Enrolmentsets record

By JANINE WESTERAStaff writer

The gloves are off and the bellhas rung. In one corner is NiagaraCollege President Dan Pattersonand in the other corner, the Ontariogovernment.

Patterson has been fighting anongoing battle with the province toget more money for the college sys-tem. The Ontario government thisspring created a new Post-sec-ondary Review Panel led by formerpremier Bob Rae. The panel hasbeen asked to develop a sustainablefunding framework, which wouldinclude operating grants, tuition andstudent assistance.

Niagara College will be con-tributing to this panel through anew Advisory College Council(ACC) led by Bill Hutton, chair ofthe School of Public Safety andSecurity.

Niagara College will be makinga submission to the ACC high-lighting the positive aspects thatincreased funding will have on thefuture learning of the students andother related issues.

Skylar Stolk, 22, of PortColborne, is a fourth-year studentin the Computer EngineeringTechnology program at the

Welland campus. Stolk says thecollege needs better computers forthe technology students.

“Everyone gets new computersexcept the computer students,” saysStolk. Asked what Stolk thoughtabout Patterson’s plan on how to getmore money from the government,Stolk said, “It’s a good thing, butmaybe they should keep the tuitionthe same and put more funding intotechnology at the school.”

Even though Patterson is bom-barded by the politics of being col-lege president, he says he is look-ing forward to working with theStudent Administrative Council(SAC) because they are “veryenthusiastic” about some of theirnew plans.

Blake Turner, 21, of St.Catharines, is first-year student in theSocial Service Worker program.Turner is the SAC director, program-ming and student events. He saysPatterson is “very supportive” ofSAC and the students.

“He’s very good at what hedoes, and Niagara College benefitsfrom him,” says Turner. “I can’timagine anyone doing any better.”

Patterson meets with SAC aboutfour times a year to discussupcoming events.

Patterson offers advice to new stu-dents and students who feel asthough they might be struggling. Hesays students should take advantageof all opportunities given to themthrough the college. “We have out-standing counsellors and can giveassistance.”

“The counsellors are very support-ive. They told me what I needed totake and gave me different options,”says Lee Baker, 20, of St.Catharines, a first-year student in theGeneral Arts and Science program.

Patterson fights for funding

By STEPHANIE VERRIStaff Writer

It is a record enrolment forNiagara College as 6,000 studentsbegan the Fall 2004 term on Sept. 8.

Al Vaughan, 48, of St.Catharines, Ont., is the director ofEnrolment and RegistrationServices for the college.

Vaughan says the biggestincrease in enrolment was in theHospitality and Tourism pro-grams, especially the Culinaryprograms.

“Hospitality and Tourism pro-grams are becoming very popular,especially because of the newCulinary Institute.”

The new Culinary Institute wasopened at the Glendale campus inNiagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., thispast spring.

Along with the opening of theinstitute, the college has also intro-duced three new programs:the Bachelor of AppliedTechniques (Photonics), a one-year Mechanical Techniques(Precision Machining) and a one-year Construction Techniques.

When asked if the introductionof the new programs had a biginfluence on the increase of enrol-ment, Vaughan says, “Not really.”

“The successful startups in thenew programs have all contributedto the growth, for sure, but are not strictly driving the

increase.”If students are worried about

limited spaces for parking,Vaughan says not to worry.

“(The high enrolment) won’taffect student parking.”

Niagara College has proven it isan excellent place to attend school.

“We were very successful infilling all our programs, whichcontributed to student satisfac-tion” says Vaughan.

Along with the increase inenrolment, the college also saw anincreased number of applicants.

“We’re back to pre-double-cohort years. Niagara College,especially in applications, lookslike a seven per cent increase.”

The seven per cent increase isstrictly based on first-year stu-dents. Overall registration sawapproximately a two per centincrease.

Vaughan says he cannot official-ly tell what the final results areuntil the 10th day of classes.

“It is one thing to get applicants;it is another to convert applicantsinto enrolment.”

“We (the college) were verysuccessful. I give very big creditto our admissions and recruitmentstaff in doing that,” says Vaughan.

“Everyone who talks to stu-dents about their programs reallyhelps. In our case, it has beenvery good and helped in ourenrolment.”

Editorials 9

Columns 10

Sports 15

Entertainment 18

Crossword 25

Job Centre puts students’education to work

Continued on page 2

Continued on page 2

Big save by Canuck goalie

Welland Jr. Canadians’ sniper Jason Hill (27) tries to roof the puck, only to have the NiagaraFalls Canucks goaltender come up with a pad save. Welland won 5-2. See related story onpage 16.

Photo by Ray Spiteri

By TIZA SHANZIStaff Writer

As the academic year begins, the Niagara College Job Centre isputting Niagara College students’ education to work from the firstsemester right through to graduation.

The Job Centre staff is ready to help students looking for co-op edu-cation services, graduate services, volunteer opportunities, part-timeand on-campus jobs or formatting of resumés and cover letters.

“Students can come into each centre and visit a job coach. We nowhave job coaches,” says Janet Forfar, of Pelham, Job Centre graduateconsultant. “Drop by any time.”

The Job Centre has six staff members at the Welland campus andeight staff members at the Glendale campus.

Each centre has a graduate consultant who is readily available to helpgraduates gain skills and find jobs that last.

“Most graduates do find the jobs they seek or a start-up job for their career.”

The Job Centre has three co-op consultants at the Welland campusand five co-op consultants at the Glendale campus.

Co-op consultants work with co-op students in assisting with jobsearch strategies and promoting programs to employers.

“Co-op students have a very good employment rate.”“The co-op consultants were very helpful when I was looking for my

co-op placement. They helped me with resources,” says Michael Asare-Bediako, 21, of Niagara Falls, an Electronics Engineering Technologystudent.

index

Check out Orientation Day on page 5

Freestyle at Arizona’s

on page 23

Continued from page 1As the Job Centre is focused on

the future, it has plans for the newacademic year. Events are sched-uled for every Tuesday of the newyear with the volunteer fair beingthe main fair.

“Volunteering looks good on aresumé,” says Forfar.

A free shuttle bus is providedfor some of the job fairs if trans-portation will be a problem.

“Last year for the fall careerfair, over 1,000 students came in.We’ve been very pleased withthat.”

Students looking to land jobshave a lot of opportunities.Employers come in the hall, out-side the cafeterias at both Niagara

College campuses to recruit stu-dents for job postings.

“We try to put as much informa-tion on the site to let them (stu-dents) know of our seminars,”says Linda Harding, of Welland,Job Centre receptionist.

“Sometimes we take a table andseat in the hall,” says Forfar.

The Job Centre has a new pub-lication that informs students ofthe services offered that help stu-dents connect with the right peo-ple.

“Our newspaper is wonderful,”says Harding.

“Students can pick up the publi-cation in or outside the JobCentre,” says Forfar.

The Job Centre subscribes to

free services offered athttp://www.workopoliscampus.com. The site provides a full rangeof jobs across the country andabroad for Niagara College stu-dents.

“We want students to be aware.We want students to know thewebsite,” says Forfar.

There are about 400 to 500 jobslisted on the site for NiagaraCollege students.

Niagara College students cancontact the Job centre online athttp://www.niagarac.on.ca/job-centre or visit the Job Centre atthe Welland campus in roomSE101 or at the Glendale campusin room W115. The hours are from8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

By MATTHEW RUSSOStaff Writer

Students new to the communitygot the chance to learn about theirnew home at the Off-CampusStudent Information Fair heldSept. 9 and hosted by StudentServices.

In response to issues of noise,rowdiness and partying in pastyears by off-campus students liv-ing in the First Avenue area ofWelland, a meeting was set upbetween Niagara College adminis-tration, area residents, communitypartners and the StudentAdministrative Council. The infor-mation fair was held in the foyer infront of the Learning ResourceCentre in the Tecumseh Wing ofthe Welland campus’ main build-ing. It resulted from the OffCampus Student HousingCommittees’ meetings.

Brigitte Chiki, director of stu-dent services at Niagara College,said, “Thirty-eight per cent of thestudent population at the Wellandcampus of the college is new to theWelland area. We are hoping thatthis information fair can answermany of the questions that theymay have about the area, theirrights and their responsibilities.”

This was the first event of its

kind held at the college.“For a first-time initiative, the

event was a great success. We had25 community agencies participat-ing, including police, fire and cityofficials ... several hundred stu-dents took advantage of this oppor-

tunity to get to know their commu-nity better,” said Chiki, in an e-mail interview.

As students moved between thedisplays of community and collegegroups and services, they wereable to fill out ballots and pick upinformation pamphlets.

“Many of the agencies offeredopportunities and information that

is relevant to them as students; forexample, St. John Ambulanceoffers the first-aid certificationrequired in many programs,” said Chiki.

The prize winners from the stu-dent draw were Kathleen Harrison,of the Office Administration pro-gram. The grand prize winnerreceived a $100 student survivalpack. Erin Gettler, of the EarlyChildhood Education program, andObiki Ifeanyi, of the ElectronicsTechnology program, each won$50 campus store gift certificates.

Kim MacGregor, of theEducational Assistant – SpecialNeeds Support program, and BrianLuff, of the ElectronicsTechnology program, each won$50 Aramark Food Services giftcertificates.

Some of the agencies at the fairwere BHI Ball Hockey, Centre forCommunity Leadership, WellandFire Department, Welland PublicTransit, Welland Public Library,Rose City Toastmasters, RegionalNiagara Public Health Department,Spiritual Groups, JobGym, TheNiagara Newspaper andDistribution Network (Tribune),the City of Welland, Group4 Falck,the Niagara College Foundationand St. John Ambulance.

Page 2, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

Continued from page 1Patterson says he believes that

at the end of the day it is key forindividuals to set up goals and toperiodically refine those goals tomake sure they are realistic andachievable. “I can assure you thatstaff will do their utmost to ensuresuccess.”

With the first year enrolment upseven per cent from last year and50 out of 70 of Niagara College’sprograms within five per cent oftheir capacity, it is no surprise thatPatterson is pleased with thisyear’s enrolment.

“We are slightly up from lastyear,” says Patterson. “The collegesystem experienced a slightdecline due to the double cohort.However, Niagara College wasable to maintain a steady influx.” DAN PATTERSON

President Dan Pattersonfights for student funds

Two false alarms at Child Care Centre

Welland campus Student Administrative Council President MarkHardwick and Welland Mayor Damian Goulborne pose for a photoat the students’ Living Off-campus Information Fair on Sept. 9.

Photo by Sandor Ligetfalvy

Student Services welcomes students

Job Centre getting focused

By SANDOR LIGETFALVYStaff Writer

A short in the fire panel triggeredan alarm at 8:25 a.m. on Sept. 15 inthe Child Care Centre at NiagaraCollege’s Welland campus.

Captain Robert Perron, of theWelland Fire Department, said thealarm that disrupted children, stu-dents and staff was caused by aboard malfunction in a fire panel.

College Manager of FacilitiesManagement Services (FMS) JuliaBertollo said, in a campus-wide e-mail, “A short in the fire panel ...caused some minor smoke and asso-ciated odours.”

The fire crew on the scene workedwith FMS personnel on the circuitboard. Children were sitting in agroup on the grass as a large fansucked the odour from the building.

Bertollo was co-ordinating the crewsworking on the situation.

Cptn. Perron said there was noelectrical spark or fire.

The children and staff returnedinside the daycare centre at 9:45a.m. FMS technician Daryn Edensaid it was “one of those thingsthat happen.”

The malfunctioning board trig-gered a second alarm at 12:45 p.m.

‘Thirty-eight per cent of the

student population at

Welland campusis new

to Welland.’—Brigitte Chiki

File

pho

to

By MELISSA HUNTStaff Writer

So you made it to college and arewondering what you got yourselfinto?

Don’t worry. It’s a classic case ofnew-school jitters, a fixable disease.

The Quick Study Guide (avail-able at your local bookstore) is apamphlet written by leading educa-tors that Bar Charts, Inc., putstogether to help students with differ-ent subjects. The Guide for Keys toCollege Success says there are fivephases of college adjustment. Oneis a fascination with the new envi-

ronment. Two is severe homesick-ness. Three is finding fault with thenew surroundings. Four is findinghumour in the adjustment and fiveis embracing the new culture, see-ing it as your normal environment.Don’t stress out.

After high school, most studentshave big expectations about college.

Telisha Lee, 20, of Brampton,Ont., is a second-year student in theSocial Service Worker program.She says there isn’t much differencebetween high school and college.“We’re given this image that col-lege is so tough and are really pres-

sured all throughout high school.”Lee says college hasn’t lived up

to the images.Learning to adapt is only the

beginning. More important isobtaining good grades and overallsuccess. How To Get Good Gradesat a College or University by LindaO’Brien is a book to learn thebasics. In her book, O’Brien saysstudents should understand the needfor critical thinking skills and per-sonal responsibility, the conse-quences for low grades, the varyingclass sizes and the increased empha-sis on tests and independent study.

In the book’s introduction, she saysthat the college and university stu-dents who are the most successfulare self-disciplined and work hard.

Lee agrees saying although itsounds clichéd, “time management,organization and not procrastinat-ing” is the best advice she couldgive to new students.

Lee says the one thing she wishesshe could change about her firstyear is putting more time intoassignments and studying more.

During a seminar called TrainYour Brain, Brian Thwaits, a formercollege professor and now motiva-

tional speaker, said the ability tocommunicate, problem-solvingskills, setting priorities, striving towork well and knowing how tolearn are essential for success.

Later on in the seminar he alsosaid the reason information doesn’tstick is when a student has no inter-est, no attention and no effort.

In the end, Lee says it’s “veryimportant” to meet new people.“When you are in a new communi-ty, it’s good to socialize. It gives youan alternative source other thanschool, and it gives you someone, afriend, to talk to.”

Guide to college success suggests five phases of college adjustment

news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 3

United Way breakfast kicks off campaignBy PAM HALLMAN

Staff WriterThrough the fall months of

2004, more than 1,600 students inschools all over the Niagara regionwill receive help in getting off to agood start, thanks to the UnitedWay.

Going strong for 40 years, theSouth Niagara United Way is ask-ing for donations and participationto help meet its fundraising goal of$980,000. It funds 56 programs at26 different agencies. The 2003campaign raised $954,989.

Last year the college communi-ty raised $24,254.48 throughdonations and fun events likeDress Down Fridays andHalloween campaigns.

“I would love to have 100 percent participation this year, ratherthan the 35.5 per cent from lastyear, but it was better than the yearbefore,” says Betty Ann Chandler,United Way representative forNiagara College.

Heather Carter, co-chair for thecollege campaign, says with moreparticipation, the more money willbe raised for the United Way.

“If we get more people to con-tribute from around the area, thefaster the word spreads about thecampaign.”

Some of the volunteer represen-

tatives from the college includeChandler, of the InternationalEducation department, Carter andErica Juris, both of the BusinessDevelopment Centre at theGlendale campus, and LorraineGelinas, of the ContinuingEducation department.

The campaign started on Sept.14, with the annual kick-off break-fast held at Club Richelieu onRiver Road in Welland.

Norm Lecompe, Club Richelieuowner, gave his donation of$1,000 to the United Way at thebreakfast, to help start the cam-paign out on the right foot.

Dan McLean, a televisionanchorman from CH Hamilton,informed the guests that raisingmoney is not that easy.

“Our traditional sponsors arejust not there anymore. We have toget new avenues to raise money,”says McLean.

“We’re going back to the samecompanies and it’s getting tough.Companies can only give out somuch money over the course of 40years.”

Niagara College has beeninvolved with the United Way formore than 30 years and will con-tinue to put forth the effort bydonating what money they can,says Carter.

United Way posts the 2004 goal of $980,000 for its annual kickoff breakfast.Photo by Pam Hallman

VP Academic shows enthusiasmBy RANDI CODISPODI

Staff WriterIn his second year at Niagara

College, Alan Davis, vice-presi-dent academic, 54, of St.Catharines, has nothing but posi-tive thoughts concerning the col-lege and its students.

Every student may not know therole of the vice-president academ-ic, but Davis knows his job insideout.

“Students often end up talkingto me for really one of two rea-sons. One is they are really happy.I obviously meet quite a lot of stu-dents as I’m walking around, or(two), if there is some kind oftrouble.”

If needed, he can be found inSE104 at the Welland campus.

Davis is responsible for studentservices like counselling, aborigi-nal education and athletics. Hedeals with the enrolment services,financial aid and the registrar’soffice.

“I think it is important that stu-dents be aware of their rights whenthey get into any kind of difficulty,whether it is related to their classwork or whether it is related tosomething else.”

Originally from England, Daviswas living in Northern Albertawhile working in the universitysystem and contributing to the col-lege system. He knew it was timefor a change. “The more I foundout about the college, the more Iliked it.”

Davis says, “In the end, Niagarachose me; I chose Niagara.”

“You can see this kind of con-stant synergy going on betweenwhat the college does and what thecommunity does, and I think that’sthe most exciting thing.”

Chemistry was Davis’s majorthroughout university until hegraduated in 1980 with his PhD.Afterwards he began teachingchemistry at Fraser ValleyCollege, now a university, inBritish Columbia. “I reallybecame much more interested inteaching than I did in research.”

“There is an immediate sort offeedback between what is goingon in the classroom, preparing stu-dents for work, seeing them grad-uate, seeing them do co-ops, andyou can see very quickly the pay-off in terms of what you’re doing.”

The career Davis has chosenmeans his is not a typical 9 a.m. to5 p.m. workday. Davis is on call

all of the time, including eveningsand weekends. “You get paidmore, you do more.”

Pat Clay, 48, of St. Catharines,has been with the college since1976. She is Davis’s administra-tive assistant.

“I thoroughly enjoy workingwith Alan. I have heard only posi-tive feedback about Alan from fac-ulty, support and administrativestaff,” says Clay.

Besides his job at the college,Davis is involved with the boardof the Business Education

Council, which looks at educationand training for students. He is amember of the board of theGallery Players, which is a musicgroup.

At home, he takes care of hisfamily. “I have two dogs. I likehanging out with them. I have a13-year-old son who keeps mebusy.” When it comes down to

what he does the most after work,Davis says, “Pretty well you haveto look after your family ... and thedogs.”

Davis says he enjoys going tothe theatre and to concert halls. Heused to do a lot of acting, directingand writing for the communitytheatre. He says it was chemistryduring the day and theatre at night.Davis says it is “really” hard tocontinue doing that and concen-trating on his job.

College is doing a really greatjob of balancing its budget.

College helps fundraise forthe community campaign

By PAM HALLMANStaff Writer

It’s time to get the pocketbooksout and make a donation to theUnited Way.

The United Way is an organiza-tion that depends on the strengthof its volunteers helping commu-nities respond to a large range ofhuman needs on a national scale.

Bill Auchterlonie, United Wayof South Niagara’s executivedirector since June 2003, says theagency has thousands of volun-teers throughout Welland, Pelham,Wainfleet and Port Colborne, tohelp raise money to meet the 2004campaign goal of $980,000. Lastyear’s goal was reached, with atotal of $954,989.

“Volunteers can do as much ashand out hot dogs at the annualBBQ to help organize an event,”says Auchterlonie.

Each dollar raised stays withinthe community in which it waspledged.

“There are too many fundraisersout in the public eye that buythings with the money that peopledonate, like motorcycles and mul-timillion-dollar homes. UnitedWay does not do that. All the

money goes to people,” saysAuchterlonie.

There are four branches in theNiagara region: Fort Erie, NiagaraFalls, South Niagara and St.Catharines.

“The South Niagara United Wayspends about 12 per cent of thedonations on things like rent,paper, guides and paying staff,which is the lowest percentage anorganization has ever spent,” saysAuchterlonie.

Karen Walsh, campaign andmarketing director since February,says payroll deductions fromemployee paycheques are thelargest income to the United Way.

“Niagara College is our number1 educational support group. Theyhave been with us for more than30 years. The college helps reachour goals throughout the years byputting on fun events,” saysWalsh.

If you would like to make adonation to the United Way, forthe college campaign contactBetty Ann Chandler, at theWelland campus, 905-735-2211extension 7519 or for the UnitedWay of South Niagara campaign,905-735-0490.

At mid-day, Dr. Alan Davis, vice-president academic, is busy deal-ing with student issues in his Welland campus office.

Photo by Randi Codispodi

Growing Perfection and Beauty.

See The Hortuculture Edition

Coming in March

Page 4, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

By RANDI CODISPODIStaff Writer

Calling all bands and entertain-ers: getting a show is not as hardas it may seem.

The After Hours pub at theWelland campus welcomes manyup-and-coming bands and enter-tainers.

Niagara College has been able tohave artists such as Kazzer, Not ByChoice, Snow and SwollenMembers play for Orientation Week.

Even bands from Hamilton areinterested in getting a show at thepub. I’m Dying To Tell You I’mDying is a “punk-emo” band con-sisting of Luke Reed, 25, on bass,Jon Mancini, 23, on guitar, JamieHavock, 25, on vocals, VicRinieri, 22, on guitar and JoshHolt, 26, on drums.

“We had some friends in a bandthat played at the Niagara Collegepub and they loved it,” Reed says.

“We had no idea how to try to geta show though. Luckily we foundsomeone who attends the collegeto try to help us out.”

“I heard Welland has a prettygood music scene for bands likeus. We’d love to get the studentsto come out and see us there,”Mancini says.

Ryan Young, 26, of Thorold, isnot new to the college, but is newto the After Hours pub. Youngwas the bar manager at theGlendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake for the last three years.This year he is the bar manager atthe Welland campus.

“Basically, people come to mefor a show,” Young says.

Young can be contacted by goingto the pub or by calling 905-735-2211, extension 7660.

Other than Wednesday andThursday nights, the pub is usual-ly free to rent and not being a stu-

dent at Niagara College will notbe a problem.

Wednesday nights are for allages, while Thursday nights arefor people 19 and over.

Bands interested in playing atthe pub must put the show togeth-er themselves, contact Young andrent the pub for the night at anhourly rate. Young will providethe staff and security.

It appears that the pub is a safeplace to perform. Blake F. J.Turner, 21, of St. Catharines, is afirst-year Social Service Workerprogram student who plays animportant role in the StudentAdministrative Council. Turner isthe director, programming and stu-dent events.

“The pub has not had any out-of-control incidents that I have knowl-edge of in my two years,” Turnersays. “We have a great security staffthat keeps everything under control.”

As for upcoming events at thepub, there is a team milk-drinkingcontest at noon on Sept. 24, a pie-eating contest at noon on Sept. 27and a cup pub at night on Sept.30.

Young says the pub is planningon trying out a karaoke night thisyear, as well as continuing theannual battle of the bands event.

Keep an eye out for eventsplanned for October.

Wanted: Community bands for After Hours shows

By SANDOR LIGETFALVYStaff Writer

The Glendale campus’s pub isgoing medieval.

Formerly known as AlexanderDavidson’s, the food and drinkspot at Glendale in Niagara-on-the-Lake is changing its name. Itwill now be known as TheArmoury.

The manager of the pub, JasonBurgoone, 27, of Chatham, Ont.,says the name was changedbecause students couldn’t relate

to the previous name.Davidson was the first mayor

of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.He says “The Armoury” is a

tie-in to the college’s sportsteams, the Knights.

The Armoury has “medievaldecorations.”

“We’ve got swords and a shieldon the wall.”

The grand opening for TheArmoury was Sept. 23.

Look for complete coverage inthe next issue of news@niagara.

Old pub turns medieval

By MATHEW BELZNERStaff Writer

Many first-year students atNiagara College do not know aboutthe Student Administrative Council(SAC) or the services it provides.

Mark Hardwick, 30, Welland SACpresident, says the SAC plan, for thisyear, is to improve the business oper-ations of the student centre and AfterHours pub. “That’s my job.”

Hardwick says that After Hours,the Welland on-campus pub, hasbeen renovated over the summer.

SAC is a corporation that ownsand operates After Hours. Hardwicksays many new menu choices havebeen added for health- and quality-

conscious students. Some of the newitems include salads, baked potatoesand grilled chicken.

Many students have been hiredthroughout the summer.

For the first time, a trainingmanual was put together for AfterHours staff.

Many people do not knowwhere SAC is, says Hardwick. TheWelland campus SAC office is inthe same building as After Hours.In Niagara-on-the-Lake, theGlendale campus SAC office islocated in the main building acrossfrom the main cafeteria.

“We are here to let the studentsknow we are not the student activity

committee,” says Hardwick. SAC has many important func-

tions, says Hardwick. SAC sets upsome events but also helps the stu-dents through many things they do.

The $85 SAC activity fees,included in tuition, help to pay forpeer tutoring, the student hand-book, clubs, grad book, excur-sions, extracurricular activities,the SAC operating budget and thestudent centre operating budgets.

The Student Health and DentalPlan accounts for $162 of the SACfees, but students can opt out for arefund.

The budget this year is affected bythe new student dental plan.

Many students last year expresseda desire for a student dental plan,says Hardwick in an interview lastyear with news@niagara.

These fees help students reachtheir academic goals while SACevents help students take part in thecollege community.

SAC Appreciation Day on Sept.15 was an effort to help inform stu-dents about the activities of SAC.

For more information on SAC andits upcoming events, visit the SACwebsite at http://www.ncsac.ca.

By CRAIG SEBERTStaff Writer

If you are bored after class, thestudent council has many specialevents for everybody.

“All work and no play burns a lotof students out,” says Blake Turner,21, director and programmer of stu-dent events at Welland campus forthe Student Administrative Council(SAC). “We are students workingfor students.” SAC is the group ofpeople that organizes the eventsduring the year.

SAC has a special events budgetof about $15,400 to provide eventsat Niagara throughout the year, likea pie eating contest Sept 27. Newbands come in to perform everyWednesday for Open Mike night.That budget is constantly subject tochange, however, every month.

“I think our budget is completelyfine, but who wouldn’t love a one-million-dollar budget? But thatwould take out of students’ money,”says Turner.

“We try to cram in as much aspossible.” He says he hopes tohave a school spirit day at Niagarain the future.

Most daily and nightly events takeplace in the After Hours pub at theWelland campus, but the underageneed not worry. There are plenty ofevents that all can participate in, butall underage students must wear awristband. “We try to keep it opendue to the double-cohort coming into Niagara. We realize that a lot ofpeople are 17 and 18.”

“If SAC comes up with the ideas,I make it happen depending on bud-get restrictions,” says Turner. If he

comes up with the ideas, he worksout the details, presents it to studentcouncil and council then gives himthe money to get it started.

The money SAC gets for specialevents comes from the students.Students pays a part of their tuitionto SAC, so any student who wants torequest an event can e-mail SAC athttp://sac-dpse-wc@niagarac.on.ca.

“Any idea, any student can comein and suggest any ideas to me. I’llweigh it out and bring it to council.”

Unfortunately, there won’t be anyschool-wide events like Toga Daythat you see in the movies.

”We as SAC. want to be outthere, but at the same time wedon’t want to be taking away fromstudent learning. The stuff we runhas no direct confrontation withNiagara College.”

SAC supports playtime

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At the Student Administration Council (SAC) booth on SACAppreciation Day, Todd Graves encourages visitors to play theSwedish berry toss.

Photo by Mathew Belzner

More to SAC than fun, games, money, pub

MARK HARDWICK

Orientation Day wins hearts of first-yearsBy JARRETT POWELL

Staff WriterSummer officially ends during

the days Sept. 20 to Sept. 23, but fornew students the end came Sept. 7.

Sept. 7 was reserved forOrientation Day here.

Over the course of the day therewere free hamburgers, popcorn,cotton candy and a band that per-formed at After Hours.

It was a change from last yearwhen Orientation was spread overfour days. This year it was con-densed into one day.

The consensus among studentsis that the day was a success.

Lisa, 17, of St. Catharines, afirst-year student in the DentalAssistant program, says the daywas good. “I found out where a lotof my classrooms were.”

She notes, however, “Orientationshould be in August. You can findout where everything is.”

Shannon, 18, of Burlington,Ont., starting her first year of theDental Assistant program, agreed.Both students declined to providesurnames.

Shannon says that one day isenough for Orientation because,“I don’t know what else youwould do.”

Lisa says that the free stuff was“cool,” but “the T-shirt was a littlebig.”

Melissa Boyd, 20, of Thorold,Ont., a first-year student in thePre-Health Science program, says,“Orientation Day was good. Therewas a lot of students.”

Boyd says one day is enoughbecause “[The day after] they toldus stuff too.”

Boyd says the free hamburgersand other stuff, such as the ham-burgers and popcorn, were pleasant.

J. D., 19, of Niagara Falls, Ont.,a second-year student in the PoliceFoundations program, jokes that

he was “first in line for beers.”“No, I had to find out my cours-

es. And I had to get drunk.”J. D. says Orientation Day was

good because “there were lots ofhotties.” He disagrees with the oneday only: “Orientation is better ifit is spread over a week. You needthat week to get back into schoolmode. It makes it easier.”

Randy Conlon, the college’schair of the Orientation commit-tee, says, “It’s much more likelythat a student will do well if theyget off to a good start.”

As the organizer, Conlonexplains why the schedule was

changed. He says this year theschedule didn’t work for [fourdays of Orientation]. Peoplethought [four days] dragged on.

The tents they had to rent lastyear in case it rained costs $8,000,so that was not done this year. Thecost for six bands this year wasone half that of a single band.

Last year Not By Choice per-formed at Niagara College’sWelland campus duringOrientation Week.

This year, Conlon says partici-pation by students was “veryhigh.”

Continued on page 5

By AZRA MOMINStaff Reporter

With almost 4,000 studentsenrolled at Niagara College’sWelland campus this fall, manyseem to be jostling for space in theparking lots.

According to Sandra Huppe,associate registrar with theEnrolment and RegistrationServices at the Welland campus,student enrolment this fall term hasbeen the highest since the collegesystem began in 1967.

“It increases every year. Thenumber of full-time and part-timestudents enrolled at the campus thissemester is 4,095. However, I willnot know before the 10th day of thesemester how many studentsdropped out, since that is the lastday for cancelling enrolment.”

In the fall semester of 2003 therewere 4,050 full-time and part-timestudents remaining after the drop-out date, not too far away from thisyear’s initial number.

Is parking really an issue, then?Mal Woodhouse, director,

Facilities Management Services(FMS), says the Welland campushas excess parking, with more than

1,600 parking spaces available forstudents and staff. What sometimesbecomes a problem, though, iswhen students tend to park morearound one particular building thanthe other, he says.

“What we are focusing on now isimproving the on-campus move-ment of vehicles. The campus is solarge — about 100 acres — thatinterconnectivity between the eastside and the west side is veryimportant.”

The newly expanded andasphalted older gravel parking lot Faccommodates 45 cars more than itdid before.

The Chippawayan Boulevardentrance was straightened out andnow opens directly onto WoodlawnRoad. This is a great improvementover gaining access to and exitingthe campus, says Woodhouse.

Parking permits are still beingsold at the Ancillary Servicesoffice. Staff members there saythat they do not know yet thenumber of permits sold and whattype they are, since that data willconstantly change over themonths. Many students comeback for refunds on their permits

as they begin to carpool or findbus routes.

Has the building of the YMCAon the college campus affectedparking?

“Not at this point,” saysWoodhouse.

“The YMCA will have its owndesignated (parking) area.”

He says the college is working ona master plan for greater connectiv-ity between First Avenue and RiceRoad so that any vehicle that comesin is able to go throughout the cam-pus without having to exit it.

Jessica Nalezinski, 20, a first-year student of the PoliceFoundation Studies program, saysthat she usually parks in lot F andhas no trouble finding a space forher car.

“It’s only when I come in around10 a.m. that I sometimes have diffi-culty,” she says.

Anna Gall, an independent trafficconsultant, was hired two years agoto do a study on traffic flowthrough the campus. Woodhousesays this study, with a few minorupdates, will help the college in itslong-term plan of improving park-ing facilities for the students.

By TIZA SHANZIStaff Writer

Niagara College welcomed stu-dents from around the world at thethree-day International Orientationon Sept. 1.

The seminars organized by theInternational Department wereintended to give students the neces-sary information they need about thecollege, the Niagara region andCanada in general.

Orientation started at 10 a.m.,Sept. 1, with the staff of the interna-tional department meeting NiagaraCollege international students at theWelland campus.

The seminar featured informa-tion on the services available on-campus, housing options, com-puter accessibility and generalcampus knowledge.

A free lunch was served in theWelland campus StudentGathering Centre (cafeteria) andgave a chance for students andstaff members to interact.

The day ended at 4 p.m., butOrientation was yet to reach itsintense level.

On Thursday at 9:30 a.m., Sept. 2,Orientation began again .

International students joinedKatharine MacLeod, of Dunnville,student services counsellor, ErikMadsen, of Welland, student servicescounsellor, and Larissa Strong, ofWelland, international student advis-er, in room W111 at the Glendalecampus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Students received vital informa-tion on how to be successful atNiagara College and what servicesare available to help them.

“You have everything it takes tograduate,” says Madsen, adding, “ifyou are not sure, ask for help.”

“There’s nothing you can’t bringto us, even if it’s little. Don’t be byyourself,” says MacLeod.

International students were toldof student experiences by the stu-dents who have been at NiagaraCollege long enough to know thestudent life.

“Make sure you attend class-es. Group work is very impor-tant,” says Marcos Schmidt, ofPort Colborne, a graduate ofNiagara College.

The second day of Orientationended at noon. There were no activ-ities planned for the rest of the day,so students could have ample restfor the next day’s familiarizationtour of the Niagara region.

On Friday, Sept. 3, internationalstudents visited the cities in the areaand met the mayor of Welland, atcity hall.

Students sat in the councilchambers as Mayor DamianGoulbourne explained what thefour levels of Canadian govern-ment are, what his main duties areand how he became mayor.

“I suddenly decided to becomemayor,” says Goulbourne.

“I walked away from a great jobof teaching with summers off. Youdo what is incredible in this worldbut the good is what you give up. Ilike it (being mayor).”

Goulbourne was a teacher atNiagara College from 1992 to 1999in the tourism areas.

Asked if he wants to move on toa higher position in government,

he says, “I have a five-year-old, athree-year-old and a wife whowants another one. Right now, Iam still in Niagara.”

The mayor says students are verywelcome as long as they behavewhen they are at city hall.

“It gives me a sense of pleasure towelcome them to the community.”

From city hall, international stu-dents continued the tour to officesof Canadian Tire FinancialServices in Welland, then on toNiagara Falls where they took aride on the Maid of the Mist boatand, lastly, to the Factory OutletMall in Niagara Falls.

The informative event cameto an end at about 5 p.m., justin time for international stu-dents to start their year atNiagara College.

news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 5

International orientation big success

Seen from the second floor of the Residence at the Welland campus, parking lot F is full of cars.Photo by Sandor Ligetfalvy

Locating parking problematic

The exact figures will not beknown until he has time to workout the particulars.

The college gave away CDs,DVDs, bicycles and two big prizesof 27-inch TVs as part of theOrientation Day festivities.

The winners of the TVs wereNatalie Dallaire, a student in theTourism Development programat Niagara College’s Glendalecampus, and Rachel Veurink, astudent in the OfficeAdministration program at theWelland campus.

Blake Turner, director of programming and student events forthe Student Administrative Council, at the Welland campus,enjoys some free cotton candy on Orientation Day.

Photo by Sandor Ligetfalvy

Orientation Day festivities

Catch us on the Webwww.niagara-news.com

Continued from Page 4

Page 6, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

Disease motivates family fundraiserBy JESSE CRAWFORD

Staff WriterBrad Watt, of Welland, has been

battling for his life for about eightyears.

The 32-year-old suffers fromAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) and has been living in theWoolcott Wing of the WellandCounty General Hospital for thelast six years.

Each year Watt’s family andfriends organize a fundraiser, withproceeds going to the ALS Societyof Ontario.

The sixth annual Steppin’ Out ofSummer, at Club Richelieu onRiver Road in Welland, is a chancefor Watt to get out of the hospitaland enjoy the company of peoplehe rarely gets a chance to see.

With live bands, great food and

games for the children, Steppin’Out of Summer proves to be a funtime for all.

Monica Nemes, 31, of Welland,has helped organize the events forthe last four years.

She says it’s a good opportunityfor friends and relatives to bringsome of Watt’s favourite pastimesto him since he can’t get to themunder normal circumstances.

“People come up to me at thebenefit,” she says, “and say, ‘Mymother (or my father) had ALS,’and it really surprises me becauseyou don’t hear about it.”

Perhaps the scariest aspect ofALS is the lack of knowledgeabout the disease.

The loss of motor neurons leadsto paralysis of all voluntary mus-cles. The brain and heart, however,

are not voluntary muscles, so peo-ple afflicted with ALS are able tothink and see and live, but withoutany motor skills they are trappedand most often confined to a bed.

The average age group to contractALS is 40 to 50 years old and theaverage life expectancy is two tofour years.

Richard Birchall, 49, of Hamilton,has been volunteering his time toALS awareness events for years.

He says his father had the dis-ease and that is what got him inter-ested in helping out.

The interim regional manager ofthe ALS Society of Ontario sayshe has been working with charitiessince he was a teen in Scotland.

He says he likes to see manypeople come out to support such anoble cause.

“We don’t want to get awayfrom the grassroots feel.”

He says there are many differentfundraisers sponsored by many

different companies, but it’s thelittle ones like Steppin’ Out ofSummer that really show there arepeople who want to learn and whowant to help.

Nancy Salvage, 45, of PortColborne, is Watt’s personal nurse.

Through a series of questionsand the use of a letter-board, Wattcan speak to her and she can passthe information on.

She says she point to lettersand Watt will raise his eyebrowsif his answer is yes or close hiseyes for no. Using this methodWatt was able to give this quote: “Iam so lucky to have so manyfriends that love me to do thisevery year.”

To find out more about ALS,visit the ALS Society of Ontario’swebsite at http://www.alsont.ca.

Students enjoy five-hour bake labBy ALICIA ANN JANSEN

Staff WriterSecond-year students in the

Modern Pastry Craft program haveas many reasons for taking theircourses as types of bread they bake.

Within the Niagara CulinaryInstitute wing of Niagara College’sGlendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, these second-years spentfive hours in a bake lab, yet werestill in good moods.

Chris Taber and Sonya Edwards,both 31, and from Halifax, NS, wereformer teachers in Japan who chosethe Modern Pastry Craft program asa career change.

About her classes, Edwardssays that the professors she has are“professional,” “connected” and“approachable.”

Ashley Billings, 19, of Lindsay,Ont., says she enjoys cooking andlearning how to cook. Billingssays she is taking this course tobecome a pastry chef.

“I have always been interestedin cooking. When I was little Iwas always cooking with mymom and grandma,” says AndreaFalone, a 19-year-old St.Catharines resident.

She also says her favouriteclasses involve working in the“hot labs” and cooking interna-tional foods because “I think thediversity is interesting.”

Also from St. Catharines isHeather Galway, 26, says that cook-ing has “always been my dream.”

She likes the classes and thepeople she gets to meet, as well asthe subjects she is learning.

Michael Garner, of NiagaraFalls, took this class because “Ilove food, I love cooking and I

love seeing people full. I figuredafter working in kitchens, I mightas well go to school for it.”

The 27-year-old’s favourite thingsare the teaching staff and the creativ-ity involved in the program.

Since this class of second-yearstudents was in both the old facili-ties on Dunn Street in NiagaraFalls, as well as the one that justopened in April, they were free to

compare the two structures.Galway said that the new build-

ing makes it much easier to dowork, with the space and equip-ment available.

Garner said the most noticeabledifference for him was the interac-tion between students, as beforethey had to face a wall whileworking. Now they can see andtalk to classmates.

BRAD WATT

A culinary student works on pastry in the Glendale campus bakelab in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Photo by Alicia Ann Jansen

By ANGELA HARDIEStaff Writer

The annual Mother-DaughterWalk for Heart and Stroke to raisemoney for research happens Sept.26 in St. Catharines.

In 2003 the event raised morethan $2.5 million across Canadaand had about 30,000 participants.

Health Canada says the numberof heart disease and stroke occur-rences in Canada is growing, andthat tobacco smoking, physicalinactivity and improper nutritionplay a major role in this increase.

A Canadian Tobacco UseMonitoring Survey says 16 percent of young men and 17 per centof young women smoke daily.

Jamie Janess, 22, a second-yearPolice Foundations program stu-dent, says students “don’t thinkabout heart disease or cancer.”

He says they (students) have“other things going on.”

On the other hand, KatelynDoubrough, 19, a second-yearOffice Administration —Executive program student at theWelland campus, says collegestudents “should be scared” aboutheart disease and stroke.

“Most college students don’teat right,” she says, adding,“Students get stressed out.”

Niagara College PeerServices Assistant JosieTremonte says she believescancer, heart disease andstrokes have hit many homes in

North America, adding, “Peoplechoose to educate themselvesonce they are in that situation.”

Tremonte says she thinks talk-ing about real people stricken witha disease increases awareness.

“When a child is aware of afamily member who is sick, theyare more anxious to participateand raise money.”

This year the opportunity forraising pledges has been expandedto include an online pledging tool.

By registering online, partici-pants can send out pledge requestsvia personal e-mails to friends andco-workers asking for support.

These sponsors can then payonline directly to the Heart andStroke Foundation and receiveinstant tax receipts.

Participants can also apply bymail, fax and telephone or in per-son on the event day.

Prizes are available for partici-pants raising $60 or more.

This year’s event begins at 10a.m. with registration, aerobicwarm-up and pledge drop-off.The first 150 walkers will receivegoodie bags.

The walk starts at 11 a.m., atHenley Island (Port Dalhousie).Walkers have a choice of walkingthree, five or 10 kilometres.

Pre-registration is available onSept. 21 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. atthe Heart and Stroke office, 300Bunting Rd., Unit No. 3, St.Catharines.

Moms, daughterswalk to save hearts

By ASHLEY CAMPBELLStaff Writer

They’re working hard for a littlefun in the sun.

Fundraising efforts are in theworks to help second-year studentsin the Tourism Marketing andOperations program raise money fora cruise to the Caribbean this comingJanuary. On Sept. 10 a meetingwas held at the college’s Glendalecampus in Niagara-on-the-Lake todiscuss fundraising strategies andevents.

The meeting was conducted byJeff Stewart, co-ordinator of theTourism Programs and professor

in the Hospitality and TourismDivision, and Christine Blane,professor in the Hospitality andTourism Division, along with ateam of five second-year students.

About 20 students from the pro-gram, along with two faculty mem-bers, will be setting sail for a seven-day cruise aboard Costa Cruises.

The trip will take place Jan. 2 toJan. 9, 2005, with the students vis-iting various ports-of-call, whichinclude the United States, Mexico,Grand Cayman and Jamaica.“Togive this level of education to goon a luxury cruise liner for a weekand then experience this through

the eyes of the consumer, theyreally have a much better idea ofwhat their customer is going to belooking for. To a certain extent,this gives them an insight that theynormally wouldn’t have. I thinkit’s invaluable,” says Stewart.

Students will be responsible forreports and site audits throughoutthe trip and a final summary dis-cussing their observations.

“They will be visiting fourunique ports-of-call, allowingthem to explore the different cul-tures as well. This trip also allowsthem to apply knowledge taught inthe classroom by understanding

and being part of a group tour anddealing with a variety of tourismoperations,” says Blane, one oftwo faculty members accompany-ing the students on the cruise.

With the entire trip costingabout $965 US a person, Stewartsays it’s important to keep costslow for the students.

Leanne DiCarolis, 20, of Simcoe,Ont., a second-year student in theTourism Marketing and Operationsprogram, and one of five students onthe fundraising committee, saysfundraising is important in keepingcosts low and “getting the programout there.”

“It helps to lower the cost andwe learn team work,” says RachelCashmore, 20, of Niagara Falls, asecond-year student in the pro-gram and a committee member.

“Our plans are in the works. Weare working with industry as welland may have a few surprisesalong the way. Look for us soon, “says Blane.

“We plan to get our message outthere to the college community andresources as well as through theindustry and community.”

Plans are not finalized for thedifferent fundraising events thatwill be held.

Fundraising efforts in the works for January 2005 Caribbean cruise

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By KATIE VANSLACKStaff Writer

“Birth control is an issue aswith all sexuality,” says CarolynGould, Niagara College’s regis-tered nurse in Health Services andStudent Services.

She says that it’s not just awoman’s issue. Rather, it involvesa man and a woman, or a womanand woman, or a man and a man.She says it’s a “mutual responsi-bility” to protect against bothsexually transmitted disease(STDs) and pregnancy.

Gould says in the 1960s oralcontraceptive pills (OCP) cameinto the medical practice and weregiven to women. She says thefocus was on women because thewoman is the one who often han-dles rearing the child.

In the 1960s, Gould says thelevel of estrogen in the birth con-trol pill was “very high.” It wouldbe compared to the morning afterpill of today.

In the Health Centre, in theLundy Wing of the Welland cam-

pus, there are four different typesof birth control available to students.

Gould says there is the patch,which is to be changed once aweek; the pill, taken daily; theneedle, called Depo Provera,which is taken once every threemonths; and, of course, condoms.Condoms are sold 12 for $4. “Ourstudent price,” says Gould with asmile.

According to Gould there areother methods of birth control.There is the morning after pill(called Ovral) that is to be taken72 hours after contact. Ovral,however, is only available by doc-tor’s prescription. Gould says thatan Intrauterine Device (IUD) isanother method but that it must beinserted by a gynecologist.

“For every action, there is areaction,” says Gould. She saysthat many students don’t ask anyquestions until it’s too late; theyhave sex and then worry afterwards.

Gould says there are threeoptions that a woman may have if

she becomes pregnant.One is to carry on with the preg-

nancy and keep the child. Anotheris to carry on with the pregnancyand adopt the child out, or awoman can have an abortionbefore 12 weeks. This type ofabortion is called a therapeuticabortion.

“Whatever the person wants todecide is all right with me,” saysGould, regarding abortion. Shesays the Health Centre will sup-port any decision that a studenthas to make and help the studentdeal with the issue.

Gould says that some adviceshe would give to a female studentwho became pregnant is to firstmake up your mind as to what youwant to do because later on in lifeyou may regret your decision.“Remember, at the time you didwhat was best.”

If the student decides to keepthe baby, Gould says she suggestsstarting with prenatal care rightaway. Don’t drink or do anydrugs, as this can affect the stagesof the pregnancy, she advises.

For a male student, Gould saysshe would advise the man who gota woman pregnant to think abouttwo questions. The first is what isit that you need to get from herbeing pregnant? The other is, isthis your dream girl that you cantake care of?

Gould’s advice for safe sex isto use barriers, such as condoms.Don’t mix sex and alcoholbecause you want to make surethat this is what you want, andremember that no means no. Ifone person says no, but the actproceeds, this is rape, and itworks both ways for man andwoman.

Gould also gives advice withregard to the date rape drug.

“If you suspect that you wereaffected by the date rape drug,come in, do not shower, and talk tothe nurse. She will give you youroptions of either do nothing andregret it later, or do something.You can go to the St. Catharineshospital where medical staff willtake samples and provide evidence.”

Gould says that sex is the onlything that two people can truly share.

“Why shortchange yourself of that?”

By JENN SOMERSStaff Writer

Dental program students arealready working with patients afterjust two weeks of classes.

“It’s moving quick,” says NadyaHordichuk, 18, of Waterdown,

Ont., about her first week in theprogram. “I didn’t think it wouldmove this quick.”

Hordichuk is in her first year ofthe Dental Assistant program atthe Welland campus of the college.

“I’m fascinated by teeth,” says

Lisa Moore, 17, of St. Catharines.“This week has been pretty good.”

Moore, a first-year student in theDental Assistant program, sayswhen she graduates she wants towork for a year as a dental assis-tant and then get into dental

hygiene.Hordichuk says she also wants a

career in dental hygiene, but was-n’t able to get into the program.

“They are popular programs,”says Kathleen Adams, the chair ofthe dental programs, who has been

working at the college since 1996.“We’re oversubscribed.”

Adams says there has been a100 per cent employment rate forgraduates for many years.

“They do good work,” saysAdams, of the students.

news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 7

By JULIE RUDDStaff Writer

The Freshman 15 is a well-known term among students atNiagara College.

Leaving mom’s home cookingfor the first time can leave studentsin distress, many turning to KraftDinner and McDonald’s for help.

Zac Wood, 19, of Sault Ste.Marie, is a first-year student in theGolf Administration program. Hesays that his diet for the past twoweeks has consisted mainly ofpizza and tacos. Planning to con-tinue with his current eatinghabits, he says he hopes not to gainweight but there’s “definitely thatpossibility.”

“It’s more convenient just tograb something and eat it, ‘causewe don’t have much time as stu-dents,” says Wood, when askedwhy students rarely eat nutritiously

in college.Brittany Armstrong, 19, of

Barrie, Ont., feels similarly. Afirst-year student in theCorrectional Worker program, shesays this is the first time in her lifethat she has been away from homefor more than a week.

“My mom always used to cookfor me at home. She would makebig dinners like roasts and pota-toes, and now I’m eatingmicrowave pizza and soups andstuff because I don’t have moneyfor anything big, and I don’t reallyknow how to cook.”

Regardless of her eating habits,Armstrong says she doesn’t thinkshe will be gaining any weight thisyear because of the extensivephysical fitness needed in her pro-gram.

“Even though I eat badly, I don’tthink it will affect my weightbecause I have gym classes to go

to and I am getting a YMCA mem-bership when it opens up on cam-pus this year.”

Not all students fall into thisstereotype. Joel Whitehead, 20, ofMississauga, Ont., is a first-yearstudent in the General Arts andScience program at NiagaraCollege. He says his eating habitshaven’t changed much from livingat home.

“I’ve been eating everythingfrom pizza to burgers, veal parme-san to steak and mashed potatoes,”says Whitehead. While living athome, he did a lot of cooking forhis parents with culinary schoolexperience to back him up.

He says he believes a lot of stu-dents gain weight while attendingcollege because they don’t reallyknow how to cook anything otherthan Kraft Dinner because theyweren’t taught at home.

A first-year student prepares a meal for herself.Photo by Julie Rudd

College dental clinic open to staff, students, communityBy JENN SOMERS

Staff WriterShine up your smile. The

Niagara College Dental Clinic,operating from September toJune, offers a variety of servicesto the students and the community.

The clinic is on the third floor

of the Simcoe Wing at theWelland campus. Hours of opera-tion are Tuesdays and Thursdaysin the afternoon or evening andFridays in the morning or after-noon.

“The patients are generallyvery happy,” says Peggy Gordon,

of Grimsby, the full-time techni-cian at the clinic. “We do a verythorough exam and cleaning.”

Gordon says overall the clinicgets around 2,000 patients.

“Appointments are three hourslong, and we ask the patients tostay for the whole time.”

Gordon says the first appoint-ment is normally an assessmentand then the patients can comeback for the services.

Registration fees range from$15 for children and $25 to $35for adults. Payment is due on theinitial appointment.

The dental students, with thesupervision of the faculty, providethe services at the clinic. Thereare also six dentists from thecommunity that come in to work.

To book appointments call905-735-2211 ext. 7758.

Dental program students already working with patients

Sex should be a ‘mutual responsibility’

First-year students face problem of Freshman 15

The Bob Rae Review Panel on Post-Secondary Education will be hosting a series of consultation events across the province during October,November and early December. Niagara College is tentatively lined up to host a town hall-style public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 7

in the Yerich Auditorium at the Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Niagara College’s RegisteredNurse Carolyn Gould, in herWelland campus office, isready to inform students abouthealth issues.

Page 8, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

news@niagara gets a new look this yearBy BREE ELLIS

Staff WriterNo, Niagara News didn’t join

the witness protection program.Last spring Niagara News, the

college’s newspaper run byJournalism-Print program stu-dents, changed its name. This yearit will be undergoing new format-ting.

For 34 years the newspaper hadbeen called Niagara News, but lastspring three new weekly newspapersstarted up in the area. Osprey Mediachose the name Niagara News for itsnew paper.

Niagara College never registeredthe name so the Osprey companyclaimed it.

Now the college paper is officiallytitled news@niagara.

The newspaper will be gettingnew formatting this year.

Program Co-ordinator PhyllisBarnatt says that faculty and supportstaff will be having a series of meetings

to discuss the new formatting. Therewill be an opportunity for student inputwith these meetings.

Aside from the official name, nonew ideas have been set in stone.There are many ideas at this timeincluding one by photojournalismteacher Andrew Klapatiuk.

Klapatiuk suggests that four studentsshould shoot photos for the front pageof each edition, and then the classwould vote for the best photo.

“The goal is to make the papereven more appealing,” saysKlapatiuk, of the new formattingin general.

Valerie Johnson, 24, fromSmithville, a second-yearJournalism-Print student, says shelikes Klapatiuk’s idea.

“Competition always tends tospark a little more interest andimagination from those involved.”

Leo Tiberi, dean of informationand media studies and the publish-er of news@niagara, says he has

many goals in mind for the paper.

These goals include new flags,new fonts, different layouts, biggerand more colourful pictures andmore enhanced sports coverage.Tiberi says he would also like toimprove advertising activity.

“It’s been an unexpected chal-lenge, but we expect our students’enthusiasm will create a goodproduct and that we’ll be workingto establish our identity asnews@niagara,” says Barnatt.

Robbie-Lyn Fawcett, 19, of St.Catharines, a second-yearJournalism-Print student, says that

she is excited about the new year.“I am very excited about all the

changes and getting some hands-on experience with the paper.”

Tiberi says he is also lookingforward to these changes.

“I’m looking forward to work-ing with the students and seeingthe paper really infusing itselfwithin the community.

The paper is run by 53 studentswho are in their second year of theprogram, while 60 students are inthe first year.

Gary Erb, Journalism-Print facultyteacher, says he expects there to be 20to 25 students in the program’sJanuary Start class. These studentswill join the current first-years to cre-ate the paper next year.

There will be 14 editions of thepaper this year plus the annualHorticultural Open House pro-gram.

The Welland and Glendale campusesreceive 2,400 papers, while another

2,600 are distributed to Avondale Storesin the area.

Along with the new formatting,a web edition of the paper is beingpublished.

“We’re excited about the opportunitiesthat may produce themselves in our stu-dent-created edition of the paper onlineunder the direction of PaulDayboll, the web and desktopfaculty,” says Barnatt.

Visit http://www.technology.nia-garac.on.ca/newspaper to view allthe old editions back to 2001.

To begin receiving the newspaperelectronically, send an e-mail tonewspaper@niagarac.on.ca.

If there are any stories you think thepaper should be covering or if you haveany feedback, send an e-mail tonews@niagarac.on.ca.

You can also call the newsroomat 905-735-2211 ext. 7750.

The next edition ofnews@niagara will be distributedon Friday, Oct. 8.

By IVAN ZATELLIStaff Writer

The Broadcasting – Radio,Television and Film (BRTF)students are setting into theirnew routines in the VoyageurWing of Niagara College Wellandcampus.

Alysha Henderson, BRTFco-ordinator, says over 220students are enrolled in theprogram this year, 91 of whichare first year students.

Teaching assistant for first-yearstudents is Darcy Berry, 22, ofSarnia, Ont. She completed herthird-year program in June andsays it was the “best three years ofmy life.” She picked the Televisionprogram after her first year andupon graduation has become theteaching assistant for televisionstudents.

“I’m trying to make students feelat home,” says Berry.

Upon completion of hercontract, Berry says she plansto move to Toronto, “wherethere are bigger stations andmore places to apply for TVjobs.”

Trevor Hunsberger, 21, ofKitchener-Waterloo, Ont, is in histhird-year of the BRTF program.

Hunsberger says he researchedhis choices of colleges and choseNiagara’s BRTF program.

“I have found this program to bethe best structured program thatgave me the best choices.”

Hunsberger has spent over$25,000 to get to his third year andsays, “It’s definitely worth it.”Hunsberger says the teachers arestill working and involved in theindustry and have contacts, “whichhelps when you’re searching for ajob.”

Hunsberger says he would like ajob in an independent productiontelevision studio, where he couldspecialize in television and film.

Hunsberger, when asked what hewould like to see happen with theprogram, says there’s enoughroom in the BRTF wing, but morestorage space and editing roomsare needed. “Editing can become aproblem when deadlines must bemet.”

Kyle Vogt, 19, of St. Catharines,is a first-year student in the BRTFprogram. Vogt says, “All the teach-ers are great, and the courses

offered are awesome.” First-yearstudents are immersed in allaspects of the trade, says Vogt.

Second-year students choose a spe-cialty in broadcasting, radio, film ortelevision.

Vogt says, “I like it so far.” Vogtused to make home videos and thisinterested him enough to join the pro-gram. Upon graduating, he says hewould like to produce or directmovies.

Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) professorsTom Otto and Ron Tufts fry burgers at the annual BRTF charityparty known this year as “Temple Pub” on Sept. 13 at After Hoursat the Welland campus. The party is held as a meet and greet forBRTF students. The proceeds go to charity.

Photo by Sandor Ligetfalvy

220 broadcasting students

‘It’s been an unexpectedchallenge, but we expectour students’ enthusiasmwill create a good productand that we’ll be workingto establish our identity as

news@niagara.’— Phyllis Barnatt

news@niagara hits newsstands again on Friday, Oct. 8

By BREE ELLISStaff Writer

It’s the start of the new year atNiagara College, and the librarystaff is happy to see the new andreturning students.

Sue Bartlett, library servicesco-ordinator, says that she’shappy the students can readabout the services in news@nia-gara.

“We’re always looking forwardto a new year. It’s an excitingtime in September with new stu-dents trying to find their wayaround, and the returning stu-dents, familiar faces.”

Many of the new students havefound their way to the library forsome quiet study time.

Erin Pulchinski, a first-yearDental Hygiene student fromOakville, says the library looksnice.

“It’s open, there’s lots of room,lots of chairs available, and it’snice and quiet.”

Jennifer Levesque, a first-yearPolice Foundations student fromStevensville, also says the libraryseems like a good place to study.“I t ’s a pret ty good workenvironment. It’s quiet. Youcan get a lot of stuff done.”

The library is formally calledthe Learning Resource Centre(LRC) to draw attention to whatsort of library it is.

“We use that (term) instead oflibrary to describe the type oflibrary we are, which is a smallacademic library and, of course,we’re here to serve the studentsof the college,” says Bartlett.

The LRC offers many servicesincluding research databases,video rentals for a one-day peri-od, and high demand items iftheir teachers have reserved themfor the class. These items mayinclude class notes, previousexams, limited copies of textsand videos.

Study rooms are also available.Bartlett says that the four studyrooms come on a “first-come,first-served basis,” and that therooms fit eight to 12 people.

Another service the LRC offersis report binding and lamination.

Both faculty and studentscan use the services. There’s asmall fee with both services,while report binding costs $2,the lamination costs 75 cents afoot.

The report binding offers aplastic cover on top, a heavierplain blue paper backing and aspiral binding. It is best to bringin your report the day before.Then you’re guaranteed to getthe report back the next day.

Lamination is done in theevenings, so if a student drops offan item in the morning it shouldbe ready by 7 p.m. The maximumwidth that can be laminated is 25inches.

“It really doesn’t cost a lot. Infact, it’s $2 to $2.50 for a stan-dard size poster,” says Bartlett.

Dale Zinatall i , l ibrarytechnician, also sharesBartlett’s enthusiasm for thenew year.

“We’re always excited aboutthe new year coming up, it’salways great to see the new stu-dents, and we’re getting a lot ofnew resources to complement thestuff we had, so we’re excited.”

One of those new resourcesincludes a new database that iscalled psych articles. It will be ahelpful database for students inpsychology and sociology.

The LRC is open 8 a.m. to 8p.m. every Monday throughThursday, and 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.every Friday. The Glendale cam-pus is also open at those times.

For more information, or toaccess the databases from home,at any time, visit http://nia-garac.on.ca/lrc/.

It’s time to study

Ashley CampbellEditor

Jarrett PowellAssociate Editor

Stephanie DipietroAssistant Editor

news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 9

Editorials

news@niagaraV10, 300 Woodlawn Rd., Welland, Ont. L3C 7L3Telephone: (905) 735-2211 FAX: (905) 736-6003

Editorial E-mail: pbarnatt@niagarac.on.caAdvertising E-mail: pbarnatt@niagarac.on.ca

Publisher’s E-mail: ltiberi@niagarac.on.ca

Printed by Canweb Printing Inc. in Grimsby, Ont.

Advertising rules: The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. This applies whether such error is due to the negligence of its servants or otherwise. There shall be no liability for non-insertions of any

advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. All advertisers are asked to check their advertisements after first insertion. We accept responsibility for only one incorrectinsertion unless notified immediately after publication. Errors, which do not lessen the value of the advertisement, are not eligible for corrections by a make-good advertisement. There shall be

no liability for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. We reserve the right to edit, revise, classify or reject any advertisement.

Publisher: Leo TiberiManaging Editor: Phyllis BarnattAssociate Managing Editor: Gary ErbPhotography Consultant: Andrew

KlapatiukEditorial Consultant: Nancy Geddie

Ladies and gentlemen: news@niagaraA new year, a new name and a fresh new look.After 34 years of being known as Niagara News throughout the college and the

community, we officially have a new name.We proudly present to you news@niagara.We also have a new team of 48 eager students and faculty who are working

hard to give you an interesting and exciting newspaper.As you walk by one of our many newsstands located throughout the Welland

campus and the Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, please pick up a freecopy of news@niagara.

In doing so you’re not only supporting the Journalism-Print program, but theInformation and Media Studies Division. Without the support of the students and thefaculty at Niagara College, getting a newspaper out to you would be a difficult task.

As editor of the first paper of the new school year, I hope that you enjoy thefirst edition of news@niagara and five more editions this semester. Many hours ofhard work are put into getting the newspaper out to you.

Stress levels will run high as deadlines approach, files will get lost and computers will crash (things don’t always run smoothly in the newsroom) but wehave fun. We enjoy what we do and I believe that this is reflected in the quality ofour work.

To all students and faculty, best wishes for the new school year. Your storyideas are welcome.

If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail us or drop by our news-room in V10 in the Voyageur Wing at the Welland campus.

ASHLEY CAMPBELL

Out of mind doesn’t mean out of sightSocrates believed true knowledge can be reached

through questioning and arguing.All too often, in modern society, we become

complacent.We feel that if a situation or issue does not affect our

lives directly, we do not have to worry about it. In order to move forward, we have to realize that no

matter how far away something occurs, it will affectus eventually.

The Middle Ages are sometimes referred to as theDark Ages.

This is not because there was no light, but becausepeople became complacent.

Crushed under the feudal system and devastated bythe bubonic plague, the average Joe had given up.

It was indeed a dark time.In the 14th century, people began to wake up as the

Renaissance period began.It took 200 years to reach its height.By the 1600s, Europe had recovered from the effects

of the bubonic plague.A new age of prosperity had begun.Now, at the dawn of the 21st century, the world has

been plunged back into darkness.People have become complacent again.Crushed under democratic rule and devastated by

capitalism, the average Joe has given up.As it may have been in the Middle Ages, only a few,

the enlightened, can see the darkness.The world is caught in a quagmire. It has grown stale.There is no more originality, no more creativity.We go from the day we are born to our dying day

without achieving fulfilment.And when someone has a good idea, it falls on

deaf ears.These idealists are labeled as pessimists, even if the

idea is the truth.Truth has become an offence, and silence is our best

defence.No one wants to interrupt his or her life to make a

difference.Everyone has become complacent in a personal

comfort zone.Everyone is happy living in a gingerbread house on

Lollipop Lane in the land of milk and honey.We have traded life for existence.As a whole, we have to stop accepting things for

what they are.We have to stop accepting and start questioning.Then, and only then, will we be able to effect change.

JARRETT POWELL

We want your feedbackWe at news@niagara are committed to providing to you,the reader, the highest standards of news reporting andethics. In order to maintain the quality, commitment and craftsmanship you have come toexpect from us, we welcome any suggestions or comments you may have. Your opinion is welcome.You can contact us via e-mail: news@niagara.on.ca, orby mail: V10, 300 Woodlawn Rd., Welland, Ont. L3C7L3 or in person: Room V10, Voyageur Wing, Wellandcampus.All letters must be signed and include a day and eveningphone contact number for verification purposes only.

Your opinion is welcomeE-mail: news@niagara.on.caMail: V10, 300 Woodlawn Rd., Welland, Ont. L3C 7L3In Person: Room V10, Welland campus.Policy: All letters must be signed and include a day andevening phone contact number for verification purposes.

Kevin McNaughtonPhoto Crew Chief

When Friday evening camearound and work had finished foryet another day, my girlfriend andI made our way home.

It was then the reality of thenext day’s event would start tosink in, melting my brain, mak-

ing me forget everything else inthe world.

I arrived at 1 p.m. on Saturday,July 3, 2004; however, in the mad-dening, adrenaline-charged morn-ing I must have forgotten that myappointment was supposed to start

half an hour later.Artistic Impressions, at 29

Niagara St., in Welland, had no airconditioning, which did not makefor a comfortable wait, but there Isat in anticipation, every emotionbattling it out in my stomach: ner-vousness like taking a knee to thegroin, excitement choking out thegloom and all the while happinessmaking me grin ear to ear.

Finally, after about a 45-minutewait and two or three cigarettes(although I don’t smoke), it wastime to undergo the process.

Lloyd Grice, 31, of PortColborne, who has been a friend of

mine for about two years, pulledup a chair along with a smallpadded armrest.

After applying the hand-madestencil of Chinese kanji I had cho-sen, he began explaining that allhis tools were sterilized and sepa-rately packaged to ensure safety.

Soon the work began. The rattle of the tattooing needle

echoed through my brain but wassoon silenced when that very samebrain began to rattle itself.

Lloyd worked the needle upmy spine while my girlfriendgiggled and snapped off picturesof my grimacing.

When we were about halfwayup my back I could feel the sweatpouring from my face and myentire body tensed as Lloydtouched a nerve.

It was at this point I asked fora break.

Once the work resumed I feltthrilled that it would all soon beover and that there would be awonderful work of art on my back.

Though everybody I spoke withtold me I must be nuts for gettingmy first tattoo on my spine, once itwas over I felt so exhilarated Icompletely forgot there was everany pain at all.

Everyone has at least one badhabit, whether it is smoking, drugabuse or something else.

Mine is taking advantage of theoverly convenient creation calledthe credit card.

I thought I was so cool becauseat 18 I was approved for my veryfirst credit card.

I gave the speech probablymany young people give whenthey get their first one: “I onlyapplied for it for emergencies andif I want to order somethingonline.”

At the time it sounded like theperfect idea. I went through thephase of “I have a $2,000 limit.

There is no way I’d max that out.Credit cards are genius.”

Then came the greediness andthe need to spend my non-existentmoney.

Need gas to take that unneces-sary road trip with your friends?Put it on the credit card.

Want the red pants you alreadyown but you just need them inanother colour?

Swipe the card.Have the munchies five times

a day? It will only cost $5 eachtime you crave food. Put it onthe credit card.

Friends always enjoy lookingthrough my closet but my guess isthat half of the clothes in there are

not even paid for yet. On the brightside, I have a lot of clothes.

It is seriously crazy how easy itis to get your debt out of control.

Every month, when you get yourbill in the mail, you always openthe envelope slowly and react withthe same facial expression, one ofshock and disbelief.

You quickly go through thelengthy list of items you “suppos-edly” used your credit card for,secretly hoping the credit cardcompany made a terrible mistake.

Here I am, turning 20 this yearand wondering how old I will bewhen I can finally pay my debt off.Damn you, credit card.

Then I apply for my second

credit card. I get approved. Thiscan only mean trouble. Did I notlearn my lesson already?Apparently not.

“I have $1,500 limit on this newcard. I already spent so much onmy other credit card. I’ll barelyeven need this one. This one isseriously for emergencies only.”

Wrong.I worship credit cards, but I also

believe they are the devil.I’m proud of myself. I haven’t

used either of my cards for twomonths.

Maybe because they are bothmaxed out?

Solution: I applied for another one.

As I drove from my hometownof Sarnia, Ont., east alongHighway 402, across Highway401, over Highway 403, to theQueen Elizabeth Way, then downHighway 406 toward the familiarcity of Welland, memories forgot-ten over the summer came flood-ing back.

I remember moving into resi-

dence, meeting my roommate forthe first time and talking abouthow I wished Gatorade came outof taps and the strange look I gotafter I said that.

I remember Orientation and try-ing to make it look like I knew myway around when really myinsides were writhing with fear.

I remember my very first class.

It was photography. It was horri-ble. I was late because I spent 40minutes trying to find the class-room when I finally realized I wasin a completely different building.

If you think going to classknowing no one is awkward, tryknowing not a soul and walking in20 minutes late.

Heads turned. I wore a Pepsijacket and carried a binder withHarry Potter stickers on it.

I remember classes, exams anddarkroom assignments that tookall day.

I remember making goodfriends. On my door in residencelast year, I taped a sign saying Iwas a big geek and to knock if youwanted to hang out.

Lisa, I’m glad you knocked.Without you I would never haveexperienced riding in shoppingcarts at breakneck speed in wetparking lots.

Melissa, I looked up one dayand we were friends. Without youI wouldn’t have learned the valueof losing in every card game everinvented or that my computergame scores weren’t as impres-sive as I thought they were.

You two have no idea howimportant you really are to me.

I remember homesickness. Thegnawing feeling that flared upunexpectedly when I thought dayscouldn’t get worse.

The thought of my parents beingfour hours away seemed exciting

in a brochure but not quite asexciting in reality.

As I said, though, that was lastyear. This year I came backecstatic to see my friends. Thisyear the school isn’t a maze. Iknow that V10 isn’t in theMackenzie building.

This year my classmates haveaccepted the Pepsi coat and theHarry Potter stickers.

The homesickness will alwaysflare up, but I’ve realized that’sjust how it is.

There will still be homework,exams and ridiculous photographyassignments, but that’s what we’rehere for.

Thus begins another year atNiagara College. Welcome back.

Page 10, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

Columns

First-year butterflies remembered

By ANGELA HARDIEStaff Writer

Column

By RANDI CODISPODIStaff Writer

Column

By JESSE CRAWFORDStaff Writer

Column

Credit cards wreak havoc on student finances

First tattoo experience brings huge thrill, exhilaration

Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must bebalanced, fait and as objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns written by reporters. In columns, the

feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treatedlightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara College

administration or the management of the news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer.

Coming back to old friends curbs burning homesickness for second-year student

Spending money you don’t have only looksgood until bill arrives at your mailbox

It took longer to sink in that Iwas back at college for yeartwo. Then again, the summerwent by so quickly, it alsoalmost feels as if I never left.

I had a hard time acceptingbeing back at school, but it hadnothing to do with the constantcleaning or grocery shoppingor late nights of studying. Afterfour months off, I came back a

little unsure of my abilities tobe able to do what will beexpected of me. It felt as if thiswas the first year of school allover again. As I walked thehalls the first day this year, itwas funny how easy it was topick out the first-year students.

They are the ones wanderingthe halls, clutching theirtimetables, looking up every

time they pass a door.They’re the ones that catch

your eye with that terrified lookon their faces, with the shiftyeyes and the expression thattells you they are still trying tograsp being at college at all.

They’re the ones that walk byyou and then five minutes laterwalk by you again, not catchingon that they are walking in acircle.

They’re the ones takingnotice of the differently namedhallways, the bathroom, thebookstore or the many otherplaces you have to learn aboutif you want to survive.

I guess the reason that theirbehaviour is so easy to spot is

because I remember doing thesame thing myself last year.

This year I thought I wasready because I knew what toexpect.

I’d already made friends, got-ten to know my teachers andfigured out what is and, unfor-tunately, isn’t good in the cafe-teria.

What I forgot to acknowl-edge is that although I am nolonger “new” in the sense thatthis isn’t my first year, what isgoing to take place throughoutmy second year is still going tobe new to me.

While I hated being the newperson, I also envy the ones whoare because the journey is just

beginning for them.As anxious as I am to finish

this year and graduate, I recog-nize that this is my last year andthere is still much to accom-plish.

I never imagined that a bunchof new people naïve to theexperience would end up beingmy inspiration to do well thisyear and to make sure thatevery moment of it will bememorable.

There’s a line in a song thatgoes “I’m not giving up, givingup now. I’m not giving up, notbacking down.”

It’s my new motto for myfinal year, and I am crossingmy fingers that it will be great.

By MELISSA HUNTStaff Writer

news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 11

Columns

After a four-month breakwith not a thought aboutschoolwork crossing mymind, I’m finding it impos-sible to pick up the piecesand continue on my journey

to a Journalism-Print diploma.Here I sit at my computer,

18 hours before deadline, lostand confused about what towrite about. It’s not that I’m aprocrastinator.

I’ve gone through this routineevery day since the first day ofclass, sitting here staring at ablank Word document.

I can come up with storyideas and think about themany sources that can beinterviewed.

I map out the perfect lead inmy head, but it all falls apart asI try to type it out.

I remember sitting at mycomputer and becomingexcited.

“Wow, this is going to be an

awesome story,” I would thinkto myself, but once I read theideas I typed out, reality wouldsink in. It totally sucked.

As it appears, I am sufferingfrom writer’s block, strugglingfor a story idea that would work.

It’s getting to the point whereit’s too late to head out andstart interviewing people, toolate to go and shoot pictures.

At the end of last year as thefirst-year students put out the lasttwo copies of news@niagara, theideas were never ending.

I had no problem putting myideas into print or expanding onmy ideas to make a full-lengthstory.

I feel like I’ve lost my touchfor writing.

Many people at this pointwould turn to plagiarism, ormake up some random story,but can I do that? No.

I never would, so here I am,writing my first story of theyear as a column of my frustra-tions.

Exciting, isn’t it?

By JULIE RUDDStaff Writer

First-year students are an inspiration

Writer’s block hampers student’s career path

A new job, a new boyfriendand saying goodbye to oldfriends and hello to new oneshave changed me since April.

Many people I know arescared of change. I try toembrace it.

I come from the quaint town ofDunnville, Ont., where I startedmy first job three years ago.

It was just this past summerthat I got enough courage tomove on.

I guess it was just the fear of

not being financially securethat kept me trying to find anew job.

Then I realized that all I had todo was work hard and believe inmyself to get what I need.

A first-year student inPolice Foundations, 17-year-old Greg McCool, says,“Don’t get a job as a cashier.You end up spending, not sav-ing. Now I have to get moneyfrom the Ontario StudentAssistance Program (OSAP).”

I was lucky enough when Igot a new job here in Welland.

It’s something that pays welland works around my studentschedule, so I won’t have toapply for OSAP.

It was at this new job that Imet my new boyfriend.

Again, I found myself takinga chance.

You see, I’d just got out of ayear-and-eight month-longrelationship, which ended ongood terms, but, naturally, Istill felt the pain of a breakup.

During the summer I realizedsomething.

You have to live life one dayat a time, and you can’t let thattime go to waste.

My friends and I decided thatalthough your heart can be bro-ken, it’s worth it to be in love.

It’s a feeling like no other. On the third day of knowing

him, my new boyfriend and Ibecame a couple, and I’venever been happier.

Nineteen-year-old HelenCondilis, of Dunnville, is in hersecond year of the Child andYouth Worker program.

She gives this advice onbreaking up: “Be sure of whatyou want. Be honest withyourself. Don’t do it just tomake someone else happy.”

I’ve also had to say goodbyeto many friends this summer.

Dunnville never felt so empty,but I know that the friendshipsthat are worth saving won’t beany work at all.

We all have to break freefrom our hometown at somepoint; we have our lives to live.

It’s here where we makenew friendships, not toreplace the old ones, but toadd to our hearts.

To me, Dunnville is home,and it’s where old friends cometo reunite. I like to call it homebase.

Second-year broadcasting stu-dent, 20-year-old WilliamMazachowsky, of St. Catharines,comments on leaving friends:“Keep on reaching for whereyou’re going, no matter how hardit’s going to be.”

There are 365 days in a year.We often take advantage of thatnumber, but that numbershrinks fast.

Besides, no one ever said thatyou have 365 days.

Take that chance, and makeevery day count.

By KATIE VANSLACKStaff Writer

Life brings changes, but you can always go home

Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must bebalanced, fair and as objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns written by reporters. In columns, the feel-

ings and opinions of reproters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treatedlightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara Collegeadministration or the management of the news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer.

By MELISSA HUNTStaff Writer

After more than 20 years in thebusiness, Julia Bertollo is stillenjoying her career, now as the newmanager of the FacilitiesManagement Services (FMS) atNiagara College.

Bertollo, 41, of Mount Hope,Ont., recently left her job at theHamilton-Wentworth CatholicDistrict School Board after 16 yearsto join Niagara College as managerof FMS. Bertollo’s first day wasMarch 15.

Bertollo says she heard about theposition and came to Niagara inDecember 2003 for an interview,even though she “hadn’t beenactively looking for other employ-ment” at the time. She says therewas “great chemistry” here.

Although she has been in facili-ties management for 21 years, shesays this career wasn’t somethingshe thought she would do when shewas younger.

“I was a female at the right time.There was a lot of employmentequity in that time, and it was prettymuch an easier opportunity to movethis way than other areas because nowomen were in this area.”

She says that before entering thisprofession she figured she would do

something with family therapy. “Ijust love the idea of family dynam-ics and personal development andgrowth.”

Bertollo’s job as managerincludes taking care of short- andlong-term planning, operations,maintenance and construction.

Bertollo says the school boardsare designed as individual institu-tions with individual identitiescoming together under an umbrel-la of a board.

“The college is much more.There are departments but it is ateam. It’s a much stronger team.Every department will come togeth-er to help with any project. It’s asmuch their goal as it is yours.”

Bertollo says for those who wantto follow in the same career paththere are several ways. She saysthings have changed in 20 years and“you didn’t require as much as youmight today.” She says things likebusiness, budgeting, developmentand an engineering technologydiploma or degree will help with thejob. She says the department isresponsible for the physical plant,internal and external, such asgrounds, cleaning and mechanicalmaintenance. “Anything you see,we have touched.”

She says something she likes

about her job is that everyone has acommon goal, which is “providingthe best possible education and thebest environment.” She says wheneveryone has one goal, everyonewants to succeed.

Mal Woodhouse, director ofFMS, says Bertollo came to Niagarawith “a ton of experience andknowledge” and fit right in from thestart. “For most people, there is alarge learning curve but that was notthe case with Julia.”

Starting this job, Bertollo saysshe was confident in her operationalskills, but a little less confident inher mechanical skills. She saysrestructuring has been the mostchallenging thing so far. “Short-term pain is long-term gain.”

Bertollo says she was given a“huge say” within the departmentand that it’s a group effort. “Aroundhere there are so many differentbackgrounds that role models arefound all over the place.” She saysshe finds mentors in those who aresenior to her as well as those whoare junior to her.

Bertollo says in her departmentthere is a complete open-door poli-cy if she ever runs into a problem.“Some people say open-door policyand some people mean it. Malmeans it.” She says he encourages

her to take risks that could result inmistakes because “I can’t learn ifI’m not moving.” Bertollo says ithas been a huge growth opportunity.

Bertollo says what she likes mostabout being here is the team conceptin place, and how she was able tocome in and move with it. She saysshe also likes the learning. “Malisn’t afraid to let me make a deci-sion. I have the authority and it ismy responsibility.”

After 16 years at her previous job,Bertollo says she was originallyafraid to leave the comfort of thatplace but has found confidence incoming here. “Once I make a deci-sion, I go with it. I’ve never lookedback since I’ve got here.”

Woodhouse says he is glad shedecided to join the facility manage-ment team. “She has and continuesto have a very positive impact onour department, and we all enjoyworking with her very much.”

Bertollo says she prepared for hernew job by reading the book TheFirst 90 Days by Michael Watkins,which is on the success and failureof other people. She says she wasable to utilize some of their con-cepts, which gave her knowledge tocome into a new place.

So after six months, did it live up

to her expectations?“I have no experiences with other

colleges, but I can tell you it’s thebest place. I am so happy here.”

Page 12, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

* While supplies last.™ Trade-mark of Canada Trustco Mortgage Company.

Close to campus, close to home

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845 Niagara Street N., Welland, 905-732-2461

FMS manager finds ‘great chemistry’ at Niagara

By STEPHANIE VERRIStaff Writer

Sails flapping in the wind, calmblue waters and a boat slicing through– this is a 70-year-old man’s dream.

Stephen Jarrett, of St. Catharines,Ont., says he has enjoyed sailing formost of his life.

“I’ve liked sailing for years, buteveryone always talked me out ofbuying a sailboat.” Jarrett says hisfamily talked him out of buying asailboat because he enjoys fishing, sothey thought he should buy a fishingboat instead.

At the age of 69, he says, he decided to pursue his dream of continuing on with his sailing. Jarrettsays he heard about the NiagaraCollege Sailing program through apamphlet on Continuing Education.“Unfortunately, however, I thoughtthe course was too short. They onlytaught you the basics.”

“The sailing program lasted forthree days, and I spent a couple ofhours on the boat each day.”

Jarrett says he has previously takena sailing course in Bedford, N.S. “It

was an introduction to sailing courseand lasted for about two weeks.”

“The sailboat owners took two orthree people out at a time and taughtus how to sail with them.”

When out sailing, Jarrett says, heenjoys steering the boat the best.“They never let you take completecontrol, though. That’s the problem.”

Asked why he loves sailing somuch, Jarrett says he just feelsrelaxed.

“It is a peaceful and relaxing feeling. You don’t have any of thosestinky smells from gasoline engineslike you do on a powerboat.”

“And also, the fact you only needto use the engine on a sailboat to goin and out of the harbour, so you’rerunning the vessel with the power ofthe wind, which is economical.”

Jarrett says he does not own a sailboat, but plans on buying one in thenear future. “I want to buy a small sail-boat, maybe a 24-foot, by spring 2005.”

Other than sailing, being the sports-man that he is, Jarrett says his twobiggest hobbies are fishing and hunting.

“I go deer hunting and moosehunting every fall. Deer huntingstarts the first Monday of Novemberand moose hunting begins Oct. 18.”Jarrett says deer hunting lasts for twoweeks, whereas moose hunting lastsonly a week.

Jarrett says he belongs to theOakville Rod and Gun Club for bothdeer and moose hunting and goes toParry Sound, Ont., for deer hunting, and Sundridge, Ont., formoose hunting.

Along with fishing and hunting,Jarrett says he enjoys going out dancing “with the ladies” and enjoyscountry and western dancing the best.

Jarrett joked, “I’m so good theycall me Twinkletoes.”

Jarrett says his dream is to buy asailboat and sail along the GreatLakes and Bay of Quinte and continue to gain more experience.

Jarrett says it is never too late inlife to pursue one’s dreams and“luckily for me, Niagara College wasthere for me, to offer the course.”

Sailing dream realized at college

JULIA BERTOLLO

See our first crossword

page 25

By PRIASTO PROBOSUTEDJOStaff Writer

A new year for a first-year collegestudent began at Niagara College onSept. 8.

Fajar Putera Akbary, 20, ofIndonesia, is a first-year student atNiagara College’s Glendale campusin Niagara-on-the-Lake. He is takingthe Business Administration –International Business program there.

“I’m taking this program becausethat’s what I’m going to do next,”said Akbary, adding that in his homecountry, there will be great opportunities in business in the nextfew year.

There are some international stu-dents joining his program. “I’m notpretty sure how many internationalstudents in my program, but I think it

is about 45 per cent to 55 per centinternational students in my class.”

He said he was supposed to takesix classes in his program, but hetook five classes. “I did one class lastsemester so I don’t have to attend it.”

He is taking the ComputerApplication class for business one,the College English class, theInternational Trade class, theAccounting class and the Economicsclass.

Before he joined the program, hetook the General Arts and Scienceprogram last semester.

“I haven’t seen any difficulties inmy program now, but I’m sure it willbe hard,” said Akbary in an e-mailinterview.

He said he wanted to study in hiscountry, but he got an opportunity to

study outside his homeland. “Noteveryone can get an opportunity likethat.”

“It gives me cultural experience.(I’ll be) more educated than in mycountry’s education, and, of course,learning English, which is veryimportant in the future,” said Akbary.

He said the education level for onecountry is the same as other coun-tries’.

“Canada has fewer universities orcolleges than there are in America orother nations, so I can select the bestuniversities or colleges in here.”

“Before I came to Canada, all Iknow about it is Niagara Falls, butnow I know that Canada is also a coldcountry and I hate it,” said Akbary,who likes soccer and to hang out withhis friends during the weekend.

New year offers new opportunities

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It’s the 34th annual book saleof the Canadian Federation ofUniversity Women, Welland andDistrict Chapter on Oct. 23.

It will be held at CentennialSecondary School’s cafeteria,240 Thorold Rd. W. in Wellandfrom 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. thatSaturday.

Publicity chair Suzette Taylorsays, “There will be great bar-gains on books, music, videos,children’s books, games, puz-zles and special collections.

“Proceeds are to universityscholarships for female gradu-ates of eight local secondaryschools.”

To donate items call 905-735-1253, 905-735-7285, or 905-735-2211 ext. 7579.

news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 13

Police Foundations students facing challenge

Book salebargains

By CHELSEY SPINOSAStaff Writer

Police Foundations provides alot of opportunities, but getting ajob can be a hard task.

Alun Jones, 21, of Welland,graduated from the PoliceFoundations program in 2003. Hesays that there are a lot of opportu-nities in this field, but it is hard toget a job without some sort ofexperience and because of thelengthy process.

“Life skills are a very impor-tant aspect of this career. I wouldrecommend working security orsomething similar before divingin,” he says.

Jones has gone through theinterview process, which con-tains aptitude, written communi-cation, behavioural, physical and

written psychology tests, as wellas two interviews with a policepanel and one with a psycholo-gist.

The first interview with thepolice panel is the Local FocusInterview (LFI) and is one and a half to three hours long. The LFI determines a bit about your past and your goals and decides if you have competencies that will developwith police training and experi-ence, says Jones.

The second interview is an Essential Competence Interview (ECI).

“The ECI determines whether ornot you have six essential

competencies mandated by theOntario Association of Chiefs ofPolice,” he says.

These six components are analytical thinking, self-confi-dence, self-control, flexibility andvaluing diversity, relationshipbuilding and achievement orientation. This is then followedby a physical, says Jones.

Asked how his chance at a job looks, Jones says, he is not too sure what the outcome will besince he still has to have the inter-view with a psychologist.

“Only three students from myclass have been hired sincegraduation,” says Jones.

Jones, who works as a bylaw

officer for the Niagara Region,says his job is good preparation forbecoming a police officer.

“I think the Police Foundationsprogram is a good introductionto the law. However, personally,I feel experience in the field is

needed before becoming a policeofficer,” he says.

Asked if he would recommendthis program to others, Jones says,“I would recommend the program, but I also think university is a good idea so you have something to fall back on.”

Jones says he feels ready to trybeing a police officer because his experience has made him confident in his abilities.

“Only time will tell,” saysJones.

By STEPHANIE DIPIETROStaff Writer

The next time you are crossing the border or you getpulled over for speeding, you might find you recognize theofficers you encounter. There is a good possibility theygraduated from the Law and Security Administration(LASA) program at the college, offered since 1968.

Included within the program are the PoliceFoundations program and the Customs and Immigrationprogram.

Bill Hutton, 57, of Moonstone, Ont., is the chair of theSchool of Public Safety and Security at the college. Heserved 32 years with the Ontario Provincial Police, retiringin 2000. He has been working at the college for three years.

Hutton says, “You have to have an understanding ofwhy people behave the way they do” in order to succeedin the program.

Students are required to complete 16 hours of Campus

Watch. This program allows students to act as campussecurity spending four nights of patrol, says Hutton.

He says organizations from all over the Niagara regiontake 60 to 100 volunteers from the LASA program.

Some of the upcoming events include The Grape andWine Festival in St. Catharines and the Niagara FoodFestival in Welland.

“By the third week students are already starting to buildtheir resumés,” says Hutton.

The woman responsible for setting students up with theirvolunteer work is Program Assistant Carol Smith.

She has worked at the college for five years and workedon special projects for nine years with the NiagaraRegional Police writing statements, court reports andcrown briefs.

She says she “likes dealing with the students. It’s a reallygood atmosphere in this section.”

Job opportunities for graduates include by-law

enforcement officers, special constables, casino securityguards and customs and immigration officers.

Paul Wintemute, barrister and solicitor, of Niagara,teaches second-year students, specifically those takingthe Customs and Immigration program. He has practicedlaw for 22 years and continues to do so part time withhis own practice in St. Catharines.

He says students are getting jobs working with theCanadian Border Services Agency as customs or immi-gration officers.

“I have had the great pleasure of, in the last five years,finding many, many of our graduates manning the bridges.”

Hutton says, “What we’re trying to plant in the students’mind is the seven- or eight-dollar security job that somepeople think this program prepares them for. We’re actuallypreparing them for the more highly paid, better job.”

“Ninety per cent of students are getting hired aftergraduating from the LASA program,” he says.

By GILLIAN BARCLAYand LAURA MCINTYRE

Staff WritersThis past Sept. 11, people all over

the world remembered the eventsthat occurred three years ago inNew York City, Washington, D.C.,and Pennsylvania.

Television programs, newspa-pers and magazines were filledwith stories and photos takenfrom Ground Zero, images thatcould leave a permanent stain insociety’s mind for years to come.The event opened more eyesbecause of the diversity of thepeople that were affected. Thepictures capture many differenttypes of people, all running infear from the same thing.

Although the attacks took placeon American soil, Americans arenot the only people that are takinga moment to remember what hap-pened. Everyone was affected.Worldwide, people attendedmemorials and lit candles becausetheir families and friends werealso involved.

The massive coverage of Sept.11 has brought to the surface manydifferent feelings among NiagaraCollege students, ranging fromfear and anger to confusion.

Ashley Thomson, 21, of

Cayuga, a student in theBroadcasting – Radio, Televisionand Film (BRTF) program, says,“Based on the media’s depictionsof certain events, it can create astereotype of the ethnic groupsinvolved in the event, whether it isfalse or true, influencing the waypeople view one another.”

There has been a constant flowof coverage on every aspect of thetragedy, the families of those whodied, updates on the plans to createa memorial on Ground Zero, evena plethora of programs devoted tothe war on Iraq and developmentsin other Middle Eastern countries.

Many people argue that themedia are unfair and should becovering other news events,including those that don’t pertainto the United States. It is not wellknown, but at the same time ofthe attacks on America, therewas another historic event takingplace, one of the world’s largestnatural disasters, which killedmany more people compared toSept. 11, but was hardly everspoken about.

Carrie Doiron, 25, of NiagaraFalls, says, “I believe it is impor-tant to remember, but there is apoint where you can be carrying iton too much.”

It can be argued such extensivecoverage is merely because theU.S. media are so numerous.

Jeff Gott, 22 in the CollegeVocational program, says, “TheU.S. media is way more spread (inaudience reach) than anythingelse.” As a result, he says, it maygive the U.S. an advantage in hav-ing its political agenda publicized.

Each week there is at least onetelevision program dedicated to

something that was involved withSept. 11 and there are numerousreferences in news stories to theevents that happened around Sept.11. Whether or not Sept. 11 hasbeen covered too much is a per-sonal opinion.

Katelyn Finlay, 18, a first-yearstudent in BRTF, said, “Sept. 11is something that I’ll never for-get. I don’t think anyone will everforget it.”

Law students discovering many opportunities

Remembrance of 9/11 inspires reflection

See our nextissue Oct. 8

ALUN JONES

Sept. 11 plaque commemorating the attacks on New York Cityand Washington.

Background experience needed before becoming an officer

Photo by Gillian Baclay

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Page 14, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

By ERIN MACGILLIVARYStaff Writer

For a lot of students and teach-ers at Niagara College, back toschool in September is a time ofstress.

Georgina Tibbs, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, has worked at the col-lege as a counsellor for the pasteight years.

Tibbs says, this year, within thefirst few weeks back to college,students were actually withdraw-ing from programs because ofstress.

“Some of them are feeling thatthey are just too young to start col-

lege. It’s just so overwhelming,especially for those who have lefthome and are coming to a newplace. They are already withdraw-ing with family support definitelybehind them. Some of the studentsare coming back a little more emo-tional and their stress is hittingthem emotionally so we are get-ting people in here that are justneeding us to talk to them andcalm them down and help themwith some time-management skillsand note taking tricks.”

Tibbs says staff at the college isalso under stress because of thehigh enrolment this year.

“We have more students comingon board, which means less class-es for them to switch and changeso it adds to the stress of trying toaccommodate students and notbeing able to because we have somany students coming back.”

English teacher Derrick Eaves,31, of St. Catharines, agrees thatstudents and teachers deal withmore stress at the start of theschool year, but feels the level ofstress is different for everyonegiven the person’s circumstances.

“For example, some teachershave more administrative respon-sibilities than others at the start ofthe year. Likewise, some studentshave to deal with financial stressor stress from trying to balancework and school commitments.”

Eaves says most of the stressthat students feel comes from the

“great unknowns.”“The students usually don’t

know much about me, the course,or each other. During the first classwe discuss course expectationsand classroom policies. They havea chance to get to know one anoth-er, and I make sure they knowwhat to expect from me. Once youtake away all of those unknowns,

everyone starts to relax.”Tracey Jordan, 21, a first-year

student in the Recreation andLeisure program at the Wellandcampus, says she knows all about“unknowns” as she has just movedto Welland from Saskatoon, Sask.

“I feel stressed out because Imiss my boyfriend and my family.This is all new to me — theschool, the town and college.”

Jordan says she feels the courseinformation sheets that youreceive on the first day of classesare “overwhelming.”

“It would be more useful if theytalked about them rather than handyou the same thing you have seenfour times because it starts tomean nothing to you and it justgoes in the back of your binderlike anything else. I also think itwould be less stressful if teacherstaught a little bit in rather than

throw out when all of your assign-ments are going to be due becauseit’s just too much. I think it wouldbenefit students more if they start-ed teaching you a little bit and starttalking about assignments whenyou have all your books and are alittle bit more organized.”

Erik Madsen, 51, of Welland, isa counsellor at the college.

He says he believes that theamount of stress that students andteachers feel is “right across theboard” and “depends on the indi-vidual.”

He suggests students “keepfocused, practice time-manage-ment skills, don’t let things buildup. Keep balance in your lifebetween work and school and yourhobbies and interests, effectively.Manage your OSAP (OntarioStudent Assistance Program).

Don’t let small problemsbecome big problems, andwhen you get into a situationwhen you feel that you are hav-ing difficulty or you are facedwith a challenge, come and talkto somebody. Everyone is inter-ested in your success and iswilling to help, but if you arenot aware, it is much more diffi-cult.”

September stress sometimes too much

By GILLIAN BARCLAYStaff Writer

ColumnAfter poring through piles of

books on various anxiety disor-ders, I’ve decided that it is time Iget a referral to a psychiatrist frommy doctor.

Around one year ago my doctordiagnosed me with Social AnxietyDisorder (SAD) and a panic disor-der I was immediately put on amedication called Celexa and thensent on my way.

It has now been over a year andmy situation hasn’t cleared up, asmuch as I was hoping it would.I’ve decided that it is time that Igo to my doctor’s office and get areferral to a psychiatrist, hopingto receive more answers and pos-sibly be diagnosed and treatedproperly.

I’ve been putting off seeing apsychiatrist because I was wishingthat things would clear up and thatI could deal with my anxiety disor-der on my own. I don’t seem to begetting any better and the reality isthat I won’t if I don’t pinpointwhat it is that is going on inside ofme.

It wasn’t until a few months ago

that I was given a push to helpmyself out, instead of lettingmyself spiral downwards. Formonths I felt as if I were alone andthat none of my friends could trulyunderstand what it was that I wasexperiencing, but during my firstyear in college, I met CaitlinMcLachlan in my Journalism-Print program.

McLachlan has GeneralizedAnxiety Disorder (GAD) andsays that it took her awhile toget used to the idea of havingan anxiety disorder.

“At first I thought: Oh great, I’mcrazy,” said McLachlan.

After having my first panicattack, I admit I thought I wasgoing crazy. I had always heard ofpanic attacks, nervous breakdownsand anxiety disorders but I didn’tunderstand them until I experi-enced one.

I don’t think many peopleunderstand anxiety disordersbecause my friends often ask meabout my disorder and are sur-prised by what I say. They have noidea that panic attacks are severeand that I have to take medicationdaily to battle my disorder.

McLachlan was my first friend

that I could actually discussthings with, so I’m glad that I mether. Instead of feeling alone, Inow have somebody that I canlook to for help. Many of myfriends and family try to help mebut can’t because they don’tunderstand what I am goingthrough. That isn’t their fault.They seemed to be telling meeverything that I already knew,almost like reading the samepamphlet over and over again.

McLachlan was diagnosed withGAD at 17, so she understoodwhat I was going through.

“I talked to my doctor because itwas beginning to affect my lifeseverely. At first she thought I hadobsessive-compulsive disorderbecause I demonstrated severalsymptoms. She referred me to apsychiatrist who could come to a

more thorough diagnosis. After afew meetings, it was concludedthat I had GAD,” said McLachan.

McLachlan wasn’t the only per-son who helped me. CarolynGould, the nurse at NiagaraCollege, has helped me more thanI could ever dream and because ofthat I owe her a lot. Gould remind-ed me that there are many morepeople besides McLachlan and methat have anxiety disorders.

McLachlan said, “The nurse has

been helpful on several occasionsand I’m certain she would be ableto help me (and anyone else) if Ihad any questions.”

Gould had to walk me throughmy first panic attack away fromhome and without medication(Ativan) and she did a great job.Gould said, “You know the trig-gers when you get to college. You

just have to learn how to paceyourself.”

Since my first attack at school,I’ve visited Gould three times, andevery time she walks me throughmy attack and then listens toeverything I say, giving me time tovent about anything and every-thing.

“They (these students) haveinternal strength. It’s just that theyhave been overwhelmed and youcan’t get on top of them,” saidGould.

It’s amazing to have somebodywho will just listen to whatever Ineed to say. I find it easier whenit is somebody I don’t know verywell because I don’t edit myselfas much.

Knowing that there are peopleclose to me who experience thesame things that I do is a relief. Idon’t wish disorders upon otherpeople, but it is comforting toknow that I am not the only per-son who is experiencing all ofthis. I also like knowing there arepeople available in case I needhelp. The reason I need to talk toa psychiatrist is so that I don’tcount on other people to help meout. I want to help myself.

Linda Freymond, 17, a first-year student in the LandscapeTechnician (Co-op) program displays some of the fall gardenmums on sale at the college’s greenhouse retail store. The retailstore is at the Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Photo by Ashley Campbell

Anxiety disorders affecting students’ lives

Tracey Jordan, 21, a first-yearstudent in the Recreation andLeisure Services program, isworking hard to get all of herassignments done.

‘I feel stressed out because I miss myboyfriend and my family.

This is all new to me — the school,the town and college.’

— Tracey Jordan

High enrolment could be source of student/staff stress at Niagara

‘At first I thought: Oh great, I’m crazy.’

— Caitlin McLachlan

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Sports

By KEVIN MCNAUGHTONStaff Writer

It’s never been done before.For the first time, Niagara

College’s men’s tackle footballteam will have an all-Americanschedule this year.

The football team is playing aseven-game schedule against sixNational College AthleticsAssociation division three teams,including St. John Fisher College,of Rochester, N.Y., and MountUnion College, of Alliance, Ohio.

Although Mount Union Collegeset a new record last year for mostconsecutive wins with a 55-gamewinning streak, football coach andco-ordinator of the PoliceFoundations and Law and Securityprogram, Gino Arcaro, 47, ofWelland, says he is confident in hisplayers.

“Their players are no faster orstronger than ours. We have a verygood list of returning players withpotential to move on after college.”

Arcaro said this would be a terrific opportunity for Canadianand American players.

“Like the U.S hockey team coming here, our players will beable to have a cultural exchange.”

Twenty-year-old defensive tack-le Scott Cairns, of Welland, said heis excited to play against theAmerican university teams

this year.“I think it gives us a chance to

prove football is a huge part ofCanadian youths’ lives.”

Cairns, a Child and YouthWorker student, said this will behis second year playing on theteam and he plans on playing uni-versity football after this season.

The growth and development ofthe team will be the main focus of

this year’s season, said Arcaro.“We are way ahead of

schedule,” said Arcaro. “Buildinga competitive college team takesfive years. We were competitivelast year.”

To keep the team motivated toimprove, Arcaro said he gives lam-inated cards to each of his playerswith specific goals written on

each card.Goals are gaining a set number

of passing and running yards forthe offence and scoring twice agame, said Arcaro, adding, “Wehave base goals. Then we elevateour goals higher and higher as theseason goes on.”

Second-year Police Foundationsstudent Mark Shaw, 20, ofWelland, said the goal cards areeffective in helping the team.

“Goal cards push players to gothe extra mile because the expectations have already been setfor them.”

Funding for the football teamcomes from operating the NiagaraColts Football Club Inc.

The club was created for theimprovement of Niagara area athletes to move on in their football careers, said Arcaro.

The Niagara Colts have produced players such as two-timeHec Crighton award winner TomDenison.

Denison received the award forbeing the most outstanding univer-sity player in 2002 and 2003 whileplaying quarterback for Queen’sUniversity in Kingston, Ont.

Arcaro said the tackle footballteam was created because of theinterest he had received in organiz-ing a team to end the void betweenhigh school and university football.

‘I think it gives us achance to prove

football is a huge partof Canadian

youths’ lives.’

— Scott Cairns

news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 15

Coach confident in team’s ability to win

First-year quarterback, Sebastien Mercure, tosses around a foot-ball after practice on Sept. 20.

Photo by Kevin McNaughton

College’s men’s tackle football team prepares to playseven-game schedule against American schools

Knights look to make it six titles in last 11 yearsBy PAT PARKINSON

Staff Writer

The Niagara Knights touchfootball team is looking to repeat.

“We want to defend the cham-pionship,” Coach Randy Conlonsaid.

Last season, the Knights wonthe Ontario Colleges AthleticAssociation (OCAA) touch football gold medal.

The Knights touch footballteam has won five championshipsin the last 10 years.

This year the team has 19 players trying out, including fourreturning players.

“We need 14 players, but if thetalent is there the roster could behigher,” Conlon said.

Jaymee Kitchenham, 24, ofAylmer, Ont., is a second-yearLaw and Security Administrationprogram student and a returningdefensive player on the team.

“We are the returning champs,with only a few players from lastyear. We have a young team, butthey are willing to learn and that’sa good sign. We are going to misssome players from last year, especially team co-most valuableplayers Neil Box and MichaelO’Brien.”

The touch football team hastwo tournaments this season. Thefirst tournament is Oct. 2 atOshawa’s Durham College. TheKnights finished third last year atthe opening tournament.

A former student in thePhotonics EngineeringTechnology program and three-year veteran of the team,Ryan Kelly, 23, of Belleville,said, “The opening tournament isa great way to see how the teamsstack up against each other butbesides wanting to win, it is notthat important. The second tournament is where it counts. Weshowed it last year.”

The final tournament is on Oct.15 to Oct. 17 at Kingston’s St.Lawrence College. It is a tournament the Knights won goldat last year when the tournamentwas at Hamilton’s Mohawk Park.The Knights pulled off an impressive defensive stand to win inthe final minutes of the game, Thewin allowed the team to travel tothe University of New Orleans,La., and represent all of Canada.

The team had one win and twolosses for the tournament, whichwas satisfactory in Conlon’s eyes.“It’s a completely different game

down there.”In the OCAA, the game is all

about quick passes, compared

with the U.S. college game,where running is key.

“The Knights’ athletes

represented our college and all ofCanada and did us proud,”Conlon said.

Three touch football players practice for their first game on Oct. 2.Photo by Pat Parkinson

Page 16, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

SportsCanadian Olympians need help with money

By IVAN ZATELLIStaff Writer

It’s agreed. Canadian athletesneed more money for all ages andlevels of sport in Canada. Moreinterest in sponsorship, whethercorporate or private, would benefitfuture athletes.

The lack of sponsorship in ama-teur athletics is an issue that needsto be addressed. After theOlympics in Greece, the Canadianhaul decreased from 14 medalsreceived in the Sydney, Australia,Olympics in 2000, to 12 this yearin Athens, Greece.

Brock University’s wrestlinghead coach and former two-timeOlympian Marty Calder, 37, ofThorold, personally trained TonyaVerbeek, the Canadian silvermedal winner of the women’s 55kilogram wrestling event inAthens, Greece.

Calder says lack of sponsorshipmoney handicaps the abilities ofCanadian athletes to focus on theirtraining.

“We need to promote our kids insports on all levels.” During herspeech to residents recently,Beamsville’s Verbeek says, she isproof that winning medals inCanada is possible.

Funding for the wrestling pro-gram at Brock in St. Catharines islimited, says Calder. With little

funding from the government, atany level, athletes are not progres-sive in their training, and careersare set back years.

“Athletes only ask for enoughsupport to stabilize themselves,”says Calder.

To be successful, athletic pro-grams need an injection of fundsand more support from the federalgovernment above the $1,000 amonth Olympians in training nowreceive. There are major compa-nies contributing funds to athletesin other countries.

Calder asks Verbeek, who is sit-ting on the same bench, what didthe Austrian Nikola Hartman get?

Verbeek replies, “A car everyyear, and that was before theOlympics.”

This year, Calder says, for theOlympics, the Russian athletesreceived a house and a car, while amedal for the Russians last yearnetted the winner $100,000 US.

“It just goes to show you howcorporate sponsorship contributesto athletes in other countries.

Calder says there are countriesthat supply multicomplex facilitiesand are devoted to national prideand the training of their athletes.

“You can’t just care every fouryears.”

Ray Sarkis, co-ordinator of ath-letics and recreation at Niagara

College’s Welland campus, says$65 from each student goes to run-ning programs here. He says thereisn’t much money left over forextra programs after you add instaff salaries, maintenance andnew equipment. “Support for ama-teur sports in Canada isn’t there.

We (Canadians) look at sports dif-ferently,” says Sarkis.

Americans have large corpo-rate sponsors. “They’re aboutwinning.” says Sarkis, addingcoaches cost money but withoutgood coaches, athletes can onlygo so far.

Sarkis says good coaching isessential to further the ability ofthe athlete.

Sarkis says, “Our programsare compatible with most mid-level universities, and teamsfrom our college can competewith any university.”

Tonya Verbeek and Marty Calder stand in front of the poster wishing athletes from Brock Universityin St. Catharines best wishes in Athens, Greece, on Sept. 9.

Photo by Ivan Zatelli

By RAY SPITERIStaff Writer

The Welland Jr. Canadiansopened the home portion of theirhockey season with a convincing5-2 victory over last season’s first-place Niagara Falls Canucks inJunior B play.

The Canadians, who in their sea-son opener came from behind at 3-1 to defeat the Port ColborneSailors 5-4 in overtime, took thebody hard and often and gave theCanucks fits all night.

Cameron Sault, the 18-year-oldrookie of the Canadians, openedthe scoring at 6:17 of the first peri-od that saw both teams go end toend trading good scoring chances.

The Canadians were unluckynot to go into the first intermissionwith a 2-0 lead as a wrist shot fromthe blue line by Canucks’ defense-men Steve Lazich seemed todeceive the Canadians’ netminder.

In the second period, theCanucks evened the score earlywith what was the goal of thenight.

Rylan Young, the 20-year-oldforward of the Canucks, roofed thepuck on a perfectly executed twoon one with teammate ChadMcCaffrey.

The game evened out with theCanucks starting to pressure theCanadians before a scrappy butwell-timed goal by Jesse Bedard in

the second dashed the Canucks’hopes.

Bedard, the 19-year-old winger,pounced on a loose puck in frontof the net and coolly slotted homethe game winner.

After getting the lead, the

Canadians began closing up themiddle of the ice, making it hardfor the opposition to penetrate intotheir zone.

When the Canucks got theirchances, the Canadians’ goal-tender was there to make the saveand the defence did a good jobclearing the rebounds.

After his club’s victory, JasonHill, one of the Canadians’ goalscorers, said his team did a goodjob getting the puck to the net.

“Every chance we had, we gotthe puck to the net. We had somegood bounces go our way and real-ly worked hard for this win.”

“We played our game downlow and moved the puck well,”

said Sault, the 5-foot 10-inch for-ward of the Canadians.

Chase Langeraap, the tall, 200-pound centre of the Canadians,said his team members did theirjob physically and that was thekey to their victory.

“They (the Canucks) have a bigteam over there, but we matchedthem in the physical department.That is the style we have to playin order to continue winning.”

The line of Sault, Langeraapand Hill was the story of thenight, combining for sevenpoints.

Hill and Sault each had a goaland an assist while Langenraaphad three helpers.

Hill, Sault get two points each in Canadians victory

By KEVIN MCNAUGHTONStaff Writer

Sports fans, beware.This year Niagara College will

be hosting the Ping CanadianColleges Athletic Association(CCAA) Golf OpenChampionships and the OntarioColleges Athletic Association(OCAA) Men’s VolleyballChampionships.

“It is always an honour to fea-ture the top athletes in the coun-try,” said Ray Sarkis, NiagaraCollege’s co-ordinator of Athleticsand Recreation.

Ontario’s top college golf play-ers will show their skills from Oct.

13 to Oct.16 at The Links ofNiagara, in Niagara Falls.

Volleyball players will get theirchance to prove themselves duringthe provincial championships fromFeb. 24 to Feb. 25.

Twenty-seven-year-old KerbyBentley, of Welland, is the NiagaraKnights men’s volleyball headcoach. He said he is looking for-ward to this year’s team.

“Our potential is huge,” saidBentley. “Their skills aren’t whatwe have had in the past, so itdepends on how hard they arewilling to work and how fast theylearn.”

Bentley said this year’s teamwould be younger than teams hehas coached in the past with nothird- or fourth-year students try-ing out.

The Knights will be defendinglast year’s provincial champi-

onship trophy against the top eightcollegiate teams in Ontario.

Niagara College’s men’s volley-ball has won three of the last fiveprovincial championships, includ-ing last year’s championships thattook place at Seneca College, inToronto.

“We should have kept it there,”Sarkis, of Welland, said jokingly.“We have won two of three cham-pionships there.”

Sarkis said that Niagara Collegemade a bid on both the PingCCAA Golf Open Championshipsand the OCAA Men’s VolleyballChampionships.

The bids included budgets that

the OCAA and CCAA committeecould accept. The budget includesthe cost of equipment, the facilityand game officials.

Links of Niagara was chosen forthe Ping OCCA Golf OpenChampionships because its length,difficulty and condition make it“one of the better clubs in theregion,” said Sarkis.

CPGA Head Professional at theLinks of Niagara, Frank Campanelli,35, of Niagara Falls, said the 18-hole course is 6,724 yards with parset at 72.

“It is probably one of the best-conditioned golf courses in the NiagaraFalls region,” said Campanelli.

‘Every chance we had, wegot the puck to the net. Wehad some good bounces goour way and really worked

hard for this win.’

— Jason Hill

College hosts golf, volleyball championships this school year

‘Their skills aren’t what wehave had in the past, so itdepends on how hard they

are willing to work andhow fast they learn.’

— Kerby Bentley

news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 17

Sports

NHL players, owners hit impasse;hockey season could be in trouble

By NADINE HORTONStaff Writer

To most in the Niagara region, the end ofSeptember means that beach season is over, but tosome it means surf’s up!

While everyone else is putting away beach towels,swimsuits and sunblock, the surfers of the Niagararegion are breaking out their surfboards and wet suits.With the fall and winter seasons rapidly approaching,the waves of Lake Erie are getting bigger, and thismeans only good things for those who love to surf thefresh waters.

The adventure sport can exist outside of the shoresof the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In our own backyard of the Great Lakes, when the winds are increasing in speed in the colder seasons, so are thewaves. You really don’t need to spend your life’s savings on a ticket to Hawaii to experience the art ofsurfing.

Chris Furminger, 33, of Niagara Falls, has been riding the waves of Lake Erie for eight years. Whatstarted out as a fondness for skim boarding, grew intoa passion for surfing when a surf shop in St.Catharines caught his attention and rooted a curiosityfor the sport.

The surf shop, On The Verge, owned by Dan Paris,no longer exists, but the motivation it gave Furmingerremains with him today.

Furminger has surfed competitively in the past. Atthe 2002 Gales of Wyldewood Surf Contest, held thatOctober at Wyldewood Beach in Port Colborne,Furminger found himself in first place in the Men’sMasters Longboard division.

The Eastern Surf Association holds competitionsannually in different districts. Winners advance fromthe Great Lakes district to, the finals held in NorthCarolina at the end of September.

If surfing Lake Erie sounds like something youwould like to experience, don’t expect to sign up forlessons. Furminger says that lessons are not offered in

the Niagara region and if you want to learn how tosurf, you will have to teach yourself or know someone who surfs that can offer you advice.

Beginner surfer Chris Nicholls, 21, of Welland, islearning what it takes to get started on surfing LakeErie.

While watching Step Into Liquid, a documentaryabout surfing, it was brought to Nicholls’ attentionthat people can surf the Great Lakes. Soon after, hefound resources on the Internet about what he neededand how to go about getting it.

“It’s different. I’ve never done it before,” saysNicholls about his experiences. “It’s kind of hard, butit’s progressive. There are no standards and you cango at your own pace. I have not been discouragedyet.”

For Nicholls, who is a recent graduate of theNiagara College Police Foundations program, surfingis something that is purely recreational and he is looking to get better at it.

Furminger describes surfing as “harnessing thepowers of nature.” He loves the fact that it is something he can do without polluting the water. Hesays, “Every time you go out (surfing), you learnsomething no matter how big or small.” To him, surfing breaks down to “trial and error.”

If you find yourself itching to get out there on LakeErie to catch a wave or two, now is the best time tostart. There are a few things you should know first.

Surfing can be dangerous. You really have to payattention to your surroundings because you can getswallowed by a huge wave.

You don’t want to break surfing etiquette: Bepolite, and don’t steal a fellow surfer’s wave. If youhappen to see a 12-foot wave like Furminger has,keep it “hush-hush.” Surfers don’t like to kiss andtell.

If you pass this checklist, you are on your way towhat Furminger describes as one of the “most exhilarating things” you can do.

It’s a good chance that there will be no hockeynext year. Well, in the National Hockey League(NHL), that is.

From recent meetings between the NHL and theNational Hockey League Players Association(NHLPA), the NHL owners want a salary cap at $31million, while the NHLPA strongly disagrees with asalary cap and instead wants a luxury tax and lowerplayer salaries.

Hockey fans, get ready for a long, long wait beforethe NHL and the NHLPA agree on anything, let aloneone thing.

Great. This is what the NHL needs, a one-yearlockout, and it starts with the actual game.

The game has become too defensive minded. Yes,last year’s playoffs were great, but not all teams playthe explosive offensive style like the Calgary Flamesand the Tampa Bay Lightning. They need to find away to pick up the pace, have the actual speed,finesse and hard-checking style of play, not a gamein which you chase the puck, clutch and grab, andhave a whistle every 45 seconds in the game.

The suggestion of eliminating the centre line anddecreasing the size of goalie equipment does not helpthe game. The game would be high scoring, with lessequipment. It would be easier for players to score.

When you have fast skaters around the opposing blueline, it’s hard for defensemen to check their speedyplayers.

The game needs to get rid of the clutch-and-holdstyle of play and eliminate the instigator and obstruc-tion rules. With these rules out of the game, the gamepace will improve.

For safety reasons, eliminate the touch icing. Thegame has seen many injuries when players rush forthe puck, only to lose their balance or get crushedfrom behind and injured. Marco Sturm, forward ofthe San Jose Sharks, broke his leg after losing hisbalance as someone checked him from behind. A no-touch icing rule would eliminate the severity ofinjuries.

Player salaries are on the rise to an average of $1.8million, an increase in the past few years. Playersthese days do not deserve the money they get.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mats Sundin is get-ting paid $9 million a year, and Jaromir Jagr is thehighest paid player in the league with $11 million.No wonder they don’t want a salary cap.

There are too many overrated players getting over-paid and underachieving. When has a player said,“No, I’m not worth this much money?”

The game needs no salary cap to improve thegame. If there is a salary cap, there would be nodynasty hockey teams, and the sport becomes moreof parity, just like the National Football League.Besides, if the owners were smart enough, most ofthese players won’t receive the money that they earn.

Editor’s Note: This column was written before thelockout decision.

By RAY SPITERIStaff Writer

New name. New logo. New atti-tude.

The Welland Jr. Canadians ofthe Golden Horseshoe League(GHL) have a new look this season.

The Canadians, formerly knownas the Cougars, had the namechanged when new owner LouisSavona bought the hockey club inJune.

“I always said if I owned a teamin Welland I would call them theCanadians because of the bilingualcommunity,” says Savona, 51,from Port Robinson.

Savona says he thinks the fanswill like the team uniforms’ newlook.

“Red, white and blue are colourswith a lot of tradition in the sportof hockey, and I wanted our nameand logo to stick out.”

The uniform has a new style,which, Savona says, will ensurethe City of Welland is recognized.

“Fans will quickly realize thaton the back of our jerseys, wherethe sponsor’s name usually is, (it)now says Welland. We wanted toemphasize to our community thatthe Canadians are their club.”

The Canadians, who last seasonfinished a respectable third in theGHL behind the Niagara FallsCanucks and ThoroldBlackhawks, feel a new physicalapproach could put them over thetop.

“With a tougher and more grittylineup, we feel we could push forthe top three and possibly get tothe finals,” says CanadiansGeneral Manager Marc Tardif.

The 43-year-old Welland nativesays the team has a good balanceof young and experienced playersand a variety of styles that theyhope will blend in well.

“We don’t have one guy who welook to on this club. We work hardas a unit and if we play that wayconsistently we will be fine.”

Barry Sharpe, team assistantgeneral manager and a dean atNiagara College, says there aretwo rookies who could surprisethis season.

“Cameron Sault and RyanBeaudoin have the potential to bereal sleepers this year. Cameron isgifted with the puck and Ryan isan opportunist who makes something out of nothing.”

The Canucks and Blackhawkshave dominated the last two seasons; however, Tardif says,there is more parity in the leaguenow.

“The league, I believe, will bemore competitive this season.Clubs like the Sailors (PortColborne) and Falcons (St.Catharines) have improved and sohave we, so it won’t be just theCanucks and Blackhawks and thenthe rest of us.”

Jason Hill, 20, from Lewiston,N.Y., says he is confident aboutthe new season.

“We have looked good in preparation of the season andwe’ve got a lot of talent in thisdressing room.”

Hill says he thinks of himself asa finesse player and wants to even-tually play at the college level.

“I want to be a leader for theCanadians and go on to graduatein college hockey.”

Surfers surf’s up! In Lake Erie?

Students play volleyball in the rear courtyard of the Residenceand Conference Centre at the Welland campus on Sept 13.

Photo by Sandor Ligetfalvy

Welland’s hockey clubrevamps organization

By STEVE SIMONStaff Writer

Column

Page 18, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

Entertainment

By RANDI CODISPODIStaff Writer

Tegan and Sara Quin, both 23, areCanadian-born singer/songwritertwins.

The duo released their first album,Under Feet Like Ours, in 1999 andtheir second album, The Business ofArt, in 2000. It wasn’t until 2002 whentheir most recent album, If It Was You,was released that they began to getmore recognition from the media.

Although the sisters were born inCalgary, Alta., they live in Vancouver,B.C.

Tegan and Sara have toured withartists such as Matt Sharp, RyanAdams, Neil Young, The Pretenders,Ben Folds, Rufus Wainwright andKinnie Starr. During their most recenttour, Matt Sharp, formerly of Weezerand The Rentals, opened the show.

“He was a really funny guy. Him andhis manager Michael were the coolest

in dealing with ‘Tegan and Sara’ dailyantics,” Tegan says, in an e-mail. “Theygot sick just like we did and were real-ly helpful setting everything up andtearing down. Matt lost a keyboard thelast night of the tour in Montreal. Heleft it at the club and didn’t realize untilthe next day. He and Michael wentback the next morning and got lockedinto the club and set the alarm off.

“While they were there, their RVthatthey had been travelling in was brokeninto as well. They called us from insidethe club and woke us up at Sara’s. Wefelt really bad, but we laughed all theway to the crime scene. When we got tothe RV, they were eating hot dogs andlooked so frazzled. It was funny andsad.”

Tegan says that at a show in Torontoat Lee’s Palace, a fan tried to get back-stage but security wouldn’t let her soshe punched one of them in the faceand attacked the police officers that

came to arrest her. “We felt trulyproud,” Tegan says. “Just kidding.”

Hawksley Workman, anotherCanadian musician, worked withTegan and Sara for the production ofThe Business of Art. “He was reallygreat, very strong and knows what hewants. He went in there with his sleevesrolled right up and very much directedthe outcome of that record,” Tegansays.

Superstar is a song Tegan wrote andis now on The Business of Art album.“Superstar I wrote when I was still inGrade 12. We had a little touch of suc-cess at a festival in Vancouver and wereinterviewed on MuchMusic and wereon the cover of the Music Monthly inCalgary. I felt that we needed to finishschool and felt a little embarrassed andbewildered by the effect of all thatpress. I think I might have been takingthe piss out of us, maybe.”

When it comes to If It Was You,

Tegan says she is “most proud” of thesongs Living Room and Time Running.“I thought they were both really differ-ent for me and for ‘Tegan and Sara’. Ithink Sara’s songs on this new recordare so different and unique that they aregoing to be my proudest momentswhen she gets here and I get to getinvolved.”

The sisters just released So Jealous,their new album, on Sept. 14.

“I think the music is going to be verydifferent. I think more of the record isgoing to represent us and what wewere able to come up with. I think oursongwriting has really matured and Ithink Sara and I have really begun tofind our own voices. I think it is gongto be a little weird, but fun and sad andmemorable, I hope.”

Writing a song can take a full day ortwo, but sometimes a “great melody”will come in a few minutes, Tegansays.

“I really don’t like to rush it or I getfrustrated and ruin the idea but some-times I get so excited to record it, I rushit anyways.”

Tegan says she goes for traditionallayouts and the typical verse, chorus,verse, chorus, bridge, chorus patternwhile Sara is all over the place.

“Sara is not near as structured as Iam. She doesn’t really like to yell orplay too hard on stage. I think thatmakes her write differently as well. Ilook forward to rocking out.”

Tegan had a message for theirfans: “I think that everyone that readsthis should be glad that they can readand be happy that they got to readsomething that you wrote and thatthey should buy the new Tegan andSara record because it’s special and ifyou don’t, Sara will cry.”

More information can be foundabout Tegan and Sara on their web-site http://www.teganandsara.com.

Songwriting twins achieve media recognition with sophomore release

Guthrie does double dutyBy RILEY MACDONALD

Staff WriterJim Guthrie says he doesn’t like the

spotlight and “never really left Guelph”until the age of 27. At the age of 31,Guthrie can’t help but be forced into thespotlight by his accomplishments.

Guthrie’s latest album, Now MoreThan Ever, was released earlier thisyear on Three Gut Records.

Guthrie describes his new release as“easy listening for hard times” and saysit is nothing like his first two albums. Hesays there was a lot more involved withthe making of this album. “It was moreambitious.”

Guthrie says the major thing that sep-arates Now More Than Ever from hisother self-produced recordings is hesimply had more money. Guthriereceived an independent loan grantfrom Funds Assisting Canadian Talenton Record (FACTOR).

On this album he worked with OwenPallett and Mike Wilson of the HiddenCameras and Bry Webb of theConstantines.

Guthrie says he “fell into” Pallett andWilson while he was at a HiddenCameras show and just asked them ifthey wanted to play.

“There are a lot of talented people inToronto. You never know who youcould be playing with next.” Guthriesays he doesn’t really aspire to workwith anyone. He is willing to play withanyone who will rock out with him.

Guthrie has also been known to col-laborate and create music on his SonyPlayStation. He says he always starts offcreating songs by himself with his gui-tar and then he started playing withother people. When he was too busy toget a band together, he discovered theSony PlayStation.

“Here is something I can createmusic with and I don’t need anyone elseto do it with.” He describes the music hemakes with the Sony PlayStation as“quirky, weird and experimental.”

Guthrie says, when given the choice,he would rather play with a band. Hesays although the Sony PlayStation isweird and exciting, it’s also lifeless, coldand unforgiving. Guthrie jokes, “I get allthe beer tickets and it gets all the girls.”

Besides being busy with his ownmusic, Guthrie also plays with his

friends in Royal City. Guthrie says thereisn’t much of a balancing act involvedin keeping up the two projects. “Thereare only certain times of the year we cando Royal City stuff because AaronRiches, lead singer of Royal City,attends school in the U.S.”

Guthrie says he enjoys the time play-ing with Royal City. “It’s refreshing anda really good time. It’s more like hang-ing out. Everyone looks forward to it.”Guthrie says being in Royal City is a lit-tle easier at times because he is not upfront, but it’s not hard either way.

“When it’s not your song, words or

voice, you don’t take it as personally.You’re not as involved emotionally. I’mther,e but it’s totally different when yourheart isn’t on the line.”

Guthrie says he does think it’s a greatexperience to be the front man of a band.It’s important to him, he adds, to have a bal-ance of both the Royal City thing and theJim Guthrie thing.

Whether playing in the back with RoyalCity or up front as Jim Guthrie, Guthriesays he loves travelling and being on tour.The only places that are big for him areToronto and Guelph, but he isn’t on a levelwhere he can be comparing audiences.

Jim Guthrie performed on Sept. 11 at the Niagara Artists Club inSt. Catharines.

Photo by Riley MacDonald

By CLAYTON DONERStaff Writer

The After Hours pub at theWelland campus experiencedmany needed changes through-out the summer includingnewly structured staff and anew interior look.

Renovations were done to thepub this summer, which was theoutcome of a decision, byStudent Administrative Council(SAC) members in June 2004.A consultant was hired by SACto evaluate its structure andbusiness operations.

“Everything, literally, fromthe floor to the ceiling, has been

changed,” says Blake Turner,21, of St. Catharines. Turner,who is the director of program-ming and student events, saysthe changes in the look includea new floor, ceiling, paint job,bar top, chairs and tables,booths and booth tables and theSAC office finally got walls.The pool tables have been re-felted, the video games havebeen replaced and the environ-ment of the pub has beencleaned up.

“We thought it was abouttime that this started lookinglike a proper business,” saysTurner, adding, “We did it sothat students will enjoy them-selves.”

A different food menu is alsoan addition to the pub this yearoffering students some healthfulitems that can be found at a fair-ly decent price. Althoughthey’ve experienced manychanges, SAC decided to keepsome things in the pub such asthe majority of the light fixtures,the DJ equipment, the stage

lighting and the subs and amps.Renovations for the pub were

paid for with money fromSAC’s surplus account and thecapital reserve fund that’s set upwith the college. The capitalreserve fund allows about$37,700 a year to SAC.

Another big change for thebusiness was the re-structuringof staff. Cindy Blanchard, ofWelland, who has beenemployed by SAC since 1991,was chosen by the board ofdirectors to become the generalmanager in April 2004 for bothstudent centres. Blanchard wasoffered the job for a one-yearterm in order to evaluate thenew structure and see if itworks better than the previous-ly structured manner.Blanchard’s duties consist ofoverseeing both student centresand the entire SAC operation.She gives directions from thepresidents to the professionalstaff.

“Cindy’s the best person forthe job. She knows the opera-tion inside out,” says MarkHardwick, 30, president at theWelland campus SAC.

In addition to the new struc-ture, Ryan Young, the bar man-ager at the Glendale campus,was offered the same post atthe Welland campus’ AfterHours. He is in charge of over-seeing the entire bar operationsand working with Turner onthe awareness of and the cre-ation of events in the pubs.

Hardwick and Blanchard alsoworked together this summer torevise and re-write the SACpolicies.

In the end, all of thesechanges have been made for thestudents.

“We wanted to clean it up andmake it a welcome environment,”says Hardwick about the newly ren-ovated student centre. Hardwick sayshe enjoys seeing students happy andwants all student-related prob-lems handled.

Old pub, new look

‘We did it so that studentscan enjoy themselves.’

— Blake Turner

By SANDOR LIGETFALVYStaff Writer

I t was the musical wel-come for new and returningstudents dur ing the f i rs tweek of September.

Niagara College’s two pubs,After Hours at Welland campusand the Armoury at Glendalecampus, each hosted a band onTuesday, Wednesday andThursday, during the first weekschool in September.

Tuesday at After Hours,Maddhatter covered popularrock songs convincingly. Thefoursome has been togetherfor two years and met at St.Michael’s High School inNiagara Falls.

Lead vocalist and acoustic gui-tar player Joe Sacco, 22, saysBeatles, Coldplay and Oasisinspire him.

Musically precise, but withsomewhat of a rigid stance,Maddhatter’s successful perfor-mances displayed a strongmusical range.

“The (music) industry is over-come by marketing rather thantalent,” drummer FrankPietrangelo said.

He sang two Tragically Hipsongs while keeping the beat.

Wednesday, Deaf Cherryappeared on stage at After Hours.Delayed by technical difficultiesand playing to a small crowd, leadvocalist Dan Concolino, 19, stillput on an energetic show.

The six-member band ofNiagara Falls, with an average ageof 17, began its set with awkwardversions of otherwise good songs.The band’s musical executionworked, but Concolino’s voicefound itself misfit in some songs.

When Deaf Cherry played itsown material, the band fit verynicely together. Its best cover wasa nod-your-head rendition of oldtype rock ’n’ roll.

Keyboardist Giancarlo Feltrinadded layers to the musicalintegrity of the band, and evenwhen there were moments when asong dipped, Concolino’s dancing,jumping, flailing and climbingover drum equipment kept theshow entertaining to watch.

Thursday The Spicoli’s cameto After Hours at Welland cam-pus. The Spicoli’s, who havebeen together four years, are afive-piece rock group with anaverage age of 22. The membersare from Burlington, Ont.

Lead vocalist Brandom Pascoasays his inspiration comes frombands like Sublime, Goldfingerand Pennywise, and the perfor-mance reflected those influences.

The Spicoli’s were the onlyband at After Hours to bring pro-motional items like T-shirts andother merchandise.

Regrettably, news@niagara wasunable to cover the performancesat Glendale campus.

In a telephone interview, pubmanager of the Armoury Jason

Burgoyne said the Spicoli’splayed in the Niagara-on-the-Lake pub on Tuesday, Maddhatterplayed Wednesday and Phat Stickplayed Thursday.

Chair of the Orientationcommittee, Randy Conlon,said this year’s musical enter-tainment was a change fromlast year’s format.

Last year, Not By Choice

played on a temporary stagebehind the pub. In previous years,that stage was performed on byBig Sugar and other bands.

Conlon said hiring a popularband is a “big budget item.”

The Orientation committee haddecided Welcome Week would bea single day. He says the shorterintroduction is what the calendarallowed for and because last

year’s students thought that theweek dragged on longer than ithad to.

He said “about half” themoney was spent on four bandsat two campuses than wasspent last year on one band atone campus.The Armoury is the new namefor the Glendale pub formerlyknown as Alexander Davidson’s.

news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 19

Entertainment

Orientation has local bands rocking Pubs

Maddhatter members Joe Sacco, 22, Frank Pietrangelo, 22, Paul Gigliotti, 24, and AnthonyDiCarlo, 24, all of Niagara Falls, played at the Welland campus’ After Hours pub as part ofOrientation Day on Sept. 7.

Photo by Sandor Ligetfalvy

Hemi69 heavy musicBy STEPHANIE DIPIETRO

Staff WriterStudents looking for bands

with that hard rock edge, yoursearch is over. Hemi 69 fits thedescription.

Tim Oliver, 21, BrianGannon, 24, Paul Devine, 30-something, Steve Grant, 20 andJustin West, 19, make up theself-described “textured garage”band, Hemi 69.

The band formed in 2000with Devine and Oliver collab-orating on songs in Devine’shome studio.

Oliver is the lead vocalist,Devine is on keyboards, Grant isthe drummer, West is the bassistand Gannon plays guitar.

Oliver says the band’s sound isa “mixture between Deep Purpleand Pink Floyd and mixes inwith Alice in Chains and thegrunge sound.”

“We don’t get stuck in aparticular genre of music,”says Devine.

“Hip Hop people like it a lot.It’s weird because we don’t havethat kind of an aspect to oursongs. People get into it. Wehave good rhythms andgrooves,” says Oliver.

Based out of Thorold, theband plays throughout theNiagara region. Their favouriteplace to perform is at theMoose and Goose in Thorold,

says Oliver.“It’s such a great atmosphere.

The crowd is awesome. Everytime we get a great crowd.”

West says the age of theiraudience ranges from 14 to 50.

Devine says he wants peopleto “still be bopping their heads”when they leave their shows.

“We have very heavymusic with regular vocals,”says Oliver.

They perform covers of bandssuch as Incubus, Alice Cooper,Leonard Skinnard, Pink Floydand Neil Young.

Some of their original songsinclude This Way, To See Youand Ocean.

Ol iver says h i s insp i ra -t ion for the lyr ics comesfrom personal experiences.

The biggest challenge theband has faced involves money,says Oliver.

“We all have our day jobs. It’sreally hard for us to makemoney to make the CD.”

One of the band’s goals isto put Thorold on the map,says Devine.

“If you want to see a reallygood band put on a really goodshow, come out and see us,”says Oliver.

If you would like to come outand see Hemi 69, visit the bandwebsite at http://www.hemi69.comfor a listing of upcoming shows.

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Page 20, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

By ERIN MacGILLIVRAYStaff Writer

Everyone needs a buddy, so thecounsellors at Niagara College aremaking sure that students get one.

The Multicultural Buddy pro-gram was first introduced to thecollege in the fall of 2001.

Donna Putman and ErikMadsen, counsellors at NiagaraCollege, were responsible forimplementing the program,which was based on a similarprogram offered at AlgonquinCollege in Ottawa.

Madsen says he and Putman trav-elled to Ottawa to meet with AudreyRosa, a counsellor there, to get the

information about the program."Audrey, Donna and I are coun-

sellors with extensive travel expe-rience that enjoy working with

international students," Madsensays adding that the purpose of theprogram is to reduce the students'adjustment period to the Niagararegion and the Canadian educa-tional system.

Canadian and international stu-dents are matched according tointerests, hobbies, personalityand other criteria based on anapplication form.

Counsellors ask student volun-teers to meet in person, by phoneor e-mail at least once a week.

"Students in the past haveattended hockey games, had potluck suppers, volunteered forinternational student dances,

have taken buddies on day trips,and introduced international stu-dents to Canadian customs likeHalloween. Students may share ahobby or play a particular sportor go shopping together andinform their buddy where the 'inplaces' for entertainment are,"says Madsen.

Marcos Schmidt, 22, who is aninternational project specialist andworks at the college as a tourismdevelopment intern in Brazil, vol-unteered as a buddy while he wasattending Niagara College in the2001/02 term taking the Hotel andRestaurant Management programat the Maid of the Mist campus inNiagara Falls.

"I had a great experience withthe Multicultural Buddy pro-gram. I had the chance to meet aCanadian student, Deborah, whoshared similar interests. Mostly,we played tennis and went to dif-ferent events at the collegetogether. Also, I had the opportu-nity to meet her friends and thatincreased the circle of people I

knew in Canada."The benefits for the Canadian

students, Madsen says, are learn-ing about another culture, countryor religion, which can in turn helpwith class projects.

"Cultural awareness and sensi-tivity is an important requirementin many professions and is an assetwhen applying for positions aftergraduation. Furthermore, volun-teer activities, such as the

Multicultural program, look greaton a resumé."

Madsen says he and fellowcounsellor Katherine MacLeodare involved in matching stu-dents, going to orientations andclassrooms to explain the pro-gram and getting students tounderstand it.

"This year we have a very diversegroup of students from countrieslike Zambia, Nigeria, Aruba,

Mexico, China, Korea, Netherlands,India, Brazil, Russia, Japan, Syria,Bermuda and many more."

Canadian or international stu-dents can complete an applicationavailable in the CounsellingOffice, W102, at the Glendalecampus in Niagara-on-the-Lake,or SE102 at the Welland campus.

The counselling office is open atboth campuses Monday to Fridayfrom 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

By CAITLIN McLACHLANStaff Writer

Students from more than 50countries including Taiwan, Japan,Brazil and Italy will be attendingNiagara College this year. TheInternational Education andDevelopment Department (IEDD)will be working hard to integratethem all.

Susan McLachlin, of Welland, isthe activities co-ordinator andEnglish as a Second Language(ESL) instructor for the IEED, aswell as a part-time faculty for theEnglish Department. McLachlinsays one of the changes to theIEDD this year has been the facil-ities renovation.

"It is easier for students to findthe appropriate person in thedepartment," says McLachlin.

Part of McLachlin's job is toorganize events for the interna-tional students and provide activi-ties information.

"This Friday we will be having abarbeque for all international stu-dents at Queenston Heights," saysMcLachlin. Some other eventswere the Niagara RegionalExhibition on Sept. 18, onNiagara Street in Welland, and the

Niagara Food Festival at MerrittIsland, Welland, from Sept. 24 toSept. 26.

"Every other Monday afterclasses, students can participate inActivity Hour, where they canplay games in English such asTaboo, Scrabble (and) card gameswith other ESL students and teach-ers. They can also teach othersgames from their countries," saysMcLachlin.

Every Tuesday after classes,students can play various sportsin the gym. For more informa-tion on activities happening thismonth and in October, there is acalendar available in the depart-ment office.

Ming Nou, 25 of Taiwan, is aresident of Welland and a first-year student of the ESL program.

"If I have a question, they giveme advice. I make lots of friends atclass," says Nou about the IEDD.It is difficult for international stu-dents to meet local studentsbecause many international stu-dents do not speak English verywell, says Nou.

McLachlin has a solution to thisproblem.

"The Conversation Partner

program is a very importantaspect of learning English as asecond language. Basically, thecollege student and the ESL stu-dent get together for an houreach week just to talk," saysMcLachlin.

It is important for ESL students

to sign up because the programgives them a chance to learn moreabout Canadian culture, make newfriends and feel more like a part ofthe college, says McLachlin.

"This program is also beneficialfor college students," saysMcLachlin. "It gives them an

opportunity to learn about a differ-ent country and culture and tobecome a sort of ambassador forCanada."

For more information about theconversation program or activities,McLachlin can be reached by e-mailat smclachlin@niagarac.on.ca.

New students from over 50 nations

From left to right, Japanese international students Yuzuru Sagata, 24, Keiko Sakagami, 29, andShinji Nishikawa, 19, pose in front of the map in the first floor hallway of the Simcoe building. Eachhad unique ideas about what the International Education and Development Department can do forstudents.

Photo by Caitlin McLachlan

Learning English with Virtue

Make some new foreign friends now

College counsellor ErikMadsen, shown in his office,matches international studentswith Canadian buddies.

‘Furthermore, volunteer activities, such as theMulticultural program, look great on a resumé.’

–– Erik Madsen

By KIM POWELLStaff Writer

A well-qualified NiagaraCollege program co-ordinator ben-efits students and teachers in moreways than one.

Shari Virtue, of St. Catharines,has been at Niagara College forfive years and has held theEnglish as a Second Language(ESL) program co-ordinatorposition for one year. Virtueteaches the level five speakingcourse to Teaching English as aSecond Language (TESL) stu-dents and manages day-to-daytasks such as the curriculum, test-ing and placing of students, text-books, organizing orientation andassisting with timetables.

Virtue has been an ESL teacherfor 15 years and has worked inJapan, Thailand and Switzerland.She says she chose her careerbecause she wanted to travel,appreciates other cultures andloves meeting people from othercountries.

Virtue has a four-year under-graduate degree in TESL, a bache-lor of arts degree and bachelor ofeducation (BEd) degree fromBrock University in St. Catharinesand a BEd from teachers college atthe University of Toronto. Virtueis currently studying for her mas-ter of arts applied linguistics

degree.Carolyn Ambrose, of London,

an ESL teacher at NiagaraCollege, says she “really enjoys”working with Shari. “Shari is avery highly organized, take-actionperson who never puts anythingoff.” Ambrose says she is a greatcommunicator and brings a goodsense of humour.

Erika Lee, of Chippawa, an ESLteacher at Niagara College, says,“Shari gives you a lot of freedomand lets you take responsibility foryourself.” Lee says Virtue is a hardworker and a lot of fun.

Eriko Tsuchiya, 20, of Welland,is an ESL student, and says, “Sharihelps with everything. She is avery good person.”

Virtue says the students whocome to learn here are “reallymotivated and excited to meetCanadians and find out aboutCanada.” This is an “adventure forthem” and an “opportunity of alifetime.”

Students acquire a certificateceremony, international friend-ships and great memories, saysVirtue, who appreciates the oppor-tunity of sharing the students’experience.

“I always feel a sense of accom-plishment when they [students]achieve their goals.”

Virtue says the next biggest

focus is getting conversation part-ners with the Canadian and inter-national students.

“Canadian students and interna-tional students have more in com-

mon than they think. It’s worth itto get to know each other.”

Future plans for the ESL pro-gram include changing the pro-gram length to eight weeksinstead of 15 so students canenter more frequently andexpanding the program with abusiness English, an academicEnglish and a Canadian culturecourse.

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news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 21

By VALERIE LITTLEStaff Writer

EMS Delivery and CourierService (EMS) in Welland hasbeen serving the community foralmost 10 years, bringing pizza,coffee, groceries and whatever elseis needed.

Customers and stores know thename as EMS. EMS is an acronymfor Eddie, Mike and Sara. Theseare the names of the owner’s threechildren in order of birth.

EMS is a popular name in thearea as it is the delivery serviceused by most of the people thatchoose to have something delivered to their home.

EMS made its first delivery onOct. 15, 1994. Within three yearsstaff were picking up orders from97 different locations, includingpizzerias, pharmacies, restaurants,grocery stores, department stores,corner stores and fast food places,among others.

Ed Berridge, 49, of Welland, isthe founder and manager of EMS.

“Deliveries started out at $2.50 adelivery,” says Berridge.

Berridge owned and operatedthe business for almost nine yearsbefore signing ownership over tohis wife and co-founder, AlineLarocque, 43, last June.

Berridge says he started thebusiness because of “the waystores were treating customers. Ithink it sucked. They were gougingthe customers for deliveries by

charging them whatever theywanted to. I felt it was very unfairto the elderly. They didn’t care ordidn’t seem to care. What I thoughtof doing was helping the elderly

get what they want for a reasonable price.”

“We cater to the people’sneeds,” says Larocque. She saysshe feels that is what sets themapart from other delivery services.

“I like being able to help thecommunity. There’s no service likemine that caters to the disabled andelderly. I like serving the public.”

Larocque says they have beenable to stay in business for so longbecause “we have good reliabledrivers that are respectful of ourcustomers and do a good job.”

“I didn’t go for the big buck,”says Berridge, adding, “If I left itup to the other services in town,they would have kept gouging theelderly.”

“It’s a lot of responsibility, butwe have too many people depending on our services to giveit up,” says Larocque, referring tothe fact that she has wanted to giveup on the business at times.

“The support and help of a family really helps. My husbandand my kids, they all helped.”

Asked when she plans to retire,she jokingly says, “Last year.”

“Retiring is not an issue rightnow. I guess I’ll retire whennobody needs my services.”

Diane Robins, 38, of Welland,

has been working for EMS since1995. She says she started workingfor the company because “I neededmoney.”

“I like my job. I’m not indoorsall the time. I like working withpublic, driving, working with myemployer ... she’s there if you needher. This job taught me how tohold my temper too.”

Eddie Little, 23, of Welland, hasbeen working for EMS for fivemonths.

“I needed a job, needed moneyto support my baby. I like itbecause you get paid cash everyday and you get paid to learn yourway around the Niagara area. Tomake money, you have to hustle.”

Little says, “This is only a temporary job until I can go to college to become a chef workingon a cruise ship.”

Students who have a car and arelooking for a part-time job canapply for a job at EMS.

Although the service was originally started to give the elderly a reasonable delivery fee,EMS delivers to anyone in the areain need of service. If you are astarving student who doesn’t driveand you need groceries or anythingelse, call EMS to deliver it right toyour door.

Aline Larocque, owner of EMS Delivery and Courier Service, han-dles delivery requests over the office phone.

Photo by Valerie Little

Delivery service responds to needs for decade

By JESSICA KONKLEStaff Writer

Niagara College’s ContinuingEducation division was presenteda prestigious Conny Award inJune 2004 for the recognition ofits unique Language Interpreterprogram.

Presented annually, the ConnyAward recognizes excellence inContinuing Education amongOntario colleges.

The Language Interpreterprogram was developed inresponse to a need in the com-munity. About 10,000 refugeesenter the Niagara region annually.

A high percentage of themspeak neither of Canada’s officiallanguages, but urgently need to,for example, to go to the doctor,get a lawyer or take their childrento school. Non-English speakingpersons have to rely on relativesor friends to speak for them.

Joan Rinker, an experiencedinterpreter in the community, rec-ognized a need for new immi-grants to have services in theNiagara region. Together withTaralea McLean, manager ofContinuing Education Operationsat Niagara College, she developedthe current program. Rinker andMcLean worked in co-operationwith Interpreters Niagara and theOntario Ministry of Citizenship,to meet the needs of this segmentof the community.

Discussions began in January2002, and by September of thatyear the certificate was launched.Once a year, all ContinuingEducation departments gettogether, share information, learnabout each other and celebrateexcellence. Different colleges putforward program nominations ona yearly basis.

The Language Interpreter pro-gram was put forward as a nomi-nation because it is considered

unique. It was the first program ofits nature in an Ontario college,and because of the attention fromawards, three or four more col-leges have picked up on it andasked for the programming todeliver in their own community.

Trish Labonté, dean,Continuing Education andLearning Resources, says,“Everyone was pleased for theacknowledgment it provided tothe incredible working relation-ship that we had between JoanRinker and Taralea McLean. Thatkind of synergy created the cer-tificate saying, yes, there is alearning need, yes, the college canprovide support and, yes, we canhelp.”

The number of people whoneed interpreters in the Niagararegion is amazing and untilrecently has been quite limited.McLean says, “The Conny Awardis special for the department. A lotof people worked hard and quicklyto develop the certificate.”

Darrell Neufeld, manager,Corporate Communications,works with all divisions of the col-lege to promote and build its repu-tation. He says, “It is great to seean idea get developed and then berecognized for its success.”

The college certificate programincludes six courses that give theparticipants the skills required tobe a language interpreter. Masteryin reading, writing, speaking andunderstanding in a foreign lan-guage, as well as in English, is aprerequisite for this course.

The certificate has allowed thestudents to partner with localagencies and to be innovative. Thecertificate program has been bene-ficial to Niagara College and hasthe potential to benefit many com-munities across the province. Formore information, contact Jessicaat jkonkle2002@yahoo.com.

Unique program wins

By CODY PARKERStaff Writer

The Skills Centre for MotivePowers Training Building islocated behind the Black WalnutBuilding on the college’s Wellandcampus. It’s where the studentswho are interested in learning howto repair vehicles go for class.

The Motive Powers building ishome to many programs. Studentshave many different ways of takingthe automotive classes, be it takingone day or night of class a week forthree years in the day or nightrelease or doing Map 32, which is32 weeks of class that conclude inan apprenticeship.

The 300 students in the buildingdo everything from repairing collision damage to painting tolearning all the intricacies of a car.

The students in this building

have more than $1 million worth oftools and equipment at their disposal as well as specialized labsfor auto body and engine instruction and a 21-seat computerlab for technical information.

Justin Tillstra, 20, of Smithville,and Jeff McCutcheon, 21, of PortDover, say that the equipment isadvanced for what the studentsneed but if some of the equipment,such as an engine dyno that is sitting in boxes was set up then itwould be better.

Many kinds of vehicles are workedon in the building and are being usedto teach different things. They have a1993 Camaro, which they are cur-rently trying to get started so that theycan take it to Toronto MotorsportsPark in Cayuga to test it on the dragracetrack. They have a 1983Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme that is

their street stock car and it is raced atMerrittville Speedway in Welland.

Tillstra says that new projectsthat they want to get started on arebuilding another street stock car sothat they can have two to race atMerrittville Speedway and gettingthis season’s stock car ready fornext season.

Tillstra went on to say that students in the building who wantto go out to work on the car may beable to drive it for a couple of thewarm-up laps or for test and tuneruns. Once the Camaro is runningthey may be able to run it on thedrag strip. They are allowed todrive in some of the races atMerrittville but need to have theproper gear to race. Students whowant to can also go to the races towatch or to be in the pit with thepitcrew.

Students’ stock car racing tests skills

By STACY CALDERStaff Writer

A student’s relationship withNiagara College doesn’t end atgraduation, so the AlumniAssociation is seeking volunteers and trying to rejuvenate its mandate.

“There are important ways astudent can stay in touch with thecollege,” says Jamie King, director of the Niagara CollegeAlumni Association. He emphasizes that doing so will helpeveryone, including the student.The student’s relationship shouldcontinue whether it is through lifelong learning or being an ambassador for a mentor to the college.

“We have over 50,000 gradu-ates since the college opened in1967,” says King, adding gradu-ates are the best ambassadorswhen it comes to recruiting newstudents. The alumni are the“success” of this college and

community, but their storieshaven’t been told for years.

The association had been inactive for 10 to 15 years. Kingsays it is the alumni’s “responsibility to re-establish thistradition” since many studentsentering a new program are notsure what they want to do oncethey receive their diplomas. Tosee and speak with an alumnusfrom their program will help students gain perspective ontheir future.

“It is almost like the light at theend of the tunnel,” he adds.

The association is also workingto organize the Trivial Pursuitfundraising event for November.This is the first major event beingorganized entirely by the AlumniAssociation to raise funds forscholarships and bursaries.

The association’s fundraisingevents include the NiagaraWomen’s Golf ClassicTournament. The association’s

collaboration with the SeafoodGala, along with bingo sponsorship and Nevada ticketsales, raised over $200,000 in2003. Bursary and scholarshipprograms are provided annually asa result.

King says he is hoping to recruitnew volunteers to assist the 12alumni that form the core of theassociation.

“We are in need of volunteers,”says King. Many volunteers haveoffered their services through theSpecial Events ManagementGraduate Certificate program.

King stresses, “Any assistancethat could be provided in termsof committee support is appreciated.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer alumnus,contact Julie Densham, programassistant for the AlumniDevelopment and Student Awards,at 905-641-2252 ext. 4102 or e-mailher at jdensham@niagarac.on.ca.

Alumni need volunteers to fundraise

Page 22, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

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news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 23

By IVAN ZATELLIStaff Reporter

Students seeking adrenalinerushed to Arizona’s Tap and Grillon Merrittville Highway to seeprofessionally sponsored motor-cycle jumping on Sept. 10.

There they found the 2004Canadian Tour Coors LightAdrenaline Freestyle Event.

The crew unloaded the trans-port truck, full of equipment, andset up giant steel ramps about 50feet apart. As the ramps werepositioned next to the outsidepatio, spectators were treated to aspectacular view from anywhereon the patio.

The scene was controlledchaos, with bikes going off theramps almost continuously.

The pro-riders were danglingbehind or above their motorcycleshigh above the pavement underthe mobile lights used to illumi-nate the night action.

The three motorcycle jumpers,all riding Suzukis were MikeMcGaw, 21, of Kamloops, B.C.,Justin Johansen, 21, of Salt LakeCity, Utah, and Mike Samson, 22,also of Kamloops. They per-formed over 30 different tricksabout 25 feet above the parkinglot pavement. To give perspectiveto the height, they were clearingthe roof of Arizona’s main build-ing.

McGaw says he took a jumpcalled the Hart Attack, namedafter a famous X-game competi-tor Carey Hart, and added anotherelement, an Indian-air making thetrick called an “Indian-air-hart-attack,” a personal favourite.

This is the last stop before tak-ing a break from their 25-stoptour, which started in southernCalifornia.

McGaw says, “I’m getting mar-ried when I get home.”

Sampson, on the other hand,says he was going to compete inMontreal’s Sept. 18 Supercrossevent.

“I’m going to get some sleep,”Johansen says, addressing thehard days spent on the road trav-elling from show to show.

Hector Dedivitiis, manager ofArizona’s, says, “The bikes arejust an incredible thing to see. I’dlove to have these guys backnext year.”

Dedivitiis says Arizona’s is dif-ferent, keeping patrons happy byproviding excellent entertainmentin a safe, comfortable environ-ment.

Arizona’s provided a free shut-tle bus service to patrons, ensur-ing all a safe way back to theirdorms. Dedivitiis says, there wereabout 2,500 people at the first-ever free event that cost about$15,000 to $25,000 to feature.

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Fun freestyle event

West Coast shocker Justin

Johansen, 21, of Salt Lake

City, Utah, gets big air off the

ramp while doing a Hart

Attack Indian air at Arizona’s

Taps and Grill recently for the

Coors Light Adrenaline

freestyle event.

Photos by Ivan Zatelli

Page 24, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

By THEA DUXBURYStaff Writer

Politics in Canada has notalways been a popular topic formany of today’s youth.According to the ElectionsCanada website, only 60.5 percent of eligible adult voterscame out to vote, down from61.2 per cent in 2000.

An Elections Canada studysays that a lack of politicalknowledge and a weak sense ofcivic duty are to blame, whilevoting rates decreased by morethan 20 points from the oldestto the most recent voter. Voternumbers were lower than everin this spring’s federal election, according to thestudy, especially in youth.

Neil Miles, 20, a first-yearstudent in the Art and DesignFundamentals – GraphicDesign Production programfrom Caledonia, Ont., says thatit is important for youth to takethe initiative to vote and beinvolved. “More youthful,vibrant leaders would make it alot more interesting.”

Former Canadian PrimeMinister Pierre Elliot Trudeauwas one of Canada’s most well-known political leaders. Hisstyle, flair and personality por-trayed him in a popular light,unusual for most politicians.The youth of his day looked upto him, and in both his terms asprime minister, once from 1968to 1979 and again from 1980 to1984, voting rates were at someof their highest, between 69and 77 per cent.

This year in the US presidential campaign, manyyouthful celebrities are usingtheir spot in the limelight toraise voter awareness.Whether or not this will beeffective is unknown.

Drew Moore, 22, of St.Ann’s, Ont., is in his secondyear of the ComputerEngineering Technology program at Niagara College’sWelland campus. Moore sayslately it seems more youth areinterested in politics, and thathe felt it was “very importantto vote” this past spring.

Matt Deschamps, 19, of FortErie, Ont., and Justin Biro, 20,of Niagara Falls, Ont., are bothin their second year of theElectronics Engineering program. Biro says he did notvote in this spring’s past elec-tion because “I didn’t knowanything, and I didn’t care tofollow,” although, he says,more knowledge about politicscould have changed that.

Deschamps says he did notvote in the election because hehad been working late.

“Politics would be moreappealing if there were interesting issues. They’re notreally into educating people. Itseems like they don’t reallytry.” Deschamps says therewas not enough educationabout politics in both publicschool and high school.“Politics interests me somewhat. Mostly becausethey control our lives, we haveto pay some attention.”

By ANGELA HARDIEStaff Writer

October 2004 is Women’sHistory Month (WHM) in Canada.

In 1992, the government ofCanada established this month toprovide an opportunity to learnmore about women’s historicachievements and contributions toCanadian society. Students atNiagara College were largelyunaware that a month usuallymore known for Thanksgiving andHalloween was devoted to remembering women’s accomplishments.

Lisa Armstrong, 18, a second-year Art and DesignFundamentals — Graphic DesignProduction program student at theWelland campus, says she hadnever heard of it.

“It’s not something people talkabout, I guess.”

Armstrong says she thinkswomen have made “a huge difference” in Canadian society.

She says Laura Secord shouldbe honoured for her role in theWar of 1812.

“Most people think she justmade ice cream.”

Secord saved the British andCanadian forces at the Battle ofBeaverdams by warning the general of an attack on his troops

that she overheard. She walkedmiles over the Niagara Peninsulathrough swamps and brush todeliver her message.

Armstrong’s classmate BertrandLabelle, 23, agrees.

“I didn’t know it (women’s history) was recognized at all,” hesays. “In politics especially, youonly hear about what men havedone.”

The second-year student saysKim Campbell should be remembered because “she wasthe only woman ever to be primeminister,” adding, “even if shewas only there for a month orso.”

Campbell was the ProgressiveConservative (PC) party leaderfrom June 13 to Dec. 13, 1993.She beat Jean Charest in the PCLeadership Convention. Shebecame Canada’s only femaleprime minister. Unfortunatelyfor Campbell, she had to call anelection in October 1993 andlost.

Labelle says a month is “toolong” to devote to women’s history. He says “one or twoevents” to raise awareness wouldbe “reasonable.”

Megan Kennedy, 19, of Sarnia,Ont., says she “surprisingly didknow about it (WHM).”

Kennedy says she admiresRoberta Bondar, a Canadianastronaut, and Governor-GeneralAdrienne Clarkson because“they do just as good a job as themen do.”

Kennedy says that the thingswomen have done for Canada gounnoticed, adding, “Behindevery man there is a woman.”

This year, the theme for WHMis Yes, Women are Persons! Thelaws used to state that only “persons who qualified” could beappointed as senators, yetwomen weren’t included. A courtcase followed in which the courthad to decide whether womenwere considered persons or not.This caused more women toquestion their role in society andtheir contributions to Canada. In1929, it was decided that womenwere indeed “persons.”

Status of Women Canada(SWC) is encouragingCanadians to take part in honour-ing women who have shaped thecountry to be what it is today andhas kits available for groups touse for planning events.

A calendar of activities acrossthe country during WHM will beposted on the SWC web site onSept. 27 athttp://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/dates/whm/index_e.html.

Weak sense ofcivic duty to blame

October time for all to rememberCanadian women’s achievements

950 hours hands-on workBy ROBBIE-LYN FAWCETT

Staff WriterThe Art and Design

Fundamentals – Graphic DesignProduction program at NiagaraCollege prepares students for acareer in the growing field ofdesign.

Bert Labelle, 23, and LisaArmstrong, 18, both in their second year, say they are happywith their decision to take thisprogram. “It’s excellent,” saysArmstrong, “good fun and goodteachers.”

The two-year program includes950 hours of hands-on design studio and production work. Theprogram encompasses typography, computer applica-tions and pre-press processes,with access to Macintosh labs, airbrushing facilities, design studiosand silk screen production areas.

Greg Smith, 40, has been theprogram co-ordinator for threeyears and a teacher for five.

“In the time I have been at thecollege, we have found the students usually go on to furthertheir education or get an entry-level position in the graphicdesign field. We have students ina variety of institutions acrossCanada studying a wide variety ofart- and design-related subjects,”says Smith. These include theOntario College of Art andDesign, in Toronto; SheridanCollege, in Oakville; McMasterUniversity, in Hamilton; andBrock University, in St.Catharines.

“After I finish this program Iplan to go to university and thenon to teachers’ college,” saysArmstrong.

Labelle, who says he enjoyslife drawing, plans to do more

schooling and then start his ownbusiness in fashion.

Other jobs that are available forstudents with a diploma in thiscourse are “design studios, printshops, sign shops, newspapersand publishing houses. We even

have one grad who works designing and printing images onchocolate,” says Smith.

For more information on theprogram, Smith can be contactedat gsmith@niagarac.on.ca or visithttp://www.niagarac.on.ca.

Lauren Maida and Katie Norns, second-year Art and DesignFundamentals – Graphic Design Production program students, sitoutside the Black Walnut building at the Welland campus practic-ing life drawing.

Photo by Robbie-Lyn Fawcett

By FAITH SIBTHORPEStaff Writer

The smell of new beginningsis in the air for students returning to Niagara College’snew culinary facilities at theNiagara-on-the-Lake campus.

Jenna Rosinski, 20, ofFenwick, is returning for hersecond year in the Hotel andRestaurant Management program at the Glendale campus. She lives at home withher little dog, Boston, and commutes every day to class.

“I love it,” says Rosinski. Shesays that everyone in the program is “very close” andthere is no explanation why.They just are. She likes being ina program in which everyonemakes the effort to get together.

“Effort is key when your program consists of about 70people.”

Second year for these students is based on hospitalityand the upkeep of the business.

Each student works at theNiagara Culinary InstituteDining Room. Cooking is not apart of term three and four, sothe students will mainly beservers and hostesses for the

dining room. As this is a learn-ing experience, students aren’tpaid. However, if you are com-pletely taken by the profession-alism of your servers and aredelighted with the service, theyare allowed to keep their tips.

The menus change every twoweeks. You can enjoy a wonder-ful sit-down meal complete withappetizer and entrée followedwith dessert. The whole packageis a $35 experience.

After the second year the students have the option ofdoing a post-graduate year, providing that the student’sgrades are at least a 70 per centacademic average.

Rosinski says she is delightedwith the whole program. Afterher first year she enjoyed a paidco-op at Peninsula Lakes Golfand Country Club. A paid co-opis ideal for a student trying tostay ahead financially.

She says she loves the program but is undecided aboutreturning for the third year post-graduate program. Rosinski ismost excited to be working inthe dining room with all herclassmates, who are consideredgood friends.

Hospitality, service keyto culinary facility

news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 25

‘MacGyvering’ solutions makes life easyBy FAITH SIBTHORPE

Staff WriterAs you drive your girlfriend

home on a Saturday night, theevents of your magical and perfectdate run through your head.Maybe she’s the one, you think toyourself.

A glance at your watch tells youthat her curfew is in 15 minutes.She’ll be home in plenty of time,and you take a breath of relief.

Just as you drive up the hillleading to her house, your old reli-able car sputters out of gas. Shelooks at you with a concernedexpression and all you can do isgive a sheepish smile back. Yourthoughts are racing.

“She’s going to think I’m suchan idiot.” Not to mention thatwhen she’s not home in time herdad will label you irresponsible.You turn the car around and letyour ingenuity take over. The solu-tion was as simple as driving thecar in reverse up the hill.

In a gas tank the hose that feedsthe gas from the tank is at the front, so if you drive backwards allthe gas flows to the front of thecar, allowing you to make it up

with no problem. You, the youngromantic, were able to get his girl-friend home safe and on time andcame out looking like a genius.You win the respect of her parentsand she learns to trust you inalmost any situation.

Steve Shelley, of Simcoe, Ont.,intrigued me with his innovativestories about using his intellect toget himself out of tough jams. Onemight say he is a real-lifeMacGyver.

For those who are unfamiliarwith MacGyver, it was a popularTV show that revolved around aman who could make a device outof anything that was in his reach,to get out of pressing situations.

Since that show, the popularsaying has evolved “IMacGyvered that.” It simplymeans you used your brainpowerto fix something or solved aproblem on the spot when youhave no other resources.

Here’s a little about thisMacGyver extraordinaire. Heis one of seven children in hisfamily. He says they were“dirt-poor” farmers.

“I credit my dad. The best

thing he taught me was to beinnovative,” Shelley said. Shellywas married May 7, 1977, to thebeautiful Ruth Robertson. Theyhave been living in Simcoe for14 years and have seven childrenof their own.

Being in school with a minimal

amount of money, students have to“MacGyver it” all the time.Perhaps home is far away, orfinancially you are left completelyon your own. You could be mar-ried, going to school and trying tosurvive on anything you can.

Shelley is the epitome of innov-ative thinking. MacGyvering iskey for students, and Shelley hassome stories that may assist.

Getting a flat tire is all too com-mon but a hassle nonetheless.Shelley relates an incident whenhe was in college and got a flat tireon his way home from work.

Back in the 1970s service cen-tres closed by 5 p.m., and thedrive home was over an hour.Shelley thought quickly andlooked at the surroundings.

He was still at work on a con-struction site. Shelley stuffedsome caulking glue into the holeon the tire and then sealed it with ascrew that had a head larger thanthe circumference of the hole. Hefilled the tire with air and in notime was back on the road. Thisquick fix lasted the week and wellinto the weekend when he couldget it fixed. Shelley explains thatalmost anything will do, even gumwill work.

The majority of students havesuffered the hardships of badlandlords, neglectful landlordsand just plain dumb landlords. Inthat predicament you may findyourself without heat in the win-ter for a period of time.

In case of sub-zero tempera-tures, Shelley suggests turningthe oven on but keeping the dooropen. It’s not safe to use indefi-nitely throughout the winter;however, while supervised this iseffective. Filling the bathtub withhot water will create a radiatoreffect of the old clawfoot bath-tubs. Refrain from building smallfires in your living room with agarbage can. Your ignorant land-

lord is sure to become the land-lord of your worst nightmares.

During Shelley’s first year ofmarriage he recalls that themotor for the windshield wipersbroke on his wife’s car.Financially it was impossible forthem to have it fixed. A newmotor would cost about $140,and that was a full week’s pay.The investor’s wheels were inmotion and soon Shelley hadmade a manually operated wind-shield wiper system. He discon-nected the motor to give thewipers the ability to move freely.Then he attached a spring fromthe wipers to the hood of the car.An old lamp that was taking upspace donated its cord to the pro-ject and became the handle thatwould be used to make thewipers work. The cord came inthrough a crack in the windowand was long enough to sit on thedriver’s lap.

Rain and snow were not aproblem anymore, providing ofcourse that you could drive withone hand on the wheel and usethe other to make the windshieldwipers work.

Imagine your first year of mar-riage and you’re driving to yourparents’ house for the weekend ina torrential rainstorm, your lovingand devoted wife in the passengerseat operating the wipers and youin control at the wheel.

Ladies and gentlemen, yes, thisis the greatest story of all time totell your kids and grandkidsabout.

In the words of Shelley, “Thespirit of MacGyvering is never beafraid to tackle anything.” Oneneeds to MacGyver it when thereis no other option, says Shelley.All the advice students need is justuse the brain God gave you anddon’t panic. There is almostalways a way you can “MacGyver it.”

Ruth Robertson and SteveShelley hug each other afteryears of MacGyvering.

Pho

to b

y F

aith

Sib

thor

pe

Fundraiserfor Tourism

studentsNiagara College Tourism program

students will be fundraising for theirannual international field trip in Januaryat this week’s annual Lions ClubBeakfast.

There will be an auction and someitems up for grabs. A portion of the pro-ceeds will go to Project Share, a localfood bank of Niagara.

The event happens on Sunday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at theStamford Lions Hall at 3846 PortageRd., in Niagara Falls. Tickets for theannual All-You-Can-Eat HarvestBreakfast can be purchased at the door.

Tickets cost adults $7, seniors $6 andchildren (six to 12) $6.

Our next editionnews@niagara

will be published Oct. 8.

Emergency InfoDuring instances of inclementweather conditions, NiagaraCollege students should listen tolocal radio stations for bulletinsregarding any possible campusclosing as well as highway androad conditions. College closuresare generally announced on localradio stations between four andsix p.m. for evening closures.

Local Radio StationsCHML 900 AM HamiltonThe River

101.1 FM Niagara FallsCKTB 610 AM St. Catharines

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$350

By AZRA MOMINStaff Writer

There's something going on atthe After Hours building.

Students walking into the pub inSeptember will see the fruits ofthis activity: a whole new look.

"It's the timing that was reallyweird, because we rent out thebuilding," says Cindy Blanchard,general manager of the StudentAdministrative Council (SAC) atthe Welland campus.

The pub is available for rent tooutside clients, and the makeoverwas fitted between rentals. Theproject will be ongoing untilSeptember but some of it wascompleted by June 7.

The new look includes freshpaint on the walls of the main pubroom and the recreation room, aswell as all the ceilings and hall-ways. Most of this was done by theJune 7 deadline to accommodaterental bookings. The main room isscheduled to be painted next.

SAC has a capital reserve fundthat puts aside $37,000 a year forcapital expenditure, with any sur-plus budget going into the surplusfund.

The project cost is estimated atabout $50,000, coming from thereserve fund.

Mark Hardwick, SAC president,says it's been a while since the pubhad a makeover.

"You're looking at when it wasredesigned in the late '90s, in1997, I think."

He says they want to make thepub look "less dingy."

"We do an annual tour of thebuilding and there's a whole listthat we refer to for replacingcertain items every year," saysBlanchard. "This year it's thepaint and the furniture in therecreation room."

Tiles replaced the carpet in the

recreation room, which is calledThe Comfort Zone. A third televi-sion set is being added, as is newlounge furniture.

The cement patio will be powerwashed. Inside, the food bank isbeing relocated to another room,making it bigger and more accessi-ble to students. The former loca-tion of the food bank has becomean office for Chris Williams, direc-tor of communications, and theSAC office itself was repainted.

Blanchard says SAC is workingon a program layout for the pub,and will have Comedy Night onthe first and third Wednesday ofthe month. The second Wednesdaywill be Karaoke Night. They willtry to get school bands to play onthe third Wednesday, somethingBlanchard says she is "very excit-ed" about.

"This is my dream, and if itcomes true I will be so happy."

Thursday nights will remainstandard pub nights, and featureevents such as the Oktoberfest,Beach Pub, Fetish Pub andHalloween Pub. Friday andSaturday nights will be reservedfor rentals.

Although the pub was closed forremodelling, the SAC officeremained open throughout, saidBlanchard.

"We cannot really shut downSAC since students come in all thetime, but it's quite a bit of workscheduled for this summer, and itshould be an exciting change."

"Change is always good," saysRyan Young, 26, who will beseeing quite a bit of change inthe near future.

Young was assistant bar managerat the Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake until a few days agoand has just taken charge of thepub at the Welland campus.

He divided his summer between

campuses, but is working full timeat the Welland campus, whichmeans the pub is not only getting anew look, it is getting a new pubmanager as well.

"It's gonna be a challenge, that'sfor sure."

Young's job will involve over-seeing pub operations, organizingactivities and theme nights, andhiring staff. He will work withBlake Turner, director of pro-gramming and student events,for activities such as studentfests and scavenger hunts.

Young said he wants to be a visible

presence at the pub, constantly ask-ing students for their feedback.

"They're who we are here toserve, so if there's something theywanna see happen and it's a viableoption, we'll go ahead and do it.

"I had a good relationship withthe council, which is why I'm here.Cindy is the GM (general manager)so I gotta throw stuff at her to gether approval, but for day-to-dayops I'm basically 'the person',which is kinda scary now that Ithink of it.

"It's gonna be an interesting year."

ssUUmmmmEERR

After Hours receives facelift

After Hours’ newest employee: Ryan Young, 22, a sec-ond-year student in the Blah Blah program is the stu-dent pub’s bar manager

Photo by Azra Momin

Department and students show unity through BBQ

Niagara College's International Department staff and English as a Second Language program students enjoyed the barbecue held at Queenston Heights Park inNiagara Falls. For story see page S3.

Photo by Tiza Shanzi

Page 26, news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004

Pub looking for new staff

news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 27

SAC member well known by studentsBy SANDOR LIGETFALVY

Staff WriterLeadership of the Niagara

College Student AdministrationCouncil (SAC) changed on May 1.The director of student affairs isGarrett Zimmer, of Welland.

He is well known within thestudent body. Well-dressed andcharismatic, he has seeminglyboundless popularity. “EverywhereI go, everything I do, it alwaysdraws the attention of people.”

Zimmer, 22, first came toNiagara College four years ago inthe Welding Fitter program, butfocused his life on his friends.

He says he was “hanging out,socializing, having a good time,drinking as well, rather than apply-ing myself to my schoolwork.” Hesays he felt unchallenged in theprogram, so he did not push him-self. Even after dropping out, hesays he found new motivation bybelieving in himself.

“I have the brains to do the acad-emics. I might as well use it. I don’t

want to be sitting at a job where Ihave to work with my hands all thetime. It’s just not me. I’d rather bethinking and using my brain.”

In January 2004 Zimmer cameback to Niagara College in theGeneral Arts and Science program,and says he has a high-90s per centacademic average. He’s attendingclasses throughout the summersemester.

He says his responsibilities onSAC include anything to do withstudent marks, any issues that comeup that deal with students andacademics. He attends many boardmeetings a year. He deals with thestudent food drive, communityhousing for students and studentresidences.

He says that members of studentcouncil have to be participants inone of their “projects.” These dealwith school spirit and improvingthe college.

Zimmer submits a bi-weeklyreport about how things are goingand what problems have been

encountered. He receives abi-weekly paycheque from thecouncil.

He fills his leisure time with avariety of activities. He says heenjoys playing games on thecomputer, going out to party ordrink, but not as much as riding hismotorcycle or his number passion:kickboxing.

“I used to be very into kickboxing,” he says. “I am hoping toget back into it hopefully during thesummer. I loved it when I was intoit and I’ll love it when I get backinto it.”

He likes all types of music, buthe is a big fan of opera. “The feel-ing that it gives you ... it’s so beau-tiful. When you listen to it, it’s actu-ally something you can feel deepdown inside. It’s not just words tomusic. It’s something that touchesyour heart and makes your mindwork.”

Zimmer, who says he loves hisItalian family heritage, has a line ofsuccess to follow in his family.

Ovelina Stovell, his mother, is U.S.sales manager at Queen’s LandingInn and Conference Centre inNiagara-on-the-Lake.

David Stovell, his stepfather, is ateacher in the InformationTechnology division at NiagaraCollege.

John Stovell, his stepbrother, isfinishing a master’s degree inphilosophy.

David Jr. Stovell, his step-broth-er, is a graduate with a computer-programming diploma from thiscollege.

Crystal Zimmer, his sister, isworking in secretarialadministration for a companycalled Tangerine that deals withInterac.

Zimmer says he feels animportant obligation to his father,who died when Zimmer was oneyear old. Despite this, he says, “Istill feel it is important to makehim proud of me in my life. Tobear his name is a responsibility ofmine to make that name good.”

He considers his social and out-going personality to be his bestcharacter trait. He says he feelsthat people trust him quicklybecause he is honest and forth-right.

“I don’t play games, I tell itstraight-up how it is.” Zimmercomments, “I know 30 per cent (ofthe people) of the college, and theother 50 per cent know me.”

Garrett Zimmer, 22, directorof student affairs for Wellandcampus.

Photo by Sandor Ligetfalvy

By VALERIE JOHNSONStaff Writer

Garrett Zimmer has a pur-pose at Niagara College:“leave a legacy.”

The well-spoken 22-year-oldis the director of studentaffairs for Niagara College’sStudent AdministrativeCouncil (SAC).

Zimmer says he became amember of SAC for severalreasons.

He is enrolled in the GeneralArts and Science program atthe Welland campus and isfocusing on business. He saysSAC is providing him with“great experience.”

Zimmer says he joinedbecause of a desire to help hisfellow students.

“I want to make this school abetter place. I definitely wantto leave a legacy here.”

As director of studentaffairs, Zimmer has manytasks assigned to him.

“I deal with anything thathas to do with students andacademics.”

That includes sitting in onstudent grade appeals andworking on the residenceoperating committee.

Zimmer says he is there toensure student services areavailable and working forstudents.

One of those services is thestudent food bank. It’s a pro-gram operated by SAC underthe SAC Cares umbrella, acharity organizationZimmer oversees.

Zimmer carries a lot ofresponsibility on his shoulder.

All SAC members arerequired to keep at least a 70

per cent grade average whileputting in a minimum of 10hours of work each week.

“It’s paramount that we keepour marks up and that webalance our time properly andeffectively.”

Over the summer, Zimmeris putting in an average of 15hours a week, but says heexpects that to increase comeSeptember. “I’ll easily beputting in 15 to 20 hours aweek. I think I’ll cap it at thatbecause I notice myself gettinga little bit burnt out, trying topush myself too hard.”

SAC executive membersreceive an honorarium of$100 a week for their time,provided they work therequired hours and fill outtheir paperwork.

Zimmer says he likes work-ing for the college.

“I get to do what I enjoy. Iget to work with students. Iget to work with people.”

After Hours Pub on the Welland campus is hiring new staff.Photo by Matt Russo

Zimmer plans to leave legacy

Student drug plan prevents billsBy BREE ELLIS

Staff WriterAn apple a day keeps the doctor

away.If not, then Niagara College stu-

dents can rest assured that thedoctor’s bills won’t eat away attheir wallets.

When a new student enrols fulltime in any program, he or she is“automatically charged for andcovered by the Student Drug andDental Plan,” says the StudentAdministrative Council (SAC)website.

The plan operates from Sept. 1until Aug. 31 and costs students$162.50. This price includesprescription and accidentalinsurance coverage at a cost of $75and dental coverage for $87.50 forthe year.

Karen Marasco, SAC office

administrator, says, “I wish ourstaff plan could be that cheap.”

Marasco is the person in chargeof filing all the new students’names into the insurance data-base, and taking care of thosewho opt out.

When students have coverageby another company, either ontheir own or through their parents,they can choose to opt out.

Deadlines do apply, warns thewebsite. Students wishing to optout must provide proof of theiralternative coverage by Oct. 1.

Marasco says the opt out rate forlast year was 17 per cent, which isabout 900 students.

Students may opt out of eitherthe drug or dental coverageplans and will receive a refundminus the non-refundableadministration fee.

The refund cheques will beavailable at the SAC office inNovember.

Marasco encourages students tobuy the plan.

“For the price, it’s a great deal.”She says her two daughters used

the plan when they attendedNiagara College.

Marasco says she believes stu-dents are beginning to use the planmore. “They’re becoming moreaware because of the dental plan.”

Last year, all the vaccines wereadded along with the dental cover-age, Marasco says. Originally theplan covered Hepatitis B vaccine.Now, the plan covers “prettymuch everything,” includingmeningitis and other preventativevaccines, along with other pre-scription drugs like acne treat-ments, oral contraceptives andinsulin supplies.

For more information forJanuary-start and co-op students,as well as a detailed list of bene-fits, visit http://www.ncsac.ca.

By VALERIE JOHNSONStaff Writer

It’s not something many studentsknow about, but they should.

Niagara College has a food bankthat is open to all students.

Students often live on a tight bud-get, and funds can be in short supply.Yet, it’s hard to study well on anempty stomach. The StudentAdministrative Council’s offices(SAC) house the food bank in orderto help needy students.

Garrett Zimmer, 22, of Welland, isdirector of student affairs for SAC.He is responsible for operating theFood Bank.

If students are in need, Zimmersays, they can come into the Wellandcampus council office.

“Come in. Ask for it. We’ll get itfor you. We don’t take any names oranything.”

While the recipient is anonymous,Zimmer has implemented a trackingprogram to record what is being takenand what needs to be replenished.

He says he is hoping to get a better

sense of how many students are usingthe food bank, as there are no verifiedstatistics. Zimmer says it will helphim to gain donations from outsidesources such as local corporations.

SAC will be holding its annualfood drive this winter. Zimmer saysthe food drive is expected to run frommid-November to mid-December.

There will be drop-off sitesthroughout the college.

Zimmer says donations at pubnights during the food drive may berequested.

The food bank is always in need ofnon-perishable items, such as cannedgoods, cereals and pasta.

SAC also accepts monetary dona-tions and gift certificates for grocerystores. Zimmer says this allows stu-dents using the food bank to be ableto buy meat and perishable items thatthe bank can’t supply.

Students can make donations anytime of the year at the SAC office.

“Any time students are walking bythe council office ... feel free to dropoff food,” Zimmer says.

‘I wish our staff plan could be that cheap.’

— Karen Marasco

Food bank helps students

‘For the price, it’s a great deal.’— Karen Marasco

‘I deal with anythingthat has to dowith students

and academics.’— Garrett Zimmer

Summer SectionWelcome to news@niagara’s summer section pages

The stories and photographs on these 17 pages were done by 16 Journalism-Print program January-Start students during May, June and July.

The Summer Section pages were paginated in July.The interviews were done in May, June and July.

The 16 students started the program in January and completed their first year on July 30. They joined the 40 second-year students of the program in September.The next edition of news@niagara is Friday, Oct. 8. In total, 15 newspapers and online editions will be published this academic year.

The publication dates include today, Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3. The news@niagara resumes publication on Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 18, March 18,March 24, Thursday, April 8 and our last edition on Friday, April 22.

We welcome letters to the editor. Contact us at news@niagarac.on.ca including your name and a day phone number for verification purposes. To get your PDF electronic copy ofthe newspaper, it’s exactly how the newsprint version looks, visit newspaper@niagarac.on.ca and provide the e-mail address to which you want your subscription sent.

Page 28, news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004

By PRIASTOPROBOSUTEDJO

Staff WriterGraduation day is the day students wait

for.Muliawan Suprihandono, 30, originally

from Indonesia, said he has a special meaning for graduation day.

“(The) Graduation ceremony (day) has adifferent meaning for one moment where astudent makes a new step to the real life.”

Suprihandono is a Niagara College studentwho graduated from the Numerical ControlMachining and Computerized NumericalControl (CNC) program, on June 15.

He said he likes mathematic and drawingclass. “The teachers in my program are pro-fessional,” said Suprihandono.

“My friends are nice, but I had a feelingthat we still have a gap between the foreigner and the Canadian because of different culture,” said Suprihandono,adding there are more than 38 students in hisprogram and he was not the only foreign student.

“Sometimes I want to meet them to share(ideas) about our future,” said Suprihandono

saying he wanted to go back to meet hisfriends.

Before taking the CNC program, he wasstudying in the English as a SecondLanguage (ESL) program at the Wellandcampus.

“That program is helpful for me toimprove my English language because, as aforeigner, I really need to learn more Englishto understand and speak fluently toCanadians.”

In the graduation ceremony last month, hestepped up to the podium and received hisdiploma from Niagara College President

Dan Patterson.“I felt happy and proud of myself,” he

said.This is not his first graduation

ceremony in Canada. He graduated from theESL program in August 2003.

“The ceremony was not the same as myregular program because ESL is just a toollanguage class for foreigners to improvetheir English language.”

All in all, he’s waiting now to achieve hisfuture goal.

“I want to be a mechanical designer in mycountry.”

He has a special message for other students from the international students atNiagara College.

“Keep going and study hard. Try to grab asmuch knowledge as you can and don’t feelembarrassed to ask questions to your professors because they’re here to help you.”

Muliawan Suprihandono, shown withhis wife, displays his diploma afterthe graduation ceremony.

Photo by Priasto Probosutedjo

International student proud of graduation day in Canada

By PRIASTO PROBOSUTEDJO

Staff WriterSometimes teaching is not what

people wanted to do for their living, but in some cases they hadexperiences or influences thatmake them want to teach.

“I never intended to become ateacher,” says Frank Bieri, 26, ofWelland, adding when he wasgrowing up, teaching was one ofthe professions he did not want tochoose.

Bieri is an English as a SecondLanguage (ESL) and TeachingEnglish as a Second Language(TESL) teacher. After graduatingwith a bachelor of informationdegree, bachelor of linguisticswith honours TESL degree andmasters of education TESLdegree, he became one of theteachers in the ESL program here.

“English is a foreign languageto me as well, and I want to helpothers who are interested in learning. It’s because I didn’t havethe luxury of an ESL program oreven an ESL teacher at my disposal,” says Bieri when askedwhy he likes to teach in the ESL.He’s from Switzerland.

“Language is one of my greatpassions, and if I can help someone learn one, I feel like I amexpanding their (the learners’)horizons.”

In the summer course, the ESLprogram is still recruiting studentsfrom around the world to study atNiagara College’s Welland campus. There are more than 150

students in the ESL program, andthe number of students registeredis expected to be increasing.

Anticipating that, the office inthe International Department hasundergone a recent renovation. “Ilike my new office because I havelots of space,” says Bieri.

The ESL teacher has a specialmomentum when students aregraduating from the program tocontinue in a regular academicprogram or just return home totheir country.

“I find the best moments arewhen I can truly see how much mystudents have improved over thecourse of a term, and also, whenthey come to me and say that Ihave been a help for them alongthe way.”

“I hope most of my students seeme as someone they can approachwith questions; they see me asknowledgeable, and approachable.Also, they tend to see me asfriendly, yet professional,” saysBieri.

Outside his job, he likes hobbiessuch as travelling, reading andsports. Before working as ateacher in the college, he was abartender, a cook, a waiter, a sales-person, a skydive instructor, a gasstation attendant, a tutor and atranslator.

“I still do that (translating)once in a while,” says Bieri.

Bieri also has some bestmoments in his life, “I guess theday I got married would be one ofthose moments and perhaps alsowhen I first arrived in China.”

Free barbecue for college’s new ESL studentsTeaching: not primary jobBy TIZA SHANZI

Staff WriterFood, fun and friendship were

what it was all about.A welcome barbecue for

students of the English as aSecond Language (ESL) programat Niagara College was held July8 at Queenston Heights Park inNiagara Falls.

The barbecue brought the students from the spring and summer programs together tointeract and know each other out-side of the college.

“I hope it will bring the two programs together and that theymake new friends and have agood time. We always have agood time,” says SusanMcLachlin, 33, ESL teacher andsocial activities co-ordinator,adding May start students gave the June start students“some of their energy.”

The fun began when four busesleft with 140 students at 2:30 p.m.from the First Avenue entrance atNiagara College’s Welland campus.

The afternoon started off withlight rain and dark clouds but thesky soon cleared and the sunwarmed the ground in readiness for the activities linedup for the barbecue.

Shortly after arriving atQueenston Heights Park, which ishistorically famous for the Battleof Queenston Heights, studentsand the international department

staff sat in the pavilion.“We chose this location

because it is beautiful and it has areally large pavilion,” says ShariVirtue, ESL co-ordinator, of St.Catharines.

The group was divided into 14teams according to the colour oftags each received when gettingoff the bus. The tags were meantto help students interact with eachother in different groups.

The teams had to create cheersand the loudest of them all wasawarded with the first share of thefood. The food included vegetable burgers, hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, pop andwater.

“I had to go and do a marathonfood shopping at Zehr’s. I havenever shopped for 140 peoplebefore,” says McLachlin, ofWelland.

When all had filled their stom-achs, the games begun. Each teamstarted with 15 minutes of differ-ent activities, which includedFrisbee games, water balloongames, dress-up races, three-legged races, potato sack racesand a patience game of usingspoons to fill containers withwater.

The international departmentorganized the barbecue over thecourse of three weeks and paid allexpenses.

“This is the first time we areorganizing something like this forsummer and spring

programs. That’s what makes it so challenging,” says McLachlin.

The International Departmenthas a full activity calendar foreach week of July and August forESL students.

“We have a terrific bunch ofteachers. They were fantastic inhelping organize this event,” saysVirtue, who has been with the college for the last five years.

Teachers mingled with students.

“I thought the barbecue wasgoing to be fun. That is why Icame. It was OK. I had fun,although some games were a littl-bit childish, and some were excit-ing, but I had fun,” says ESL stu-dent Estafania Daza, 18, ofMexico, who came to Canada inJune.

Daza says she came here toimprove her English and meetpeople.

She says, “When we were sit-ting in the bus, I made friendswith everyone there.”

“Welland is too quiet for me,but I think, with time, I willadjust.”

Virtue says seeing studentslearning about different culturesin events like this one is “wonderful.”

“It’s not just about learningEnglish. Memories of events likethis linger on.

“It’s about them making friendsand interacting. They will alwaysremember moments like these.”

‘Keep going and study hard. Try tograb as much knowledge as you can

and don’t feel embarrased to askquestions to your professors because

they’re here to help you.’

— Muliawan Suprihandono

‘I want to be a mechanical designer in mycountry.’

— Muliawan Suprihandono

By VALERIE LITTLEStaff Writer

Aretired private first class remem-bers the biting cold and rumblingstomachs during his experience inthe army in the1940s and 1950s.

George Hipwell, 83, of St.Catharines, says he joined theCanadian army in 1943. He was 21years old.

“I joined the army because therewas no work and I had to go to work.It was during the time of theDepression.”

Hipwell says, although he was inthe army for the final two years ofthe Second World War, he was notpart of the troops sent overseas.

“I was in the army for 12 yearsand did not fight in any battle orwar.”

He was a storeman, which is thejob he applied for after completingbasic training.

“I supplied uniforms, ammuni-tion, machine guns and rifles forthe troops in Canada.”

As a soldier in the army, Hipwellsays he moved from camp to campeventually serving in three differentregiments.

“I started in the Lincoln and

Welland Regiment, that is infantry.Then I was in the 210 Dragoons,which is artillery. I was also in theRCR, the Royal CanadianRegiment.”

He left the military because he“wanted out.”

“The army didn’t give me anyexperience as far as I was con-cerned. I starved to death. Nosuch thing as seconds in thearmy. If I wanted to starve, Iwould have starved as a civilianinstead of joining the army. Youget a lot less food in the army. Iremember eating cold eggs andcold bacon while wearing myheavy coat because it was so coldoutside.”

Hipwell had a brother in thearmy. His name was Herbert andhe was stationed in a military basecalled Aldershot North in Englandwhen he died at the age of 28.

Hipwell got married toDorothy Jack three years beforeresigning from the army.

They celebrated 20 anniver-saries before she died at the ageof 46, leaving him to raise theirsix children on his own.

After he resigned from the army,

he was a truck driver and plant oper-ator for the City of St. Catharinesuntil he retired in 1985, when he was64 years old. After retiring, he wasa crossing guard for three years.

He has seven grandchildrenand five great-grandchildren.

Police officer talks about family, careerBy STEPHANIE DIPIETRO

Staff WriterCop is a word with many

slang terms attached to it suchas: pig, fuzz and popo.

The flash of a badge usuallymeans you are about to be insome kind of trouble. Theman behind the uniform isoften someone feared by thepublic. Instead of beingintimidated, or judgmental ofthe person in the uniform,take a moment to look at theman or woman behind thebadge. You may be surprisedat what you see.

Richard Panfilo DiPietro,29, of Welland, is a policeofficer with the NiagaraRegional Police Service, in St.Catharines. He has worked forthe service for three years.

DiPietro attended EastdaleSecondary School in Wellandbefore attending NiagaraCollege. He was enrolled in theLaw and SecurityAdministration program at theWelland campus.

After graduating in 1993, heworked as a security guard atthe Niagara Casino.

“I was basically a bouncer inan ugly cream shirt.”

He also worked at David S.Horne, 214 Hwy. 20 E.,Pelham, a detention centre forjuvenile delinquents. He sayshe organized activities includ-ing games and sports activities.

“Some of the kids I dealtwith, I still see doing crimes,and then some are in university,taking a positive step.”

DiPietro says failing to getinto the police force, the firsttime, forced him to “dig deep.”

He says this was an importantevent that influenced his life.He says he lives by “five letterf’s; family first, friends, foot-ball, fishing and food.”

DiPietro and his wife, Stacey,recently became parents of ababy girl, Gabriella Rosa.

“I look forward to cominghome to see her, biting hercheek, or putting her foot inmy mouth.”

In the next five years, he says,he wants to build a house, have acouple more children, and own aboat. He says he would like to bea sergeant or detective within thenext three to four years.

DiPietro says he has alwaysbeen a family man. He says histrip to Italy, where he visitedhis family’s hometown, in2002, enforced this value. HisItalian heritage has alwaysbeen important to him, he says,adding his trip gave him morerespect for the things that hehas. Through his roots, he says,he adopted a new philosophy.

‘Rome wasn’t built in aday, you have to work hard toget where you are.’

— Richard DiPietro

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,you have to work hard to getwhere you are.”

He says his best qualities arepatience, understanding, lead-ership and he considers himselfto be a positive thinker. Hesays he has everything hewants in life and “wouldn’tchange a thing.”

“Things aren’t so bad whenyou look at what we deal with.”

DiPietro says his only fear isgrowing old and not being ableto take care of himself.

“Not being able to enjoy life,being stuck in a place wherethey drug you. Not knowingwhat is going on around you,being completely helpless.”

DiPietro says his father hasbeen an inspiration to him inmany areas of his life. He says

they share a lot of the sameinterests. When his dad isn’tworking, he says, he likes to playsoccer, coaches minor football andtends to his garden.

His father was a teacher in theathletics department at EastdaleSecondary School for 30 years.

DiPietro says his father livedhis life to help people.

“He has overcome obstaclesthat we couldn’t even fathom,and he doesn’t have a bad bone inhis body.”

As for his own career,DiPietro says he loves the “thrillof what I do.”

“One minute you’re eating, hav-ing coffee with the boys, and thenext you’re at a burning house.”

He says his job is one where younever know what you might befacing on a given shift.

“You never know what it’sgonna be. You hear gunshots,and for all you know they couldbe firecrackers.”

Although, he says, his job is animportant part of his life, he nevertakes his work home with him.

“You gotta be a little crazy todeal with the crazy.”

He says you “just have to separateyourself from the job.” One of thereasons he chose to become a policeofficer is because he likes beingchallenged, he says, adding he hasalways loved being around people.

“I could never look at acomputer all day, sitting insome cubicle. I have to beoutside talking to people.”

He says he likes to act as aleader and make decisions. Hesays there is one way todescribe how he feels about hisjob, and his duty as a policeofficer.

“When everyone is runningaway from the problem, we’rerunning to it.”

Editor’s Note: RichardDiPietro is the reporter’s cousin.

Richard DiPietro, a graduate of Niagara College’s Law andSecurity Administration program at the Welland campus, is apolice officer with the Niagara Regional Police Service.

Photo by Stephanie DiPietro

By BEVERLEY J. KNIGHTStaff Writer

Dean Van Moorsel, 25, ofNiagara-on-the-Lake, died July13 as the result of an all-terrainvehicle (ATV) accident.

The incident occurred July 11about 6 p.m. on Seaway HaulageRoad, south of Glendale Avenuein St. Catharines.

Van Moorsel was thrown fromthe ATV and taken to St.Catharines General Hospital andairlifted to Hamilton GeneralHospital a while later.

“The college extends its deepestsympathies to Dean’s family andfriends,” said Darrell Neufeld,manager of Niagara College’scorporate communications.

“He will be remembered byhis teachers and classmates asa keen student who touchedmany lives with his warmthand humour.”

He is survived by his par-ents, David and Donna, broth-ers, Daniel, Douglas andDaryl.

Van Moorsel is a 2004 gradu-ate of the three-year MAP32Automotive Service TechnicianApprenticeship program, whichhe started in August 2003.

“This program gave him theopportunity to complete the in-school portion of his apprentice-ship in one year as opposed tothree years,” said Greg Wheeler,co-ordinator of the Motive PowerApprenticeship Technology andSkills Training.

“He was a true pleasure tohave in class. He held a veryhigh academic average through-out the program, seemingly withlittle effort. He spent as muchtime helping others in the classas he did on his own studies.

“This past year’s MAP32 classhas been one of the most closelyknit classes I have been involvedwith and a very large part of that

was Dean,” said Wheeler, addingthe class went the “extra dis-tance” by raising money for agift to present to Dean’s family –a new, engraved wrench. “Icould see Dean’s parents werevery touched.”

“I’m saddened that I did nothave the opportunity to knowDean on an even more personalfriendship level, as it is obvioushe held his friends in highregard, as they did for him. Ican say with confidence, thetrade will miss a talent likeDean,” said Wheeler.

‘He will be rememberedby his teachers and class-mates as a keen studentwho touched many liveswith his warmth andhumour.’

— Darrell Neufeld

“When I spoke with Dean’sfather on Friday night, hespoke of how happy Dean hadbeen with the program and hischoice to get into this trade. Isaid to his father, a tradesmanhimself, Dean was ‘a realtradesman’s tradesman’ andwas proud of his abilities.”

“They (the family) are in a lotof pain, so they would like tokeep it as low key as possible,”said Sue McEwen, a friend ofthe family, in an interview withthe St. Catharines Standard.“It’s really heartbreaking formany people.

“They just don’t wish to sharetheir private information. Hewas a wonderful person andloved by many, and he will begreatly missed.”

His aunts fondly rememberDean’s joy for life, uncles,cousins and friends, said the obit-uary in The Standard on July 15.

Retired soldier remembers militaryexperiences in Second World War

George Hipwell relaxes in hisapartment in St. Catharines.

Photo by Valerie Little

Niagara student killedin July ATV accident

news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 29

Page 30, news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004

By STEPHANIE DIPIETROStaff Writer

If you are a student looking for ajob+ and looking for someone tohelp you learn about opportunitiesin the Niagara region, look nofurther. A student job coach is theanswer.

Ria Williams, 26, of Toronto,Ont., has been a student job coachwith the Niagara College JobCentre since last September.

She says she wanted to work atthe Job Centre because it is easy toget to, and because “the peoplewere very nice.”

She moved to Welland to attendNiagara College. She is taking theBroadcasting — Radio, Televisionand Film program.

She says there many thingsstudent job coaches can do forstudents.

“We help students with resumésand cover letters. We can helpthem with the application process.We also show them how to sendtheir resumé to employers online.”

The Job Centre has pamphletsand packages of informationavailable. There is informationon services such as employment

in the Niagara region, job searchwebsites and other educationaland social programs.

“There is no reason whysomeone shouldn’t be able tofind a job, unless they have theirown standards restricting themfrom applying for the jobs thatare available,” says Williams.

One of the misconceptionsabout the Job Centre is “that thecoaches do all the work for you,”says Williams.

“A lot of students think thatwe’re job finders. We actually setthem up with the things they need

to find a job, and the rest is up tothem.”

She says her biggest challengeat the Job Centre is internal.

“Being exposed to all these jobsearch ideas, cold calling and net-working, challenges me to be betterat those things. I can’t have a below–average resumé,” she says.

Williams says encouragement isimportant for the students.

“It’s exciting to see people comein the first time, and then to see thechanges. “Sometimes giving peopleconfidence in what they alreadyhave is the key. They may have

skills they didn’t even know wereskills. I show them those things,and give them the reassurance andconfidence to use them.”

Williams is working as a writerand editor at the Job Centre. Sheis in charge of writing and editingfor the centre’s promotionalnewspaper, and writing andupdating handouts.

“I’m having a lot of fun at the job,creating,” she says, adding sheenjoys writing and creating. Evenwith her new title, she says she willremain available to students withshe as a student job coach in the fall.

There is help for college students seeking employment

By ERIN MACGILLIVRAYStaff Writer

If your grades are slipping and you havetoo much work, or you just don’t understandsomething, there is an answer: peertutoring.

Niagara College offers a free peer tutoringservice.

Students are able to get help in any oftheir classes with homework, assignmentsor studying, and all you have to do is ask.

The service has been provided at NiagaraCollege since its opening in 1967.

Michelle Pugh, 40, of Thorold, is thefacilitator for prior learning assessment andpeer services at the college.

She started as a co-op student in 1984doing clerical work in the counsellingdepartment and was then hired on part time.

Pugh was hired on a full-time basis in1986 as a co-operative education andplacement secretary. She worked as a co-opcounsellor in 1992 and was hired as thefacilitator for prior learning assessment andpeer services in 2000.

Pugh says the number of studentsreceiving tutoring has increased significantlyover the last five years.

“People are no longer ashamed to go forhelp. They are paying a big buck to come toschool, and they want to get their money’sworth.”

Last fall, 190 students sought help. In thewinter semester, there were 139 students.

Pugh says both semesters used about thesame number of tutoring hours even thoughthere were less people being tutored.

“I think the reason that we use the sameamount of hours is because, for some reason,people find the winter semester very, verydifficult and more people really need a lot ofhelp.”

Pugh says tutoring usually takes place onthe campus, either in the library or cafeteria,during college hours. If the student and tutorare comfortable with each other, they canmeet somewhere else, but that is entirely upto them.

“When we exchange numbers betweenthe student and the learner, we recommend

that they are used only for discussingtutoring and nothing else.”

Pugh says there are about 176 tutorsavailable and many tutor on a variety ofsubjects.

To become a tutor, you must have anacademic average of 80 per cent or berecommended by your teacher. You mustalso be a full-time student.

Peer tutors are paid $8 an hour and areallowed to work 12 hours week, so it doesnot interfere with their study time.

The Student Administrative Councilpays 25 per cent of the tutors’ wagesfrom the student activity fees and theOntario Work Study program (OWSP),Jobs Niagara or International WorkStudy program (IWSP) pays the other 75per cent.

OWSP will pay the other 75 per centfor students on OSAP. Jobs Niagara willpay if the student cannot get OSAP andIWSP will pay for international students.

If you would like to become a peertutor or if you are interested in working

with a peer tutor, Pugh is available inthe Peer Service office, Monday toThursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. inthe Simcoe building, Room 102 at theWelland campus.

Michelle Pugh in her office.Photo by Erin MacGillivary

Students helping students at Niagara

By ERIN MACGILLIVARYStaff Writer

Nancy Patterson needed helpand she got it with the peertutoring program.

Patterson, 52, of St. Catharines,is a second-year student in theOffice Administration program at

Niagara College.Patterson was tutored by one of the

college’s peer tutors for a year andsaid it was an “outstanding experi-ence.”

“I went to peer tutoring for a wholesemester, and it brought my averageup 30 per cent. I couldn’t believe it.”

Patterson says she met withher tutor three or four times aweek depending on the work-load. The tutoring helped her tonot only get organized, but togain the confidence she waslacking.

“Peer tutoring helped me with

all my tests and exams. Not onlywas I prepared, I was confidentwhich is why I think I did sowell. My peer tutor was great.She never ever got frustratedwith me, which I think is reallyimportant.”

Patterson says she recom-

mends peer tutoring to all stu-dents who are struggling.

“You can’t give up on yourselfor be ashamed to ask for help.You came to college to learn andtry your best, and with helpfrom the tutors I believe we canall achieve our best.”

By AZRA MOMINStaff Writer

Every day, she picks up+the telephone and beginsreaching out.

Meet Stacey Hughson, one of thegrad coaches with the VenturesDivision of the Job Centre atNiagara College’s Welland campus.

Hughson, 22, of St. Catharines,has been on the telephone sinceMonday and has called about 200people so far. She is a co-op studentfrom the Business Administration –Human Resources (Co-op) pro-gram at the college and has beenworking at the Job Centresince May.

The 200 people she has calledare all Niagara College graduates.She is contacting them to find outif they have found work related tothe program they took, and if not,whether they need help indoing so.

“They can come in, and we canhelp them with resumés and coverletters and find out why their jobsearches may not be working,”she says.

“We’ve just started calling, butduring the day it’s tough.”

Hughson says she believes there

are about 2,200 graduates to becontacted. Many of them are notavailable during the day and needto be called back in the evening.

“Most are already workingand some are actively looking.We started off with the easierprograms like Hospitality,Tourism and Agri-Business andHorticulture. It’s easier forgraduates to find work in thesefields, especially since it’ssummer.”

When she first started,Hughson did some research aboutthe programs at the college sothat she can talk to the studentsabout them, as well as what jobsare available in the market. Thedepartment trained her for amonth about resumés and coverletters.

“Typically, we put up the jobpostings on the Job Centre websitefirst thing in the morning. We haveto separate the American postingsfrom the Canadian ones, because alot of people just don’t want toleave the area,” she says.

After that, she responds to anymessages on the telephone andthen starts making her calls.

Hughson says technical jobs like

computer programming andmechanical engineering are harderto find because there are not toomany of them in Welland and St.Catharines, and a lot of the graduatesdon’t want to move away.

Hughson works as shift manag-er for The Putting Edge in the PenCentre, St. Catharines, two orthree days a week. Her hours areflexible at both jobs and shesometimes stays until 11 p.m. at

the Job Centre.Before joining Niagara College,

Hughson went to St. Catharines’Brock University for businesscommunications.

“It was a three-year program,but I never finished it because Ididn’t like it.”

Hughson says by being a gradcoach she hopes to get experiencehelping people and working in aprofessional environment.

“We work with good people,”she says. “Once I’m done, I hopeto be training or doing benefits andpensions, but I’m not 100 per centsure.”

Hughson says she enjoys playingsoccer.

“It’s a good way to get away fromwork and school. It relaxes me.”

Hughson plays for the Wellandwomen’s competitive team. It trav-els to Toronto, Burlington andOakville about four nights a week,she says.

She will start her third year in theprogram in January 2005, and willgo for another co-op in September.

Does she have anything specificin mind?

“Not yet,” she says. “Stilllooking.”

Fast FactsThe Job Centre offers a wide

range of online and on-campusjob search services.

Some of these are:* Co-op education services* Graduate services* Part-time and on-campus jobs* Job Connect* Summer Jobs ServiceThe following job-finding

resources are available:* Job search assistance* Workshops* Access to job postings* Resumé services* Fax and Internet services* Job fairsThe Welland campus Job

Centre is in SE101.It is open weekdays from

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and canbe reached at 905-735-2211Ext. 7777.

Stacey Hughson can bereached at Ext. 7412 or shugh-son@niagarac.on.ca.

Stacey Hughson, grad coach,reaching out.

Photo by Azra Momin

Grad student reaches out to Niagara students on daily basis

Peer tutoring assists student in achieving higher average

Worker ‘always on call’

By RAY SPITERIStaff Writer

Maintaining a safe and comfort-able environment for students andstaff at Niagara College has beenthe occupation of a Welland nativefor 19 years.

Rocco Cifani, 58, is a stationaryengineer at Niagara College. Hegraduated from the college in 1983from the Stationary Engineeringprogram.

Cifani says he does many differentthings on the job.

“I do everything from mainte-nance to ensuring that the temper-atures in all of the buildings arewhere they are supposed to be.”

With the college’s significantgrowth in physical size and popu-lation, it is difficult to maintaincontrol over everything, so Cifanisays he is “grateful” there is acomputer in the control room toguide him.

“The computer is a real help. Ittells me everything. It alerts me ifa unit goes down and gives me thetemperature in every building. Byreading those numbers, I can judgeif there is a problem.”

“In my 19 years here at the col-lege, I have witnessed my share ofchanges. New buildings have beenbuilt and renovated and more stu-dents are studying at Niagara. Ieven remember when the cafeteriaused to be the library. For that I amgrateful to have the computer.”

The computer, which is in thecontrol room in the heating plant,informs Cifani of the fresh air,return air and mixed air tempera-tures in all of the buildings and bygraphics and charts tells himwhere a problem may be and inwhat room.

The heating plant area hasnumerous machines and pipes andit takes a lot of time and work tokeep them working; however,Cifani says, after a while, knowingwhere everything is becomes natural.

“I have been working here for solong that I have memorized every-thing like the back of my hand. Ican tell if there is a problem justby the sound the units make. Itcomes with experience.”

Although Cifani worksMonday to Friday, he is alwayson call.

“It doesn’t happen often butI have been called in to workon weekends. The last thing wewant is for something to beunsafe or questionable forwhen the start of the weekrolls around.”

The staff that works withCifani isn’t as big as people mayexpect, but Cifani says, he likes it that way.

“It is a really tight-knitgroup in my area of work.There are about a dozen of usand we all get along. Together

we keep the school as cleanand safe as we can. Having asmaller staff makes for betterfriendships, and we all knowone another quite well.”

In the past, Cifani has hadjobs where he did similar workbut with less hands-on activity.

“That is why I like it here atNiagara College. Prior toworking here, I would justinspect the gauges, whereas atNiagara College I do bothmaintenance and operating. Itmakes the day go by faster andreally makes you involved inyour work.”

Cifani says after working herefor so long he can’t imagine him-self working anywhere else andenjoys working with his co-workersand meeting new students everyyear.

“I feel I am meant for this line ofwork. I enjoy meeting newstudentsand staff and being able to main-tain a good environment for peopleto study and work in makes youfeel proud to do your job.”

By STEPHANIE DIPIETROStaff Writer

Students at Niagara College arepreparing to get into shape.

A new $14.3-million YMCA isbeing built at the college’sWelland campus.

The facility is 54,360 squarefeet and will welcome 55,000men, women and children asmembers, says its website. Thenew YMCA will open in late fall.

Brian Bratt, centre director forthe Welland YMCA, says thecampus was the “best location toserve the most amount of people.”

“Through the relationship weformed with the college, theyagreed to be one of our lead part-ners and offered the site atNiagara College. It is a tremen-dous donation and it really helpedmove our project along. The morewe looked at the partnership, themore it was a great fit.”

The facility will have twoswimming pools, a four-lane pooland a leisure pool. There will beswimming lessons, open swimsand aqua fitness programs avail-able to the public.

Leanne Spink, 21, of Thorold, afirst-year student at the college’sWelland campus in the Office andAdministration program, says the

new YMCA being built on thecampus is convenient.

“You’ve got a pool, gym, aplace for kids all in one place,”she says.

Jolene Fortin, 22, ofSaskatchewan, a first-year studentat the college’s Welland campusin the Office and Administrationprogram, says she would like toattend the new YMCA.

“It would be nice. My son isin daycare here. I could take himfor a swim before we go home,” she says.

Parents can bring their chil-dren to the facility for play careprograms.

Parking is provided on theland and the facility will haveabout 200 parking spaces.

There will be a 6,000-square-foot fitness facility on the secondfloor with cardio equipmentsuch as treadmills, cross trainersand bikes. Members can enjoythe free weights and strengthtraining equipment.

The studio on the secondfloor will offer programs suchas yoga and Pilates.

“It is important for us to offerprograms that will appeal to a widevariety of members, from the veryyoung to the very old,” says Bratt.

A student rate will be avail-able to anyone in school fulltime, including high school, uni-versity and college students.

“If the student rate is still toomuch, if people feel they sim-ply can’t afford it, then weoffer subsidized memberships.The important thing that people

have to know is that the YMCAwill not turn anyone away if theycan’t afford the rates,” saysBratt.

Membership costs for thecollege community are being negotiated. Bratt says the bestthing for people to do is to

“come down and take a tour andsee what opportunities arethere.”

“There really is somethingthere for everyone of all ages,and it’s a great opportunity tobuild strong relationships, makenew friends, feel better about

By SANDOR LIGETFALVYStaff Writer

Niagara College spent$860,000 last year for facilitiesrenewal projects and may pay upto $550,000 this year for repairsand restorations.

The college’s facilitiesmanagement services supervisorsare spearheading a five-year planto renew buildings and propertyat Welland and Glendale campus-es. The repairs and renovationsinclude parking lots, roofs andoffices.

Re-roofing Mackenzie cost$370,000 from the facilitiesrenewal budget and delayedplans to fix the half-paved half-gravel parking lot outside of theresidence.

Other projects last yearincluded $22,000 to repave theentrance for parking lot G(accessed from WoodlawnAvenue); $164,000 to repave aparking lot at Glendale campus;and 10 to 15 smaller projectsranging $5,000 to $40,000, oneof which was the building of thehuman resources offices andboardroom near the VoyageurWing.

Big-ticket items this yearinclude repaving the residenceparking lot and the likelyreplacement of the chiller, the air-cooling system, worth at least$200,000.

Julia Bertollo, manager ofFacilities Management (FMS) atthe Welland campus, says a lackof a plan is what has causedwidespread disrepair.

Parking Lot F repair was sentfor tender last year but the moneywas not available because of theexpensive emergency re-roofingof the Mackenzie building inWelland campus.

Chris Rendell, purchasingagent for the college, says, “It’sno good to have a leaking roof ina building. It will just cause moredamage. In situations like that,you put off the parking lot.”

He says, “FMS will look atwhat they have to work with andmake decisions based on that.”

The $157,000 contract torepave the residence parking lot(F) was awarded to NorJohn ofThorold, Ont. NorJohn was thelowest bidder of six acceptablereplies to the college’s tenderdocument sent out in early June.The replies ranged from as lowas $157,000 to as high as$214,000.

The lot will be completely dugout and repaved between Aug. 5and Aug. 25. John Stiefelmeyerof NorJohn says they will have“no problem” completing theproject in the three-week time-frame.

NorJohn has been contractednumerous times for paving forNiagara College. It was thecontractor who repaved theentrance to parking lot G atWelland campus and anotherentire lot at Glendale inNiagara-on-the-Lake.

Parking lot F’s projectwill expand the existingasphalt into the gravel expan-sion that spans between theresidences entrance and theside doors that lead to the rearof the Student GatheringCentre.

Both car entrances and theparallel sidewalk will berepaved. A path will connect thecorner of the lot closest to thecampus to the sidewalk leadingto the entrance. The ditch therewill be filled, compacted andlevelled.

Rocco Cifani, 58, works as astationary engineer at NiagaraCollege’s Welland campus.

Photo by Ray Spiteri

New YMCA on schedule to open in fall

Construction workers are busy making sure the YMCA in Welland will open later this fall.Photo by Stephanie DiPietro

Keeping your environment comfortable, assistedby computer monitoring

$500,000 in repairs under way

news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 31

Page 32, news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004

By MATTHEW RUSSOStaff Writer

Jesse Crawford’s term as aNiagara College employee iscoming to an end.

The 25-year-old Welland nativeand first-year Journalism-Printprogram student has spent Mayand June creating a newspaper forthe Welland campus Job Centrethat is geared towards studentsand potential employers.

Crawford has worked alone tocreate the newspaper as a promo-tional tool “for students andemployers to be able to pick upand see what the Job Centre has tooffer.”

Crawford says he has had to uti-lize many of the skills learned inthe Journalism-Print program andthat this job has improved hisjournalistic writing and interview-ing skills. “I have spoken withmany people.”

“I have had the opportunity towrite more colour pieces than Ihad with the college paper, whichwas more stilted, informativewriting.” Crawford says he wouldlike to work for a daily newspaperin the future and “do some writingabout the real world, other thanthe college.”

Crawford applied for thesummer position throughhttp://www.workopolis.com onthe recommendation of a friend inthe Broadcasting – Radio,Television, and Film program. Hesubmitted a resumé with cover let-

ter and a portfolio of his writingand had several interviews.

“I’ve learned a lot about jobsearching.” Crawford says the JobCentre can be an excellentresource for students and gradu-ates. “When it comes time for stu-dents to begin looking for theircareer, the stages and process arenumerous.”

“Even if you want to bartend forthe rest of your life, do research.”

He says the most importantinformation he learned from theJob Centre and employers that heinterviewed is that job huntersneed to “know the people’snames. That’s so important. It’snot hard to get a contact; talk to asecretary. In my experience if theyanswer phones for a living, theyare probably friendly.”

Crawford was a General Artsstudent at Fanshawe College inLondon, Ont., for a year beforecoming to Niagara.

“I’ve gone through college pret-ty much debt free, except for thestudent Visa (credit card).”

Crawford says he has savedabout a semester and a half’sworth of tuition while working for

the Job Centre.He says he has been playing

music since he was 12 years oldand written songs since he wasabout 18 years old.

“I love writing, not just articles.I love writing songs, poetry,fiction,” and says that he isworking on a novel.

He says he hopes to save therest of his tuition by playinggigs with his band Ten Dollar$Happier and doing solo acousticshows at the Oasis in PortDalhousie on Sundays throughJuly and August.

“I’ve figured out that I needto book about four gigs a

week.”Crawford says the grammar

aspect of the English forJournalism course has helped toimprove his writing. “I’ve beenable to go back and use theskills I’ve learned to reworksome of my earlier writing.”

On his final day as a Niagara College employee, first-year Journalism-Print program studentJesse Crawford puts the finishing touches on the publication he created for the Welland campus’Job Centre.

Photo by Matthew Russo

By BREE ELLISStaff Writer

Organization is key.Marilyn Wall, 42, of Thorold,

says that while she works atNiagara College and in her ownbusiness, she doesn’t let the stressget to her.

Wall deals with the stress bybeing organized so work doesn’tback up, and by physically workingout, which, she says, is a “greatstress reliever.”

Wall is married and has “two

beautiful girls and a dog namedCodroy.”

She says even though the workkeeps her busy it doesn’t get in theway of her family time. “If any-thing, it makes the time we spendtogether more valuable.”

Wall has been self-employed forseveral years, running a writing ser-vice called Write 4 Me. The busi-ness provides writing, editing,proofreading and research.

“I still run my business while Iwork at Niagara College, although I

have shifted my focus to nowspending more time at the college.”Wall is editing a fiction novel andworking with two business clients.

Wall has been working in theBusiness Development Centre atthe Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake for four years. Sheis the business adviser, but saysher job encompasses manyresponsibilities.

In addition to co-ordinating theBusiness Basics program, whichinvolves many tasks such as sched-

uling instructors, placing partici-pants and delivering theOrientation, she considers self-employment options for possiblecandidates and recommends themto specific programs.

Wall says she makes sure every-thing runs smoothly during semi-nars and workshops, checking thatrooms are booked, introducing theinstructor and getting participantsto fill out information sheets totrack their participation levels andexpenses.

Wall works with three clients intheir first year of business operationand meets with them every month.

Despite these many tasks, Wallsays, she took the job because ofthe college environment.

“I enjoy an academic environ-ment, and Niagara College plays animportant role and is respected inthe community.”

Wall says she enjoys the excite-ment of getting the job done undertight deadlines. “I thrive in this sortof environment.”

By BEVERLEY J. KNIGHTStaff Writer

Ralph Rittner, 46, ofRidgeway, is an honours gradu-ate of the two-year Accountingprogram at Niagara College in1988.

While attending the college, hewould dress up as a Smurf char-acter he called Sir Knight, part ofhis Student AdministraveCouncil (SAC) duties, andplayed Santa Claus during theChristmas season.

He was the vice-president offinance with SAC for one year.

On graduation, Rittner madethe Dean’s list and received theCertified CGA ScholarshipAward and the SAC Award ofMerit.

In June 1982 at a poetry festi-val in Collingwood, Rittner haddinner with Canadian authorMargaret Atwood and herdaughter.

Rittner works at Deflecto

Canada in St. Catharines and hasheld the position of cost accoun-tant for six years.

“I like to analyze things, beanalytical and logical.” He sayshis job is “not challengingenough” and sometimes dislikes“the politics” involved within thecompany.

“For example, a couple ofweeks ago I received an invoicefor returned merchandise thathad big dollars but no quantities.It wasn’t logical. It wasn’t a log-ical thing to happen.”

He says he spoke to his bossregarding this matter and shedecided to change the policy. Noteveryone was happy because it

created more work, but she wasinsistent.

The new policy was in effectfor three days and on the fourth itwas changed back because ofnumerous complaints.

“I look at an accountant asplaying the role of an actor,which I do very well, but thereare other roles I’d like to play;like a poet, writer or a forestranger. I’m hiding the poet insideof me. Now that would be perfectif I could live off my writings. Ialways said I would make a goodsnob.”

Rittner says he would like toteach people Access (an account-ing program) and how to dospreadsheets or, more specifical-ly, how to create a spreadsheetthat people can work with. “Iwouldn’t mind teaching atNiagara College. That’s why Iwas thinking about going back inSeptember for night courses.”

As for his hobbies, he says he

enjoys the wilderness and “stampcollecting is a great hobby forkids to get into because you canhave fun doing it and learn at thesame time.”

His love for animals is appar-ent in the country home he shareswith his five cats: Tabatha,Smokey, Lucy, Cera and Endora.

He recently returned from abusiness trip and says he wasnervous boarding the plane whena Muslim woman came on board.

“She spooked me because shewas by herself and she waswearing heavy clothing. There’stalk of yellow alerts in parts ofthe (United) States. You hear allthat stuff. It makes a person ner-vous. It made me nervous, justthe appearance of a Muslimlady. It’s what the imaginationdoes to you.”

Rittner says he wonders if otherswere feeling the same way andasks, “Is it the media that’s makingus fearful a bit? Is it right? Should

we be scared or is it just instinctstaking over when hearing stories?”

Student, employee, musician extraordinaire

Ralph Rittner, 46, graduatedfrom the Accounting programin 1988.

Photo by Beverley Knight

Former Smurf character, student Sir Knight

Self-employed mother works as college teacher

‘I’m hiding the poet insideof me’

— Ralph Rittner

‘When it comes time forstudents to begin looking

for their career thestages and process are

numerous.’— Jesse Crawford

news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 33

By ERIN MACGILLIVARYStaff Writer

In three, two, one ...Derrick Eaves, 31, of St.

Catharines, starts off his Englishclasses everyday with a count-down. If your homework is not inby the time he gets to one, youautomatically lose 10 per cent.This is just one of the effectiveand sometimes funny methodsthat Eaves uses in his classes.

Eaves started working atNiagara College in September2003. He is a part-time teacherand says he works in class about15 hours a week and spendsabout nine hours a week markingand preparing for class.

Eaves teaches a variety ofEnglish classes including CollegeEnglish, English for Journalism,English for Journalism II, OralCommunications for Businessand Business Communications— Office. He says he doesn’thave a favourite class.

“I can’t pick a favourite classas each one presents a unique setof challenges and rewards.”

Before becoming a teacher,Eaves went to Sir SandfordFleming College, in Lindsay, totake the Forestry Technician pro-gram but says he later “came tohis senses.”

“I didn’t stay in forestrybecause I realized that it would-n’t satisfy me as much as teach-ing. I was volunteering inLondon at the time at the LondonAdult Literacy Program and Ifound the teaching experiencevery rewarding. That’s when Idecided to go to university andbecome a teacher.”

While volunteering at theLondon Adult Literacy Program,Eaves says he had a “truly inspir-ing” experience.

“During my time at that centre,I helped a man as he learned toread and write. When we finally

finished reading a rather chal-lenging book, the man’s eyesbegan to water and he told methat was the first book he hadever read. He was so excitedbecause he has promised hisdaughter that he would start read-ing to her at night once helearned how. I found that trulyinspiring.”

Eaves has a bachelor of artsdegree in honours English lan-guage and literature, as well as abachelor of education degreefrom the University of WesternOntario in London.

“Words and language fascinateme. They can be powerful toolswhen used properly to communi-cate our thoughts, ideas and feel-ings to others, and that’s reallywhat life is all about.”

Eaves says his favouriteteacher was his OntarioAcademic Credit calculus teacherbecause he pushed his students todo their best and he would getexcited whenever someonegrasped a new concept orachieved any form of personalsuccess.

“I want my classes to be acces-sible to every student, and part ofthat means making class fun. I’veoften found that an interestingand fun activity or demonstrationwill allow more students tounderstand the material. I learnedmost of my techniques at univer-sity while studying in the facultyof education, but I have alsolearned many ideas from otherteachers.”

Asked what he thinks aboutworking in the summer, Eavessays, “as long as the air condi-tioning, is working, I am finewith it. Besides, it’s rather nicehaving a quiet building for a cou-ple of months.”

He says he doesn’t find it hard-er to teach his classes in a shorterperiod of time. The term, usually14 weeks, is compressed to 12weeks.

“It may mean a bit less time forreview and extension activities,but it keeps things moving at anice pace.”

Eaves was married to Shannon

Eaves on Aug. 11, 2001, and saysthey plan to have children soon.

Eaves says the most excitingthing that has ever happened tohim was the day he met his wife.

“She makes life exciting andinteresting on a daily basis. Plus,she makes sure that I’m out ofbed on time every day and thatI’m not wearing clothes thatclash.”

Eaves says he enjoys a few ofthe many reality televisionshows, such as Survivor, TheAmazing Race and CanadianIdol. He also watches a fairamount of sports.

“As for movies, I probablywatch too many for my owngood.” Eaves says his favouritemovies include any Kevin Smithmovie (Clerks, Mall Rats andDogma) and any QuentinTarantino movie (Pulp Fiction,Kill Bill and Jackie Brown).

Eaves says in late August hewill be visiting Montreal for afew days with his wife to watchthe World Cup of Hockey. Hewill also be going to AlgonquinPark later in the month and upnorth on a fishing trip with afriend.

Within the next five years,

Eaves says he plans to still beteaching at Niagara College.

“I also hope to finally be theworld record holder for catching

the largest rainbow trout, and Ihope to finally figure out how togrow a half decent vegetables inmy garden.”

By ROBBIE-LYN FAWCETTStaff Writer

Teaching is a job that is “extremelyrewarding,” says English teacherDerrick Eaves.

At 31, Eaves is married and has his“dream job” of being a teacher atNiagara College. Although he enjoyshis job, he says he would much ratherbe a geography teacher because itwould be “much more fun” thanteaching grammar.

Eaves has worked here for oneyear, has done freelance writing forthree years and has had other relatedteaching experience for which hewasn’t paid.

Dealing one-on-one with students,Eaves says, is his favourite part of thejob.

“What makes this job rewarding is

when you have that individual casewhere a struggling student makes apersonal success.”

Eaves says he enjoys extracur-ricular activities such as fishing,hiking, camping, hunting, reading andwriting. His favourite book isPassage to India, by E.M. Forster,because “it challenges the waywe view the world and that otherpeople view the world differentlybased on religion and culture.”

Eaves says that if he were to changeanything about his job he would like tobe a full-time teacher because “I workabout 12 to 15 hours a week with payfor teaching, but I put in about ninehours a day for marking and extra help.”

He says he would like to see higherexpectations of students entering col-lege. “It’s hard to have students workingon a university level and students work-ing on a Grade 9 level in the same class.It’s hard to keep the university level kidsbusy.”

Breeanne Ellis, 19, a first-yearstudent in the Journalism-Printprogram, says that Eaves is “agood teacher, very attentive to stu-dents’ weaknesses and very willing tohelp. He is really nice too. He doesn’tmake a person feel stupid for not under-standing a concept.”

By VALERIE LITTLEStaff Writer

A professor at NiagaraCollege’s Welland campus wantsto create a better learning environ-ment for students.

Craig Meuser, 30, of St.Catharines, has a bachelor of artsdegree from Brock University inSt. Catharines and masters of artsdegree from the University ofGuelph. He says the doctorateprogram is next at either theUniversity of Toronto or theUniversity of Freiburg inGermany.

He says he worked at variousjobs while getting his post-secondary education.

“I applied for OSAP (OntarioStudent Assistance Program) forthe first two years and decidedthat wasn’t what I wanted to do.”

He has had four jobs since com-pletion of his post-secondary stud-ies. He worked at United FloralDistributors in Fenwick as a ware-house manager for four years. The

first two years of employmentwere during his last two years inuniversity and the final two yearsof employment were after

completing his studies. His nextjob was director of direct sales atVineland Estates Winery for threeyears, then on to Winners at thePen Centre in St. Catharines aswarehouse supervisor for oneyear. He is now a professor atNiagara College in his fourth yearof employment.

“I am a partial-load professor,meaning I work full time hoursand I am part of the union, but I donot receive the financial benefitsthe full-time faculty receive.”

Meuser teaches sociology, psy-chology, The Effective Learner,history and four of the five philos-ophy courses at the college.

Meuser says in five years hewould still like to be with thecollege because he really likeswhat he does here.

“I learn more from the studentsthan from reading textbooks. Thetextbooks are stale, dead, emptyand hollow, not living. You can’thave a conversation with atextbook. What you read is one

particular perspective. When mystudents offer their opinions orcriticisms of a subject, it forcesme to re-evaluate my position(s).”

Meuser says he was “extremelydisappointed” with his educationbecause no one was willing toanswer all the questions that hepresented.

“I’m slightly offended anddisappointed with the educationsystem, because the art andscience of critical thinking hasbeen pushed aside in favour ofmemorization. Ever since mychildhood, I’ve had a desire toquestion the nature of things ...things meaning the world, people,myself. Throughout elementaryand high school, I asked questions

I believed to be important aboutthe nature of things ... I was nevergiven the answers I waslooking for.

“More specifically, I was disap-pointed with the reactions of myelementary and high school teach-ers. A reputation began to formabout me that was quite unflatter-ing. I was considered to be a prob-lem child. I was faced with resent-ment and bitterness from themajority of my teachers.

“The most important activitythat a human being can do,whether it’s career-oriented orrelationship-oriented, et cetera, isto think. When you critically thinkabout and question assumptionsabout yourself and the world, youbegin to live.

“I promised myself that, giventhe opportunity to become ateacher myself, I would stress theimportance of curiosity. I wantedto create an atmosphere thatwould allow for questions ofcuriosity. So, here I am.”

From forestry technician to English teacher

Derrick Eaves, English teacher at Niagara College, edits anassignment.

Photo by Robbie-Lyn Fawcett

Eaves has his ‘dream job’

Craig Meuser is a professor atNiagara College’s Wellandcampus.

Photo by Valerie Little

‘Better learning environment’ goal of professor

‘What makes this jobrewarding is when you

have that individual casewhere a struggling studentmakes a personal success.’

— Derrick Eaves

‘I promised myself thatgiven the opportunity to

become a teacher, I wouldstress the importance of

curiosity.’— Craig Meuser

‘I didn’t stay in forestrybecause I realized that itwouldn’t satisfy me as

much as teaching.’— Derrick Eaves

I’ve come to realize that this election is differ-ent. The people have spoken and we are going tosee a minority government, a first in 25 years inCanada.

Paul Martin, leader of the Liberals, won theelection with 135 seats, while the Conservatives,led by Stephen Harper, picked up 99 seats in theHouse of Commons. Jack Layton, leader of theNew Democratic Party, has 19 seats and barelywon his own seat, Gilles Duceppe, leader of theBloc Quebecois, has 54 seats. Jim Harris, leader ofthe Green Party, did not get a seat in Parliament,but received 580,000 votes. Chuck Cadman, ofSurrey, B.C., won his seat as an independent.

This election was a tough decision for voters,and the Liberal slogan “Think twice, vote once”made many Canadians think twice about theirvote.

People of Canada did not want a change in gov-ernment. Imagine if the Conservative party hadwon the 2004 election and had been elected intopower.

OK, let’s not too be hasty here. Has anyone men-tioned that change doesn’t always mean a goodthing?

Stephen Harper, Canada’s 22nd prime minister?That does not sound good at all, nor did I want it.

Harper, 44, is a reformist politician, with areformist ideal, in a reformist party. This is not theProgressive Conservative party; it’s the CanadianAlliance with a new alias.

I don’t mind the Conservative party. There aresome policies that are good, and we should adoptsome of the policies.

Well, scrap that idea, and let’s take History 101.Harper was the leader of the Canadian Alliance

in 2002 and won the election in 2003 to lead thenew Conservative party, and now we have BrianMulroney version 2.0. He is the same person webooted out 12 years ago, for the Goods andServices Tax, the tax breaks for big corporations,the lack of social programs in Canada, and whobecame best buddies with the United States, somuch so that we were joked about as the U.S.’s53rd state.

This is the same party that went from a 169-seatparty, to holding just two seats in the 1993 elec-tion, when the Liberals were elected.

Are we willing to support an American systemand adapt to it, yet we want to have a unique identity?In what way is that unique? Privatize health care,

no woman saying what she can and cannot do withher body? Gas and oil, how it will cost billions toextract from Alberta to the rest of Canada? Toscrap the Kyoto Protocol? To send our troops toIraq? This doesn’t seem to be very Canadian at all.

Someone should tell Harper that this isn’t 1954anymore. It is 2004, when a woman has a right tosay what happens to her body, and Canadians wantfree health care, which truly makes us Canadian.We know that water and wind are the source forpower. The Kyoto Protocol is a great idea, butthat’s light years ahead, and Iraq is not our prob-lem, and it hasn’t been in three years.

This is not a rant against the Conservatives orfor the Liberals, because you vote for whomyou want to because you have a right to choose.Many Canadians are voting without a say, whichis scarier than not voting at all. People areuptight about the Liberals, and I am sick andtired about the Liberal bashing; yet they don’tknow what they are talking about, not just theyoung generation of voters, but people whohave lived in this country longer than I have myentire life.

It is time to look back on what theConservatives really are. We do not want histo-ry to repeat itself, especially in the great landcalled Canada. I do not want to be consideredan American when I am Canadian.

By STEVE SIMONStaff Writer

Column

By JENN SOMERSStaff Writer

It isn’t easy to come by, butSusan Hendriks did it.

Hendriks, 38, of St.Catharines, graduated fromNiagara College’s EducationalAssistant – Special NeedsSupport program with a 97.19per cent academic average andwas awarded this year’sGovernor General’s AcademicAward.

“It was a very overwhelmingday,” says Hendriks in a telephoneinterview about the day she was

informed of the award. “I was onmy way to receive another awardwhen I got the call. Everyonewas really excited, reallythrilled.”

Hendriks says the award wasunexpected.

“I wasn’t out to get an award.I was just focused on doing thebest I could.”

Hendriks grew up on a farmand got married at 21 to her highschool sweetheart. They havethree children. Before going tocollege she stayed at home withher children and volunteered at

her children’s school. She alsoworked on the school counciland still does.

Hendriks says she enjoysworking in a school environmentand getting involved in theclassroom.

She says she decided to go tocollege because her children wereolder and she wanted to help outwith household expenses.

Hendriks says about 60 percent of her class were youngerstudents, but the rest werearound her age.

“I was expecting everyone to

be younger than me, but I waspleasantly surprised to find outthat there were a lot of older stu-dents as well. More older peopleare becoming EAs (educationalassistants) because it fits into afamily schedule. There is time toput your family first.”

Hendriks says the programwas a lot of work and she spentmany long hours working onassignments. She says she had tomake many sacrifices because ofthis.

“For sure, I had to make sacri-fices. We couldn’t entertain like

we used to. I missed familyevents, and I wasn’t always withthe kids.”

Hendriks says her children are“happy to have their momback.”

Hendriks’ advice to other stu-dents going through the programis to “hang in there and keepwith it. It’s a great program.Your teachers are always therefor you. Just go for it.”

Hendriks received her awardon June 17 during NiagaraCollege’s convocation cere-monies.

Page 34, news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24

By DAN KERNAHANStaff Writer

This year’s federal election hasleft some Niagara College studentswith mixed emotions ranging fromelation to frustration.

The election, held on June 28,was projected by polls to be theclosest in years. The six-week cam-paign was highlighted by contro-versy, accusations and negativecampaign ads from the two majorparties.

The Liberals managed to upset therival Conservatives with a tentativeseat count of 135, giving them thefirst minority federal government of

the last 24 years.Ben Niro, 25, of London, Ont., is

a student in the ComputerEngineering Technology programat Niagara College at the Wellandcampus. Niro says he was “verydisappointed” with the electionresults.

“I thought it was going to be a lotcloser,” says Niro, adding he is aConservative supporter. “Whathave the Liberals done in the lastyear but rip people off?”

Niro says the negative campaignads that were shown throughoutthe election had no effect on hisdecisions in this election. “For me

personally, I tend to ignore thosethings,” says Niro.

Brian Cook, 21, of St.Catharines, is a student in theElectronics EngineeringTechnology program at NiagaraCollege. Cook says he was happywith the results of the election.

“I was quite pleased, because itwasn’t a Liberal majority.”

Cook says he supported the NewDemocrat Party (NDP) anddescribed their election outcome as“acceptable.”

“They definitely hurt theLiberals,” says Cook. “If theLiberals want to get anything done,

they need the NDP.”Jolene Fortino, a student in the

Office Administration program,says she is very concerned with theprospect of a minority government.“It’s kind of scary,” says Fortino.“We don’t have a stable government.”

Andrew Urlocker, 27, a studentin the Teaching English as a SecondLanguage (TESL) program, saysthat the results were no surprise.

“Everybody expected minoritygovernment.” Urlocker added, “I’mjust glad the Conservatives didn’tget in.”

Urlocker says he thinks Canada’schoice for a leader was the best one

offered.“(Liberal Party leader) Paul

Martin is the best in choices that wehave in terms of leaders.”

Jennifer Goddard, 23, also astudent in the TESL program, saysshe is usually not a voter, but wasscared by the prospect of aConservative government.

“The Conservatives absolutelyfrightened me,” says Goddard. “Idon’t stand up for any of them.”Goddard says she was dismayed bythe federal election.

“It doesn’t seem altogetherdemocratic to me when it’s only twoparties.”

Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be asbalanced, fair and objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns written by reporters. In columns, the

feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treatedlightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara Collegeadministration or the management of the news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer.

Columns and NEWSLiberal minority government our best bet

Niagara graduate receives prestigious award

Federal election affects Niagara students differently

I won’t belong there.It was the first of many thoughts that ran through my

head as I prepared myself for the Journalism-Printprogram at Niagara College.

I’m 24. I shouldn’t be starting college. I should begraduating. I should have graduated three years ago.

I was the teen whom my friends’ parents praised,and used as an example for their children.

“See Valerie. She’s so well grounded.”“Why can’t you be like Valerie? She has a job and

her grades are still high.”“Valerie is so mature for her age.”Well, for someone who was “so mature” I sure

messed things up.When I finished high school, I took a year off to save

up for college. I didn’t save a dime. Yet, the OntarioStudent Assistance Program (OSAP) was there, and inSeptember 1998, I started at Sheridan College inToronto. I was well on my way to a career as an illus-trator.

Two weeks and a billion excuses later, I dropped out.So, I took another year off.In 2000, OSAP decided I wasn’t eligible. I ran to the

bank, (never give a 19-year-old free reign of $5,000)and started at Hamilton’s Mohawk College. I was wellon my way to a career in advertising.

Lo and behold, one and a half weeks and only half abillion excuses later, I dropped out.

I somehow survived the wrath of my father. I

convinced him to let me continue living at home whileI got a full-time job and got my feet on the ground.

I went through several retail positions, never stayinganywhere for a long period of time.

Maybe I’m just naturally restless. Or maybe it’s thatretail is one of the lowest levels on the food chain ofemployment. Maybe power-tripping supervisors, lessthan intelligent co-workers, and miserable customerstook their toll. Yeah, that’s likely it.

I managed, though I’m still not sure how, to get outof the retail grind. I found a job as a receptionist. Greathours, decent pay, fabulous co-workers. Things weregoing my way. And then one day, like it always does,it hit me.

Something was missing. I loved my job, but it justdidn’t feel right. I couldn’t see myself sitting behind adesk forever. I couldn’t picture myself telling people Iwas a secretary (nothing against the secretaries of theworld.)

I didn’t quite feel destined for greatness, but I knewI wasn’t destined for mediocrity.

I spent months agonizing – to learn or not to learn.I reflected on past goals, mistakes and relationships.

I thought of all the reasons for not going back to college.

I wouldn’t get to see my boyfriend as much.Well the last time I quit for that reason, the boyfriend

left me for another woman a few months later. I had adifferent guy this time, and it was already a long distance relationship, so our time together wouldn’t bealtered all that much.

I will have to be poor again.Again? I am poor. I always have been. I’ve been

working for seven years and I have absolutely nothingto show for it.

It will mean having to live at home for a few moreyears. Yeah, like I was moving out any time soon. Iloved my job, but it’s hard to support yourself on $10an hour.

Everyone will be so young. I won’t be able to relateto them.

Well, I’m not there to make friends. I’m there tolearn.

I don’t like school. I don’t like assignments. I don’tlike being told what to do and when to do it. It actually appears that I have a problem with authority.

Oh well, I’m 24 and going nowhere. Suck it up, honey.Finally, I reached a kind of Zen. The planets aligned,

the karma gods were smiling and I knew I had to giveit one more try.

I made it past the two-week point. It’s been sevenmonths.

My boyfriend supports me, and devotes what littletime we have together solely to me.

I am poor, but when I finish I’ll be armed with thetools and skills to change that.

Living at home isn’t quite so bad. My mother makesa mean chicken and mashed potato dinner that I’m notquite ready to go without.

Surprisingly, I wasn’t the geezer of the class. Ourclass has a broad spectrum of age and cultural background. I even managed to make a few friends.

I still don’t like being in college. I still don’t likeassignments and still balk at authority. Yet, I’m doingwell. I only have a year and a half left to go, and I’mnot feeling an irresistible urge to drop my books in thehall and run for my life.

Most importantly, (I thank the karma gods) I knowthis is exactly where I belong.

City girl, me? H-e-double-hockey-sticks no.Actually, I’m only a few stiletto-heeled steps away

from identifying as a city girl.But, I can’t help it. I love the small-town life.In my last years of high school I felt trapped by the

little town I’ve now come to love. I was smothered bywhat I perceived to be the most boring, dull, dry littletown ever to exist.

OK, so I exaggerated just a little.But high school will do that to a girl. It’s full of

teenage hormones, perverted old teachers and an allaround depravity of beauty and life.

I felt this undeniable drive to run away and neverlook back.

But I’ve moved away from all that. I remark justabout every day how odd it is that I miss home, andwhat home is.

Home is where the trees look brighter than I’ve everseen. It’s the memories of making clubs, having picnics and plays in the parks, dancing in the schoolyard when I was half the height I am now.

Home isn’t my dream town – that would be moreakin to the fictional town of Stars Hallow.

But I know this, every great little town has its pinnacles.

Every great small town should have a new and used

bookstore, something my childhood home justacquired.

It should also have a great library, in a historical oldbuilding.

My home has that library. It has moved to manylocations over the years, but is back in its first loca-tion: originally a township hall, the building wasturned into a small library in 1852. Picture a brickbuilding with bright, whitewashed windows and acheery helpful staff inside.

It’s nice to have that one diner where you alwaysstop for a coffee, and maybe you’ve done it everymorning for years so you don’t even have to order.

In writing this, I began to wonder what other peopleloved about small towns. Of course, they’re allanswers I could have given you myself, but that doesn’t make them any less wonderful.

I was told that the best small towns exist without fastfood, chain stores or traffic lights.

Parades and festivals are important. What is a smalltown without colour, balloons, vendors and magicians?

That greatness can be a simple thing, like caringneighbours. One can live all alone and the neighbourswill watch out for you.

Above all I loved this idea most: “Rush hour is two cars and a dog.”

At the local flea market, I’m known as the “old bookgirl.” I can’t help it if all the good books are from the1920s and 1930s. But that’s the nicety of a small town:someone knows you.

I’m not trying to paint a Norman Rockwell imagehere – home is not perfect.

There are foul-mouthed children, grumpy parentsand a few wandering loonies.

Any town will have its flaws. It will have people youhate, fast food and garbage galore. It will lack anynumber of the things that make a small town great.

Welcome to Elmville, Ont., Mr. Rockwell. Bewareof local druggies, those teenaged girls who made youfeel worse than you could think possible, the guys whodidn’t care if you existed.

There comes a day when we all grow up, one hopes,and see the sparkle through the green, green leaves,see the world for what it really is: good with the bad.

I’ve realized that high school is not training for thereal world; it’s petty, immature and, in the end, feelsmeaningless. The real world doesn’t have to be the bigcity hustle and bustle. It can be found just out the win-dow – the smiling babies, the grandchildren mowinglawns, the happy dogs that make you grin when theystruggle to visit with you.

High school made everything seem dull.Near the end I realized it was ridiculous. I saw the

world a little clearer each day, woke up and shone mylight into that darkened place.

After my time in Welland is over, I’m heading backto that town, to spend some time of my life in the homeI never really experienced.

Some day, I hope to find that perfect town, where thelibrary staff knows me and orders books with mytastes in mind. I can walk into the diner, sit down andnot have to ask for tea and a muffin. Where there areno traffic lights and I can stop to talk to a new friendand wave at several cars that pass by.

By VALERIE JOHNSONStaff Writer

Column

Finally happy with college course

‘Rush hour is two cars and a dog’

Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be balanced, fair and as objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns written byreporters. In columns, the feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treated lightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not

reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara College administration or the management of the Niagara News. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer.

By BREE ELLISStaff Writer

Column

news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 35

I got into drugs, more specifically pot. It made merelax, stirred my creative juices and helped me survive

life in a low-income housing survey in Hamilton wherewe spent a year and a half of our lives.

The last bag I bought lasted less than two days. I cameto the realization pot wasn’t giving me the high I wanted,so I had a choice to make. I could get into something thatwould give me the buzz I wanted or quit altogether.

I have to admit it wasn’t an easy decision, although itshould have been. Did I want to spend the rest of my lifein this survey, a totally unsuitable environment for my

chidren and remain a druggie?I’ve been clean for 18 months. I didn’t go through a

rehabilitation program; I did it myself. It wasn’t difficult,and I’m proud of my accomplishment, as are my chil-dren.

Life hands us many choices and challenges, but weneed to do what is best for us, and sometimes it isn’t socut and dried.

Where will life take you the next time you light up?

Page 36, news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004

The release of the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner ofAzkaban has been stirring up a lot of media attention overthe past few weeks. Pulling into the fan-crazed parking lotof the theatre, I was beginning to see what all the fuss wasabout. I was hopeful that I would see children dressed likewitches and wizards, pretending to have magical powers.

As I stood outside, I became a little confused. Wherewere all the youngsters? I did see some costumes, but notthe kind of costumes I was expecting.

In front of me stood a group of girls, barely teenagers,huddling in a tight group laughing and whispering. Seemsperfectly normal right? Wrong. The first thing I notice istheir clothing. Low-cut tanks, bare midriffs, skirts barelylong enough to cover their backsides, not to mention themasks of makeup.

My eyes focus on one girl in particular; she is dressedmore provocatively than the rest. As she turns her back tome, I nearly gasp out loud at what I see. A tattoo, quite real,stretching from one side of her lower back to the other. Sheis wearing a short shirt to draw attention to her permanentdesign. It needs to be said that she could not be over the ageof 13.

As I am staring, bewildered, at this group of young girls,I fail to notice the huddle of boys forming around them. The

group begins to grow, and it is obvious that the boys arehere to prey. The boys are obviously older by at least a cou-ple of years, and the girls seem intrigued by their presence.Couples start to form, boys with their arms around the girls,and some are involved in what can only be called makeoutsessions.

As I begin to look around the parking lot, I notice thatthere are many similar groups everywhere I look. Fromwhat I am overhearing, most are here to see Harry Potter.Although they don’t appear or seem to act like children,they are here to see a very famous children’s movie.

As I stand, with a million and one thoughts racingthrough my brain, I start to ask myself an assortment ofquestions. Where are these girls getting these clothes?Where are the parents? When did sexual behaviour becomea part of young teen’s lives? There is only one reasonableexplanation that I can come up with.

Every time you turn on your television today, sex isadvertised in one way or another. It seems appropriate forthe adult population, but seems to be actually aimed at theyounger generation. Pop icons like singers Britney Spears,Christina Aguilera and Beyonce Knowles are popular starstargeting young audiences. Any time you see them on tele-vision or in magazines, you will see them wearing extreme-ly revealing, sexy clothes. They are often portrayed as sex-ual beings, rather than performers. You may turn on a videoto hear their music, but will find that the music is not at allthe focus. You will find yourself watching what can be saidto be soft-core porn in some cases.

These are the people young girls want to be like. These

stars are the girls that all the young boys are dreaming ofand are the ultimate role models of young girls. Disturbedyet? Keep reading.

Spears is portrayed as a positive role model, successful inall of her endeavours. If she is successful for doing thethings she does, why shouldn’t teenagers see her as a rolemodel? The answer is that children need to be reminded thatSpears is an adult, and they need to be taught the importantdifference between adults and children.

Our society paints a picture of success based on howmuch money you have and how beautiful you are. Childrenare merely following the values forced on them by society.Children will react to what they see, and the media areresponsible for this reaction.

As I continued to watch the young girls flaunt theirsexuality, I began to think about the things I was doing atthis very age. I was at home playing with Barbie dolls. Thedifference today is that girls are more concerned withbecoming like Barbie dolls than playing with them.

Children today are growing up at a more rapid rate thanin previous generations. Although they may be acting anddressing the part, they aren’t thinking the part. No matterhow grown up they may appear, it is important to rememberthat they are still children.

It is important to protect our younger generations because theyare the future of our world. Society and media must be more cau-tious of the messages and morals we are teaching our children. It istime for all of us to make a change and remind young people of theimportance of their childhood. The fact of the matter is, childrenwill inevitably grow up; we simply need to slow down that process.

By STEPHANIE DIPIETROStaff Writer

Column

Young girls growing up at rapid rate

A slight feeling of shock took my breath away the otherday when I caught myself muttering, “When I was a child Irespected my elders.” I had to then begin thinking, “Am Ithe parents I have always dreaded becoming?”

The days when children signaling their friends to get offthe street yelled “CAR” are over, and a new generation hasreplaced them.

Now children or teens don’t move for anything. You, as adriver, are expected to move around them – and to think forall these years I thought streets were for driving and parkswere for playing.

Not only have children, or tweens, disregarded the idea ofsafety they have also developed outrageous attitudes.

I first faced this issue while I was at a mall. It was closingtime and a few teens were using the parking lot as their per-sonal skate park, when the manager of the store emergedand politely asked if they would mind staying off the front

entrance for the next half hour.The teenager replied with a few choice words, demanded

respect from this man and then refused to move.I was flabbergasted (for lack of a better word). I felt as if

it were then my duty, as a 19-year-old female witnessingthis event, to lecture these teens. Before the words, “Haven’tyou been taught to respect your elders? I should call yourparents,” escaped my mouth, I realized that the reaction ofthese teens would be a roar of laughter, just as I would havedone when I was a child.

What invokes new generations to become worse than thelast?

There must be something or things to blame for this problem.It doesn’t make sense that this trend is occurring for no logicalreason.

We can always blame the media. The media allow contentof a more “graphic nature” more than ever before. It seemsevery year they display a little more graphic material, be itlanguage or sexuality, drug use or gore. Slowly but surelywe are desensitizing the youth — and for the worse.

Many parents say that the media do not have an effect onchildren, but if you take the bad language of Eminem or themouthy “bad boy” attitude of Bart Simpson, you have youraverage teenager.

The lack of respect for parental and authoritarian figuresis a big issue. Children these days are not afraid of beinggrounded or even going to jail. Many just stand their groundand mouth off because they know that, considering the situ-ation, they will, in fact, get away with it, with no punish-ment at all.

On occasion I have heard many teens say that they havebeen in jail for shoplifting, breaking and entering, and evenassault, but they are not ashamed of it. They continue tobrag about it to friends and the public, as if it were a badgeof honour.

In the case of someone close to me who is only 17, this isa true statement. Not only has he been in jail for seriousoffences, but he has been there four times. The sentencesserved by young people don’t seem to work. Youth aren’tafraid of the judicial system so they continue to re-offend.

Something in our jail systems needs to be changed inorder to stop young offenders from re-offending.

The trend of each generation becoming a little worse thanthe last is apparent with all who let the words, “When I wasyoung ...” escape their mouths.

This constant decay of ethics and respect must be stoppedsomehow. We need to ask ourselves this: will this down-ward spiral ever end?

By ROBBIE LYN FAWCETTStaff Writer

Column

Too many teens show lack of respect

Possible to make clean break from drugs

Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be as balanced, fair and objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns written by reporters. In columns, the

feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treatedlightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara College

administration or the management of news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer.

By BEVERLEY J. KNIGHTStaff Writer

Column

“I’m out tonight," the fridge said.That was on Monday. I had just

returned from a manic beginning to thework week, and the last thing I neededwas to dwell on the implications of thatannouncement, so I microwaved a TVdinner and sprawled myself on thecouch - all mine now, and surfed the TVwhile I ate.

Had there been a contest between mymeal and the shows as to which was themore insipid, it would have ended in adraw. Maybe it was the emptiness of thehouse nagging at the edge of my brain.I needed some stimulation.

After consigning my dinner packageto its post-recycling fate, I turned off theTV. Then I turned on all the lamps and

brought out the dictionary. Opening it atrandom I stopped my finger somewheredown the page.

Abstemious ...Perfect, I thought. My mind was made

up. It was time to practice my self-restraint. I would abstain from sayinganything to the fridge tonight.

The next morning I cradled my coffeein both hands and stared at the fridge. Itwas silent today, although yesterday's mis-sive still eched from its surface. ShouldI break the silence? How should I do it?Cold shoulder? Warm nose? Perhapsneither, because I wasn't even sure I hadanything to say in the first place. Therewas too much distance here that I didnot know how to begin closing,, so Istood there and sipped my coffee and letthe fridge stare back at me wordlessly.The silence hung between us like animpenetrable barrier.

Sounds nightmarish? That's the beginning of a story I’d

started to write, and I thought I'd give ita spooky touch in keeping with its main

idea of modern-day isolation, because itseems to me that's how we communicatea lot of the time now. We leave notes onthe fridge door and messages on thephone and send e-mail to the friend twoblocks down the road.

I remember when I was growing uphow people were constantly visitingeach other. Evenings were spent withfriends over for tea. There were lots ofaunts and uncles whose homes werealways open to us. People got togetherand quite simply, just talked, while theirchildren played.

Talking is now a vicarious activity.We have given away the simple notionof conveying ideas in the first person totechnological conveniences. I admirescientific advances in communication,

since a lot of them have facilitatedhuman interaction, but I believe that weshould control technology, not the otherway around. There are a zillion wordstorpedoed at us from every source imag-inable, but so few of them communicateanything meaningful.

Technology is a wonderful tool, butwords from an electronic gizmo cannever replace real-life flesh and bloodconversation. Whatever happened tohuman contact?

My friend Jeff and his father share thesame house. Jeff spends most of histime home in the basement, while hisfather lives upstairs. When I casuallymentioned my talking fridge story tohim it turned out that the house is prettymuch all they share.

"That’s exactly how my dad and I talkto each other!" he exclaimed. "We hardlyever meet, even on weekends, so we justleave messages on the fridge door."

"Wow," I thought. "Fiction’s got nothingon real life."

Now that’s scary.

news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 37

I was on my way home from school,about three blocks from home, when Ilost control of my car, over-compensatedand saw my final destination.

“Oh my God! I’m going to die.”I’m in slow motion until all of a sudden

I hear a deafening impact, a shatteringcrunch, followed by never-ending joltsof my body being thrown within thecompounds of the car. Thankfully, I waswearing my seatbelt.

I looked up only to see the enginesteaming. This can’t be happening, Imust be dreaming. The next thing Iknew I was standing outside the vehicle,glancing down at my bloodied hands.

Whether I was knocked unconscious,in shock or adrenaline had set in, I gotout of the car of my own accord, yethave no recollection of doing so.

There were people yelling for me notto come this way, “Go around,” I heard,but I couldn’t comprehend the wordsbeing thrown at me. I stood there aloneand dazed, until someone came to myrescue and whisked me away to a housenearby where I sat as more peoplegathered. Question after question.

Don’t they know I need to get home?My seven-year-old son is getting off thebus soon. I have to be there or he will betaken back to school.

I said my cameras are in the car. Ineed to know if my new one is OK, butthey were more concerned about me,than I was for myself. It’s funny whatgoes through your mind in a situationsuch as this.

The paramedics arrived. I was put ona stretcher, strapped to a backboard andtaken to a waiting ambulance. In towwas my 17-year-old daughter, Katie,who arrived shortly after the accident,the first familiar face I gazed upon. Theparamedic assured her I was going to beOK.

It was a bumpy, painful ride to thehospital. Upon arrival I was asked yetmore questions. Leave me alone. I’veanswered so many questions.

Another familiar face, that of my 23-year-old daughter, Kerri, who was fightingback tears. “I’m OK, honey. Don’t cry.”

Following her was my 19-year-olddaughter, Kelly, who, if memory servesme correctly, was quite composed. Sheis my Rock of Gibraltar.

I’m a mess. My arms, legs and neckare strapped down. The excruciatingpain in the back of my head is more thanI can bear.

“There’s something sticking in theback of my head. Take this off,” I cried,trying in vain to remove the uncomfortableneck brace.

I’m on my way to X-ray for picturesfrom head to toe. The technician putsmy body into positions that only intensifythe pain. I know it’s necessary to getgood pictures of my injuries so they canbe treated accordingly.

The results are back and, surprisinglyI haven’t broken anything because I waswearing my seatbelt. However, I dohave a head and chest injury, along witha multitude of bruises, a small price topay for the sparing of my life.

I was later told, that, not only did I hita pole, knock it down and drive over it,but, among the trees where I was standingwere live hydro power wires.

My vehicle was destroyed with morethan $10,000 in damages.

I’m home now trying to catch up onthe schoolwork I’ve missed.

Everyone has been supportive and Ihope my recovery is quick so one daysoon you’ll be reading my work in anewspaper, or magazine, or you may hearthe pitch of my voice in a public forum.

Look out, because here I come, butfor now, I must see my doctor.

I know the first thing I’m going to dowhen I get in the car.

Do you?

Real life scarier than fiction, no doubt

Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be as balanced, fair and objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns written by reporters. In columns, the

feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treatedlightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara Collegeadministration or the management of the news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer.

Although her car suffered extensive damage, Beverley escaped without majorinjury.

Photo by Beverley J. Knight

By BEVERLEYJ. KNIGHTStaff Writer

Column

By AZRA MOMIN

Staff WriterColumn

Seat belts save lives, so use them

It was time to practice myself-restraint; I would abstain

from saying anything to the fridgetonight.’

— Azra Momin

Page 38, news@niagara Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004

Journalistic writing a family tradition

When I went to write this column about being the great-granddaughter of Maggie Grant, a former Globe and Mailhumour columnist, I discovered that there was anotherjournalist in my family.

Estelle M. Kerr, my great-grandmother's aunt, drove anambulance during the First World War and her manycolumns from the Canadian Courier describe what lifewas like during the war.

Sitting at my grandparents' house, I gently flip throughEstelle's delicate scrapbook, the thin pages nearly crum-bling in my hands at each turn. I am immediately thrownback in time with each article, each one of Estelle'ssketches, every original photograph, and the official doc-uments. Engulfed by intrigue, I read on.

I begin to feel the emotions that Estelle felt. Her excite-ment at having the chance to go overseas. The anticipationof not knowing when the ship would set sail as it sat in theHalifax harbour. The humour she saw in the little warrhymes the soldiers wrote in her autograph book. Thescrapbook is like any great novel; it pulls you right in.

"A number of my friends gathered to wish me 'bonvoyage,' and when the train whisked me past the lastwaving figure, I found that I had collected a new assort-ment of luggage - flowers, candy, dried fruits, books andmagazines. It was like Christmas morning!" Estelle wrotein one of the earlier articles in the scrapbook about hertwo-day journey to Saint John. Most articles came acrossas cheerful to me, aside from her troubles of obtaining her

passport and the long waitsduring the war as they saton the platform waiting forthe wounded to arrive.

Certain articles did have amore dampened feeling tothem. The mood changesare only slight, though."Damp, dark and dirty is thegoods station. I can think ofother words to describe itbut they all begin with D,and some might be deletedby the editorial censor,"began one article.

All through the hard-ships of war, Estelle stillmanaged to write upliftingarticles, putting a positivespin on a negative situa-tion, such as her "How toenjoy an air-raid" article,where she suggested people should place comfy chairsand other luxuries underground, in case an air-raidshould occur.

The articles that Estelle wrote about the roles ofwomen during the war are very interesting. In the article"They also serve," Estelle wrote about what womenwere doing after the war as well. "Well, the war is over -what are we going to do now? Get 'a swell job' or stay byour own fireside while our men work for us once more?In either case I am sure women who have once workedbehind the firing lines will never forget it, nor regret it."

It's interesting how things play out. I go to my grand-parents' to learn more about my great-grandmother and

leave there knowing more about the First World Warthan any textbook has taught me. Authors of textbookstend to write about the war in a more factual way.Estelle's articles dealt with it on a personal basis.

I've also learned a great deal about a relative that Ihardly knew anything about. Estelle's scrapbook is apriceless treasure. It is certainly a privilege to be able togo through it.

After discovering that I'm the descendant of two greatfemale journalists, suddenly getting into journalismmeans more to me than ever. It was by mere chance thatI got into this program, or perhaps it was fate. Eitherway, I am honoured to follow in their footsteps.

Estelle M. Kerr's journal with an article she wrote and a sketch she drew.Photo by Jenn Somers

I think I'm losing the battle of the bulge.When you're in your late teens to early 20s, you, as a man,

don't think of your figure being fallible. You think the bodyyou honed playing high school sports and summering on thebeach is the body that you'll have for the rest of your life orat least for many years to come.

My friends and I were lying around in the sun the other dayand somehow the topic of our changing metabolisms cameup. One friend mentioned that he was noticing how fromyear to year it took him longer into the summer months tolose his winter weight.

I realized how much more effort I've been putting intomaintaining a reasonable physique for the last several yearsthan I ever did in years past.

At 28 years old I have finally realized I could soon have amiddle-aged man's body.

So, a few years ago I decided to fight back.An hour on the elliptical three days a week, 50 push-ups

and 100 sit-ups every day, free weights two or three times aweek and still I don't look like Brad Pitt.

I think it's all about diet.If I listen to Jared at Subway a six-inch Teriyaki Chicken

is the answer.Perhaps this Atkins fellow knows what he's talking about.

Carbohydrates can turn into fat if not used right away, but sois anything else if too much is eaten.

I'm virtually positive that the diet followed in the filmSupersize Me, which involves eating McDonalds' offeringsevery day for a month, is not a viable option.

Exercise must be the key.I have found myself transfixed lately by the late-night

infomercials for the CrossBow or the TotalGym. I havenoticed they almost never tell you the price; and yet, I haveseriously considered making the call.

How much of my day am I willing to commit to personalfitness?

I would venture a guess that, if I were to average out theamount of time I spend exercising in a normal seven-dayweek, I probably spend 30 minutes a day doing fitness relat-ed tasks and that doesn't include walking to and from school,doing yard work, walking the dog or renovating my home.

And yet, I don't look like Brad Pitt.I try to eat well. Most days I adhere to the five small meals

rule including plenty of vegetables, fruit and a balance ofprotein and carbohydrates. I generally avoid fatty snackfoods and when I do indulge in the sinful delight of pop,chips, or brownies, I up the ante on the elliptical to burn offthe excess calories.

How come I still don't look like Brad Pitt?I think I've figured it out.I'm never going to look like Brad Pitt.I'm am not willing to workout several hours a day. I do not

have a nutritionist or a personal trainer, and, most important-ly, I don't have his body type.

It may be time to accept defeat and tell my girlfriend thatthose washboard abs and that 28-inch waist she's beendreaming of may have to remain a dream. Of course, shedoesn't really care, the world has warped my self-image real-ity after too many infomercials and magazines and moviesand billboards and ... .

Although I may never look like Brad Pitt, I am not willingto let myself go. I will fight the good fight. I will run longerand faster as the years progress. I will do more push-ups andsit-ups if necessary.

I'll even do Pilates.

And yet, I don’t look like Brad Pitt

An electrical storm passed through Grassie (10 kilo-metres from Grimsby) about 2 a.m., on July 12. Inits path of destruction, lightning struck a tree at theend of my driveway causing damage to my comput-er, knocking out the hydro for 12 hours, and left thefamily without hot water. Although no one was hurt,we were frightened at the three crashes that shookthe house and rattled the windows. Next to the treeare two of my children, Kayla, 9, and David, 6, whowere cleaning up after the storm.

Photo by Beverley J. Knight

Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be as balanced, fair and objective aspossible. That rule must also exist for columns written by reporters. In columns, the feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness andobjectivity must never be disregarded or treated lightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of theNiagara College administration or the management of the news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer.

Lightning strikes

By JENN SOMERSStaff Writer

Column

By MATTHEW RUSSOStaff Writer

Column

By TIZA SHANZIStaff Writer

She is a graduate of SenecaCollege, in Toronto, in theComputer Programming Analysisprogram and is a co-op clerk forstudents here.

Shelley Dawson, 50, ofWellandport, Ont., is a co-opclerk at the Job Centre of NiagaraCollege at the Welland campusand has been working there sinceSeptember 2003.

Dawson says she finds her jobfulfilling, which involves work-ing with computer databaseprograms and helping students

and graduates of the college findjobs.

“I enjoy working in the database.I find it intriguing, maybe it’sbecause I am logically minded.”

Dawson first started workingwith computers in the 1970swhen computers were firstintroduced and keypunch cardswere used.

“Dropping a keypunch cardwas a nightmare.They need to behandled with care.”

When Dawson got her diplomain Computer ProgrammingAnalysis, she worked for WoodsGordon, an investment business

company in Toronto, as acomputer programmer and waspromoted to project manager.

“I liked working at WoodsGordon because I worked with

different companies and I got totravel in Canada and the (United)States.”

After working at that firm,

Dawson had four career jobs, oneof which was in Texas, where shelived for three years.

Having had four career jobs,Dawson stopped working for four

years when she became a mother.“I wanted to take care of my

kids and watch them grow untilthey went to school.”

After having two children andseeing them grow, Dawson got apart-time job as co-op clerk atthe Job Centre.

“I enjoy working with stu-dents and the staff is just won-derful. The fact that it’s part-time gives me a chance to getout and interact with people andalso stay at home with my fami-ly.”

Asked if she would stop her jobif she won a million dollars, shesays, “I really don’t know. I enjoythe job and I know what it’s likenot doing anything. I enjoy theresponsibility of the job.”

‘I liked working at Woods Gordon because I worked with different companies

and I got to travel in Canada and the (United) States.’— Shelley Dawson

By STEVE SIMONStaff Writer

Lost at Niagara College? Needto know what is happeningaround the college? Ask at theInfo Centre.

Krista Woodhouse, 29, ofThorold, can help you.

“It is always interesting workingwith the students,” saysWoodhouse.

Woodhouse is a graduate ofNiagara College’s PublicRelations (Post-graduate) programin 2001, and a graduate of BrockUniversity, in St. Catharines, inpolitical science in 2000.

Woodhouse was hired in

August 2001 as a part-timeemployee under contract and washired full time in January 2003.

Woodhouse works in the InfoCentre at the Welland campus andat the one at the Glendale campusin Niagara-on-the-Lake. She isalso a recruiter to get many highschool students to come toNiagara College, along with therecruiting team members, TanisBoak and Randy Conlon.

“We covered over 300 highschools. We try to reach everystudent before February,”Woodhouse says, adding they areon the road for about four months.

“People, including staff mem-

bers, ask us every question, evenwhere is the washroom,” saysWoodhouse.

One job Woodhouse did wasplanning a trip to Ottawa for astudent.

“We planned a trip to Ottawa.It’s not part of my job description,

but we did it,” says Woodhouse.Starting wage for Info Centre

employees is $18.05 an hour for afull-time job.

When Woodhouse applied forthe post at the Info Centre, shehad to do a presentation.

“I had to re-enact a presentationfor high school students. Theinterview was one hour, and itwas quite detailed,” saysWoodhouse.

Woodhouse says the goal is“aim to please.”

“My boss, Al Vaughan, (regis-trar) is very positive and giveslots of opportunities to developmy skills, new ideas. Al loves to

try new things,” Woodhousesays.

The Info Centre is at the col-lege’s main entrance on FirstAvenue in Welland and at themain parking lot entrance atGlendale campus.

“It’s the first place they see,and (they) can call, (or) leave ane-mail about any general ques-tion,” Woodhouse says.

The Info Centre is open week-days from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.year around and for specialevents. To contact the Info Centrefor a tour, or help with any ques-tion, call 905-735-2211, exten-sion 7559 at the Welland campus.

news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 39

By MANISHA JOOTYStaff Writer

Promoting Canadian heritage,morals and values globally andincreasing the skill set of NiagaraCollege graduates is the objectiveof the International Education andDevelopment Division (IEDD) atNiagara College in Welland.

“The IEDD at the college has along history of international expe-rience through publicly and pri-vately funded projects, recruit-ment initiatives and contract train-ing,’’ said International ProjectsSpecialist Lesley Calvin at thecollege.

The IEDD manages a YouthInternational Internship program,called the Young ProfessionalsInternational (YPI), by whichNiagara College graduates get the

opportunity to work abroad on asix-month basis.

“The YPI has been runningsince 1999 and is a once-in-a-life-time work and travel experienceto give young professionals first-time experience,’’ said Calvin.

Calvin says the YPI is a federal-ly funded Youth EmploymentStrategy program aimed at bridg-ing the gap between educationand work.

Past interns have been locatedin countries such as South Africa,Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile,Puerto Rico, Malta, Lithuania,China, Italy and India.

“Some of the sectors our internshave worked in are the ecosystemrestoration, environment manage-ment, women and development,heritage tourism, HIV/AIDS out-

reach and education,’’ Calvin said.Calvin says the YPI runs via the

Department of Foreign Affairsand International Trade theCanadian InternationalDevelopment Agency and theYoung Canada Works.

“ Niagara College facilitates theYPI as it promotes Canadian her-itage, morals and values globally

and also increases our reputationwithin the national network ofcommunity colleges and prospec-tive student bodies,’’ Calvin said.

Three Niagara College gradu-ates will soon be flying for theirrespective placement thisSeptember.

Tracy Welch, from theEcosystem Restoration (Post-graduate) program, and AndrewPowell, from the EnvironmentalManagement and Assessment(Post-graduate) program, aregoing to the Galapagos Islands inEcuador for six months, wherethey will work on environmenteducation and outreach on theisland.

Dustin Jackson, a graduatefrom the Journalism-Print pro-gram who did his post-graduate

studies in the Public Relations pro-gram here, is going to South Africafor the HIV/AIDS outreach work-ers.

“It (YPI) is a national programwhereby the students have a fiveweek pre-departure training at thecollege, where they are taught lan-guage skills, living abroad, expecta-tions once at the placement fieldsand also how to adapt to a differentculture,’’ Calvin said.

But, Calvin adds, this program isnot meant for everyone, eventhough international work seemsglamorous.

“Possibilities are endless, but thestudents should be bold and consid-er the language barrier and desire tolearn and master a new language towork in. You think big, then multi-ply that by two.”

By VALERIE LITTLEStaff Writer

A successful graduate of NiagaraCollege aims to achieve highergoals and, if he had his way, every-one would have free insurance.

Ben Sanderson, 23, of Welland,received his insurance licencethrough the Registered InsuranceBrokers of Ontario (RIBO) pro-gram at Niagara College’s Glendalecampus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

RIBO licenses brokers for auto,habitational and commercial insur-ance. The program runs for 11weeks and costs about $900.Tuition is $450, with $350 forbooks and $120 for the exam.

Sanderson found a job two

weeks after completing the RIBOprogram and has been an insurancebroker for three years.

The first job he had was atYoungs Insurance in Welland as aninsurance broker. He then movedon to TRG Insurance in NiagaraFalls as the commercial lines assis-tant and eventually back to Youngs

Insurance in Welland. He has beenemployed with Youngs Insurance

since December 2002.“I entered this field because it’s a

clean job with a lot of potential todecide your own income becauseit’s all commission. I like customerservice ... I like people ... talking topeople and meeting new people. Ilike the field because you neverstop learning in it.”

“I think insurance is too expen-sive, but it’s nice to have if you

need it. It’s always best to shoparound because different compa-nies have different rates for differ-ent people.”

“A brokerage is better than goingdirectly to a company because abrokerage has many different com-panies instead of just one.Companies are getting very tight ontheir rules, making it a hard market.

“I’d like to see the rules loosenup on what a company will acceptto make it easier for people to getinsurance.”

His previous jobs include bar-tending, boilermaker, roofing anddrywall.

When he is not selling insurance,Sanderson likes to play the drums,

ride dirt bikes and watch footballon Sunday. He is in a fantasyfootball league with his friends.He was a flight sergeant in aircadets when he was younger andreceived his glider pilot’s licence.

His girlfriend’s name is Kellyand he hopes to marry her withinthe next three years, he says. Hehas no children, but says he “willhave some eventually.”

In five years, he says he wouldlike to be married, own a Ferrariand a house and be a wealthyentrepreneur by investing in realestate.

“To make the world a betterplace, I’d give everyone freeinsurance.”

Promoting Canadian heritage at Niagara

Insurance broker enjoys ‘meeting new people’

‘People, including staff askus every question,

even where is the washroom.’

— Krista Woodhouse

‘I entered this field because it’s a clean job with a lot of potential to decide your own income

because it’s all commission.’— Ben Sanderson

Information Centre helps students, teachers

Co-op clerk finds her college job ‘intriguing’

‘The YPI has been running since 1999 and is a once-in-a-lifetime work and travel experience to give young professionals

first-time experience.’— Lesley Calvin

Canadian musician Neil Young once wrote a songcalled Hey Hey My My in which one of the lines reads,“Rock ’n’ Roll will never die.”

However, that statement is now in jeopardy.As time goes by and every painful episode of American

Idol rings in millions of viewers across America, rock ’n’roll, as we know it, seems to be struggling for air. The hitprogram airing on the Fox TV network allows peoplebetween the ages of 16 and 24 to showcase their singingability or lack thereof.

The days when we would hear memorable guitar riffsand catchy beats we wanted to imitate has turned into abusiness in which image and company-structured songsare the focal point of music.

What’s the reason for this shift? Why are artists con-forming to recording labels’ demands?

I blame America.To be a popular act worldwide you must crack that bar-

rier south of the border. Look at The Beatles, who,although big in Europe, didn’t make their mark in historyuntil they came to America and introduced the BritishInvasion.

Bands such as The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin andAC/DC followed The Beatles. They made noise bypossessing immense talent and songwriting ability aswell as being quite innovative. Their music was notmanufactured, and what they recorded was usually whatthe public heard.

Compared with what we hear today, it is like comparingapples to oranges. Rock ’n’ roll is suffering. Althoughthere are several good bands with great ability, they arefew and far between.

The reason for this?It seems America is fixated on visually stimulating

performances – half-naked gyrating bodies, vulgar andobscene lyrics, and pyro technics that will blow yourears off.

Artists such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera andJennifer Lopez dominate the music scene.

We see images of these scantily clad women and heartheir music, based on their sexuality and image. Recordcompanies manufacture most of their albums. For fans,hearing artists’ work on CD and seeing them live inconcert are as different as night and day.

The ever-popular American Idol hasn’t helped rock ’n’roll. Rarely do we see any contestants perform anythingbut pop music. The way the American Idol audiencevotes, (by telephone) really backs up the point that musicnow is nothing more than a way to sell yourself and tomake money., The desire just doesn’t seem to be thereanymore.

The audience votes with their eyes on the physicalassets. Who looks good enough to be the American Idol?In reality, music should be about sounding good, givingyour best and working your way to the top.

Although America’s general taste in music has changedsince the ‘60s and ‘70s, the same can’t be said for theUnited Kingdom.

Many American bands finding it difficult to make aname for themselves at home have gone overseas to fur-ther their careers and to discover a different perspective inmusical preference.

The media and public in the U.K. are talking about

bands such as The Strokes, The White Stripes, BlackRebel Motorcycle Club and The Kings of Leon, whocould only fill small arenas in America, as if they weretheir own.

Fabulous new bands from the U.K., such as The Standsand Franz Ferdinand, have yet to make a splash inAmerica but are in constant demand in their homeland.

These artists can’t compete with the Spears’ becausethey don’t conform to what America wants. They haveshaggy hair, sound very “old style” and aren’t necessarilythe best-looking guys, which, of course, seems to be anecessity in the U.S.

So the question is, does the music really matter?If Spears weren’t a blonde bombshell, would she be

selling the numbers of albums she is? If Aguilera didn’thave a music video called Dirrty, would she be as talkedabout as she is? And if Eminem wouldn’t swear everyother word, would he be as popular as he is?

The answer to those three questions depends on per-sonal opinions and taste in music, but my answer wouldbe a big NO!

It bothers me to see great bands whose work never seesthe light of day. They are pushed aside because thedemands on artists by the American public are too muchlike Hollywood rather than music.

I can only hope for change, change that will bring backrock n’ roll and change that can bring credibility and pas-sion back to a dying genre.

With artists such as Coldplay, Jet and The Darknessmaking a small dent in the American music industry, thereis hope. Slowly but surely, maybe rock ’n’ roll will beback, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Neil Young’s prophecy that “Rock ’n’ roll will neverdie,” may remain true, that is if William Hung, ofAmerican Idol fame, can stay out of the picture.

By RAY SPITERIStaff Writer

Music Column

Page 40, news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004

Rock ’n’ roll can’t compete with sex

Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 deserving of praise

No single event can seems to upset the political rightwing like the release of a Michael Moore film. Therelease of Fahrenheit 9/11 is no exception. Fahrenheit9/11 solidifies Moore as leftist rabble-rouser with thefortitude and vision of president-toppling newsreporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein,consumer activist Ralph Nader and opinion leaderOprah Winfrey rolled into one.

Fahrenheit 9/11 is a scathing critique of thedecisions and methods of United States PresidentGeorge W. Bush. Moore utilizes clever editingtechniques of political file footage along with a well-

thought-out and often-comical score to heighten theintensity of his message. Moore’s narration is wellwritten and satirical.

The film opens with Moore reawakening allegationsthat Bush stole the 2000 presidential election, settingthe stage for an hour and a half’s dismantling ofAmerica’s “war on terrorism.”

Even the opening credits have symbolic signifi-cance as Moore displays rare footage of the presidentpracticing facial and hand gestures as an aide fixes hairwith a comb, before his Sept. 11 address to the nation.

The film builds with embarrassing footage of Bushvacationing at his ranch in Texas in the months beforeSept. 11. At one point Moore shows Bush fumblingover questions from a reporter about his large amountof vacation time in the early months of his presidency.Moore continues to build this image of a dull and sim-plistic statesman with more interest in duck hunting inTexas than leading his nation.

To this point, the film appears to be morelight-hearted satire, but the tone changes gradually asthe film continues. Moore paints a portrait of a money-hungry corporate puppet president who answers onlyto Saudi oil companies and weapons investors in avery aggressive and persuasive manner.

The most powerful elements of this film are in thevisuals and sound effects. Moore never once shows thedestruction of the World Trade Center. Rather it is rep-resented by a black screen with only the sounds ofpanicking citizens and the explosions of the jetliners.

Fahrenheit 9/11 is poised to be the most influen-tial documentary in memory. The allegations madeare very serious and are certainly open to criticism.Moore has been panned by many critics for hisfactual errors and the overuse of editing, but thisdoes not dull the significance of his message.Fahrenheit 9/11, all issues aside, is a masterfullycrafted effort and well deserving of praise.

Slapstick Anchorman provides plenty of laughs

If I can read it, it must be news.In the hilarious new comedy movie Anchorman:

The Legend of Ron Burgundy, this is the approachthat Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) takes as headanchorman of San Diego’s Channel Six news team.

Anchorman is a silly comedy about the changingface of the American newsroom in the 1970s.

Burgundy is described by the narrator as “a manwith a voice that could make a wolverine purr, andsuits that make Frank Sinatra look like a hobo.”

The rest of the news team is all male, and allidiots, with egos as big as their hair.

Champ Kind (David Koechner) is a blubberingsportscaster, Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) is the good-looking lady’s man and Brick Tamland (SteveCarell) is the weird weatherman.

The best of the bunch is their boss (Fred Willard),which is saying something.

He is a favourite in the newsroom until he putsBurgundy’s job in danger by hiring the station’s firstfemale reporter Veronica Corningstone (ChristinaApplegate).

Corningstone takes her job very seriously anddreams of being head anchor, and after Burgundymakes a big mistake, she gets her chance.

The movie is a series of random skits rather thanthe customary cohesive film. The laughs are non-

stop, especially if you are a Ferrell fan, as he is oneof the only men who can make the line, “Hey,everybody, come see how good I look” funny, andwho has always been a genius at not getting it.

Other hilarious actors in this film are the head ofthe rival television station, Channel Nine’s VinceVaughn, (Dodgeball, Swingers), pipe-smoking pub-lic television host Tim Robbins (ShawshankRedemption, Mystic River) and his posse as well asnewcomers from the Spanish-language station,fronted by Ben Stiller (Zoolander, Dodgeball).These gangs of the newsroom face off in a brawlyou don’t want to miss.

If you want a good laugh and you want to giveyour brain a rest, go see Anchorman and asBurgundy says, “You stay classy, San Diego.”

By DAN KERNAHANStaff Writer

Movie Review

By ERIN MACGILLIVRAYStaff Writer

Movie Review

news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 41

Baker’s history of life starts from musicBy ROBBIE-LYN FAWCETT

Staff WriterAn idol to some, Casey Baker,

18, of St. Catharines, says he isliving out one of his dreams as asinger in a popular EasternOntario band.

The Sleeper Set Sail singer/gui-tarist works at Staples BusinessDepot, in St. Catharines, as a cus-tomer service representative inthe furniture department.

Baker says he loves his jobbecause he works among friendsand has friendly employers. Healso enjoys his job because heloves to spread knowledge of asubject with people who need thehelp.

He says he has wanted toexpress himself and play musicsince he was born.

“I would like to be writingmusic for as long as possible. Iwould like to record a few great

albums, and when all is said anddone, I would like to teach highschool English.”

Baker says the band’s greatestachievements and experienceshave been playing at such placesas SCENE Festival 2004,Canadian Music Week and Overthe Top Festival, and the releaseof its EP Escapism. The EP hassold close to 1,000 copies.

Baker says it is “OK for a bandthat’s completely broke and haszero financial support.”

The band is not signed to a label,but is in negotiations with five dif-ferent labels.

Baker says not being signed to alabel is fine with him because theyare “very popular” and growingquickly on their own.

He says they are a rock bandwith elements of jazz and metal.“The main goal of the band is toestablish a mood or an atmosphere.”

Sleeper Set Sail has playedshows with several popular bandssuch as Moneen, Alexisonfire,Jude the Obscure, andOnelinedrawing. Sleeper Set Sailis honoured by that privilege, saysBaker.

He says his drive in life is tomotivate and influence the lives ofthe people around him. “Theproven fact that I have been able toreach people ... there’s beenmoments in my life when peoplehave told me that a creation ofmine has touched them (essays, songs.) The pursuit ofevoking emotion in other peoplethat is what makes me continue. Ifeel like there are so many peoplewho are down, depressed, whatev-er, but I, for some reason, havefound a way to channel that feel-ing into a physical piece of work.”

Baker says his desire to becomea teacher comes from his interestin literature and his drive to touch

lives like his role model, RalphSaravalle, who was Baker’s highschool religion teacher, who diedlast year of cancer.

“He (Saravalle) is the most love-filled and wise man that could everhave lived. He had a profoundunderstanding of life and people:he is the man everyone is aimingto become. Everyone respectedand enjoyed him.”

His relationship with Saravalleis the “best thing” that could havehappened, says Baker.

He has finished high school, andsays he plans to attend university –then teacher’s college once he isfinished playing with the band.

He says his main goal in life isto inspire people with his music.

Baker says he grew up listeningto the Police and Pink Floyd, andthat Sting is a huge vocal influenceupon him.

“In terms of musical influence, Iam heavily respectful of Elliot,

Raising the Fawn, Glass Jaw,Mogwai and Arab Strap.”

Baker says his main musicalinfluence comes from DallasGreen, singer/song writer ofAlexisonfire. Baker says he metGreen through his older sister.

“We immediately got along anddecided that we should get together and jam on some ideas.Dallas pretty much taught me howto write songs. It was him whomade me want to be in a band. Itwas him who told me again andagain that I could create.”

Baker’s relationship with Greencontinues to be strong.

Baker says his own best qualities are that he is honest andsincere. If he had a million dollarshe would buy a van and all newequipment for his band, and payoff his mother’s debts.

To learn more about Baker andSleeper Set Sail visit their website http://www.sleepersetsail.com

‘Moz’ returns with new CD, pulls no punches

30 years acting on stage, Knight says, ‘I never stop’By JULIE JANG

Staff WriterAfter 30 years performing on

stage, Patrica Irene Knight, 59, ofWelland, says she never stops.

Knight says she started a careerin drama by studying at theLondon Guild Hall of Music andDrama. She took more drama andelocution lessons, attended week-end workshops and worked withmany theatre groups over theyears.

Knight’s talent came from herchildhood with her parents’ strongsupport. She went to elocutionlessons and started learning balletat the age of four.

She was born on Rhodesia Roadin Liverpool, Lancashire, in theUnited Kingdom. She is theyounger of two children and her

father owned a grocery store. Shesays her family was quite well-off.

Knight says her family decidedto leave England because of highincome taxes. At that time, manyBritish and Irish people moved toCanada or New Zealand. This“mass exodus” by air “Brits” inthe 1950s became known as the“Bridge Flight,” says Knights.

Her family planned to go toNew Zealand after stopping inCanada. However, they ended upin British Columbia where theymade their permanent house. Theylived in Vancouver for a year andthen moved to Alert Bay. Herfather got a job managing a supply store on aNative reservation in Alert Bay.

She went to Cormorant High

School in Alert Bay, and thenentered the University of Victoria.

She was interested in a hairdressing course and teachingand music. She decided to take ahairdressing course despite herparents’ opposition. She did notcomplete the course, says Knight.

Later, during summers andevenings, she worked for the provincial Department ofEducation.

Her university education camethrough the British Columbia gov-ernment. Meanwhile, she took anight course to earn a degree at theUniversity of Victoria. She went tosummer school and took French,music and drama. After gradua-tion, she became a teacher’s aideuntil 1980.

A regional theatre on Vancouver

Island cast her in the play See HowThey Run. She met her husbandwhile doing that until the coupleopened their own theatre company,Theatre Now.

She says she earned $48,000 ayear as a director and teacher ofthat theatre from 1990 to 1996. Bycomparison, when she was actingwith the Young People’s TheatreCompany of Welland with region-al theatre, she earned $15,000 ayear, added Knight.

She did some film work. Shesays acting in film (1995 to 1998)was “quite lucrative” inVancouver.

Adding to her repertoire, shedirected live theatre for 10 years.She learned how from her hus-band, an art and law teacher, andalso an actor and a director.

She says she remembers direct-ing the play Ann of Gables inWelland in 1993. It played for 10nights with audiences of 1,200each night.

These days, she has been stayingat home, doing creative home pro-jects. She says she loves cooking,d e c o r a t i n g ,photography, CD photo editingand transferring, and creating withcrafts.

She is a Gemini in the astrological signs, thus explainingher love of exploring differentavenues.

“Playing on stage was the bestpart of my life. I love to touch peo-ple’s emotions and make them cryand laugh.”

“I never stop,” says Knight,grinning ear to ear.

By RAY SPITERIStaff Writer

The bitter, miserable,romantic and controversial for-mer lead singer of the popular ‘80s group The Smithsis back with You are theQuarry, his first album inseven years.

Morrissey, better known tohis fans as ‘Moz’, is back and,as usual, doesn’t pull anypunches.

He attacks American policies, condemns the Englishfor the continuous problems inthe United Kingdom andexpresses his strange yet interesting emotional desires.

In his first single, Irish Blood,English Heart, the Manchester-born musiciandelivers his witty and heartfeltstatements regarding the longand hostile problems betweenthe English and Irish.

“I’ve been dreaming of a timewhen, to be English is not to bebaneful, to be standing by theflag feeling shameful, racist orpartial.”

“I’ve been dreaming of a timewhen the English are sick to

death of Labour and Tories andspit upon the name OliverCromwell.”

America is Not the World isMorrissey at his best. You can sensehis swagger and upfront attitudeheard in his punch-to-the-gut lyrics.

“The president is never black,female or gay, and until that day,you’ve got nothing to say to me.”

“Don’t you wonder, why inEstonia, they say, ‘Hey you,you big fat pig?’”

Lyrics and expressions suchas these have landed Morrisseyin more than just hot water, asmany American fans threaten todiscard all of the memorabiliathey have of him.

It’s unfortunate the media andpublic have looked at Morrissey’smusic this way because they areseeing the wrong picture.Morrissey is just expressing hisbeliefs through his song writing.He is unique, rousing and quitehumorous. It is that style that hasseparated him from many of themusicians out there.

The Morrissey fans will quicklybe reminded of his repetitive use ofthe world “I” in his lyrics. It is thisword that shows his self-awareness

and zeal.We also get to hear his romantic

ballads, which gracefully appearon the 12-track album.

Let Me Kiss You bringsSmiths and Morrissey fansback to the old days with lyricssuch as “Let me kiss you,”“Would you let me cry?” and“I’ve heard that you’ll

try anything twice.” Theyshow Morrissey’s romanticdesires along with his constantfrustrations in love.

Every song on the album hasthat one line that will stick in yourhead for days (yes, you knowwhat I mean), the one that playsover and over in your mind thatyou just can’t get rid of.

That is a reflection ofMorrissey’s music; it grabsyou by the arm and takes youinto his world of contradiction,hypocrisy, romance, hate, loveand cultural differences.

There is a good mix of songsthat will be sure to please bothSmiths’ and Morrissey’s fans.First we can hear the romantic,irresistible and jealous sideMorrissey had with the Smiths,and then we can sense his frus-tration with politics and racialmatters that we all know heexpresses as a solo artist.

It seems he enjoys making statements and, whether we agreewith them or not, it always seems tomake music headlines.

Before listening to You are theQuarry, just remember this:don’t expect to hear the hard-hit-ting, gut-wrenching music oftoday’s hard rock. Rather, prepareyourself for the intriguigingcharm that seems to flow effort-lessly with his music.

Now go and take a listen. Yousurely won’t be disappointed. I thinkit’s time for me to press stop on myCD player; Morrissey has been on itfor the last week or so.

Morrissey, You are the Quarry CD cover.Photo by Greg Gorman

Page 42, news@niagara, Summer Section, Sept. 24, 2004

Write about interior design, they said. Well, I could go onand on about form and functionality, harmony and balance,colour and texture, but how does this apply to people, espe-cially to students on a miniscule budget? Does design affectthem? What is design, anyway?

When I told people I worked as a designer, they usuallysaid, “Oh, you’re one of those decorators.”

Yes, I do decorate, but decoration is always the icing onthe cake. You have to get the cake right first.

So then, what is design? Design is something that addsconvenience to your living. It helps better organize yourspace and with that comes ease and accessibility. All design-ers leave a special mark on their work, but the intention isalways to complement lifestyle, not to blot it out. Once youhave your design in place, you can work on the accessories.Decoration is a good complement to design, but not itsreplacement.

How do you achieve good design? You can start by eval-uating what activities you like to do in specific areas. Makea checklist of your furniture: what will stay, what will goand what will be added? Draw up a simple floor plan. Markthe doors and windows and which way they open. Measure

the furniture you’re keeping and, if possible, the furniturethat will be added. Draw the length and breadth of eachpiece and cut out the shapes. Make sure you use the samescale for everything, including the floor plan, and keep theunit of measurement consistent. Now you can work with thefurniture shapes and play around with their arrangement onthe floor plan.

All of us have very different needs, so you will have toprioritize yours. Designing can be a lot of fun, and changingyour environment is good for freshness. Don’t change forthe sake of change, though. Common sense is usually best.

Experiment with colour. It is the generally the most inex-pensive way to reinvent your space. You don’t have to takebig risks. Discover what you like by just looking at what’saround you. Use nature, photographs, maybe even yourfavourite clothes for inspiration.

Look at your light sources. Are they working for you?Lighting, apart from being a very important functional com-ponent, can also add a lot of drama to the room.

What did I do in my apartment? First of all, there’s noclutter. I like clean lines. I do have a cute wrought iron bedwith a scroll design, but everything else is minimalist. Therewere no blinds when I moved in, and after buying those Icouldn’t buy curtains as well. I also had some ugly fixtureson every window, so I knotted two ends of flat bed sheetsand looped these over the fixtures. Then I gathered the restof the sheet and secured it in the middle with bracelets. I didthis on the windows of the living room as well as both bed-rooms. Visitors never guess they are not real curtains until I

tell them. The living room also has sliding doors to the bal-cony, which I covered with inexpensive draperies from Wal-Mart.

My second bedroom is somewhat of a studio, with mycomputer and all my art stuff. I left a lot of empty spacethere because when I paint I am usually all over the floorand rarely at my easel.

Colour scheme? I get tons of light and I wanted to accen-tuate this, so the entire house, including the washroom, iswhite with turquoise accents. For warmth I have mutedbrowns and reds in rugs, table linen and artwork. I have lit-tle furniture (which means I have everything I need, but nomore) so it was easy to arrange everything. With fairy lightsused as a valance, a neo-Japanese handmade paper lamp thatI put together after a friend’s baby knocked over the origi-nal and broke the glass, an improvised objet d’art madefrom a strip of twisted steel, a sculpted black faux leatherchair that was gifted to me, and a mirror I refinished with adistressed white and faded-blue look, my apartment usuallyhits the wow mark with visitors.

I make small changes occasionally, but because my basicarrangement is most logical for my needs I don’t do any-thing drastic. I can still make a dramatic change withoutreally shelling it out by just changing the accent colours.

For me, less is more.For you, a lot may not be enough.There are several different aspects of design, but whatev-

er you do, make sure you first get the cake right.You can always go crazy with the icing.

By AZRA MOMINStaff Writer

Column

In the springtime of 2003, the United States invaded Iraq,provoking much controversy.

At first, the media told viewers that the United States’coalition forces were searching for weapons of massdestruction (WMD).

Of course, this isn’t true.Instead the United States’ coalition stampeded towards

Baghdad, Iraq’s capital city. We saw Iraq fall and the capture

of president Saddam Hussein.Finally the war was over, with few coalition casualties ...

so far.As the past year went on, coalition soldiers, mostly

Americans, were suffering casualties, much more than inthe Gulf War. U.S. President George W. Bush has saidforces will be in Iraq and not leave until it’s safe.

Again, casualties rise, especially the tasteless beheadingsby insurgents.

Once again, Bush decided to stay in Iraq.Now the media is pushing the buttons on Bush, on why

these events happen.People are coming full circle and realizing countries such

as Iran and North Korea are becoming a major politicalthreat in today’s society.

Iraq was never a threat to the American people, yet Iran

and North Korea were developing their own WMDs. NorthKorea has the technology for nuclear weapons and Iran isdeveloping nuclear technology.

With Iraq in the media limelight from day one, we com-pletely ignored the rest of the world. We fixated on Iraqbecause that’s what we talked about. We saw it on televi-sion, in newspapers, and we discussed these issues in class.

Iraq was on our minds 24 hours a day, seven days a week.With Iraq becoming unstable, the United States is focus-

ing on Iran, two years too late.If Bush can get the same attention for that as Iraq did, the

media will hop all over the story, good or bad.To quote a song from heavy metal band Megadeth, “Peace

sells, but who’s buying?”Answer: We bought everything in Iraq, and we are going

to buy everything we see later on. Scary, isn’t it?

By STEVE SIMONStaff Writer

Column

U.S. focusing on Iran two years too late

You are from Africa? Why, I am surprised you speak suchgood English.

Welcome to a day in the life of an African living inCanada. Over the six months I have been in the country, alot of these and many other shockingly ignorant and con-fusing questions have led me to ask myself why Africa is sogrossly misrepresented in Canada.

Dismayed by these and many other incidents, I set out on

a quest to unravel this misunderstanding and get to the bot-tom of this information. Surely we cannot blame the massmedia machine? Or can we?

When I ask some Canadians what things spring to mindwhen they hear the name Africa, the three famous answers I

get are lions and elephants, grass houses and fly-infested,snotty nosed malnourished babies.

I have found myself whipping out my photo album toshow them our beautiful lush homes, our ever-greenjacaranda trees and the majestic Victoria Falls.

How infuriating it is that people in Africa strive to emu-

late the western culture and idolize western celebrities, yetthey in turn do not look past a biased news report or docu-ment.

No, Africa is not a country. Yes, we do have cars andshopping malls. Most people do not live in grass housesand, no, lions and elephants are too dangerous to keep in ourbackyards. We have what we call game parks where peoplego on safari.

I promise you, if you do finally set foot in Africa, you willfall head over heels in love with its beauty, hospitality andsplendour.

Some day, the world may come to view Africa andAfricans as the multi-dimensional and majestic people thatthey are.

I was born in Zambia 20 years ago.

By TIZA SHANZIStaff Writer

Column

Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be as balanced, fair and objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns written by reporters. In columns, the

feelings and opinions of reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treatedlightly. Our columns, which are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara Collegeadministration or the management of the news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer.

The Niagara Culinary Institute atNiagara College’s Glendale campusin Niagara-on-the-Lake has beenselected to cater the closing dinner forthe Premiers’ Conference on July 30.

Staff and students of the Niagara

Culinary Institute, along with someof Niagara region’s top chefs, willprepare dinner for the 370 guestsattending the event, which takesplace at Fort George.

The guest list is expected to

include all provincial premiers andtheir delegations.

Under the direction of J. MarkHand, the culinary school’s corporatechef, a menu has been developed forthe event that will feature the best of

Ontario and Niagara cuisine, and willinclude ingredients supplied by localfood producers.

“We are honoured and pleased tohave this excellent opportunity topromote Niagara cuisine and the

region’s burgeoning culinary tourismindustry,” said Hand. “We look for-ward to showcasing the wonderfulfood products of Niagara and Ontarioand the skills of our students andindustry partners.”

Interior design can be inexpensive

Welcome to African student living in Canada

Culinary Institute students preparing dinner for premiers

I was born in Zambia 20 years ago.— Tiza Shanzi

?

By ALICIA ANN JANSENStaff Writer

Niagara College is nowboasting in its course offeringsabout the chance for students towork in a circular dining room.

The college opened its NiagaraCulinary Institute wing on April16, a large building with high-tech classrooms and severalcooking labs. Built into thedesign was a large dining room.Student staff members work inthe facility as part of their classes,as waiters, hosts and kitchen staff.

Lindsay Henderson, of Fonthill,is one of the restaurant’s managers.She says the dining room gets anaverage of 50 people a daycoming in for lunch or dinner.“This is the first year we haveever been open for the summer,so for the first year open I thinkwe did very well,” she says.

She came to the college afterworking for a fine diningrestaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake,saying she finds the environmenthere to be more “relaxed.”

The dining room seats 72people, and the rounded structurehas a bank of windows that over-looks the college vineyards aswell as the Niagara Escarpment.

Sarah Crans, 23, of Grimsby,works for the college on days thatstudents are in classes, havinggraduated last April from NiagaraCollege.

She stayed on to work for thecollege, she says, because “it’s afabulous experience to be part ofopening up a new restaurant.”She says she likes how her job is

different every day, and there issomething new to do.

Another 2004 graduate workingfor the diner, Shelly Waite, 22,of St. Thomas, says, “The otherstudents that I work with, and thedifferent things that we do, allthe different functions, likegetting to serve (OntarioPremier) Dalton McGuinty and(President) Dan Patterson, theboard of governers – there’s allsorts of different things.”

The facilities are listed on theirwebsite (http://eatsmart.web.ca/).Personnel from the RegionNiagara health departmentinspect and compile a list ofapproved restaurants based on thenutritional value of food provided,sanitation and safety rules, and thatthe restaurants are non-smoking.Henderson says, “I think it’sfantastic because there are notmany healthy restaurants in theNiagara Region.”

The menu for September isfilled with many interestingdishes from pan-fried salmonfilets to grilled pork chops, eachsporting a unique side dish. Thereare also several appetizersavailable, such as “WhateverWyndym Grown Green Salad.”

Prices range from six-dollarappetizers, to $22 for an entrée. Athree-course meal option costs$38 with a wine to match themeal, not including taxes ortipping.

For reservations call 905-641-2252, ext. 4619, or visithttp://www.niagarac.com to findthe restaurant’s online menu.

news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004, Page 43

By ASHLEY CAMPBELLStaff Writer

Whether you are a connoisseur of fine wine or justlooking for a new experience, the award-winningNiagara College Teaching (NCT) Winery is a just ashort drive away.

Located at the Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the NCT Winery is Canada’s only teachingwinery, with an on-campus wine retail store and theJake Forrer Vineyard, a six-acre teaching andresearch vineyard.

The winery not only offers hands-on experienceto the Winery and Viticulture Technician programstudents, but it also offers an experience to the collegeand to the community.

Jordan Harris, 24, of St. Catharines, has been a staffmember at the NCT Winery retail store for two years.Harris says the NCT Winery is an important part ofthe college and the community. “We’re the only onein Canada that’s able to teach hands-on for its ownactual winery.”

Harris is a graduate of the Winery and ViticultureTechnician program and represented Canada at the

international wine-tasting competition in France thispast May.

Jim Warren, professor winemaker and founder ofStoney Ridge Wines in Vineland, with the assistanceof students of the Winery and Viticulture Technicianprogram, produces all wines at the NCT Winery.

Harris says the winery is an asset to the Niagarawine industry.

“The wineries love having us around becausewe’re able to promote them and train people in allaspects of winemaking, sales, marketing as well asviticulture.”

The retail store offers a variety of wines for alltastes, as well as related merchandise. Prices of winerange from $10.95 to $34.95.

The winery and retail store hours are Monday toSaturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5p.m.

Tours are available year round, on request.To contact the winery or to book a tour, call 905-

641-2252 ext. 4070. You can also visit the winery’s website online at

http://www.nctwinery.ca.

Award-winning winery asset to Niagara

Jordan Harris, staff member at the NCT Winery retail store, showsoff one of the many bottles of wine for sale.

Photo by Ashley Campbell

By JESSICA KONKLEStaff Writer

Niagara College’s Glendalecampus offers an EnvironmentalTechnician – Field andLaboratory, two-year diploma pro-gram. The program was firstoffered in 1998 and since then hasbeen successful in many aspects.Each year, 100 to 150 studentsapply to the program, but only 30to 40 are accepted, depending ontheir qualifications.

Great effort is made to keep theteaching and curriculum as realitybased as possible, emphasizingprojects that reflect the types ofactivities students will perform intheir future jobs and in field andlaboratory exercises.

Jon Ogryzlo, dean of theEnvironment, Horticulture andAgribusiness division, says,“The Environmental Technicianprogram takes great pride in thefact that it is a hands-on appliedprogram.”

Martin Smith, co-ordinator forthe field and laboratory program,says, “Students are able to enjoya strong connection between thelaboratory, classroom, working out-doors and employment scenarios.These combined skills enablestudents to work in varyingaspects of the EnvironmentalTechnician program.”

Students become involved in anumber of projects. Ogryzlo says,

“They work with communitygroups like the Niagara PeninsulaConservation Authority, wherethey are involved in environmentalmonitoring, working with author-ities on sampling exercises andtree identification.”

Smith, says, “Students focus oncompleting on-campus environ-mental/ecological initiativesdesigned to improve the college’sstewardship efforts.”

Ogryzlo says, “Students get alot of practical field experience, inparticular at the Glendale campusbecause it has 18 acres of formersewage lagoon that students areusing in projects.”

Students monitor the health ofthe wetlands and are helping tomake it into a conservation areaon the campus.

Stacey Havran, a divisionalsecretary, has worked in thedepartment for three years. Shesays, “There are not too manystudents who get direct hands-onjob experience as our studentsdo.”

Basic to the program are a varietyof classes such as mathematics,English, environmental chemistryand biology, soil science and acareer planning and developmentcourse.

The Environmental Technicianprogram provides a uniqueopportunity for students whowant to pursue a career in water

quality, environmental pollutioncontrol, environmental monitoringand environmental technology.These are just to name a few.

Smith says,“Many students areexposed to potential employersduring their academic terms, butespecially during their co-opplacements between first andsecond year. Our academicallystrongest students easily findplacements in the region.

“Recently we are enjoying abit of a boom because of theWest Nile virus, since ourstudents are well trained for theintense sampling requirementsof the monitoring programs.”

Students graduate the programwith a better understanding of theenvironment. Over the past yearsCanada’s environmental sectorgrew at an average annual rate of10.6 per cent. The high growthrate and strong interest in newexport markets indicate long-termjob prospects for skilled workersin environmental fields. Canada’senvironment industry is rankedseventh in the world.

The view at Glendale campusoverlooking the grape vines,escarpment and lagoons is beautiful.

If you are interested in learningabout the environment and wouldlike to know more about theprogram and its students, contactJessica Konkle atjkonkle2002@yahoo.com.

Glendale perfect for techs

Style meets novelty

Quick Study Guide helps studentsBy MELISSA HUNT

Staff WriterSo you made it to college and

are wondering what you gotyourself into?

Don’t worry. It’s a classic caseof new-school jitters, a fixabledisease.

The Quick Study Guide(available at your local bookstore)is a pamphlet written by leadingeducators that Bar Charts, Inc.,puts together to help students withdifferent subjects. In the Guide forKeys to College Success it saysthere are five phases of collegeadjustment. One is a fascinationwith the new environment. Two issevere homesickness. Three isfinding fault with the newsurroundings. Four is findinghumour in the adjustment and five

is embracing the new culture,seeing it as your normal environ-ment. Don’t stress out.

After high school, most studentshave big expectations aboutcollege.

Telisha Lee, 20, of Brampton,Ont., is a second-year student inthe Social Service Workerprogram. She says there isn’tmuch difference between highschool and college. “We’re giventhis image that college is so toughand are really pressured allthroughout high school.”

Lee says college hasn’t lived upto the images.

Learning to adapt is only thebeginning. More important isobtaining good grades and overallsuccess. How To Get Good Gradesat a College or University by

Linda O’Brien is book to learn thebasics. In her book, O’Brien saysthings students should understandthe need for critical thinking skillsand personal responsibility, theconsequences for low grades,varying class sizes and moreemphasis on tests and independentstudy. In the book’s introduction,she says that the college anduniversity students who are themost successful are self-disciplined and work hard.

Lee agrees saying although itsounds clichéd, “time manage-ment, organization and notprocrastinating” is the best adviceshe could give to new students.

Lee says the one thing shewishes she could change about herfirst year is putting more time intoassignments and studying more.

By CODY PARKERStaff Writer

It has been a classroom tool forthe past year and a half, but thestudents in the Motive Powersbuilding have been racing theirstreet stock car at MerrittvilleSpeedway on Saturday nights allsummer.

The 1983 Oldsmobile CutlassSupreme is the college’s streetstock car and it is in its second sea-son of racing. Niagara College,Niagara Paintball and DavidChevrolet Oldsmobile sponsor thecar.

The street stock car was lastraced on Saturday night atMerrittville Speedway in Welland.The car placed 18 overall but managed to get all the way up to eighth place. The engine started tooverheat and the car started to losepower so it dropped back down tofinish the race in 18th place.

John Johnson, 45, professor ofMotive Power Apprenticeship andSkills Training, is the person whousually drives the car on Saturdaynights, although on some nights

there are other drivers who comein to drive the street stock car.

Johnson says that they startedthe car in the spring of last yearand that this is the first full seasonthey have raced the car. He saysthat they usually place in the Top10 and that they have fans thatcome out and cheer for them onSaturday nights.

Justin Tillstra, 20, one of the students who usually work on thecar, says that the car normally finishes in the Top 10 unless thereare problems on the track or withthe car.

They have had some small prob-lems, such as the engine overheat-ing and tire problems. They alsohave had bigger problems such aswhen they rolled the car once,damaged the rear differentialsthree or four times, and also havehad to put two engines in the car.

Every program in the MotivePowers building has students whowork on the street stock car, andthere are past graduates that havecome to work on the car at thetrack too.

Page 44, news@niagara, Sept. 24, 2004

Street stock car races at speedway

The Skills Centre for Motive Powers Training Building’s street stock car placed 18th in night actionSept. 11 at Merrittville Speedway in St. Catharines.

Photo by Cody Parker