Rwanda Set My Heart on Fire

Rwanda Set My Heart on Fire

How mild air pollution awoke the advocate within me

 
By Kate H.

Rwanda, often called ‘The Land of a Thousand Hills’ is the destination for the 2011-2012 World Vision Youth Ambassadors| Henry Vanderspeck

When my flight landed in Rwanda it was the dead of night and the air smelled like burning rubber.                                            
 When my concern over the safety of our plane had subsided, a different thought occurred to me.  I thought about all the people who had told me that Africa would get into your blood, under your skin.  How the passion of this vast continent would hold your heart forever.  Well maybe that’s what a country filled with passion smells like.  Like it’s people are burning up inside.

The chance to travel to Rwanda came to me not so much by chance.  Month’s prior to this, after hearing about it through a presentation from a local World Vision Representative, I had applied to World Vision’s Youth Ambassadorship Program.  This program is one that is available to all Canadian youth ages 16 to 19.  World Vision Canada selects six youth from across the country to immerse them in their programs and give them the experience of a lifetime.  The chosen Youth Ambassadors spend one week in Toronto at the WV Head Office, meeting with their staff, learning about their programs and getting to know each other.  They then spend two weeks in a country where World Vision Canada has Area Development Programs, or A.D.P.’s.  They meet with the people of this country, learning about their culture and the impact that World Vision has had on their lives.  They also attend an International Youth Forum, hosted by World Vision, where they meet with youth from across Africa.

 Upon their return the Youth Ambassadors spend the year doing presentations, interviews and other forms of media outreach.  They talk about their trip, World Vision as an organization and inspire others to act on social justice issues that are close to their hearts. 
Former YA Salina Dharamsi continues to advocate the program in her day-to-day life.

“The YA program has had a tremendously positive impact on my life; the people I met in Africa, and at World Vision HQ continue to inspire me to find new ways to give back to both my local and global communities,” said Salina. “ I am especially grateful for how the program has further ignited my interest in development and advocacy work as well as provided me with opportunities to share my experience abroad with others.”

The goal of the program, according to World Vision Canada, is just that.  To create a new generation of activists, encouraging them in efforts of peace building, development and leadership who will then return home to speak out for change and fight poverty.   The chosen youth have been known to far exceed these goals, attending prestigious events to speak about their experience and reaching out to all levels of government to plead for the eradication of poverty.  Past YA’s have been granted internships with non-profit organizations, and participated in International Youth Conferences, thanks in part to their participation in the program.  The opportunities seem to abound when YA’s are first given a chance to work with the organization and speak out for something they are passionate about. 

Youth Ambassador Laurel Holmes takes the time to play with children on her trip to Rwanda| Henry Vanderspeck

 

“Before going on this trip, I saw the way I was living as acceptable and normal. Coming home, I find myself thinking about things that I would have never even thought about before.” Said former YA Rosemary McKee, “ I find myself being more conscience of what I buy, how I spend my money, my time… This trip has really ignited a fire in me to be an agent of change and to bring the stories, messages, and lessons I learned home.”

Since the beginning of this program six years ago, several YA’s have been chosen from New Brunswick, and the majority of FHS students are eligible to apply.  Sponsorship from CIDA (Canadian international development agency) makes this possible. That CIDA funding is still necessary today in maintaining this program. 

Youth from Tanzania, the DRC, Rwanda and Canada gathered for the International Youth Leadership Forum, held this past summer in Gashora, Rwanda. | Henry Vanderspeck

 World Vision, as the largest non-profit organization in Canada, has reached out to youth in a myriad of ways.  This includes their popular 30 Hour Famine campaign, their campus groups and their recent Let Kids be Kids Campaign, however the YA program continues to be their best tool in encouraging youth to speak out about social justice issues.  Henry Vanderspeck, the Campus Coordinator for World Vision Canada, has had nothing but positive experiences with the program.  

“In my 15-plus years working in the non-profit field, few roles have given me as much joy and pride as World Vision’s Youth Ambassador program,” Said Henry. “In the six years the program has been running, I have been privileged to meet passionate youth leaders from across Canada who are dedicated to making the world a better place. I take great pride each year in seeing six distinct youth come together and over the course of their experience in East Africa bond as a team and ultimately become lifelong friends.”

The concept of teaching and employing Youth Ambassadors is not, however, native to WV Canada.  The program is also a predominate part of outreach in Australia, several parts of Europe and Africa.  When visiting Rwanda, we met with our Rwandese YA counterparts.  They shared with us the different programs that they had been supporting in their own communities.  They were also recently given the opportunity to visit Canada and gave presentations at Canadian schools while traveling from coast to coast.  

Rwandese village children crowd around a camera to have their picture taken| Henry Vanderspeck

The Rwandese YA’s support environmental efforts, such as the construction of community gardens as permanent sources of food, fundraising to build biogas fuel systems for use in their schools, and beginning anti-genocide mentality groups for local youth.  Rwanda itself has undergone “remarkable strides” in development since the genocide only 17 years ago, according to CIDA.   The Government of Rwanda is now stable, and is on track to achieve goals of “Universal Primary Education and gender equality”.  56% of Rwanda’s parliamentarians are now women, making Rwanda a valuable educational destination for Canadian students who are interested in better understanding development work.   
Rwandese YA’s have been a part of this incredible development, rebuilding communities, inspiring hope and encouraging education in their peers.

The Youth Ambassadors are equally relevant in Canada, aiding in community projects, and speaking to their peers about the importance of finding a cause that you are passionate about, and speaking out about it, said current YA Brian Dueck.     

“You can take so much from others when you give of yourself,” said Brian. “Don’t be discouraged if one opportunity doesn’t work out; the YA program is just one of many ways to get involved. Find something you enjoy, and use it to make positive change every day.”

The 2011-2012 World Vision Youth Ambassadors pose for photos at the Akagara Game Park in Rwanda| Henry Vanderspeck

This passion for dealing with people and serving their communities is identified in youth ambassadors through a rigorous application process.  Candidates must first submit an online application, where they answer a few questions about their community involvement and what drives them to make a difference.  A board of World Vision employees reviews those applications, and then a smaller group of applicants are short-listed.  The short-listed candidates are then asked to complete an hour-long phone interview, before the final six youth are accepted into the program.   The trip itself is approximately 2-3 weeks, and occurs over the summer.
“Working with the Youth Ambassadors is a lot of fun and leaves me inspired and challenged to do even more with my skills and time,” said Henry Vanderspeck.  “I look forward to seeing the leadership roles that the Youth Ambassadors hold in the years ahead and how they are using their expanding influence to make a world that is safer and healthier for children.”   

 After hours in Kigali International Airport, I finally boarded the first of many planes that would take me home.  My suitcase was full of clothes irreparably soaked in Rwandese dirt, I hadn’t worn make-up in days, and the exhaustion of being out in the sun for weeks had more than started to sink in.  I was a wreck, in every sense of the word except emotionally.  Emotionally I was recharged.  I was inspired, ready to speak out for the dear friends I had made in that beautiful country, I wanted to bring their stories home.  As I stepped off the microscopic plane that landed at the Fredericton YFC airport, I could faintly smell burning rubber, kindling in a place deep within my heart.  

Kate H.  is a grade 12 student at FHS and a 2011-2012 World Vision Youth Ambassador.

For more information on the Youth Ambassador program, check out

http://worldvisionmedia.ca/connect/

Big Fish makes a Splash

Burton’s FISH tale nets a big reaction

By Kate H.

Big Fish
Tim Burton
2003

 

Tim Burton's "Big Fish" 2003

The collection of bizarre yet deeply imaginative tales that make-up the popular 2003 film Big Fish is sure to entertain moviegoers for years to come.  

The film was based on Daniel Wallace’s novel of the same name.  It stars the independent and disconnected Will Bloom (Billy Crudup), who is spending precious time with his dying Father Ed (Albert Finney).  Their relationship has been a rocky one, and Will chooses to blame his Father’s incessant story telling, that make him the hit of any party but a pariah to his own family.  The movie takes us through those stories, skillfully blending the ordinary with wild fantasies.  From tales of witches and werewolves, to a poetic love story and the horrors of war, Ed finally shares with his son not only the complete story of his fantastic life, but also the trust and love that has been missing in their fragmented relationship. 

While Finney is truly memorable in his role as the aged yet lively Ed Bloom, it’s Ewan McGregor as his younger self, who truly steals the show.  He has a boyish charm and devilish naivety that brings to mind a mid 20^th century Tom Sawyer.   Jessica Lange plays an almost inconceivably beautiful and mysterious Sandra, who is Ed’s true love.   Even Crudup’s character, although less developed than many of the other leads in the story, will have won you over for sure by the time the credits role.  

The relatively unlikely director of this movie is Tim Burton.  Although a few of his signature marks can be seen in the design of the film, with its gothic-themed costumes and predictable casting, in general it stands alone as one of his greatest creative masterpieces yet.   His off-the-wall style is tangible in some of the spookier stories, but it’s the heartwarming, real-life moments of interaction between an estranged Father and son that will have you wondering what sort of thing’s have been on Burton’s mind of late.   I’d wager that the death of his Father in the year 2000 was a factor. 

The music which accompanies this movie is a rather chaotic combination of circus-themed jazz and 50’s du-op.   It sets the stage well for the various time periods, which are covered in the film.  Danny Elfman, an American composer who has often worked with Burton, composed many of the original scores.  The soundtrack was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award.  

If you haven’t seen Big Fish yet, it’s time.  Although it can be infuriating to have to separate the exaggerated real from the sticky-sweet imaginary, this story is a reminder that we all need to enjoy life to it’s fullest.   This is the kind of movie that takes a while to digest, and will have you questioning the reality of your own fantastic, unbelievable life.    

Kate H. is a Grade 12 student and a movie enthusiast.

Dalhousie University, Halifax

Dalhousie University from Halifax NS presented at the FHS College Fair. Photo by Robin G.

Dalhousie University excels in student life; academics 

By Kate H. 

Dalhousie University is a top-rated Canadian university located in the heart of downtown Halifax. It offers more degree programs than any other university in Atlantic Canada, and has been teaching for almost 200 years.  

One of the greatest perks of attending Dalhousie University, according to Assistant Registrar Curtis Clark, is the city of Halifax itself. 

“Students are very engaged on campus.  There are always events, like music festivals going on in downtown Halifax,” He said, “There are also over 250 clubs to take part in.” 

Dal was visiting F.H.S. as part of an annual Atlantic Canadian University fair, and showcasing what they have to offer prospective graduates at prominent high schools along the east coast.  

They have a lot to boast about, offering programs in the faculties of Science, Arts, Business, Engineering and Health Sciences, although Science and Arts are considerably more popular, said Clark.   They have 180 different degree programs, and also offer 70 exchange programs for students, which span across 60 countries.  

The ‘Dalplex’ is the place to go to cheer on the many accomplished athletes of this school.  The Dalhousie Tigers include varsity level men and women’s teams in basketball, cross country, soccer, hockey, volleyball, swimming and track and field.  Those athletes are no slouches either, with a third of them reaching a GPA of 3.45 or higher, earning them the title of CIS Academic All-Canadians.   

Dalhousie also offers a slew of programs to make their first year students more comfortable when adjusting to life on their own.  They have a ‘concierge service’, which allows friends and families to order items such as flowers and cakes to be sent directly to students on special occasions.  There is a computer store right on campus which offers student deals and is there to help should you find that your laptop crashes while you’re working on a last-minute assignment.  Even ordering pricey textbooks is made easier with their ‘Books in Rez’ program, that allows students to order textbooks from the comfort of their home, that will be waiting for their arrival at their new dorm.  First year students who apply before June 30 are guaranteed a spot in residence. 

From top-ranked professors to a booming nightlife, Dalhousie University offers an undergraduate experience that is hard to compete with. 

Dalhousie University in Halifax is one of the biggest univsities in Atlantic Canada

For more information, please visit: http://www.dal.ca/

Saskatchewan band something to stand and cheer for: Rah! Rah!

Raise a shout for Rah Rah 

By Kate H. 

 The youthful wisdom found on ‘Breaking Hearts’, the second official album of Saskatchewan band Rah Rah, will ring loud and clear for generations to come. 

The group formed in 2005 as a three-piece ensemble, featuring Erin Passmore on drums/vocals, Marshall Burns on guitar/vocals, and Kyrie Kristmanson on guitar, vocals and trumpet.   The addition of Joel Passmore, Samra Sahlu and Kristina Hedland in 2007 completed the group.  Together they mix their pop-punk past with a softer, more folk centered blend, which is sure to catch your attention and play with your emotions.  

 Their latest album, ‘Breaking Hearts’, was released on June 1, 2010.  It was recorded and produced in Montreal, and unlike their previous work it shows the maturity of this ever-growing group of young musicians. Although even before the release of this album they had won ‘best new Canadian band ‘ and ‘best new alternative band’ by iTunes in 2009, this album is sure to gain increased recognition on the Canadian music scene.  Since the release of this album, Rah Rah has had the pleasure of performing with bands such as Wintersleep, Mother Mother, Minus the Bear and Said the Whale.  This relatively new band claims to be ‘old souls’, and their sound is certainly a reflection of that.  

From the very first track, a poppy number entitled ‘Arrows’, this album’s sweet sounds drag the listener into a whirlwind of powerful pathos.  The majority of the songs feature both male and female vocals, and it seems as though the album shows the process of growing up.  From that young and free first track, Rah Rah proudly proclaims, “we ain’t got no money, we ain’t got no cares”.  However, after twelve sobering songs, the record ends on a soft, mature note with a calming, almost over-produced track, entitled ‘Parkade’.  With its peaceful harmonies and slow, soft pace, it’s a sound of wisdom and sophistication.  

Notable tracks also include the surprisingly positive and upbeat ‘Communist Man’, which talks about the simplicity of love.  The vocals take on a childish quality, and it seems to demonstrate a short-attention span, as it only lasts a minute and twenty-five seconds.  Its uke introduction and lyrical repetition give it a snappy quality, which is nigh on irresistible.  The title-track ‘Breaking Hearts’ stands alone as a tougher, more sinister song.  The lyrics are clever and catchy, and there’s a great riff that’ll get any guitarist’s attention.  The chorus is nearly spoken, and there’s a brief bridge which is filled entirely with unifying shouting. 

Saskatchewan band Rah Rah, during a quieter moment

This album overwhelms with its themes of soft, simple truths, haunting harmonies and down-to-earth recording quality.  Each song stands alone as a message about modern society, presented in a melodic folk-rock package, never overdone.  Whether addressing the disrespect we pay to our veterans, or how today’s workaholic seems to have forgotten about love, this album will dig up your personal problems and politely remind you of just how crazy our world really is.  A pleasure to listen to, a philosophical delight and it even manages to paint a nice background for basic coffee shop chitchat.  This tiny Canadian band should be proud with the reflective piece they have presented, that will challenge the hearts and intellect of any age group.  

Kate H. is a grade 12 student at FHS.

 

-0-

We recieved the following letter from the P.R. agent for Rah-Rah.

Hi Mr. Gange,

Thanks so much for sharing the Rah Rah review of Breaking Hearts with me. We recently did a deal with a US PR and promo firm, so we’ve just released the album in the US last week and it’s now garnering some great reviews there.

 

What I always struggle with, are the 4 line music reviews. The slashed space at most editorial outlets mean a review of a piece of music art, is reduced to a few passing lines, where you can’t really tell whether the journalist has actually spent any time with the record, or not.

 

Which is why the format of your student’s reviews with their expressed thoughts, name-checking song titles or song moments that they enjoyed/disliked, just caught their attention or impacted their experience of the music, is so refreshing.

 

I work with a very high profile Canadian band, Stars, their lead singer, is the very outspoken and charming, Torquil Campbell who recently told a story on the national radio show on CBC, Q (he also told this story to me personally about a year ago) about critically judging art (with his very famous actor father) in New York City. Apparently they came across [an artist’s work], and Torq said to his dad:

“You don’t really think this is good, do you?”

Torq said his dad took a moment and replied “You know, right now, I’m not really concerned about whether I think it’s good or bad, but more that it’s there, someone made it and I’m interested in the effect it’s having on me.”

It’s a long way around to say, that I see in your students minds that are asking questions about music and culture more like that. They are reacting to art in a rather curious way, with openness and that is very inspiring for the future or journalism.

 

Thanks again for sharing.

 

J.

Julie Booth

FRESHLY PRESSED PR

-0-

WE recieved the following note from the band Rah RAH

This is great!
Thanks for sharing this with the band, it was fun to read.
We’ve always really enjoyed Fredericton, hopefully will make it back out there next year sometime!
best,
marshall and rah rah

ACCOMPLISHED BOWLER CALLS FHS HOME

Grade 12 Student, Alex Jesmer, one of Canada’s best bowlers

By Kate H.

Fredericton High School Senior Alex Jesmer began bowling when he was only seven years old, and is now one of the top ranked youth bowlers in the country. 

Alex’s fascination with bowling began early in the fall of 2000, when his father, who was an avid bowler at the time, introduced him to the sport.  He was entered in Youth Bowling Canada (YBC) as a peewee member.   His bowling career began in his hometown of Cornwall Ontario, where, he says, bowling was much more popular.    

“When I was playing in Ontario, there were 200 kids at the alley, and there were four 5-pin bowling alleys in a city the same size as Fredericton,” said Alex.  “When I moved to Fredericton, I discovered that there was only one 5-pin bowling alley in the whole province.”

Despite this setback, Alex found a home in which to hone his skills at the CFB Gagetown bowling alley.  The 5-pin variation of this popular sport is the one which Alex plays, and is actually only played in Canada.

 It’s simple enough to understand.  Each pin is assigned a different point value.   The center pin is worth five points, the two flanking it are worth three points, and the two pins on the end are worth two points, giving a total of 15 possible points per frame. Each frame allows the player three attempts to knock all the pins over, using a heavy rubber ball without finger holes.   A game consists of 30 frames, and the only serious infraction is when you cross the foul line during the delivery of your ball, which is an automatic loss of 15 points. 

Alex himself boasts a 210 average (450 being a perfect score), which is the seventh highest average for senior boys in Canada, according to the YBC website.   He was a bronze medalist during the 2010 Nationals, an event which he has been able to attend a total of three times.  Alex has often said that he has learned from bowling are truly priceless.

“Through bowling I’ve learned self-control,” related Alex, “Throughout life, you can’t always take things so seriously, it’s often just a game.” 

Alex described the game of 5-pin bowling as a game of strategy that requires a lot of confidence.  He explained that it’s very easy to get down on yourself when you’ve bowled poorly, but you need to look at each frame as its own entity, and keep thinking clearly.

The bowling community has offered this young athlete a chance to excel, and to meet many new people.  He encourages people who may be interested in taking up this sport not to hesitate.

“Bowlers are an accepting community of people, it’s not an expensive sport to take up, and it’s a great way to make new friends.”

Choosing post-secondary path a difficult decision

Mr. Andrew Culberson of the Fredericton High School Guidance Department. (Photo by Ryan T.)

 By KATE H.

Indecision and anxiety are common themes among the graduating class of 2012, as they are presented with a variety of Post Secondary options to choose from.

“The largest percentage of students do go on to university, but not necessarily the majority. There are other options to consider.” says FHS Guidance Counsellor Mr. Andrew Culberson.  While many students are pushed towards University by parents or pears, those ‘other options’ are not to be discredited.  There are many publicly and privately owned college programs, both locally and internationally to consider.  Some students may choose to enter the work force directly.  Still others may opt to take a year off, to travel, to work in order to raise fund for furthering their education, to take up an apprenticeship, or to enter a community service program such as Katimavik.

 Each option, although varying in popularity, offers their own set of advantages and disadvantages.  University, while widely considered to be the most popular path and often said to lead to higher paying jobs, is an expensive choice, and one that may leave you with a very general education.  Many college programs offer a more specialized education, but can also be costly, and not always as widely accredited as university programs.   Taking a year off is a great chance to learn more about yourself and what you want to do with your life, but often students get too comfortable in their life, and don’t continue on to accomplish the higher level of education that they had originally intended on completing. 

All these options are equal in value, and entirely dependent on the personality type of the student.  At the end of the day, remember that the decision is yours. “Whatever option you choose to pursue after High school, it’s important that you know yourself well and know your interests and abilities, ” said Mr. Culberson. “Know what things are really important to you in life.”

Environment: Fredericton High School is not serious about recycling

Laziness in our School could mean Disaster for our Planet

By KATE H.

Only one day in the roughly 550 days that I have been at of F.H.S. have I had to restrain myself from strangling another student.

It was after class had ended, and I was waiting outside for my bus.  Nearby, a girl of similar age to me was talking with her friends and eating yogurt.  Upon finishing her snack, she dropped the toxic plastic container and spoon to the ground, kicking it aside nonchalantly. 

 Feelings of unadulterated outrage flooded mind. 

It wasn’t until after the shock had passed that I realized my fists were tightly clenched, as though I had been about to discover my defiant alter-ego, the kind of girl who could walk confidently up to her peers and sock ‘em one when they had it coming.     

It seems that environmental activism has taken a sorry backseat at Fredericton High, and riding up front are laziness and his pal egocentricity.  The idea that students, the future of our world, could be so blind to the environmental concerns which are (and will continue to be) our burden to bear, is simply astounding to me.  It takes a new level of naivety to be oblivious to the severe shifts in temperature that we have experienced in recent years, even here in New Brunswick.  Global warming is a subject taught in our school, and one that we are clearly not bringing adequate attention to.

If garbage cans had been conveniently placed, would she have thrown out her trash?  Perhaps.  And that brings to light another issue afloat in the environmental activities of our school.  The lack of recycling bins, which are scattered around the building sparingly.  What do we need to do to make the administration understand that we, the students of F.H.S., are part of a convenience-based society?  If ‘green’ initiatives are not made easy, they are not accomplished.  It may be a sad statement for my generation to have to admit to, but those are the facts. 

To resolve this infuriating issue, or at least improve the current state of things, there are two easy steps that we can work towards.  We must teach the practical benefits of recycling our waste, and cover environmental activism in class, at least to the point where students know to throw out their own garbage.  Then, we must place paper and plastic recycling bins in every classroom.

We are of course all aware of the recent budget cuts, which have had a noticeable effect on our school.  It is quite possible that this proposal would be rejected, because of our limited funds.  Is this how F.H.S. is aligning its priorities? I’m sure these bins are expensive, and a hassle to empty, but the hassle will be much greater when we’re firing our grandchildren into space to save them from our contaminated, kiln of a planet. 

Fredericton High School, it’s time to wake up.  Dormancy is no longer an option.  The world is our only home, and by treating it with disrespect you are not only irritating tree-huggers like me, you are cheating yourself out of a peaceful, healthy future on planet earth.

1994: Destiny and dirty tricks

 

1994: A Critical Year

By Kate H.

The year of 1994 was full of momentous events across the globe according to www.infoplease.com. 

The news stories from this year are ones that we still remember today, and ones that have drastically shaped our society. 

It began early on in the year, with the heavy weapons pounding Sarajevo. 

The assault on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was one of the year's dirty deeds.

This event was quickly followed by the assault on the figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, whose career was put in jeopardy when she was clubbed in the right knee according to the January 7 issue of the New York Times. 

 

This year was also one rife with natural disasters, when on January 13, an earthquake shook the city of Los Angeles, leaving 51 dead.  Controversy struck when on May 6, the U.S. congress voted for protection for women’s health clinics, and less than two months later, a woman’s health doctor was shot outside of a clinic

Nelson Mandela's election to lead South Africa seemed liked the fulfillment of his destiny

 in Florida.  There was also the unforgettable Rwandan genocide, when approximately one million Rwandese Tutsi’s were murdered, beginning on April 6.  According to the Arabic news broadcaster Aljazeera, the media and the UN turned a blind eye to this event, which was one of the largest genocides in history.  

Thankfully, this year also brought some much needed progress in the fight for equality.  At the end of April, South Africa held its first interracial elections.  Nelson Mandela was elected President on May 10, a position which had formerly only been occupied by whites because

of the apartheid system which was being imposed on South Africa at the time, according to the Brisbane times.  Israel and Jordan also signed the peace treaty this year, a real milestone in their efforts towards cooperation, according to http://www.isracast.com.   

The year of 1994, like the many of the years both before and after it, brought an abundance of progressive and destructive change which is still echoing today.