill horse that likes football and reading newspapers...

Scan the QR code for the Horseshoe's website!

Exclusive articles Past issues Puzzle solutions

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Fall 2024

Puzzles

Man, those puzzles were hard! Anyway, seeya next semester.

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