WIC HOWLER
Editors: Valerie Wong and Ainsley Fielden
Teacher Advisor: Ms. Grey-Sortland
A NATURAL TEACHER: AN INTERVIEW WITH MADAME BERNIER
By Lora H (Grade 7)
Madame Bernier has been part of WIC for 18 years, teaching French and Science to many juniors over her time here. Her presence at WIC has shown her to be an unforgettable leader, a trustworthy person, and a wonderful teacher Being able to interview her and learn about her life was a great experience for me, and we wish her the best in her retirement.
Where did you grow up?
“I grew up in Quebec.”
Do/have you ever had pets?
“I had three pets a cat and two dogs. They were named Max, Miki, and my cat’s name was Coochie ”
Did you play any sports or have any extracurricular activities as a child?
“I did swimming competitions There weren’t any extracurriculars in my school, but I did the graduate committee at university ”
Do you have any siblings?
“I have three siblings. We had a pool, and we played there We also went biking, and we had a cabin near a lake and the mountains, and we went skiing there ”
What was your high school experience like?
“I went to a private school for boys and girls. It was close to my home I was walking there it was very small, smaller than WIC. I really liked it.”
What made you become a teacher?
“Because I taught when I was young. I taught the kids in the streets, and as soon as I learned something, I had to share it and teach what I was learning. So, I don’t know, I think it was natural for me to do that Teaching always attracted me ”
Did you have any role models when you first started teaching?
“No, I taught because it was natural for me ”
What plans do you have after your retirement?
“I want to travel, and I want to do some substituting, volunteering at the SBCA, and walking dogs.”
What have you learned by being a teacher?
“I learned to be patient, to listen to the kids and students. I improved my way, how I teach, since my first class. I changed the way I did my assessments, and how I displayed my content The technology changed a lot as well, so I learned that. I also learned to take some risks and to teach something that I was not used to teaching.”
Where did you go to university?
Why did you go there?
“I went to University of Calgary
That’s a different thing with my generation. Socioeconomically, I could have left the province, but we weren’t as adventurous back then. No one was going to Queens or Dal. Most of us were going to the university that was close I don’t know if the world was as large back then; you weren’t as interconnected and there wasn’t much information from other places ”
What were your favorite experiences at WIC?
“So many things I love the community, the teachers I am working with, and the kids. There’s been a lot of change, but the energy and the sense of community are always here. Everybody’s happy with good energy and I love to be here It’s my second family
Do you remember your first class at WIC? If so, what was it like?
“It was in 2007. I was teaching French at that time, and I had the same class many times I had many classes I was teaching eight classes, I think It was odd, but it was fun ”
What plans do you have after your retirement?
“I want to travel, and I want to do some substituting, volunteering at the SBCA, and walking dogs ”
Do you have any final advice for the students of WIC?
“Persevere, don’t give up. If something bad happens to you, it will be fine. Just remember that tomorrow is another day Be strong It’s the most important thing.”
A LOVE FOR LEARNING: AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. DAVIDSON
By Dana P (Grade 11)
“Hang out with friends you don’t have” and other words of advice are a staple in Mr Davidson’s Social Studies classes. Mr. Davidson has been a part of the WIC community for 12 years, engaging many senior high students in his classes As his last year at WIC wraps up, we want to celebrate his time at WIC with an informative interview and words of wisdom. I have personally enjoyed conversations with Mr. Davidson about movies, books, and M*A*S*H Many students at WIC will remember him as the teacher who always wears suits, dress codes students regularly, and advises the Prefect Council We wish him all the best in retirement!
Like New York Times interviews, this interview has been edited and condensed from multiple conversations.
Did you grow up with pets?
Where did you grow up?
“I grew up in Calgary for the most part I was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, but my family moved here when I was two. A lot of families moved for better economic opportunities I grew up in Kingsland, Calgary, until about Grade 4, right by Henry Wisewood (High School). Grade 4 through Grade 12, I lived just outside of Calgary, out by Springbank. That’s where I went to high school. I ended up buying my old family home from my parents ”
Have you visited Thunder Bay since you moved?
“I used to go out there all the time when I was a kid to visit relatives. Used to go fishing there and spend time in summer cottages - that sort of thing. But I haven’t spent much time as an adult ”
“We grew up with pets Because I was on an acreage, we had dogs: Labs and German Shepherds They were farm animals, outdoors most of the time As an adult, my wife and I had a little Jack Russell Terrier for 18 years named Friday, but that was a different experience than when I was a kid because we had her for a lot of our young married lives She was like our kid, I guess She was very important to us, and we have not replaced her. I am a dog person, not a cat person.”
What were you like as a high school student?
“I loved high school at Spring Bank High. We were good kids. I think we were strong academically, but not how you kids are Academics are different now Back then, anything over 80% was going to get you to university, so I didn’t take it as seriously as you kids do I played football and basketball. Some of the boys on that team are some of my best friends to this day We were the funny kids, so we made the graduation video.”
What was your best subject?
“I was really good at math, so I went into engineering in university thinking I was going to be an engineer. Then I discovered just because I was good at something didn’t mean that I liked it I changed to what I love, which is teaching And that’s that. I think that is something everyone can learn from ”
What did you want to be when you grew up?
“I honestly remember being a really young kid and wanting to be a fireman just because every Grade 4 boy wants to be one They have a cool truck and neat hat.”
Where did you go to university? Why did you go there?
“I went to University of Calgary. That’s a different thing with my generation Socioeconomically, I could have left the province, but we weren’t as adventurous back then No one was going to Queens or Dal Most of us were going to the university that was close. I don’t know if the world was as large back then; you weren’t as interconnected and there wasn’t much information from other places.”
Mr Davidson’s Jack Russell, Friday
Mr Davidson and his wife, Pam, at a Flames Game
Did you always want to become a teacher?
“I went to the counselor like most kids do in grade eleven, and he said I should go into engineering because of my high math grade I lived in Calgary and could make buckets of money. I graduated when I was 17, so I think I didn’t know what I wanted. So, I went into engineering, did a lot of math in the basement of the engineering building, and found out I didn’t enjoy it So, I had to change
I took a lot of History options in engineering. I also worked with kids in summer camps, and I liked that So, I thought ‘Why don’t I put those two together to see what education would be like?’ And I think that’s the neat thing, once you find what you love, it sort of takes off.
Being a teacher is fulfilling I don’t think I would get the fulfillment doing anything else, other than really truly believing that when you guys leave here, you know a little bit more about the world, and you enjoy it a bit more You feel like you’ve accomplished something that really means something, and you feel like it’s worthwhile.”
Have you worked at other schools besides WIC?
My first year after university, I worked one year of junior high, in Calgary. I taught Grade 7 and 8 Social Studies, which I enjoyed, but I wanted to be a high school teacher. So, I moved out to the Rocky View school division and worked at Bert Church High School for 13 years, teaching Grade 10 to 12 Social Studies. Then to Bow Valley for 7 years. Then the last 12 years here at WIC So, I have had a diverse experience.”
What other classes have you taught besides Social Studies?
“I have a math minor, because of engineering, so when I first started, I would teach predominantly Social, but they would give me Grade 9 Math or a non-academic Math course. But I do not enjoy teaching Math as much as I do Social, because there are not as many stories ”
What are your hobbies?
“I don’t have a ton of hobbies. I love to watch movies, and I love to read. I am a big reader I’m a sports fan, but it’s all about Calgary: Calgary Flames, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Blue Jays (because it’s Canadian). I love to hike
“Yes. I have had a long journey in 32 years.
I love to travel, and my favorite country to visit was India WIC offers a lot of travel opportunities, and they needed to send a teacher there on a risk assessment tour.
My wife and I were in India for 18 days, and it was awesome. It’s such a different world, exciting all the time and so different from Canada. And taking kids to India, it was one of the few trips I’ve been on where you didn’t have to tell them to look out the window They were just mesmerized because it was so different And sometimes it’ll upset you because there is poverty, and those types of things, but you also see some wonders and the joy that people have.
My wife and I scuba dive all over the world We have done over 400 dives and been to the Red Sea in Egypt, Fiji, the Philippines, Australia, all over the world. We dove with whale sharks and saw breaching whales. The vast majority of the time you are scuba diving; it is the most relaxing thing you will ever do ”
GO STAMPEDERS!
What have been your highlights at WIC?
“I love the intellectual curiosity of the kids You guys are very excited about learning, and I am able to play a part in the learning. The students are the best highlight ”
Additionally, Mr. Davidson has experienced many memorable events in his 12 years at WIC. The list includes:
The CAIS National Leadership Conference in which WIC hosted schools from all over Canada. They even held the Amazing Race (for Grade 8) in Banff
The International Studies Trips that took him to China, Vietnam twice, India (which was his favorite trip), Peru, and Tanzania
Coaching (basketball, volleyball, track and field) in general, but this year has been a great year to wrap up his career at WIC with the Senior Girls’ Basketball team making it to Provincials!
Do you have any advice you would like to give WIC students?
“Enjoy the fact that you love to learn and understand that it’s going to work out. I think you guys worry too much about your future. For the most part, you guys are going to find your landing spots, and then you might discover in the first or second year of university that you want to change your mind That’s okay. I remember changing my path academically and feeling it was something astronomical. You may feel lost because you don’t know where you’re going or scared because you’re not sure you’re going to like where you’re going, and you have to understand that everyone feels that way You are going to find it, and once you find something that you love, then go in that direction. If you love what you do, then you’ll love doing it for 32 years.
People need to realize how fortunate they are to be at WIC both as students and as teachers. This is a really special place because the majority of people here are here to learn and to pass on that learning.”
What are your plans for retirement?
“For the first few months, I am going to stay home because the weather is great There are few places in the world as beautiful as the mountains around here in the summertime Then, we have some trips planned like going to Baja for a month in November
In the new year, we want to go to Indonesia and Japan. I’ll come back to WIC and visit every once in a while. I’ll be going to a lot of concerts, but I’ll also be working security at the Saddle Dome and the Jubilee I like to keep busy, but I am also excited to be retired.”
We’ll close the interview with a topic of Mr Davidson’s favorite hobbies, fitting for a humanities teacher:
Mr. Davidson’s Movie Recommendations:
Uncle Buck - “I think it’s a classic and it’s hilarious ”
Silverado - “A great western ” La La Land - “Because it’s old school and fun ”
Mr. Davidson’s Book Recommendations:
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell - “A great book everyone should read.”
The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay – “One of my favorite books in the whole world.”
Enjoy your retirement and congratulations, Mr. Davidson!
2025 Senior Girls’ Basketball team
Mr Davidson and WIC faculty at a Holi festival in India
SUNRISE ON THE REAPING: BOOK
REVIEW
By: Elle M (Grade 11)
Brutal and heartbreaking: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins is a prequel similar to her other most recent novel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This prequel follows a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy in District 12 just before the Reaping happens Haymitch is a secondary character in the Hunger Games trilogy and is Katniss and Peeta’s mentor. As the novel develops, Collins reveals many characters that we have never met, and some that we have
As we learned in the Hunger Games, Haymitch is one of the tributes that is chosen for the 50th Hunger Games, which also happens to be the second Quarter Quell. This means double the usual number of tributes are chosen Not only does Collins give the readers an understanding of Haymitch’s experience fighting in and surviving the Hunger Games, but she also explores how his love life is unfairly ripped away from him before he can stop it.
If a new book to further the prequel series wasn’t exciting enough, a movie of Sunrise on the Reaping is set to hit theatres in November 2026 with stars such as Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, and Ralph Fiennes playing younger versions of characters that we are well acquainted with.
REFERENCES
WHY DO WE LIKE FLAWED HEROES
By: Tashi D (Grade 8)
"The true hero is flawed. The true test of a champion is not whether he can triumph, but whether he can overcome obstacles - preferably of his own making" (Garth Stein)
The way that heroes and main characters are written is always and will always be something that evolves and changes as time passes In some cases, we admire the heroes in our stories that appear flawless, noble, who rise for what they believe is right. But in many other cases, our heroes are flawed, and they struggle and have natural inclinations that are perhaps troubling, adding another interesting element to a story
Characters like Spider-Man, Harry Potter and Frodo Baggins are some examples of characters with flaws, and characters like Superman or Captain America are examples that are less flawed. But why does this matter and affect how we interpret stories?
When connecting to a character on a personal level, we often look for things that are relatable. As humans we are naturally flawed creatures, so when there is a character who has regular and relatable flaws, it makes us click with them as we feel as though we are going through something similar.
When our character feels regret, jealousy, fear, or greed, we tend to then realize that we aren’t alone and that these are natural occurrences On the other hand, when we see characters like Superman, we may not feel a deeper level of connection because Superman feels too perfect to be real
But does that mean superheroes in general just aren’t relatable? Not necessarily. For example, a character like Batman is a multibillionaire who seems far from the average person. But something about him that is relatable are his flaws Bruce Wayne is a character with trust issues, who can’t seem to let go of the past, and has severe anxiety when it comes to everyday little things Many people experience similar things, which is an example of how some people could find him as a more meaningful character. Of course, not every person feels that a flawed character is more relatable, but as we look at popular books and shows, we find a bit of a pattern of flawed heroes overall
In addition, there is still more to why we tend to like characters who are flawed. A big reason is that as a character makes mistakes and recognizes their flaws, they grow as characters. When there are no flaws, there is no growth The character is mostly boring and has stagnant behavior. Also, when you have a nonflawed character, they do not make mistakes, which can suck the life away from a character making the story feel dull. This doesn’t mean that every story with characters that are flawless is just hands down bad, but it means that it takes away a sense that truly makes a story special and more than a story itself
STAMPEDE 2025
By: Neva K & Abby B (Grade 10)
Every year, the Stampede brings energy and excitement to Calgary From the rides to the food to the musical lineup, it is one of the most aniticipated events every year. It attracts large amounts of both tour ists and local and , for the full ten days, Calgary becomes a city of light, life, and festivities Last year, the Stampede featured exciting events such as Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, and Steer Wrestling. If you love those sorts of things, then you’re in luck becau se they come back every year .
If you’re more interested in the other activities, there is always a plethora of rides, games, and food stands to fill your day with. From the Ferris wheel to the WestJet Skyride, there’s something for everyone And of course, you can find all sorts of interesting and creative foods, such as the Fruity Pebble Korean Dog to the Skittle Dog from Burgers & Wurst And of course, you can watch the fireworks every night of the rodeo at eleven p m The Stampede will commence on July 4th this year, and it’s certain to be the best one yet!
This year at the Stampede, a variety of artists are lined up to perform in and around the park To start, the CocaCola Stage – one of the most wellknown stages – has exceptionally talented artists including Don Toliver, Lauren Spencer Smith, Kaleo, Alesso, Khalid, Tommy Richman, Malcolm Todd, and Two Feet. These artists are just a few of the new and exciting performers at the Calgary Stampede
In addition to the Coca-Cola Stage, the Nashville North Tent features Tenille Townes, Jade Eagleson, Drake Milligan, Midland, Mackenzie Porter, Hailey Benedict, and Megan Patrick Even further, Shania Twain is showcased quite a lot in the Stampede this year through the festive parade and stage performances all through the week. The variety of genres of music performe, including country, pop, rock, or indie, make the experience even more memorable
One of the unique things about the Calgary Stampede is the extremely unique food stands that can be found all throughout the park Every year, new culinary inventions are showcased throughout all ten days, and while some of them seem tamer , there are others that you would definitely nee d to have a very ope n palate to try Some notable dishes from Stampede 2024 include cheeseburger ice cream, pickle fry poutine, Takis mini doughnuts, watermelon burgers, and Mexican street corn poutine.
This year, some foods to look for if you’r e looking for something less adventurous would include the classic Chow-Boy Bao from Mumbai Bites, the Smoked BBQ Beef Rib from Barbeque Steak on a Bun, and the Freaky Tzatziki Twisted Pickle from Twisted Pickles. And even though those aren’ t exactly simple, some of the other creations offer a new level of tastebud experience
If you think you have a slightly more adventurous palate, you might consider trying dishes such as the Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese-Cake from Bacon Nation. This interesting invention is composed of a NY style blueberry cheesecake stuffed inside of Texas toast, wrapped in a bacon l ettu ce, and finished off by being grilled.
Another one to keep your eye on would be the Fruit Loops Chicken
Burger This crazy creation is a normal chicken burger rolled in Fruit Loops and drizzled in strawberry. Other honourable mentions include Dill Pickle Mini Doughnuts from Mini Doughnut Factory, Spicy Coconut Avocado Ice Cream from So Cute Ice Cream, and Deep-Fried Pickle Oreos Whether you like to play it on the safer side with your palate or you’re open to trying new dishes, this year’s Stampede food lineup will have something for everyone!
References CalgaryStampede(nd)CalgarystampedecomRetrievedMay302025from https://wwwcalgarystampedecom/stampede/attractions/midway SuperPass(nd)CalgarystampedecomRetrievedMay30,2025,from https://wwwcalgarystampedecom/superpass (Nd)TodocanadaCaRetrievedMay302025fromhttps://wwwtodocanadaca/calgarystampede-announces-2025-coca-cola-stage-lineup/#googlevignette
THE KENTUCKY DERBY: MORE THAN A RACE
By Ainsley F (Grade 11)
In the 151 years that the Kentucky Derby has been running, it has become engrained in North American culture With the actual race only lasting two minutes (dubbed “the most exciting two minutes in sports”), most of the day is filled with traditions that have drawn people from all over the world Everything from hat contests to the traditional Kentucky Derby drink (mint juleps) await anyone who wishes to join
How does it work?
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown, a series of three races Two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes take place, followed three weeks later by the Belmont Stakes Only thirteen horses in history have ever won all three in a row, including the wellknown horse Secretariat, who holds the record for being the fastest horse in the world
To qualify for the Triple Crown, only three-year-old thoroughbreds – the breed of horses involved in racing –are eligible The horses must be nominated beforehand and then compete in a series of races with points awarded to the top four horses. The twenty spots in the Triple Crown are given to the twenty best athletes
The Kentucky Derby 2025
This year, almost everyone expected the horse Journalism to win, with his odds of 3-1. However, both him and Sovereignty (a horse with 5-1 odds) started off the 1 ¼ mile race in the middle of the pack before quickly sweeping forward near the end, passing competitor after competitor. Soon, it was just Journalism and Sovereignty neck and neck a couple strides ahead of everyone. At the last moment, milliseconds before the finish line, Sovereignty pushed past Journalism and won the Kentucky Derby
Is the Triple Crown and the rest of the horse racing industry ethical?
Although many people view that any use of animals for human sports/enjoyment as unethical, it’s not as simple as that. If we were to simply take away the whole horse racing industry, all we would have left is thousands of horses that people would not want Many of these horses would sadly end up forgotten and even be sold for meat. Although many would think that a place like Canada would never treat horses this way, according to CBC News, “Canada is among the leading exporters of horsemeat in the world”.
In addition, a lot of horses love their job. I’ve personally met many horses who simply love to run and have unmatched loyalty for their owners; however, it really comes down to how they are treated by their owners Many people will even give their sport horses massages and chiropractic treatments to ensure that they are living their fullest life and always put the needs of their horse before the needs of their sport. However, other owners will only view their horse as a means to an end. Many horses, especially in the horse racing industry, are drugged or undergo brutal treatments, such as pin firing, where acid is poured on an injured horse’s legs because some vets think that it will “toughen up their legs” and cause them to heal faster In reality, there isn’t any proof that treatments like this actually help the horses but may instead be harming them further.
In the end, horse racing like the Kentucky Derby is a way to celebrate horses, but it’s clear that some changes need to be made to focus on the well-being of these incredible athletes. When horses like Sovereignty and Journalism give us their all, shouldn’t we do the same for them in return? It’s not an easy fix, but hopefully, in the coming years, changes can be made to ensure that horses are given all of the love and loyalty that they have already given us.
References Abeginner’sguidetothe2025KentuckyDerby (nd) Americasbestracingnet RetrievedMay19,2025,fromhttps://wwwamericasbestracingnet/lifestyle/2025-beginners-guide-the-2025kentucky-derby Baer,J (2025,May17) KentuckyDerby2025winner,results,payout:SovereigntyedgesoutfavoriteJournalisminfirstlegof2025TripleCrown YahooSports https://sportsyahoocom/horse-racing/live/kentucky-derby-2025-live-updates-horses-post-time-odds-payouts-and-more-for-the-greatest-two-minutes-in-sports-130624378html Landman,S (2022,May7) HowarehorsestreatedattheKentuckyDerbyandinhorseracing?Askcom https://wwwaskcom/culture/how-are-horses-treated-at-kentucky-derby Onion,A,Sullivan,M,&Mullen,M (2018,April30) Secretariat:Races,records&legend HISTORY https://wwwhistorycom/articles/secretariat Snowdon,W (LastUpdated:October192023) Acontentiousexport:TheanatomyofCanadashorsemeatindustry CBCNews https://wwwcbcca/news/canada/edmonton/horsemeatindustry-live-exports-ban-canada-16987841
WIC NEW FIELD OPENING
By: Valerie W (Grade 11)
On Wednesday May 7th, West Island College (WIC) was pleased to officially open the new field To celebrate this monumental event, WIC had a grand opening that featured a student festival with food trucks, photobooths, and games. On top of that, a soccer game was hosted where the WIC team faced off against Calgary Academy To end the night, the community enjoyed a BBQ dinner--the mini churros and ice cream were a highlight. This was a memorable evening with an amazing student turnout, marking the start of a new chapter for our athletic teams
Thank you to all the donors who helped contribute to the funding of this athletic field It is now being used to host rugby games, gym classes, soccer games, and more. Additionally, with bleachers put in place, students now have the opportunity to watch these sports games and support the school. This promotes school spirit and increases our sense of community One student believes that “the new athletic field is exciting as it is just another way at this school to spend time with friends.”
This multi-purpose field encourages everyone on campus to become healthier and more active through casual recreation; at lunch or on breaks, students can come enjoy the field! Not to mention that the field is also aesthetically striking, making the overall grounds more vibrant and appealing By inspiring more students to take walks and spend time outdoors, this field unites the students, staff, and parents together enabling our community to thrive To conclude, this new addition to WIC spotlights the school’s leadership and dedication in fostering a positive environment where students are encouraged to excel
Message from the Editors:
As we wrap up the last edition for the school year, we wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to our team of dedicated writers. Also, huge thanks to Ms. Grey-Sortland for being our teacher advisor. Lastly, thank you to the readers for your support and engagement Have a great summer and see you all next year!