A Tale of Two Graduates

A Tale of Two Graduates Self-Love Amidst the Social Pressures of By Scott MacDonald, Grade 12 School thoughts now that you’ve lived By Skye Reid-Calder, Grade 12 through it? Walking through De La Salle’s crowded hallways on my Emma: I honestly thought high first day of Grade 9, I was nervous and excited with so school would be like the hit movie much hope for what I would experience. When it came to series "High School Musical," which lunchtime, the cafeteria was so crowded so I sat alone and I can attribute to my sister and this began my further descent into low self-esteem. I's serious love for that franchise. Starting high school most people hope to “fit in,” to be Though there were some parallels, accepted, to be wanted. and a little less singing, high school was better than my expectations. It is deeply disappointing to have so much hope for a new Grades 9 and 10 were close to what start to make new friends then feeling it all fall from you. I expected them to be but when You see the number of people talking to you as a repre- the latter half of high school hit, sentation of your success and value as a person. Emma Grierson and the student council, S. Slovak it started to resemble my Disney Initially, we seem to want to please others at the expense As we navigate this unique school year, the experiences of dreams (again, less singing). of ourselves, losing ourselves to what we think others De La Salle students in grades 5-12 have been unusual to Scott: After being Vice President last year and President would want us to be. The problem is that, at times, we say the least. With a whole new schedule, online learning, this year, what advice would you give to younger students can let others dictate how we should feel about our- and ping-pong in the arena, pre-pandemic Del is starting who may be interested in running for student council in selves when people are temporary. They come and go to feel like a distant memory. With that in mind, I spoke the future? and while some can stay a lifetime, eventually everybody with grade 8 student Michael Di Biase and grade 12 Stu- dies. You are you from the moment you are born to the Emma: Just do it. It seems so daunting when you think dent Council President Emma Grierson to reflect on their moment you die. You see your life through your eyes and about all the responsibilities that are asked of you and all time at the College. your experience of others is built upon the foundation of the work you have to put in, but it is totally worth it in the your feeling of self. Your value in yourself should not be Interview with Emma: end... A lot of people are intimidated by the speech you dictated by anyone other than you. What matters most is have to make in order to participate in the election, but Scott: After 6 years at the College and a heavy involve- how you feel about yourself; not how other people feel don't let this be the reason you don't get to do something ment in student life, what has been the most rewarding about you. part of your time at the school? that interests you. Additionally, people seem to think that they have to be in the older half of high school in order to Continued on pg. 2 Emma: The most rewarding part of my time at Del has run, but this isn't true! Run for the positions you're eligible been being a part of the student council. When I was for as soon as you want to. Don't let being the youngest in the junior school, I always looked forward to school- scare you, I promise it's not bad! Don't believe people who wide events that the head girl and boy would organize. say the student council is lame, it's totally cool. Warning So, when I became old enough to run for council, I knew though, when you get on the council everyone will miracu- I wanted to do the same things for my peers and the lously try to be your friend in order to attempt getting the younger students. Hearing students get excited for events benefits that come with being on council (R.I.P. student and attend them, especially this year, makes all the hard council lounge). Overall, I would totally recommend run- work worth it. ning for the student council to anyone who's interested in Scott: What did you think high school would be like leadership! when you were in grade 8, and how accurate were those Continued on pg. 2 Hug yourself every day; you're worth it, Shutterstock A Simple Thank You tion towards INSIDE THIS ISSUE: By Adele Lopes, Grade 12 bridging the gap between Student Life Dear De La Salle Teachers, us. Thank Applications, Graduation, and Aspirations, p . 2 In these unprecedented times- *shakes head* that won’t you for un- do. How about in these challenging times? These horrible derstanding Inside Story and utopian times? Too pessimistic. our problems The Del of Tomorrow p. 3 at home, and The Heritage House on a snowy day, Adele Lopes No Stars for Hollywood: Responses to Climate However you want to label this moment in our history that how they started March of 2020, it has made us all uncomfortable. Change in the Entertainment Industry, p. 5 impact our school life now that the two are intertwined. Whether that is adapting to a new way of life that includes We appreciate when you understand why we can’t have social-distancing, mask wearing, or having a fear of large Sports/Co-Curriculars our cameras on, why we can’t talk too loudly, or when we groups, we have all been stressed emotionally and mentally. need a few days extension. Thank you for introducing us to It's Cool to Be an Eco-School, p. 6 As Del students, we are incredibly lucky in our position dur- your children and pets and letting us introduce ours as well ing this pandemic since our administrators adapted quickly to brighten our online days. Arts & Letters and successfully to the new reality imposed upon us. We Student Poetry, p.7 were swiftly given new schedules and online learning tools No matter what happens from now until “normal” we know That Great Green Multitude, p. 8 so that we could continue to learn and eventually “leave to we are in good hands. You have worked tirelessly for us, serve”. The novelty of it all was fascinating at first, and then and we know that we will be prepared for wherever our Politics future takes us. Without your guidance, your openness to tiring. We persevered and persisted and here we are today. The Capitol Has Fallen, p. 10 answering all our questions- academic or not- we could not There is one group of people that have held the threads of have thrived during this pandemic without you. Thank you our school community online. To our dedicated and amaz- Entertainment for keeping the Del community alive through your online ing teachers: thank you. Soul: Pixar's First Black Lead, p. 11 classrooms. Thank you for trying to make us laugh with your online Twitch: the Future of Live Digital Content, p. 11 Months lie ahead, and more challenging times than those jokes. Trust us, we do laugh even if you do not hear it. we have faced. However, this is where we learn about Thank you for putting up with our array of technological Off Campus ourselves, our ferocity and willingness to adapt. We all and Wi-Fi issues, and being empathetic during the process. Canada: More Complicated than America Thinks, really miss being on campus and cannot wait to see you in Thank you for learning a whole new method of teaching p.12 person. Thank you for everything you have done. and keeping us engaged while adapting to this new online platform. Thank you for bringing your enthusiasm and Sincerely, Humans of Del & Honest Brakeman DEL TRIVIA: Are You Smarter Than An Oakleaves passion for your subjects into the virtual classroom. We The De La Salle Student Body feel your energy through the screen and see your dedica- Writer? p. 15 Student Life their improvement and stay motivated. Alessandra: What resources can students use to find activities? Mr. Iantosca: YouTube, Fiton has great workouts for everyone at every level and social media like Instagram can be a good resource too. It is important to have some form of activity each day. There are many ways to make physical activity fun while following precautions. One way is to video chat with friends while working out or going for walks. This could The Heritage House one overcast morning, Daija Pilgrim Walking outdoors, TravelCouples/Getty Images help physical health while also improving social health, Applications, Graduation, and Aspirations which is another thing affected by lockdown. By Daija Pilgrim, Grade 12 Get Out and Get Active! I also had the chance to ask Grade 10 student Hannah From September through December, grade 12 students By Alessandra Cameron, Grade 10 Bowman about how lockdown impacted her physical focused on university selections. After deciding, the appli- Physical activity is more important now than ever. On health. cation process came next. I’ve interviewed a few students, January 7th, 2021 Ontario’s government announced that Alessandra: What kinds of things have you been doing to Mitchell Bradbury, Caitlin Kotsiopoulos, Michael Danful- students will continue to learn online until January 25th, stay physically active? ani, and Amanda Klunowski, to gather some information which ultimately was extended to February 16th.

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