College`s BRTF program
Transcription
College`s BRTF program
Page 7 Index Editorials: Columns: Health Sports: Pg. Pg. Pg. Pg. Taste of Greek Page 20 Pita House 8 9 19 20 Think Healthy Now Open @ Seaway Mall Food Court Student Discount Available NIAGARA NEWS Niagara News WWW.NIAGARA-NEWS.COM Volume 33, Issue 7 Jan. 17, 2003 FREE Landmark achievement for Niagara By KATHRYN HANLEY Staff Writer For most students, January marks the beginning of a new semester, not the beginning of a new program. This year, about 500 students have chosen to begin their Niagara College experience in January. About 350 of these students are at the Welland campus. Niagara College President Dan Patterson says the college is “very pleased” about the large number of students. “It’s our largest January intake,” Patterson said. “I think that a lot of students today are very conscious of the double cohort and worried that (in) September 2003 there may not be spaces,” he noted. Patterson says these students have thought out a “career path” and it has successfully worked for the students and the college. “We do have the space to accommodate them. Niagara College is very fortunate in that our expansion at Glendale has allowed us to have more spaces and opportunities for students,” he said. The double cohort was a factor for some. Double cohort is the overlap that will occur this year when students in the final year of Grade 13 (known as OAC) and students graduating with Grade 12 all apply to college and university. Jolene Holmes, 18, of Ottawa, says the double cohort affected her decision to apply for January. Holmes, who has just begun the Journalism-Print program, says the number of people applying for September 2003 had her worried she wouldn’t get in. Other students have chosen to start studying in January to prepare for different September 2003 programs. Deanne Stanov, 36, of Thorold, says she is taking classes in the General Arts and Science program this semester because she couldn’t get into her program of choice. Stanov is taking classes that will assist her once she is accepted into another program. Students stand in line to receive their Ontario Student Assistance Program funding for January 2003. Photo by Ashleigh Vink College volleyball teams making history By JORDIE FRY Staff Writer Serving up two nationally ranked teams, Niagara College can now be considered one of the country’s powerhouses in volleyball. The Niagara Knights men’s team ranks as the seventh best team in the country. For the first time in its history, the women’s team cracked the top 15 in the week of Dec. 30 to Jan. 4. Unfortunately, last week, it was knocked off the list. Both teams are hoping to improve on their rankings with the final stretch of the season coming up. With the men’s and women’s teams sporting 7-0 and 8-1 regular season records respectively to date, they both have high hopes for the remainder of the season. “The main thing is to stay healthy, but our biggest goal is to medal at the nationals. But we have to win provincials and make it through the playoffs first,” says men’s coach Kerby Bentley. During the holidays both teams participated in tournaments on Jan. 4, with the men winning their tournament at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Peterborough by beating North York’s Seneca College in straight sets in the final. Niagara players Justin Ross, Ed Uka and Graeme Gaunt were named as tournament All-Stars with Gaunt picking up the tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP). The women fought hard in the Kabuum tournament held at Cambrian College, in Sudbury, only to lose in the finals to the host school. Last Saturday the Ontario College Athletics Association held All Star Day at Sir Sandford Fleming College and Trent University, both in Peterborough. Niagara had male and female representatives participating in the tournament. From the women’s team, Vicky Smith represented the Knights. From the men’s team, Ed Uka and Justin Ross stood in for Niagara and coach Bentley was chosen to coach the West All Stars. He did a good job leading the West to a 2-1 victory over the East. Continued on Page 20 • NITECLUBS • N S OPE DOOR AT 9PM VER NO CO GE CHAR Look who came out of retirement! “JAMBONE” PLAYING TONIGHT & EVERY WEDNESDAY 1 0 3 0 N I AG A R A S T. , W E L L A N D 9 0 5 - 7 3 5 - 6 6 6 6 AT R A M A DA I N N Page 2, Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003 Primulas ready for pick up at greenhouse By AMANDA KLASSEN Staff Writer The new year is a fresh start for the barren greenhouse at the Glendale campus, as the horticultural students are quickly potting new plants for the March sale. One of particular interest is the primula plant, on sale at the greenhouse for $1.79. It is available in groupings of three. This sturdy plant grows continuously and flowers indoors all winter. The plant should be kept in a cool room to extend the period of its flowering. When the plants reach full bloom they require regular fertilizing with a water-soluble 20-20-20 all-purpose fertilizer, as suggested in a prepared advice sheet by a Niagara College graduate, Sue Merritt, class of 1999. In the spring the plants can be planted in a perennial garden in a shady spot. “They do best in the shade,” says Jim Thomson, manager, campus development, Environment, Horticulture and Agribusiness division at the Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The plants are fairly disease resistant. They are not susceptible to any predator or bug that is going to feed on them, and they are pretty well a foolproof plant, says Thomson. “They are a good house plant.” The greenhouse is preparing for its March open house plant sale on March 22 and March 23. Plants that will be available are chrysanthemums, Martha Washington geraniums, pansies, amaryllises, daffodils, tulips and just about any plant you would be able to find at any local garden centre. The December poinsettia sale did “very” well as the greenhouse was sold out of the plants by the week before Christmas. “We are already looking at how do we grow more, how do we utilize space better,” says Thomson. “It was a huge success.” Thomson says the crop was one of the best grown. The greenhouse is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for anyone wanting to purchase hanging baskets, mixed baskets or whatever plant is in flower. For more information call 905-641-2252, extension 4082. Primulas are just one of the many plants on sale at the Glendale greenhouse. These plants are available for just $1.79. Arrangements are available in single and triple colours. The School of Horticulture and Agribusiness will hold its 36th annual Horticultural Open House and Plant Sale on March 22 and 23. Photo by Amanda Klassen Dan Vetere, a first-year Horticulture Technician program student, carefully buds the plants. First-year Horticulture Technician program students Ryan Morrison, James Walton, Dan Vetere and Marie-Josee Riopel display the primula plants that are on sale at the greenhouse. Photo by Amanda Klassen Photo by Amanda Klassen Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003, Page 3 SAC welcomes students with open arms Photo by Ashleigh Vink By KATHRYN HANLEY Staff Writer Niagara College’s Student Administrative Council (SAC) gave a warm welcome Jan. 7 to some of the students who chose a cold January start for their post-secondary education. SAC and committee chair Randy Conlon, liaison co-ordinator for Niagara College, produced first-year Orientation. First-year students had classes cancelled last Tuesday after 12:30 p.m. so they could attend. Those who did were treated to free pizza from Pizza Plus, SAC bags and Tshirts, a chance to hear from the leaders of Niagara College, a magic show, and prizes. DAN PATTERSON The event was held in After Hours, where students were given a ballot at the door for random draws throughout the afternoon. Conlon said that between $1,200 and $1,300 was spent on the prizes, which included DVD players, televisions, a CD player, a home stereo system, and a George Foreman Grill. Winner of the first prize, a DVD player, was Jen Hubert, 20, of Beamsville, Ont., Hubert said she was “happy” with her prize, and couldn’t remember winning anything before. Hubert is first-year Dental Office Administration program student. A gag gift-mystery prize was awarded to Melissa Johnston, 19, of Hamilton, Ont., a first-year General Arts and Science program student. Johnston’s prize included mint-flavoured condoms and a flashy thong, size XXXL. “It’s great,” laughed Johnston, looking at her prize. Giving a welcome speech was Niagara College President Dan Patterson. He welcomed the new faces, thanking them for choosing Niagara College and inviting them to take advantage of all the college has to offer. “We’ve got great faculty. They work really hard.” “We’ve got great resources; our student portal, our student information system really is second to none,” Patterson said, also pointing out the counselling services available for students having any difficulty. “At the end of the day it’s really up to you to make the best of it,” he said. “I can tell you, I can rest assured, we will do our best to make it a very special year for you.” “We’re very pleased that we’ve got so many students signing up for a January-Start,” said Patterson. Patterson encouraged the students to “make new relation- About 500 January-Start students gather at the After Hours pub at Niagara College’s Welland campus on Jan. 7 to hear college President Dan Patterson speak. Photo by Ashleigh Vink ships and keep open minds.” Also making speeches were Andrew Hanes, president, SAC Welland, and Ray Sarkis, Niagara College athletics coordinator. Hanes told students what SAC does for them, announced upcoming SAC events and out- lined services available through SAC. He encouraged students to become involved with Niagara College and SAC. “We need people to join up. We need as much help as we can get,” said Hanes adding that events get better when more people are involved. Sarkis outlined the Niagara College athletics department, along with recreation and fitness opportunities. Conlon, Orientation committee chair and emcee for the day, said he was pleased with the outcome for the event. “The place is full, can’t argue with that,” he said. Niagara ready for September’s influx of students By DONNA DURIC Staff Writer The spectre of the double cohort is looming closer as September approaches. Colleges throughout Ontario are preparing for the influx of two groups of graduating students with the discontinuation of Ontario Academic Courses (OACs) this June. “It’s raised the whole profile of post-secondary education,” says Al Vaughan, registrar at Niagara College, who made a presentation with college President Dan Patterson to a group of parents and students at A.N. Myer Secondary School in Niagara Falls regarding the college’s readiness for the crunch. The increased intake of students will be spread over three years. Students who applied last year wanted to avoid the double cohort this year, and next year’s students are deciding to wait a year before applying. “We knew it wasn’t going to take place in just one year,” says Vaughan, adding the college has been planning for the increased intake for some time. The building of the Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake was part of the college’s long-term plan for expansion and serves to increase its capacity for the intro- duction of new programs and new students. The two new degree programs the college won approval by the Ministry of Colleges, Training and Universities to offer - the Bachelor of Applied Technology - Photonics, and the Bachelor of Applied Business-Hospitality - were part of this long-term strategy. “We have slowly been adding new programs and new seats in programs,” says Martha Casson, vice-president of student services at the college. She is also the acting vice-president academic. “We’re very pleased that as a college we had a planning process that has provided the vacancies for the double cohort at exactly the right time.” Vaughan says Niagara has added room for 500 extra students this fall, an 18 per cent increase over last year. However, he says, the college can’t expand every program because of possible gaps in the job market. “It might not be the responsible thing to do if the jobs aren’t out there.” At this time, fall applications to the college are 21 per cent higher than last year, and the number of students enrolled in January-Start programs this year is 10 per cent higher than last year. Tabitha Booth, 23, of Niagara Falls, is a January-Start student in the Dental Office Administration program. She says she took the program so she could have an edge in competing with double-cohort applicants to the Dental Assistant program in September. “I think if you have your foot in the door, you have better chances of getting in.” Sixty-five per cent of students who attend Niagara College are from the Niagara region, and college officials want prospective students to know the college is prepared. “We’re not panicked,” says Casson. “We are in a perfect position.” SAC throwing charity ball aiding student food bank By LINDSEY LEAMEN Staff Writer Gangsters, glitz and glamour will come to life for students who purchase tickets prior to Jan. 24. The second annual Niagara College Student Administrative Council Charity Ball will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. to benefit the student food bank. This exciting event will feature period actors in full 1920s costume, a Racketeering Raffle, a Jail ‘n’ Bail activity, a magician doing tricks at every table, period music during dinner and a DJ for the rest of the evening. Instant photos with a 1920s car or a formal background will be available at an additional cost. Tickets include dinner, dancing and entertainment. You may also sign up for seating in tables of eight people, meal choices, and transportation. Transportation is available to and from the event at a cost of $5. The buses will leave the Welland and Glendale resi- This is an all-ages event; however, a cash bar will be available for those with proper identification. Dress is formal, but doesn’t have to be 1920s dress. For those wishing to keep the party going, hotel rooms are available at $109. For reservations call 905356-8444. The Ameri-Cana Hotel is located at 8444 Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls. For map and directions visit http://www.americananiagara.com Tickets can be purchased for $40 at all SAC offices or at booths set up at each campus. dences for the Ameri-Cana Hotel in Niagara Falls at 5:30 p.m. They depart the Ameri-Cana at 1 a.m. sharp to return to the residences. At left stands Niagara College President Dan Patterson and Mike Macneil, vice-president of public relations of Student Administrative Council, Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Submitted photo Page 4, Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003 First-year student dedicated to helping children By SHARI HADGRAFT Staff Writer A first-year student in the Child and Youth Worker program said she feels “obligated” to help children because of her own childhood experiences. Jenna McCormack, 18, of Burlington, has always been blessed with a strong family. “I’ve had a really good childhood. I didn’t have any issues or anything so I think that I’m kind of obligated to help kids who haven’t.” As for the program, McCormack said, “I feel that I’m not getting the gist of it. It feels like I’m missing something, like I don’t know exactly what we’re going to do. We (McCormack and her classmates) sit through all these lectures and all these classes, but I don’t know what a child and youth worker is yet and I think I should by now, being three months into it.” McCormack said she is “not impressed” with a couple of professors in her program. “I feel a few of the teachers have come to the end of their careers and they really should be gone by now. I’ve noticed a few things that I did not approve of, for example, centring people out and making them cry.” Currently, McCormack said she feels the professors are focusing more on issues that they won’t use out in the workplace. “I really think we need to have a jam session if you will, with (the students) being able to ask questions like ‘what is a child and youth worker?’ “It seems like a lot of the classes overlap so I can’t differentiate between them.” Professors have also put the pressure on about finding a job out of the program. McCormack said that it has been suggested to her class that males have a better chance at seeking employment out of her program. Her program is more female dominated considering there are only five or six males in the class, which is “kind of a twist,” because all but one of her teachers is male, she said. If given the chance to try a new program at the college, she said she would have picked the Journalism-Print program. “I consider myself a pretty decent writer. I don’t have all the skills but I need (a program) with humour and something that you can kind of play with. I think the program I’m in now is a little heavy.” When free time comes up, she jokingly said, “I have a part-time job which I kind of consider a hobby because I’m never there.” McCormack is a sales associate for one of the Zeller’s stores in Burlington for the last three years. “I started off as a cashier and then because of my personality in customer service skills, I was transferred to the service desk so I could listen to people b****h for two hours. “I’m a receptacle for all the customers’ complaints and unhappiness. I’ve kind of got desensitized to any kind of criticism.” Last summer she had another part-time job as well being a camp counsellor. “I loved it. It was a different group of kids and they were from a welfare government-sponsored housing complex. They were pretty rough kids. There were a couple of white kids but mostly Spanish, African American, East Indian and Muslim. It was interesting.” She said the one thing she regrets in life is her relationship JENNA MCCORMACK history. “I regret relationships that could have happened, letting things fall apart and letting friendships float away. Even though I consider friends so important, I’ve let so many friendships fall apart. “I definitely have to learn to take things a little more seriously because laughing is my response to anything, even if I’m upset or happy or even nervous.” She said her family is one of the most important aspects in her life. “I’ve had some of my best times with them. We’re all alike. I’m a daddy’s girl, totally.” McCormack said when her three-year program is finished, she hopes to get a job that is “definitely more hands-on than just sitting in an office.” “I’m really looking forward to the placement we’re going to have to do. I think that will really be the deciding factor of whether it’s right for me or not,” she said, referring to her placement that her class is participating in during the third term at the college. International student praises Canada’s reputation By DONNA DURIC Staff Writer Marcos Schmidt, 20, of Chippawa, Ont., is a former Rotary exchange student who says Canada is a “beautiful” country. “I love it here. I think it’s a great country. People in Canada are very honest, good to deal with, work and (have) fun with.” Schmidt is a second-year student in the Hotel and Restaurant Management program at the Maid of the Mist Centre (MMC) campus in Niagara Falls. He grew up in Florianopolis, Brazil, and decided to come to Canada in August 1999 through the Rotary Club International student exchange program. He says he wanted to learn English and chose Canada instead of other English-speaking countries because of its reputation in Brazil. “It’s really famous out there for quality of life and safety.” During his one-year stay, he boarded with a family in Welland MARCOS SCHMIDT and attended Centennial High School. The family treated him as one of their own, making his meals and giving him spending money when he needed it. While Schmidt was living in Canada, his family took on a foreign student in his hometown in Brazil. His parents paid for his initial plane ticket and the Rotary Club paid for his living expenses, as well as organized events for him and other foreign students to participate in while they stayed in Canada. Schmidt has been back home once, for three weeks this past summer. He toured five cities while he was there, including Rio de Janeiro, giving lectures to high school, college and university crowds. Schmidt is active in student life. He is the acclaimed vice-president of internal affairs on the MMC Student Administrative Council (SAC), as well as the elected student representative for the Board of Governors. He says the main reason he decided to run for SAC was “to get more student involvement,” and to represent the international student population at the college, since he does “a lot” of work with the college’s international department. Schmidt says he enjoys working with SAC. “It’s been great. I think we have an excellent team. We’ve made a lot of progress (and) done a lot of good things that didn’t happen last year.” Some of Schmidt’s hobbies include playing the piano, writing his own music, singing, listening to alternative or psychedelic rock, writing poems, short stories and screenplays, and playing tennis and soccer, although he doesn’t play as much soccer here as he did in Brazil. “In Brazil, people usually do more outdoor activities. Here, people are much more competitive (in the workplace).” When Schmidt graduates from his program in April, he says he is unsure if he wants to take a postgraduate program next year. Eventually, he wants to run a hotel. Schmidt says he is pleased with Niagara College and its work with international students. “Niagara College is a very dynamic and progressive college and I really like how much emphasis they’re putting on international development. Students find funding their education a stressful challenge By DONNA DURIC Staff Writer Some students are lucky enough to have their parents pay for their education and other school-related living expenses. For others, the stress of funding their education themselves is a challenge. Dean Werner, 24, of Welland, a second-year student in the Police Foundations program, works 20 hours a week as a sales associate at Payless Shoes. He says he must work to help pay tuition and bills, buy food and pay his $660 monthly rent. He shares an apartment with his girlfriend, who also contributes to the household expenses. Werner received about $7,000 from the Ontario Student Assistance Program in September, but says that “it’s kind of wearing down now.” He says that working while attending school has cut into his study time, from eight hours per exam last year, to three or four this year, and into his social life. “I get the odd chance to go out, ‘I lose track of time, what day it is, what I’m supposed to be doing. I get to the point where my mind turns to mush.’ — Neil Kostecki but it doesn’t happen too often.” Werner says he’s up until midnight or 1 a.m. every night. “I’m dozing off in class sometimes.” He has advice for handling the pressures of working while attending college: “You have to be really organized. That’s one of my biggest assets.” Another student, Neil Kostecki, 20, of Grimsby, a second-year student in the Broadcasting — Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program, says he’s not organized. “I lose track of time, what day it is, what I’m supposed to be doing. I get to the point where my mind turns to mush.” Kostecki works at Home Depot, between 20 and 40 hours a week, as a lumber and building materials associate, consulting with customers on building projects. It is a physical job, involving driving forklifts, carrying drywall and lifting bags of concrete weighing between 50 and 100 pounds each. He says he must work to finance his car and cover gas and insurance and to pay for food and other bills. He lives at home with his parents and says he likes to help out. A student line of credit paid for his tuition. Kostecki says he’s “learned responsibility” and that “you gotta do what you gotta do.” Ryan Coxworthy, 21, of St. Catharines, a third-year student in the BRTF program, had to work two jobs to put himself through school without any help from loans or other funding sources. “My parents, unfortunately, haven’t had the luxury of helping me out,” he says. Coxworthy made $1,500 a month working as a camera operator at the Fort Erie Race Track for the TV show, The Score, on Headline Sports, and as a food cart server at Delta Bingo in St. Catharines. Coxworthy recently finished working at the Fort Erie Race Track. While at both jobs, Coxworthy worked 35 to 40 hours a week, in addition to his 40 hours of classes plus assignments, often sleeping only three hours a night. “I had no time to myself,” he says. “It’s draining, but I don’t get too emotional because everything will get done. “It’s all about the time management.” Pick up the Niagara News on Jan. 24 to learn more about Fort Erie’s Adventures in Archeology and Civilization Interactive Museum plans. Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003, Page 5 By RACHEL WILKINSON Staff Writer Seeing blood and major physical trauma and knowing you’re the one responsible for people’s lives are just part of being a paramedic. Curtis Garlick, 20, of Brampton, Ont., is in his secondyear of the Paramedic program at Niagara College. “I’ve seen some bad car accidents and did medical and trauma calls. I remember having to hold the head of a patient while blood was pouring out of it.” During his second year, Garlick must complete 400 hours of field placement. He says he chose to do his field placement in Peel Region where he hopes to work once his field placement is completed. “I heard Peel has a good service. It’s also the area I grew up in and I know. It’s highly populated so I will get to do a lot of calls.” Garlick says one of the things he hopes to do during his placement is get “challenging calls to help prepare me for when I am a paramedic and have to know what to do on my own.” Garlick says he remembers a time when he was stumped with what to do in a certain situation. “That’s why we do field placement. So we are under supervision and can learn from the medics without compromising the patient.” Since working with paramedics, Garlick says, he’s gained more respect for them. “I have a better grasp about what the profession is about.” During the summer, Garlick worked for Ambuserve, a patient transfer service based out of Richmond Hill, Ont., where he says he was able to assist in the care of many patients. “Since working there, my knowledge, skills, confidence and assertiveness have come along.” He says he’s had to deal with many different people. “There are people that think the ambulance is a taxi cab. You just have to deal with them professionally.” Garlick says one of the lessons he has learned so far is in dealing with people. “Don’t assume things about people. Don’t make judgments without getting the facts. You’ll make better assessments if you don’t.” Photo by Rachel Wilkinson Student experiences paramedic lifestyle CURTIS GARLICK Continuing Education programs offer opportunities By JASON GROSSE Staff Writer Feng Shui, beating the winter blahs, understanding your cat and dealing with difficult people. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about any of these topics look toward Niagara College’s Continuing Education programs. Offered nightly and on weekends these programs can help you do everything from enriching your life to hosting a Super Bowl buffet. Continuing Education and Distance Learning Development Officer Sue Tallon says one of the more popular programs is the Motorcycle Instructor’s Training program. Held at the Welland campus Saturday morning and Wednesday nights, the program teaches would-be motorcycle instructors riding, testing as well as instruction methods. She says one of the reasons the motorcycle program, which has graduated 3,500 students, is gaining popularity is because “more middle-aged people are getting into the sport of motorcycling.” Tallon says, “They have more free time (and) more dollars to put into the sport.” Tallon says some of the other popular programs are photography, which starts at an introductory level and continues to advanced techniques. She says the Language Interpreter — Skills Development program, which works on memory and listening skills is popular as is the Palliative Care program. A quick glance at the Continuing Education course calendar reveals a wide variety of programs. Courses range from the practical, such as e-business, to the odd, such as A Cat’s Eye View — Feline Behaviour Up Close. Tallon says what people get out of the programs is “it meets both the needs of their career goals as well as their special interests.” She says the age range in these programs is wide. “We have people from age 16 to 60.” Asked if the students have a different range of abilities, Tallon replies, “Absolutely.” “When you’re looking at the motorcycle program, you’re looking at novices, you’re looking at people who have never been on a motorcycle.” Continuing Education programs begin Jan. 20. Tallon says registrations will be taken until the second week of classes. d n i h e B k c a P e h T e v a e L Want some help?? Come visit us in the Health Centre OR Visit us online at www.LeaveThePackBehind.com Page 6, Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003 • • • • • • • • • ! • • • " # $## %& '# # ( '# )*+( +#, -(.//0(# " 1 ,2 -/10/ 3 --10/ 3 ,, -/10/ 3 , 2 -.10/ 3 -10/ 3 ,, -.10/ 3 TIP: Dress appropriately for a great “First Impression” ,, --4 2-/- ,,- Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003, Page 7 First time in competition, entries win medals By DONNA DURIC You can’t ask for anything better than Jon Ogryzlo, director of the enviStaff Writer that.” ronment, horticulture and agribusiness The students and staff at the Niagara The NCT Winery offers a full-time division at the Glendale campus, says College Teaching (NCT) Winery at the program that teaches students skills in the wine was described at the awards Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake winemaking, viticulture and sales and as having a “huge complexity, long have nothing to whine about. marketing. finish, (and) the nose (taste), a mixture After only three years since the winery’s Criveller Company, in Niagara Falls, of smoky, charry tobacco, black inception, it has received numerous awards donated the $100,000 wine processing liquorice, honey and vanilla.” for red and white Ogryzlo says everywines. one was “absolutely Recently, the NCT ecstatic” about winning Winery received two the awards for the awards at the Chardonnay. Canadian Wine “It really is a reflecAwards held in tion of the quality of the Victoria, B.C., for its program. We’re very NCT Chardonnay excited that we have 2001, Barrel-Aged such an excellent proand Barrel-Fermented. fessor and it’s being It received awards for shown by the awards Best White Wine and we’ve been winning in Best Chardonnay. Canada.” The winery also The winery has a won two awards at the retail store at the All Canadian Wine Glendale campus where Championships in they restricted sales of June. Its Riesling the Chardonnay to one (white) received a bottle a customer. bronze medal, and its “It went very, very Zweigelt (red) Niagara College’s Teaching (NCT) Winery is at the Glendale campus. fast,” says Ogryzlo. Steve Gill, co-ordinator for the Winery and received a silver The NCT Winery is open to the public from noon to 5 p.m weekdays and Steve Gill, co-ordinaViticulture Technician Diploma program, closed weekends. medal. tor for the Winery and shows one of the bottles of wine. The Chardonnay was Photo by Donna Duric Viticulture Technician Photo by Donna Duruc made under the direcDiploma program, says tion of part-time professor Jim Warren, tanks and the winery has a partnership with the award is a “testament” to the “We don’t have a lot of wines. That’s our who has been in the wine industry since Rideau Barrel Company, which gave them program. disadvantage (but) anybody can make a 1985 and is the former president of Stoney display barrels. “We have quality teaching, quality stu- tremendous wine if they’re passionate Ridge Wines in Vineland, Ont. The grapes used to make the Chardonnay dents, a quality program and quality wine.” enough about it.” “This one (award) was special,” says were harvested in Beamsville, Ont., with a Warren says he will enter more wine at The NCT winery is open to the public Warren. “It was the first wine entered in a 24.4 level of brix (sugar) and were aged for the Cuvee Wine Awards in Niagara-on-the- from noon to 5 p.m. weekdays and closed contest. Everything about it was a first. 10 months in Rideau Oak barrels. Lake in early March. weekends unless otherwise advertised. Students learn basics of art, design techniques, theory By MEAGHAN HUTTON Staff Writer The Black Walnut building isn’t just an empty building that sits between the Mackenzie building and the After Hours pub at Niagara College’s Welland campus. The building is home for the Art and Design FundamentalsGraphic Design Production program. The program trains the students in the basics of art and design techniques and theory. It also gives them grounding in digital graphic design production. All areas of the program stress practical, hands-on application of principles taught in course work and, through this process, develop the students’ ability to work efficiently in a variety of areas, says Greg Smith, Art and Design Fundamentals – Graphic Design Production program co-ordinator. “Students learn two- and three-dimensional design, illustrations, life drawing, typography, graphic design and computer applications. The curriculum is very wide ranging and offers students exposure to many areas of art, design and computer,” says Smith. The program was established to help students embark on a career in the visual art, design and communications industry or continue their education in those areas at other educational institutions. There are about 180 students in the program. Smith says the best thing about working with the program is seeing the work the students produce on an ongoing basis. “Recently the second-year students worked on a logo for a Green Map for the Niagara Region. As well, the secondyear students have a graduation exhibition at the end of the term, which they work very hard for.” “Those students seeking employment after graduation are able to demonstrate entrylevel competencies in computer applications for graphic design and pre-press processes, screen print preparation and production, and air brush techniques for illustration and signage,” Smith explains. “Once students graduate from the Art and Design program, they usually spin off into two directions, they use their training from Niagara College and go on to other educational institutions or students find entry-level positions in the graphic design and printing industry,” says Smith. O N TA R I O P U B L I C S E R V I C E 2003 O N TA R I O Internship Program www.internship.gov.on.ca Move towards a rewarding career OR CALL and make a difference! The Ontario 1 888 jobgrow Internship Program is a paid, two-year employment opportunity that offers you career development in key professional fields. The Program also offers an open road to a vast diversity of business APPLICATION DEADLINE January 31, 2003 ASSIGNMENTS BEGIN May 2003 experiences across a wide-range of ministries. Apply now! Be a part of a new generation of public service professionals, and make a difference by joining the Ontario Public Service! See the Niagara News on Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 7, and Feb. 14, all before Reading Week, which begins Feb. 24. Ontario Public Service: an Equal Opportunity Employer Page 8, Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003 EDITORIALS The Niagara News is a practical lab for the Journalism-Print program, covering the college community and other areas of interest. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the management of the Niagara News or the administration of Niagara College, Room V10, 300 Woodlawn Rd., Welland, Ont. L3C 7L3 Phone (905) 735-2211 / 641-2252 / 374-7454 / FAX (905) 736-6003 Editor: Adam Campbell; Associate Editor: Dana Blacklock; Assistant Editor: Carissa Pertschy; Publisher: Leo Tiberi, director, Communications and Information Technology; Editor-in-chief: Neil McGregor, manager, Communications and Information Technology divison; Managing Editor: Phyllis Barnatt, co-ordinator, Journalism-Print program; Associate Managing Editor: Gary Erb, professor, Journalism-Print program; Editorial Consultant: Nancy Geddie, professor, Journalism-Print program; Advertising Manager: Linda Camus; Technology Support: Kevin Romyn; Photography Consultant: Andrew Klapatiuk, photography instructor; Photography Editor: Shari Hadgraft; Film Processing: Shari Hadgraft; Elyse DeBruyn; Jason Grosse; Scanning Crew: Shari Hadgraft; Elyse DeBruyn; Jason Grosse. www.niagara-news.com Are you really a punk or just a punk fan? Punk rock, punker, skater are terms lumped together and thrown around too much these days. It seems to me if you buy a T-shirt at Arlies or West 49, or if you purchase the latest Tony Hawk video game, you are a skateboarder. Picking up the latest music from Blink 182 or Sum 41 does not mean you’re down with the punk rock scene. You are just a fan. For me, 2003 will be the biggest year of this continuing fad. I remember a few years back the big fad was sporting a sweater vest and a pair of khakis, frosting the tips of your hair and listening to Creed. My problem isn’t dressing punk or being prep, but the way people go about doing it. It seems if you aren’t growing your hair shaggy or sporting a new pair of Etnies, you’re out of the loop as far as coolness is concerned. True punk rockers or skateboarders do not care about the so-called “label.” They are who they are and they are quite content with that. I don’t remember the last time Arto Saari, Willy Santos or Pierre-Luc Gagnon held out for an extra million on a sponsor. By the way, the names I just listed are current pro skateboarders. Another prime example of untapping what’s always been around is the Jackass phenomena. Yes, all of us and our mothers get a great laugh out of Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and the gang. Did you know that most of the people affiliated with the Jackass family were somehow involved in the skateboarding community? Knoxville was once a writer for Big Brother skateboarding magazine who filmed similar stunts and pranks like the ones seen on Jackass. Bam Margera, pro skateboarder and brains behind the Jackass crew, filmed and edited some now very popular videos entitled CKY, CKY2K and CKY 3. These tapes have always been around, yet no one touched them until they were given mainstream acceptance via Jackass The Movie. Future Shop now lists the boxed set as out of stock. Now if that isn’t mainstream recognition, I don’t know what is. If you want to culture yourself in the punk music scene, VH1 has just released the VH1: All Access: 25 Years of Punk DVD, and Transworld (skateboarding magazine) published its 20th anniversary edition last month. If you aren’t much of a reader, pick up Dogtown and Z-Boys, a documentary spanning the evolution of the sport. People following this new fad of wannabe pop punk should realize if you are trying to be punk and calling yourself punk, you are not punk. ADAM CAMPBELL Questioning suicide not a bad step to take Unfortunately, teen suicide has become a big issue within the last few months in the Niagara region, mostly between the ages of 17 and 22. Whether the reasons be problems at home, low self-esteem or suffering from a broken heart, it is never easy to fully understand why people would end their own existence voluntarily. It’s very common for affected family members and friends to not only feel guilty but be left in shock and confusion as well. “He seemed happy” or “His life didn’t seem that bad” are very common comments in reaction. Being sad, or having a rough life, shouldn’t automatically drive anyone to commit suicide anyway. There is help, whether provided by friends, family or professionals. Many of the warning signals of someone who may be contemplating suicide are similar to signs of depression. These include withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities; violent actions, rebellious behaviour, or running away; drug and alcohol abuse; marked personality change; frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomach aches, headaches, fatigue; loss of interest in pleasurable activities; and not tolerating praise or rewards. If someone is potentially suicidal, it’s important to stress that the person should not trust personal judgment since it is more than likely distorted by depression. A lot of people who are massively depressed feel as if the pain will never go away and view suicide as an escape and an easy way to end the emotional suffering. The pain can be treated successfully. Suicide doesn’t end the pain, but actually increases it by spreading it to others, explaining why many people view suicide as a selfish act. No one should be afraid to question if a person is feeling suicidal. Getting the idea into the open is a good idea. Communication is helpful. It increases the chances of the person getting help. It will also show that you are concerned. Some people just need to be reminded that life isn’t always “down” and that things do get better one day. DANA BLACKLOCK Your voice or opinion is welcome in our Letters to the Editor section. Our policy regarding letter submissions is this: All letters must be received on the Friday one week prior to publication. Each letter must include the writer’s name, college identification number and program of study. All letters must be signed and include a day and evening telephone number for verification use only. All letters can be mailed or brought to the Niagara News newsroom, Room V10, Voyageur Wing, Welland Campus. 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 incorrect insertion 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. Our next Niagara News is Friday, Jan. 24 Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003, Page 9 COLUMNS Should Canada turn its back on U.S. as neighbour? It is becoming more apparent that the United States (U.S.) will be invading Iraq. At first, U.S. President George W. Bush said the U.S. would only attack if it were found that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. When Iraq finally opened the door to the United Nations (UN) weapons inspectors, it seemed as though the U.S. had lost the cause to invade, because Iraq was co-operating to some extent. How much would the U.S. co-operate with a country that was demanding access to their weapons and their most secure locations? I’m guessing the U.S. would not take kindly to the situation if the tables were turned. I think Iraq has been as co-operative as possible considering the circumstances. It was one of the three countries Bush singled out as the “axis of evil” and has since been targeted as an enemy, yet has done nothing in recent years to warrant such a label. The U.S. has left little room for opposition by forcing other countries to choose to become a friend or enemy of the most powerful nation based solely on their willingness to participate in a war. Now the U.S. is sending troops to Iraq to prepare for an invasion. There is virtually no support for an invasion because there has been no evidence that Iraq has been hiding By LORI LANGLEY Staff Writer Column any weapons of mass destruction. Does this mean that the U.S. will turn against its allies for not supporting the war? History shows that countries and empires fall because of conflicts on too many fronts. Will that be the mistake Bush makes? The war on terrorism has yet to show any definite victory for either side, and North Korea is not pleased with its label of being a rogue, enemy nation of the world, and it may have support from other countries that are not happy with the willingness of the U.S. to point fingers. The U.S. Army may find itself spread too thin, even considering its vast size. Bush had said Iraq would only be attacked if just cause were found, but he now says the UN doesn’t need to find a smoking gun in order to invade. Canada has a very serious decision to make. Do we help our closest friend fight a war that may just be one man trying to settle a grudge with another man? Do we turn our backs on our neighbour and risk having it do the same to us if we ever need its help in the future? Canada’s military is already limited, and some feel that we have already contributed more than enough by sending troops to Afghanistan. Should we send Canadians to another country to fight a war without a clear cause? It is a decision that the Canadian government will have to ponder long and hard before reaching a decision. It seems we are in a lose-lose situation. If we side with the U.S., we will be a definite enemy of Iraq, and other nations that might support it because of a common hatred for the U.S. If we choose not to join the invasion, we will gain an entirely new enemy, our best friend, the U.S. For now, Canada will wait for a UN resolution, and the weapons inspectors in Iraq will continue to be under the watchful eye of most governments and media outlets in the world. Rest, relaxation replaced by rush to deadline, graduation Welcome back, everyone. I hope your Christmas vacation was as wonderful as mine because I had lots of fun. My first week home was just down time for me because I was so exhausted; I slept, rested and watched a little T.V. I also enjoyed wonderful, pretend tea parties with Hannah Belle, who makes the most aromatic, pretend tea of anyone I know. My second and third weeks were very busy with turkey dinners, parties, friends, families and, yuck, more turkey. Turkey is great, but not as much in the space of two weeks. New Year’s Eve was a quiet evening and we watched the ball descend into the New Year together. I wiped a small tear from the corner of my eye and as the old year faded and said a silent Happy New Year to my dear Tom. The next day, we met at my youngest daughter’s house for our traditional New Year’s Day dinner of Chinese food. The lighter cuisine after the heavy fare of the holidays was a nice change. By E. J. GOODER Staff Writer Column Sadly though, time was drawing nearer to leave my family, but I was ready to return to my life as a student. I adore my babies, but those 7 a.m. wake up calls were making me yearn (not literally) for graduation and my own place. Over the holidays, Thomas, Hannah, Fletcher, Zippy and little cousin Savannah would burst into my room and ever so quietly in unison yell, “Grandma, it’s light out, so can we get up?” It was heaven. My stress level is quickly rising because the semester is now in full swing and I must submit two newspaper articles every week. To lessen the stress, I breathe a sigh of relief, pause and remember my little one’s adorable faces, their sticky kisses and their hugs. This helps me and I continue on with my work. This term is going to be a hectic one with everything seemingly due at the same time. In order to keep up with all of my assignments I’m going to have to do a great deal of juggling, such as coming in on the weekends and working on three different projects at once, yikes! I hope I won’t crash and burn. Will I make it? You better believe I will. Good luck to everyone this semester. 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 by reporters. 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 Niagara News. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer. Hennepin Hall has been dismantled, new YMCA being built Photo by Leslie Branconnier Photos by Journalism-Print program first-year student Krystina Grandmond It’s gone. After 36 years and thousands of students, the Hennepin Hall building on Woodlawn Road is going to be replaced by the new Welland-Pelham YMCA. Construction is expected to begin in October and be completed by June 2004. Page 10, Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003 New casino first of three to be built By E. J. GOODER and Richard Barta, of Grand Island, N.Y., wooden structures over the gaming tables. Staff Writer was that it’s a “beautiful casino and is comPagel says this effect gives the feeling of Many people hope the Seneca Niagara parable to Las Vegas,” and they say they are entering an enclosure from the outside, but Casino is the remedy needed to change the happy they came. the main purpose of the “wood is to house fortunes of economically strapped Niagara The 85-foot high ceiling is painted a the surveillance cameras.” Falls, N.Y. blurred-gray, giving the viewer an Audrey Grounds, 53, of Hamburg, N.Y., The casino, officially opened on Dec. 31, impression of an evening sky. says the wooden structure “resembles a 2002, came to fruition after many longhouse.” In the Six Nations years of anticipation. About $2.4 culture, the longhouse is the tradimillion is the cumulative amount tional, matrilineal family home, spent by the Seneca Nation of where a family Indians in its bid for a casino consists of the since 1998. mother, her daughConstructed and completed in ters, their husbands just 100 days, the casino is the forand children, plus mer Niagara Falls Convention and any unmarried sons Civic Center at 310 Front St. living together Preview nights, by invitation under one roof. only, were Seneca Day on Dec. 27 To the right and and Media Day on Dec. 28. left of the wooden At the main entrance, smiling structures are metal valets, wearing yellow and black beams painted winter jackets, helped guests out white. Canvases of their cars. Then the friendly resembling sails valets quickly whisked the cars are attached away to unknown parking spaces between the beams, throughout the area. and coloured lights Over the entrance of the casino reflect from them, is the emblem Seneca Niagara in recreating a sunrise bold, vibrant colours. Surrounding and sunset. the structure are statues of the difThe changing ferent clans of the Seneca Nation, seasons are represented in the carsuch as the turtle, bear and wolf. peting throughout the different The glass-doored main sections of the casino. Winter is entrance leads into a foyer of represented in the light blue and highly polished beige marble. In white carpeting in and around the the centre of the foyer, standing slot machines. guard at the entrance of the casiGuests were served hot and no sits a magnificent, enormous cold appetizers as well as alcobeige-marble waterfall. Upon holic and nonalcoholic beverages, entering the casino, visitors will by uniformed staff, as they wannotice the vastness and height of dered throughout the brightly lit the space, and then the boldly gaming areas. coloured images of trees in the Live entertainment was providwindows at both ends of the casied by local native musicians The no. Subtle lighting has been Waterfall in the foyer of the Seneca Niagara Casino. Fierce Men, Iron Eyes Blues Band added to the overall ambiance of Photo by E. J. Gooder and Pocket Change, who perthe casino with just focal points formed from atop a platform of bright lighting over each gaming table. Todd Pagel, of Jeter Cook and Jepson above the circular bar Club 101. Reaction from opening night patrons, Architects, of Hartford, Conn., says the Guests were able to purchase $1,000 of such as the smiling, engaging couple Pat vastness of the ceiling is brought down by play money/chips for $10. Funds were donated to the Seneca Nation of Indians Child and Family Services. A n i t a By E. J. GOODER Seriammi, credit Staff Writer manager for the The Aboriginal Education Access Office (AEAO) is high roller cliensponsoring a contest search for a new, locally inspired tele, says cuslogo. The deadline for entries is Jan. 31. tomer service Shirley Joshua, counsellor for the AEAO at Niagara “comes first.” College’s Welland campus, says the present logo has Seriammi, of been in use for many years. Niagara Falls, Joshua says the logo has “more of a West Coast says she wants to design,” but the office would like a design symbolizhelp people feel ing the native communities of the students attending comfortable the college. when visiting the Joshua, of Thorold, Ont., says proposed designs should casino. “represent the values (that) the students grew up with.” The casino, she The new logo will win new popularity, as it will repsays, has trained resent the office, its values and its principles. The new employees to be logo will be displayed on all office supplies, from pens “conscious of peoto letterhead. ple’s limits and to All aboriginal students attending Niagara’s three camcut them off when puses are encouraged to make a submission. drinking or gamThe winning designer will receive a certificate of bling too heavily.” recognition from the AEAO, a gift certificate and a Debra-Leigh Williams, 30, administrative assisSeriammi says tant in the Aboriginal Education Access Office. prize of $50. she “believes in Photo by E.J. Gooder Students, win prizes for logo design Niagara Falls” and sees a resurgence in the making. The preview nights were practice sessions for the newly graduated dealers, who demonstrated their skill and knowledge of the various games. There are 93 Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Mini-Baccarat tables and 2,625 slot machines, plus a Keno lounge. Only a few of the 93 tables were open for gaming and none of the slot machines were operating, for technicians were still working on some of the machines. John Pasqualoni, vice-president of slot operations, had said all the “slots will be ready” for the Dec. 31 opening and they were. There are two restaurants, Thunder Falls and Morrie’s Place, plus various food carts and a buffet in the gaming room aiming to offer selections to suit everyone’s taste. The gift shop displays native jewelry, art and articles of clothing with the casino’s understated logo. Security staff, prevalent everywhere, were visible in their bright red jackets and black pants. Bernard Bailey, 29, of the Tonawanda Indian Reserve, is a security officer and was stationed at the main entrance. Bailey, a Seneca, says the “crowds have been well mannered.” Gloria Way, 60, of Angola, N.Y., says she was disappointed because the casino wasn’t like Las Vegas. “Where was glitz?” The smiling raven-haired Way says she did enjoy herself as “everyone was very nice” to her. John Latimore, 37, of Angola, N.Y., says he was “very impressed” with the casino’s paramedic unit. The casino’s qualified staff, Latimore says, were “very impressive” in their ability to use emergency equipment such as defibrillator and intravenous set-ups, allowing the paramedics to quickly respond to any medical emergency. Patrons must be 21 years of age to enter or to be served alcohol in the casino, but minors may be admitted to the restaurants and other non-gaming areas of the casinos. The Seneca Nation had a long struggle, not only with its members, but also with obtaining the needed U.S. state and federal governmental approval to operate a full-service casino. The Niagara Falls casino is one of three sites at which the Seneca Nation plans on opening gaming facilities. Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003, Page 11 College to upgrade computer technology By DONNA DURIC Staff Writer “Niagara College has a good report card on technology,” says Beth Weldon, chief information officer for the college, at the Board of Governors’ meeting on Nov. 14. “We’re sitting really well (compared with other colleges).” However, she says the college’s computers and networks “need development” and “refreshing.” Computers and cabling usually run a three-year cycle before being tossed out in favour of new technology. Niagara College has been running a five-year cycle with computers, yet the 270 kilometres of copper cabling at the college must be replaced every three years. Weldon says she and her 17member staff want to “refresh” the labs and staff computers, as well as thousands of software programs. “It’s a continuous cycle,” she says. “As you upgrade software, you must upgrade hardware.” The college has 575 staff computers, 1,400 student computers, and 270 leased or purchased laptops, used by students in the technology programs. Weldon says she wants to upgrade PeopleSoft so that students may be able to pay for their tuition, register for programs, and drop and add courses, all on the Web, by December. PeopleSoft is a $2.3-million software program that deals with financial records, academic records and administrative functions. “It will be cost saving for the college. There’s no question,” says Weldon, adding that “it’s clear that students are using the Web.” This past Christmas, the college didn’t mail grades and timetables to students, who were able to check their timetables on the college’s Web site by Dec. 6, students were encour- aged to check back often. “As a techie, I like to take away the (use of) paper whenever I can,” says Weldon. The college Web site, which has 41,417 pages on it, is viewed by people in 60 countries, with Japan being the second-highest requester after Canada. In 2001, 1,595 students were taking an on-line course, and this year, there are 1,719. Weldon says the college administration hopes that by 2003, there will be 2,250 students taking on-line courses. Weldon also wants to upgrade the administrative software programs, since there are 1.4 mil- lion grades stored on staff computers. “We have some honkin’ servers,” says Weldon. The college has a $2-million yearly operating budget for technology, with $600,000 of that contributed by the Student Technology Enhancement Committee (STEC) fee. The STEC fee comes out of students’ tuition and helps pay for the Student Open Access Lab’s $100,000 a year Internet cost. “We’ve purchased wisely and we manage it (the budget) well,” says Weldon. “We want to be able to maintain that role.” Native polytechnic institute to open after Christmas By E. J. GOODER Staff Writer Six Nations Polytechnic Inc. in Oshweken is taking a giant step into the future for its students and the aboriginal community with the construction of a new post-secondary facility on the Six Nations of the Grand River near Brantford Ont.. The Jan. 24, 2003, grand opening celebration of the polytechnic institute will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and building tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students and staff are attending classes in the new building as they return after the Christmas break. Arnie Bomberry, 30, polytechnic registrar, says that a “generous grant and loan” from the Six Nations Council and Casino Rama funds assisted in the building of the new facility. Bomberry, a Mohawk of the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve, says an agreement with Imperial Oil was finalized, and a pre-technology program was added to the curriculum. The firm will eventually employ graduates from the native community. He says the polytechnic has been “doing all right” with just students from the reserve attending the programs, but the aboriginal population is starting to apply from everywhere, including applications from the United States. He wants to see a stronger relationship, Bomberry says, with the colleges and universities they have partnerships with, such as Wilfrid Laurier University in KitchenerWaterloo and Niagara College, and more in-house programs. He would also “like” to see a dual institute of naturopathic medicine in conjunction with McMaster Classes at Six Nations Polytechnic Inc. are held in these portables. Photo by E.J. Gooder Construction is in its final stages of the new Six Nations Polytechnic Inc. on the Six Nations reserve near Brantford. Photo by E.J. Gooder University in Hamilton. Gayle Lafleur, manager of the Niagara College Aboriginal Education Access Office, Welland campus, says Six Nations Polytechnic and Niagara College are in a joint partnership. Six Nations Polytechnic delivers the programs and the college gives the credits earned by the students in each program. The polytechnic provides such programs as Early Childhood Education, Education Assistant — Special Needs and Paramedic. Linda Statts, chief executive officer since the conception of Six Nations Polytechnic 10 years ago, says a partnership to create a university access program was formed with Niagara College in 1993. It has graduated more than 200 students. The program consists of the first year of university or college, so the native student will feel secure and ready to blend easily into the mainstream of academia. The bottom line, Statts says, is to provide the means for the aboriginal student to gain “confidence, self-esteem and skills to be successful.” Student Valerie White, 27, of Hamilton, is in her first year of the Native University program and she eventually wants to be a medical doctor. White, a Mohawk, says she has been out of the educational system and this is a “great way of getting back into educational process. Honestly, I love it.” The smiling, dark-haired woman says she is setting a “good example” for her children not only about the importance of a post-secondary education, but also finding out about her heritage. She says she makes the more than 30-kilometre drive from Hamilton every day and when she has accomplished her dream of being a medical doctor she will apply those skills in her “native community.” For more information call 519445-0023, e-mail [email protected] or go to http://www.snpolytechnic.com. Local grade school children participated in patrol training with NRP By SHARI HADGRAFT Staff Writer About 305 students were “handpicked” to take part in the sixth annual School Patroller Training Day held at the Exhibition Grounds in Welland on Sept. 26. Seventeen elementary schools took part in this training program to teach students in Grades 5 and 6 what emergency situations might occur on a school bus and how to resolve them. Constable Tim Whittle, 47, of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRP), was the co-ordinator of the annual School Patroller Training Day event with the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) of Niagara. “We’ve been partners with CAA since 1975; however, this event is our sixth annual Patroller Training Day. Instead of going around to all the schools, we bring all the schools to us or as many of the schools that sign up,” Whittle said. The students go through five stations throughout the training day. The stations include bus protocol behaviour, bus practical evacuation, St. John Ambulance first aid, Welland Fire Department and CAA school patrol. “They’re teaching kids how to emergency evacuate a bus,” Whittle explains. “They’re teaching the kids proper bus protocol, basically behaviour on the bus, What to do and what not to do. The fire department is teaching them how to put out different types of fires and the big thing, how you properly use a fire extinguisher, and the children get the chance to actually use a fire extinguisher.” Whittle said CAA funds this event by paying for the lunch and a trip to Marineland in Niagara Falls. “Once they do this, they go back to the schools and if they ful- fil their duties as a school patroller or a bus patroller, then the school has the option of sending them to Marineland for a day in the spring.” John Sherwin, 42, marketing and public relations manager of CAA Niagara, said he’s been putting on this training day in the Niagara region for seven years. CAA provides the orange fluorescent vests the children wear and distributes safety handbooks to every participating student. The $500 cost for lunch and fire extinguishers was funded by the organization. Students who show a leadership role at school are handpicked by the teachers to take part in this training day, Sherwin said. “The bus patrollers work with the bus driver to make sure the children get on and off safely, that the children are quiet on the bus, they’re not sticking their arms and legs out the windows. They help in any emergency situation that might arise like emergency evacuation, that kind of thing,” he said. Sherwin said the NRP have always been “very supportive” of this training event. “We work very closely together and make sure we are teaching the same lessons.” Sherwin said he thinks CAA has an important role in this event. “I think it’s real important to learn safety rules. And, unfortunately, automobile collisions continue to be the leading cause of death and injury among children six to 14 years old, so as the largest automobile association in Canada, we feel that responsibility to take part.” Dan Evkovich, 53, a fire prevention officer with the Welland Fire Department, has been involved in the annual School Patroller Training Day for about five or six years. Evkovich said a fire extinguisher is mandatory equipment on a school bus so the fire department had to provide some training. “They have to learn how to use it in case they have to use it.” Evkovich said they have a limited number of fire extinguishers to use during the event but try to maximize the number of children taught. David Katch, 50, an instructor with St. John Ambulance at the Welland branch, was at the training event teaching basic first aid. Katch has been participating in the event for four years teaching children safety procedures. “If something should happen on the bus, where the bus is involved in an accident, what can they (the students) do to help out with the various emergencies that could arise.” Page 14, Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003 Super Bowl Xtravaganza a must for fans By LINDSEY LEAMEN Staff Writer Calling all football fans: Get set to see the Super Bowl as you’ve never seen it before. On Sunday, Jan. 26, Niagara College students and the public will have the opportunity to watch the Super Bowl at the Imax Theatre in Niagara Falls. Fun activities, in addition to the main event, include six XBOX stations that are available at 5 p.m. and again at halftime. The University of Guelph cheerleaders will be doing a show. Other things to look forward to include prizes and giveaways from the Hamilton Tiger Cats, Budweiser, Hamilton Bulldogs, restaurants, hotels, and other Niagara attractions. “We want to fill the place,” said Ross Cunningham, of Fenwick, a student in the Special Events Management (Post-graduate) program and Super Bowl Xtravaganza committee chair. “It’s going to be a fun, fun day. You’ll never see the football game on a screen like this unless you go to the Imax. The football will be the size of your TV at home. This is a big thing.” The National Football League gave the rights to show the game, and every dollar raised goes to support the Many Hands Project. “Our goal is to sell 350 tickets. The Imax seats 620, but we want to keep at a comfortable level for everyone,” said Cunningham. The Super Bowl Xtravaganza committee includes nine Special Events Management program stu- dents and two Public Relations (Post-graduate) program students. Students from the Law and Security Administration program and the Paramedic program will be on hand during the event. Please note that this is a 19 years of age and over event and tickets cost $25, which includes big screen viewing, a light meal, beverage of your choice, prizes and games. Buy your tickets by contacting the Imax Theatre, or call 905641-2252 ext. 6404, or by email at [email protected]. For more information on the Many Hands Project please visit: http://www.niagarac.on.ca/people/manyhand/manyhand.htm Sponsors for the event are the Imax Theatre, Cogeco, and duocom. One aspect of college life just got a bit better By CARISSA PERTSCHY Staff Writer Cafeteria food isn’t always bad. Niagara College and Aramark, Niagara College’s food provider, have been awarded an Eat Smart award of excellence. As an award winner, Niagara College is recognized as meeting healthful food and kitchen criteria approved provincially by medical officers of health, says Christine Philbrick, college nurse. “Other institutions (colleges) may be meeting it as well, but to our knowledge they have not received this award.” “This is an award of excellence, and we are proud to offer our students and staff Eat Smart options,” says Philbrick. On Jan. 29, all three of the college’s cafeterias in Welland, Niagara Falls and Niagara-onthe-Lake can expect to see Eat Smart promotions, menu specials, giveaways, draws, and representatives with information First-year Computer Electronic Technology program student from the Heart and Stroke Jason Baines, 18, of St. Catharines, chooses to eat healthy food Foundation and the Niagara at Niagara’s Welland campus cafeteria. Photo by Carissa Pertschy Regional Public Health Department. “By avoiding things like highPublic Health Department, the “A restaurant or cafeteria with er fat foods and food and bever- Niagara Culinary Institute, Heart the Eat Smart designation will ages with high sugar content we Niagara, Canadian Cancer offer a variety of healthy food can lower our risk for certain Society, Heart and Stroke choices on the menu, high stanhealth problems,” says Philbrick. Foundation and Niagara Heart dards in food safety and handling The Eat Smart program part- Super Bowl Xtravaganza organizers Ross Cunningham, Ember Johnstone, 23, of Milton, and Genevieve Novak, 20, of Hull, Que. Photo by Lindsey Leamen Survey says cigarette butts, garbage top campus pride dislikes By LINDSEY LEAMEN Staff Writer A huge thanks goes out to everyone who participated in the Campus Pride surveys conducted last semester. The surveys, conducted by students in the Public Relations (Postgraduate) program, polled Niagara College students on their thoughts regarding cleanliness, atmosphere, convenience, and general likes and dislikes around the college. The research was collated. The public relations students found that a major concern among students is the cigarette butt clean up, or lack thereof, outside every entrance of the college. Garbage in the college and around campus was also a main issue, as was the need for paper towels in the washrooms for sanitary reasons, and the high cost of cafeteria food. The public relations students worked with the Campus Pride Committee, which is responsible for the planning and co-ordinating of activities, communication and research to improve campus facilities and the respect for them. The committee consists of 20 people from three campuses including faculty, staff, students and residence staff. “We’re creating a sense of ownership,” said Laura Lennie, 25, of Stoney Creek, a student in the Public Relations (Post-graduate) program. “We’re students helping students to effect change,” Lennie said adding that the surveys were conducted as a practical assignment. Surveys were conducted online, in focus groups and in interviews. Chris Newman, 23, of Sudbury, a program student, stressed that he was “happy the college trusted us. It shows they have faith in their students, and they care about their students.” The students interpreted the information and made recommendations on Dec. 4 to an audience that included the college’s Manager of Corporate Communications Darrell Neufeld. “The presentations were first rate,” said Neufeld, adding, “Excellent information was provided in a comprehensive view of both students and faculty.” Neufeld said he looked forward to going through the information and then deciding how to best address and “prioritize” the issues that were of concern to students. Some, such as the cigarette butt mess, would be more a case of “changing attitudes and modifying behaviours.” Lennie and Newman acknowledged that although not all change is possible, the idea is to find what areas need improvement to create a place that “all students are proud to be in.” ‘... we are providing our body with the building blocks to maintain health.’ ners in the Niagara r e g i o n include the Niagara R e g i o n Health. Eat Smart, Ontario’s healthy restaurant program, is an exclusive program that awards Ontario restaurants for meeting high standards in food safety, nutrition and nonsmoking seating. The goal of the program is to contribute to the reduction of chronic diseases including heart disease and cancer, as well as food-borne illness in Ontario. and more non-smoking seating than is required by law,” says Philbrick. “Healthy eating is an extremely important factor in wellness,” she says. “By choosing foods that are high in vitamin and mineral content and enjoying a variety of things from each food group every day, we are providing our body with the building blocks to maintain health.” Chris Newman and Laura Lennie, students in the Public Relations (Post-graduate) program share their findings. Photo by Lindsey Leamen Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003, Page 15 College’s BRTF program ‘number 1’ By ADAM CAMPBELL Staff Writer This Niagara student recognizes that hours upon hours of dedication are the key to a successful future. Erik Lauridsen, 21, of Beamsville, Ont., who is in his final year of the Broadcasting — Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program, will be heading to CTV Newsnet this spring when his tenure at the college comes to an end. Lauridsen has been involved in some of the biggest projects the BRTF department has undertaken. The first was A Legend in the Making, a 22-minute corporate video, which followed the making of the Legends on the Niagara golf course in Chippawa, Ont., for the Niagara Parks Commission. “With so much riding on a project like this, it would either make me or break me. I just didn’t want to screw up,” says Lauridsen. With more than 100 tapes and 50 hours of footage taken, Lauridsen and his fellow co-worker on the project, Joe Findlay, were given their own editing suite to be used solely for the large project. Throughout Lauridsen’s last two years at the college he has worked on a number of other projects. Lauridsen was director of the television mobile for the 2001 Sports Celebrity Banquet in St. Catharines, which featured a large number of sports legends from the National Hockey League and Canadian Football League. Lauridsen was also the videographer for the 2001 Niagara Falls Santa Claus parade, which gave him a “head start” using special editing equipment and learning different editing techniques. As a second-year student, Lauridsen jumped at the opportunity to be one of the hand-held camera people, helping the third-year class with the Erik Lauridsen, 21, who is in his final year of the Broadcasting — Radio, Television and Film program, prepares for a future in the television industry. Fighting Spirit Pro Wrestling mobile. Photo by Adam Campbell Lauridsen, who welcomes the pressure college has to offer, says he is looking forward to the live-to-air pressures of CTV. “I wanted to one day work in the television industry and from the research I conducted, “Everyone likes to be challenged, and I felt that the television industry would provide me the Niagara College BRTF program was No. 1. with the constant technical challenge I need.” “One of the greatest selling points for the program here at Niagara was the unique partAt last year’s Graphics, Radio, Film and Television Image (GRAFITI) college award ceremony, Lauridsen captured three awards: best second-year ENG Producer for Fire Hall nership they had with CTV,” says Lauridsen. Another plus of coming to Niagara was the instant hands-on experience you can get on Theatre, best second-year Mobile Production for Fort Erie Race Track and best second-year placement at CTV, he says. Television Feature for Wheelchair Tennis. “It’s pretty obvious that Canada’s No. 1 private broadcaster thinks Niagara College is Lauridsen also received a non-GRAFITI award when he was given the Cogeco Cable doing something right. I think that speaks volumes for the BRTF program here.” Community 10 scholarship for demonstrating proficiency in television production. Humbled by his success in the BRTF program, Lauridsen says two of the most notable Choosing Niagara College was no easy task, says Lauridsen, who gave it an in-depth look when sending out college applications. Ultimately, Lauridsen chose Niagara because of its influences at the college have been second- and third-year television teachers, Tom Pagonis rich history in the broadcasting industry. and Bill Boehlen. “They both provided me with a great understanding of not just how something worked, but why it worked. It’s that type of technical understanding that you’ll hold on to forever.” While in his final year of the BRTF program, Lauridsen says he finds himself with more responsibility because unlike the two previous years, it was more of a team-oriented atmosphere. ‘Everyone likes to be challenged, and I felt that the television industry would provide me with the constant technical challenge I need.’ — Erik Lauridsen “When a technical problem comes up we’re encouraged to troubleshoot it ourselves instead of grabbing the engineer right away.” “The teachers are there more to guide you rather than provide you with the hoops to jump through.” If everything goes Lauridsen’s way, he sees himself being involved in the productions at CTV. Lauridsen says he has always been a fan of CTV Newsnet’s style of production and has always been impressed with the work put into that production. “I’ve been fascinated with that channel since it began. They use some very unconventional production techniques to produce 24 hours of live news. I’d just love to be involved with that.” Lauridsen is in the pre-production stages of his Telefest project titled Sing and will only reveal the overall theme. “I don’t want to give too much away at this point but let’s just say it involves karaoke singing,” says Lauridsen. Cancer Society Page 16, Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003 The road to being a dental hygienist By BRENDAN CAMPBELL Staff Writer If you hate going to the dentist for a check-up, try spending a day on a floor full of people who will one day work with them. While the atmosphere in the Dental Hygiene program on the third floor of the Simcoe wing at Niagara College’s Welland campus is a rather upbeat one, the overall feel is a stressed-outhyped-up-on-coffee one. With 13 classes followed by 13 exams in the first-year, and nine classes with exams, plus a more thorough clinic in second year, there’s no doubt as to why the stress level is high and the coffee flows like water. “We’ll have, like, (classes for) four hours straight or so, then an hour (break), and then more classes in the afternoon,” says secondyear Dental Hygiene program student Angie Keczan, 23, of Burford, Ont. Keczan says that the workload varies depending on the day. Tuesdays and Thursdays are days when they’re in clinic so the teachers give them a lighter class load those days, although even the lighter load can conflict with some courses on the most stressful days. Mondays and Wednesdays the students spend the entire day in class with minimal breaks in order to fit in everything they need to learn. Friday is the lightest day of the week as they’re only to come in for a three-hour clinic. Sometimes their clinics are doubled up those days, leaving even the lightest day with a fairly heavy schedule. With the stress and pressure, why would someone want to invest all their time in it? “I don’t know exactly why I wanted to,” Keczan says. “I liked going to the dentist so I (took the dental assistant course) and then worked for three years (in the field) and enjoyed it, realized, yeah, I liked it, so now I’m gonna go on and go into hygiene.” And what exactly is it that a dental hygienist does? “It’s when you work on your own clients,” she says. “The hygienist is more the person cleaning your teeth and helping (see that) you’re brushing properly, Second-year Dental Hygienist student Kristi Kennedy, 23, of Leamington, works on her patient Mary Hagendenetriou, of Welland. Photo by Brendan Campbell Second-year Dental Hygienist students Betsy Philip, 27, of London, and Dori Jones, 22, of Waterloo, say, “Open wide.” Photo by Brendan Campbell you’re flossing, and just keeping your mouth generally healthy. They also teach the client how to keep their mouth as healthy as they can also.” In clinic, students have a semester to complete the evaluation and needs of 13 patients. This sounds easier than it is, as there is limited scheduling for clinic space. “If a client cancels, you’ll have an empty clinic, and you can’t find another clinic to make up for (the missed appointment).” When the clients appear, what is the treatment they receive? “There’s a main word for it, it’s APIE, which is Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation,” Keczan says. “So you’re assessing your client first, and then you’re planning what is specific for that client, what needs to be done. Then you’re implementing it by actually doing it. And then you’re evaluating it, sort of seeing how everything went.” On certain clinic days, four of the students aren’t required to have a patient. They are scheduled in different areas of the clinic to help things run smoothly. There’s one student in dispensaries. This is where students obtain brushes, floss or whatever is needed for the client or supply drawers. In radiography, students clean the X-ray room, prepare it for use and develop the exposures once they’re taken. Some students are designated as floaters whose job is to make sure everything runs smoothly. If someone needs an extra hand, they’re available to lend it. Outside of clinic, not only do the students spend most of their time in classes or studying for them, but they also pay one of the highest tuitions in the college. “It’s like $6,000, and then you get your books and supplies, which are again, another couple of thousand dollars,” Keczan says. “(It comes out to) about $8,000, $9,000.” After all the classes and studying, is there any time left for a social life? “It kinda depends on our tests, because once our tests start, it seems like they just keep going and going and going.” Is having a part-time job out of the question? “I wanted to try and find a job during the week, but to get to have someone work around my hours to give me a job … ,” she laughs, indicating it’d be almost impossible. Having little to no extra income available it can add another stress to the already accumulating levels. “That might be one of my more stressful parts,” Keczan admits, “the whole money situation.” Given this ongoing stressful process day after day, is it still something the students enjoy? “I enjoy it,” Keczan says. “At first, (it is stressful) especially last year, that was really stressful, because you get in there and you’re, like, ‘I don’t know if this is really what I want to be doing.’ But now I really enjoy it. I like interacting with the clients, spending time with them.” Dental professor’s presentation in Germany a success By BRENDAN CAMPBELL Staff Writer A Niagara College dental hygiene professor has given 250 people in Germany something to sink their teeth into. Ursula Pelissero, 52, arrived in Germany on Dec. 4 to present a seminar address at the Bavarian Dental Convention. This was the second time Pelissero had been to Germany to make a presentation. This time her subject involved infection control. “(It was) absolutely amazing. It was extremely successful,” she says. It wasn’t without its challenges, however. Pelissero says that as soon as she arrived she went to the convention centre to make sure her laptop computer would be compatible with the overhead LCD projector and that everything worked perfectly. Despite her preparation, things didn’t go smoothly. “We went early in the morning because I’m always organized and like to get there early. (We) went to hook (the computer) up and it wouldn’t accept (the presentation) and it was the same LCD projector we had tested (before). We went through four LCD projectors on the day of, so obviously it was my computer.” ‘(It was) absolutely amazing. It was extremely successful.’ — Ursula Pelissero All was not lost as a saviour was found in the person making a presentation before hers. “I was the second speaker, so luckily the first speaker had a zip drive and we were able to download it (her presentation) and put it onto his computer and save my bacon.” In the end, she says, the presentation did go “really well” although she had some difficulty with her German, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. “I did have some difficulty with my German, no doubt about it. But the accompanying PowerPoint presentation, which was rescued, allowed them to follow along. They appreciated my little mistakes with pronunciation and that helped me out.” With all the stress she put herself through to get to that point, and the glitches and mispronunciations aside, did she enjoy herself? “Oh yes, my forté is going out in front of an audience. The afternoon presentation went really well. There was a good interaction and good questions and I was able to respond. And I have had some wonderful thank-you letters from people indicating how much they appreciated it, to the point where co-ordinators of two educational institutions wanted copies of my presentation for infection control because they want to introduce it into theirs.” It wasn’t all work and no play as there was a little time to wine and dine while taking in the sights. “They had a champagne and caviar party for us afterwards, and we were reunited with some of the individuals who had gone to Russia with us before. They (also) had a dinner on our behalf. We did get to walk Munich and get to see the old architecture and the Christmas market which they have, and it was nice to see the local culture at Christmas the way it was celebrated there.” From the experience Pelissero says she came back with a “good feeling inside” about what she’d done, and what she felt was her favourite part of the trip. “Just the fact that since I’m at the position at my life within my career that I’ve had sufficient experience that I’m fortunate enough to be in the educational field and that they would want my opinion and that they are looking for examples from Canada within the hygiene profession. That’s so neat to be considered an authority on a subject. That’s something that you look at other individuals and then I thought to myself, oh my goodness, they really value what I have to say and what our profession is doing. So that’s my favourite part ... and the food.” Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003, Page 17 Curiosity outweighs love in sex survey By CARISSA PERTSCHY Staff Writer What’s love got to do with it? A recent survey revealed curiosity outweighs love when it comes to one’s first sexual experience. One third, or 37 per cent, of the people surveyed in Durex’s 2002 Canadian Sex Survey On Youth say they had their first sexual relationship because they were curious. Only one in four people, or 29 per cent, surveyed say they were in love the first time they were in a sexual relationship. “The results of the survey give a snapshot of a particular group for specific issues,” says Kim Martyn, sexual health educator and Canadian spokesperson for Durex. “The findings suggest that Canadian youth often act on their curiosity when it comes to sex, reinforcing the need to continue to educate them about the importance of protecting themselves against sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies with the use of a condom,” says Martyn. “Don’t fool yourself thinking you know you’re safe. Use condoms whenever you’re with someone.” The survey results show Canadian youth are losing their virginity earlier than in previous generations. One third, or 38 per cent, of the youth surveyed say they experienced their first sexual relationship when they were between the ages of 15 and 17. Close to half the females surveyed, 42 per cent, had their first sexual relationship between the ages of 15 and 17, which is significantly lower than males. Only one in four males, or 25 per cent, had their first sexual relationship between the ages of 15 and 17. “So much has to do with good education and honest discussion at home,” says Martyn, adding, “Many parents are uncomfortable talking about sex and either lecture or are silent; neither help.” “Usually other things are missing in a youth’s life,” if they are having sex at a young age. “We shouldn’t be freaked about them having sex; we should be looking at what they don’t have. It’s not just the parents’ fault. Governments and institutions need to give help and encouragement to youth, and it needs to start when kids are young,” she says. Seventy-six per cent of the youth surveyed believe it’s not acceptable to engage in sex with a new partner without using a condom. “While the message about the importance of using a condom is getting out to youth, it does not always translate into safer sex actually being practiced.” “There is a false sense of security,” she says. “Having condoms available widely, cheaply and free will help. “The results of the survey are consistent with other research that finds youth continue to understand the importance of condoms and condom use. When it comes to using condoms, the practice isn’t entirely in sync with what they intend, so that’s worrisome,” says Martyn. ‘Having condoms available widely, cheaply and free will help.’ — Kim Martyn In Ontario, 37 per cent, onethird, of the youth surveyed reported they had sex once a week, while 35 per cent of Ontario youth had sex two to three times a month. Two per cent of Ontario’s youth reported that within the first week of meeting someone it is long enough to wait before having sex with a new partner. For the youth that wait longer than a week, 15 per cent say they would have sex with a new partner within the first month of their first meeting. “From the work I do, I know the attitude comes from people who fool themselves. They think they know who they are sleeping with and are free from sexually transmitted infections,” says Martyn. Durex is the world’s leading condom brand and suppliers of Durex, Shiek and Ramses condoms. The Durex Web site, http://www.durex.com, has a list of available types of condoms, which come in many different shapes, sizes, colours and styles, “encouraging people to try different kinds,” says Martyn. The data collected from 2,000 people by Decima Research in an online panel are accurate within +/- 6.4 percentage points 95 times out of 100, at the 95 per cent confidence interval. Drive, just drive, don’t eat, phone, groom or read By AMY CONTOIS Staff Writer With the growing importance of time management, people often try to do too many things at once. Driving while eating, talking on a phone, applying makeup or reading, are some of the most dangerous activities people do. Young Drivers of Canada emphasized the importance of safe driving by declaring Dec. 1 to Dec. 7 Safe Driving Week. “Anything that we can do to raise awareness of keeping the roads safe in our community is a good idea,” says Tim Danter, new general manager of Young Drivers in the Niagara Region. For the first time Young Drivers offered free driving evaluations to the public as part of the initiative. It offered opportunities for drivers to see if any of their habits could lead to an accident. Peter Christianson, president of Young Drivers, stated, in a press release, that on a daily basis, “driving is the most dangerous activity we are involved in.” “In order to keep out of collisions, you need to know what is going on 360 degrees around your vehicle at all times. You need to control traffic around you and to maintain an escape route at all times.” During Safe Driving Week, licensed citizens who wished to take the driving evaluation were encouraged to call Young Drivers to schedule an appointment. In the case of conflicting schedules, Young Drivers were willing to schedule an appointment for the week following Dec. 7. An instructor would meet the driver at his or her home, or at another designated area, to begin the evaluation. The evaluation is not for points, meaning a person’s license won’t be suspended. It’s an opportunity to improve or refresh your driving skills. The evaluation will measure three aspects of the person’s driving capabilities: defensive ability, rules of driving and vehicle handling. All licensed drivers are eligible. Anyone interested in participating in the driver evaluation, could call 905-680-6220 to schedule an appointment. A study done at the University of North Carolina states that driver distraction is the cause of 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions. A ranking of distractions revealed that adjusting the radio accounted for 11.4 per cent of accidents, engaging in conversation with other passengers accounted for 10.9 per cent, eating or drinking caused 1.7 per cent of all collisions and talking on a cell phone caused 1.5 per cent of distraction-related accidents. Student declared winner in college writing contest By LESLIE BRANCONNIER Staff Writer We have a winner! A Niagara College student is the winner of the Call Magazine College Writing Contest, and runner-up nationwide for the first annual Nelson Writing Prize. Dave Kendell, 21, of Port Colborne, is in the Computer Programmer Analyst program. Kendell’s essay, Language for a New Age, will be featured in a Pearson Education textbook sometime next year. He wrote a “clever, interesting, very topical” essay, said Dr. Douglas B. Rogers, an English professor at Niagara College, who Dave Kendell Winner nominated the essay. The piece was originally part of a class assignment. Kendell exemplifies a lot of traits, including being friendly, kindly, intelligent and well liked, he added. The essay is about how the Internet is breaking down the English language, said Kendell. “It’s been a concern of mine for a little while,” said Kendell, “in chat rooms, and email, seeing the use of slang terms.” Rogers said, “It talks about created license English written on the Internet, that people don’t follow the same rules as in normal writing.” Kendell said he was surprised that the essay made it as far as it did. “I’m definitely pleased with the outcome,” said Kendell. It has been getting a lot of publicity and will be featured in a textbook next year. One teacher has already used it in class, said Kendell. Kendell’s essay was about 950 words in length. The essays were to be from 500 to 1,000 words. Colleen Baxter, of North Island College, was the Nelson Writing Prize winner with her essay, Pete. The nominating instructor was Steve Roe. As the winner, Baxter will receive $500 and a collection of Nelson titles. Kendell, as a runner-up, will receive a collection of Nelson titles. There were 42 entries from across the country. “I have a few other ideas. The Internet isn’t as good as people think. This is the first in, hopefully, a series, on the Internet,” said Kendell. The essay is posted on the Call Magazine Web site http://www.callmagazine.com. Niagara students don’t know fine line between drunkenness, alcohol poisoning By KATHRYN HANLEY Staff Writer Niagara College students have scored low when it comes to their knowledge of alcohol. A survey done by Niagara College Student Administrative Council (SAC) shows some surprising results, says Andrew Hanes, SAC president at the Welland campus. “We took a survey on Alcohol Awareness Day. We gave it out to 217 students. A lot of them came into the pub; a lot of them were from the main building as well,” says Hanes. Alcohol Awareness Day was held on Oct. 22. The survey included 10 true or false ‘... students didn’t know the difference from being drunk and having alcohol poisoning.’ — Andrew Hanes questions, with students scoring an average of 67 per cent. “One of the biggest things that I found, and it kind of scared me, was students didn’t know the difference between being drunk and having alcohol poisoning. They thought there was one question describing alcohol poisoning. It actually ended up describing the sensations of being drunk. I think this is kind of disturbing.” Hanes is referring to question five, which reads like this: “Symptoms of acute alcohol poisoning include impaired attention, reduced muscle control, slowed reflexes, staggering gait, slurred speech and double vision.” Only 10 per cent of the students surveyed got the answer correct. Question one, which asked if alcohol is a stimulant drug, received a low 54 per cent correct score. It appears that almost half of the student population is misled and thinks that alcohol may be uplifting. “I think that students need to know more,” says Hanes. On the up side, 98 per cent of students realized that alcohol could be lethal under extreme intoxication. Page 18, Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003 Employers in Hall Tax preparation, tips showcase opportunities By JESSICA ARCARO because like any other deduction, they Staff Writer are more beneficial that way. So you’ve worked all year long and “I strongly believe that it is extremely brought in a nice sum of cash, which you important to understand income taxes are already making plans to spend. Then since it is usually one of your largest all of a sudden you get this official, gov- expenses,” says Fox. ernment envelope, something about While businesses such as H & R Block taxes, a return? provide income tax return preparation If you are over 18 years old, you are services, it is not mandatory for taxpayrequired to file an income tax report ers to use these services. Guides and each April, which means you may have forms are provided at post offices so you to give some of that hard-earned can do it yourself. As well, that are softmoney back. ware packages available, such as “In theory, the progressive tax system Quicktax and Taxwiz, that allow more is designed to than six returns ‘equalize’ the to be prepared, ‘I strongly believe that it is cost of governso the software extremely important to under- can be shared, ment,” says Linda Fox, Fox. stand income taxes since it is says Canadian finanThe college usually one of your largest cial planner for provides the Odyssey Capital Income Tax expenses.’ – Linda Fox Corp., in Clinic, a volunBurlington, Ont. teer service, to To ensure equality, taxpayers are assist students in filing their income required to file a certain percentage of taxes. The clinic will be at the Glendale their income indicated by which tax campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake on bracket they reach. Tax brackets are Tuesday, March 25, and at the Welland determined by the amount of taxable campus on Thursday, March 27, both income of the taxpayer. The same per- days from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. centage of income that is taxed is used Income tax returns must be filed by with deductions; therefore, the higher April 30. There are penalties for not filthe tax bracket the more your deductions ing your report and not paying if you are worth. owe the government. The late charge for Deductions are costs or expenses that non-filed reports is five per cent of all can be subtracted from your income outstanding payments. For late paybefore your taxes are calculated. ments, you are charged one per cent a Fox says taxpayers can prepare for their month of the outstanding fees, up to 12 returns year-round by keeping a file of months. any receipts that can be claimed, such as While filing your taxes, you may call medical expenses, tuition, rent and mov- Canada Customs and Revenue at 1-800ing costs to stay at a dorm or change jobs. 959-8281 or go to http://www.ccraAnother way to reduce your tax brack- adrc.gc.ca for any extra directions. et is to make contributions to a Fox recommends starting to track Registered Retirement Savings Plan, your income and expenses, so you have says Fox, as funds in them are tax-free a realistic idea of what you do with until withdrawn. your money. In her experience, Fox recommends “As you go through the stages of your that you wait to claim these contributions life, your goals will change but it will be until you are in a high tax bracket, easier to achieve if you have a plan.” RRSPs for high returns, low risk By JESSICA ARCARO Staff Writer While tuition, book costs and rent are major financial concerns for a college student, there is more to plan for: the future. The next step after your education may be establishing a career but now is the time to starting thinking about retirement as well. Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP) are common saving strategies for retirement that are full of “high returns and safety,” says Chuck Campbell, Canadian financial planner for McAvoy, Belan and Campbell, in Port Colborne, Ont. “RRSPs are important to college students because time is a major factor to the accumulation of funds,” he says, compared to contributions through the popular concept of compound interest. “This concept emphasizes a pile-on effect of interest on the original balance plus the additional interest of each year past that the plan is in effect. Because of this principle, you can stop making contributions to an RRSP and continue to raise funds by allowing it to grow with time.” Contributions and accumulative balances are tax-free until withdrawal, which is why you’re encouraged to leave the funds until retirement, when the tax bracket is often lower for retirees. Upon withdrawal, taxation begins at 10 per cent for funds up to $5,000, 20 per cent from $5,000 to $15,000 and 30 per cent for funds that value more than $15,000. The deadline for opening a RRSP is Feb. 28. It can then be claimed on 2002 income tax reports. Financial planners at banking and private institutions are qualified to provide clients with the proper options and opportunities to invest at the right time and with the right plans. When meeting with a financial planner, research his or her experience, services and charges. Most important, make sure you have everything in writing and file it for future reference. The Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) has presented more than 1,800 “There’s Something About Money” seminars to high school students across Canada since 1999. The 75-minute seminars cover basic money management including credit card sense, budgeting and short- and long-term saving. According to a September 2002 news release, 94 per cent of participating students said they felt better equipped to prepare for their financial futures as a result of the presentation. In addition to the information in its seminars, the CBA provides a Web site, www.yourmoney.cba.ca, with additional money matters information. By LESLIE BRANCONNIER Staff Writer This is a job that you don’t just get paid for, but you help others. On Jan. 7, as part of Niagara College’s Job Centre program, Employers in the Hall were at the Welland campus. The Grimsby, Lincoln and District Association for Community Living is looking for volunteers and accepting applications for paid part-time support workers. The starting rate for part-time support workers is about $13.85 an hour. Although there are no employment openings now, the organization has a high staff turnover rate and could need extra help at a moment’s notice, said Debbie Bray, co-ordinator of administrative services. Bray is in her 12th year with the company. People interested in paid positions should contact Bray at 905-563-4115. Those interested in volunteering should ask for ext. 18. The Grimsby, Lincoln and District Association for Community Living is a non-profit agency with the mandate of providing services and support to individuals from the community who have a developmental disability through a 24-hour seven-days-a-week service. The association was incorporated in 1965, said Bray. There are 13 group homes with about five individuals in each, said Bray. The association also provides respite, which is relief for families with a child or adult who has a developmental disability and live within the catchment area. The association will be having its 36th walk/bikeathon on May 3 to help raise funds. Kormos on hydro, wages, more By LORI LANGLEY One issue Kormos strongly supports is Staff Writer raising the minimum wage, which is $6.85 Ontario voters may be heading to the an hour. polls this spring. “The rate has remained stagnant for Welland-Thorold MPP Peter Kormos eight years, and residents have been sufsays he is anticipating the provincial fering the consequences.” P r o g r e s s i v e The Tories boast of Conservatives will call job creation but, ‘The Tories have dis- Kormos says, most of an election soon and is “looking forward to it.” appointed pretty much the new jobs created “The Tories have dishave been minimum everyone.’ appointed pretty much wage or less. Employers everyone,” says Kormos, are able to offer jobs – Peter Kormos of the New Democratic with pay rates below Party (NDP). minimum wage because He says the Liberals have gained ground of ruses allowing that. with voters, and the NDP is “doing well,” He says the cost of living continues to while the Tories are losing support. rise while the rate of pay remains the same, Kormos says the most important issues making it hard for minimum wage earners for this election will be education, health to get ahead financially. care and stabilizing the hydro industry in The Tories were elected in 1995 under Ontario. former premier Mike Harris and re-elected “Maintaining public ownership of in 1998. Ontario Hydro is critical.” Ernie Eves became premier last April. He says the Tories have made drastic cuts Of the 103 MPPs at Queen’s Park, the to education and health care, and he would Tories have 57 seats, the Liberals have 36 like to see money put back into public ser- seats and the NDP have nine seats. There is vices for the province. one independent. SUPERBOWL Special Superbowl Ad. filler Advertise in the Super Bowl Edition of the Niagara News FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 Deadline is Monday, Jan. 20 s! l a i c e p S t a e r G Look for Call the Niagara News Advertising Department Linda Camus ext. 7748 [email protected] Niagara News, Jan.17, 2003, Page 19 Goals key in shedding those pesky pounds By JASON GROSSE Staff Writer If you feel like you’ve gained a few pounds after Christmas, you’re not alone. Many of us will make the New Year’s resolution to get fit but finding the true path to a healthful lifestyle can be difficult. Judy Halaiko, co-ordinator of the Fitness Assessment and Health promotion program as well as the Recreation and leisure services program at Niagara College’s Welland campus, says the best recipe for getting in shape is “proper diet and exercise.” “I don’t believe in fad diets,” she says. According to Halaiko a formula for success is to “work out at least four times a week,” adding that the average workout should burn “200 to 250 calories.” To control the urge to overeat during the holidays Halaiko says the best thinwg to do is to make a plan. “You can really curb your eating if you take note of everything you put in (your mouth).” Failing that, she says a way to achieve success in your new-year diet is to “make a commitment, but don’t overdo it.” She offers tips like challenging a friend or a roommate to lose a few pounds. “Most people that start the fitness and diet regime in January, probably 95 per cent of them are off it by February.” Brian Bratt, Welland YMCA operations manager, offers a similar assessment. He says most of the people who come in during the new year rush “know they want to lose the weight but aren’t sure how.” The key, Bratt says, is to “have some goals” and some things you want to accomplish. He says getting in shape is “not about dieting but about a healthy lifestyle.” Bratt’s first tip to novices is “don’t overdo it.” Morris Granados, 21, a first-year General Arts and Science “If it takes five to six months to put on weight, program student, demonstrates how to get in shape. don’t expect to take it off in six weeks.” For those who can’t spare the time Bratt says that Photo by Jason Grosse working out two to three times a week for a long period of time can make a difference. Liana Collins, manager of Herc’s Nutrition in Welland, has a different approach when it comes to beating the post-holiday bulge. She says supplementation is important because the average person doesn’t get in enough food per day. Collins says supplements are a “quick and easy way” to get that nutrition. Collins says her equa- Richard Welcome, 21, a firsttion for getting into shape is “50 per cent year College Vocational stuwhat you do and 50 per dent, lifts weights. Photo by Jason Grosse cent what you eat.” She recommends people choose a low-carbohydrate diet over a low-fat diet and that people watch their intake of breads, cereals, rice and potatoes. She says four things you should have in your cupboard are some sort of protein, meal replacement bars, a fatty acid such as tuna and a multivitamin. Bring in this article and receive $10 off any weight-loss package at Herc’s Nutrition, 284 East Main St., Welland. Stress an avoidable consequence of daily life By CARISSA PERTSCHY Staff Writer It’s an avoidable consequence of life. Stress is the wear and tear our bodies experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment; it has physical and emotional effects on us, which can create positive or negative feelings depending on the situation. There are many sources of stress. Stress can be caused by external sources including the following: work, death, finances, lack of sleep, or in-laws. Stress may also be a result of internal sources such as suffering from low selfesteem or having a negative attitude on life. “Recognizing stress is important because we can’t deal with it if we don’t know when it’s happening,” says Dr. David Posen, of Oakville. “Other people are often aware of our stress before we are. We might be brusque or abrupt without realizing it. Often, other people can read stress on our face that we ourselves don’t notice.” “Think about stress as being like the gas in your car. A very highoctane racing fuel which, if used unwisely, for too long, in a badly, out-of-shape vehicle can cause major damage to your body, emotions or relationships,” says Richard Earle, managing director of Canadian Institute of Stress/Hans Selye Foundation, of Toronto. “How you perceive an event and how you react to it determines its impact upon your health,” says the Peel Regional Health department Web site. “Some stress can be good for you because it inspires you to better meet life’s challenges. But too much stress can harm your physical and mental well-being, and contribute to poor performance at work or at home. That’s why you need to recognize the signs of stress and learn how to cope.” “Always get a good amount of sleep,” says Tannis McLaren, naturopathic doctor, of Toronto. Steven Youssef, 18, and John “Without good sleep your coping Formica, 20, shoot some hoops. mechanisms decrease.” “Minimize the caffeine in your Photo by Carissa Pertschy Former graduate becomes editor By ELYSE DEBRUYN Staff Writer A small town girl originally from Hensall, Ont., is working as an editor of a small-town newspaper. Amy Zoethout, 29, of Goderich, Ont., is a photojournalist for the Lucknow Sentinel. She says she likes working at a small-town newspaper. “I would rather work at a small newspaper than a larger daily because I like working in smaller teams of people. There is less pressure, and you don’t get lost in a big newsroom where there are many reporters running around trying to get the story.” Zoethout is the editor for the Lucknow Sentinel and says she loves it. “It is a nice office to work in with a relaxed atmosphere. We have three people who work there and I am the only journalist, so I design the pages the way I like and I don’t have to assign people to stories. I get to do it all.” She graduated from the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College in 1994, but didn’t always want to do journalism. “It was just something I fell into. I like writing and photography, so journalism seemed to be the way to go.” Zoethout said she chose Niagara because at the time it was the only college offering photography in the Journalism-Print program. She says things have changed a lot since she left college. “Technology-wise, it has definitely changed. My first job, we developed our own film and cut and pasted our layouts. Now everything is digital.” Her first job after college was a photo-journalist for the Clinton News Record and she says she was scared, but had a “cool editor.” “I was really nervous at first and when I left the editor told me that he almost fired me when I started because I was so shy with people.” Zoethout says the job, like most, has its ups and downs. “The best part is getting to meet so many different people every day, taking pictures and the layout and design. Sometimes I think, I get paid to do this?” She was married to her husband George in 1998 and they have a one-and-a-half year-old son, Nathan. “My advice to the graduating journalists is to make contacts with other newspapers to help get jobs and write a lot so you can get as much experience as you need.” Ontario students receive the least of government funding per student than any other province. See the Jan. 24 edition of the Niagara News for more details. diet. Coffee, black tea and chocolate can make a person anxious and can also deplete the immune system,” says McLaren. “Exercise is a must.” “When your body is not nourished, neither is your brain. It is important to eat more wholesome foods such as vegetables, whole grains, unprocessed meats, beans and fruits because they provide the body with important vitamins and minerals. “Take time out to do something away from school with friends or family. Have fun. Also, make sure you drink water all the time. Your cells need water,” says McLaren. Snow volleyball tournament Feb. 9 at Club Roma benefits Bethlehem Place Need a way to bump away the winter blues? Volleyball enthusiasts who are 19 or older are invited to participate in the first ever Winter Blues Snow Volleyball Tournament held by Niagara College’s Special Event Management (Post-graduate) program. Proceeds from the tournament will go towards The Many Hands Project, which is an annual event organized by Niagara College students each year in support of a local charitable organization. “With the winter doldrums fast approaching, this tournament comes at a perfect time to get some exercise, enjoy a day with friends and support a worthy cause,” says Chantelle Foreman, event co-chair. Teams can enter for $110, and must consist of six to eight players with a minimum of two females on each team. It will be held Sunday, Feb. 9, at Club Roma in St. Catharines. The Many Hands Project seeks to develop community co-operation through volunteer-driven projects aimed at assisting non-profit organizations in the region. This year’s recipient is Bethlehem Place, an apartment building that provides affordable, transitional and supportive housing to people in crisis, who wish to make changes in their lives. Contact Foreman at (905) 641-2252, ext. 6421 by Jan. 22 to enter, or visit [email protected]. Page 20, Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003 SPORTS V-ball teams open second half with wins Continued from Page 1 “It was a fun event and mainly I had to figure out who plays well with each other. We won the first set before losing the second and then we were losing the third until I made some key subs and were able to pull off the win,” he said, jokingly. Last Friday, both teams kicked off the second part of their regular season play when they hosted St. Clair College, of Windsor, in a volleyball doubleheader. The women’s team, playing first, disposed of the St. Clair Saints rather easily in a straight sets win holding the Saints to 13 total offensive points, while the Knights rolled up 48. The women were led by Tracy Smith and Ginni Llord, who each had 13 points. Smith collected nine kills and four stuffed blocks while Llord smashed home eight kills while serving up a storm with five service aces. The men took the court trying to repeat what the women accomplished and started out on the right track taking the first two sets 25-17 and 25-23. At the beginning of the third set, the Knights lacked focus and concentration as the Saints reeled off six straight points and took an 82 lead early in the set. This is a time when someone needs to step up and calm everybody down. Bentley says Mike King and Nick Touchette are the leaders on the team. “Our team chemistry is getting better and we get along well with each other as when we go out sometimes we go out as a team,“says first-year player Touchette. “We need to improve on our focus because there are one or two guys that don’t see eye to eye and that really hurts us sometimes. If we eliminate that, we should be a lot better.” Coach Bentley says the team’s mental skills need the most work. “In volleyball, the team that makes the fewest errors wins the game and that all leads back to being mentally prepared from the start of the game to the finish.” The Knights showed some resiliency fighting back in the set but it all went for naught as the Saints held on to win the third set 30-28. From then on, the Saints’ luck ran out and the Knights showed why they’re seventh in the country, finishing off the visitors 25-18 while keeping their undefeated season intact. The Knights were led by Gaunt who cranked out 18 kills, three stuffed blocks and two service aces for a total of 23 points. Both teams resume league play Jan. 24 when they travel to North Bay to play a doubleheader against Canadore College. Niagara Knights player Graeme Gaunt goes up to crash the ball in their win over St. Clair College, of Windsor. Photo by Jordie Fry Men’s basketball team loses exhibition game By JORDIE FRY Staff Writer The Niagara College men’s basketball team had high expectations for the season’s second half but got off on the wrong foot. In an exhibition game against Genesee College, of Batavia, N.Y., the Knights were in over their heads, still feeling the effects of a long Christmas break that included too much turkey dinner. Guard Edson Jones says it was a bad game mentally and physically. “We were out of shape because of the break. Some guys were off of basketball the entire break and that is the main reason for things being a little sloppy.” The Knights came out slowly and played a sloppy game against a quality team who would have been hard to beat even if the Knights had been on their game. A poorly played game, paired with some questionable calls meant the Knights were in for a long night that Jones says they need to put behind them. “We’ve lost, I think, four of our last five games, although they were all exhibition games and don’t affect us that much, but it’s tough to just forget about. It’s extremely frustrating to lose as bad as we did ‘cause we played them earlier this year and they beat us, but we played them a lot closer.” With the final score of 81-63, there was a time midway through the second half when the Knights were within eight points but that was short lived and, Jones says, part of that was because of some crucial calls or some “crucial non-calls” made by the referees. When the team goes to practice next, Jones says, there is one thing in particular they should be working on. “Our team ‘D’ (defense) is the reason we lost a lot of games and is what is killing us.” The Knights return to the court tonight when they host a doubleheader against St. Clair College, of Windsor, as the women take the court at 6 p.m. with the men’s tip-off at 8 p.m. This will be the first league game the women play this year. Niagara forward Kevin Ellington, #20, lays the ball in during the 81-63 loss to Genesee College. Photo by Jordie Fry Guard Edson Jones slashes to the hoop during the exhibition game against Genesee College on Jan. 11. Unfortunately, Niagara lost 81-63. Photo by Jordie Fry Elisan Kikos takes a shot in the exhibition game on Jan. 11 against Genesee College. Photo by Jordie Fry See the standings in next week’s issue of Niagara News Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003, Page 21 StreetTalk StreetTalk “What “What is is your your New New Year’s Year’s resolution?” resolution?” Patrick DeBernardi, 18, Electronics Engineering Technology program, first-year, St. Catharines “More studying, less video games.” Jennifer Sanchez, 19, General Arts and Science program, first-year, St. Catharines “Save my money instead of spending it on toys.” Murray Egger, 18, Electronics Engineering Technology program, first-year, Dunnville, Ont. “Make everyone accept the way I am and not change.” Kathleen Overmeyer, 20, General Arts and Science program, first-year, Fort Erie “Keep my marks up.” Correction In the Dec. 6, 2002, Niagara News, Volume 33, Issue 6, there was an error. On page 24, Christmas in Canada Away From Home, there was an error in the profile of two students. The pictures of Michiyo Iwamori and Mariam Miah were mistakenly placed. Niagara News apologizes for the error. By ELYSE DEBRUYN and ROBYNE ROBYNE SIMPSON SIMPSON and Staff Writers Rebecca D’Amelio, 20, General Arts and Science program, first-year, Fort Erie “To quit smoking.” Christmas in Canada Christmas in Canada Mariam Miah, 19, is a first-year student enrolled in the Computer Programmer program. Miah said she was born in Canada but her parents are from Pakistan. Instead of celebrating Christmas they celebrate MARIAM MIAH a different holiday called Eid, a festival of prayer, fasting and celebration. Michiyo Iwamori, of Kyoto, Japan, has been an English as a Second Language student at the college for the past three months. The 29-year-old said his family does celebrate Christmas by eating Christmas cake on Dec. MICHIYO IWAMORI 24. Iwamori said he’s looking forward to celebrating Christmas in Canada this year. Page 22, Niagara News, Jan. 17, 2003 Students question college’s snow removal By ROBYNE SIMPSON Staff Writer With students walking from building to building at the Welland campus, some have been questioning the snow removal on the sidewalks and parking lots at the college. Barb Weir, 22, a second-year student in the Dental Hygiene program, from Wiarton, Ont., says the walkways are too slippery. “One of the dental clinic’s clients fell and broke her wrist last semester.” The client from the college’s dental clinic fell because there was poor lighting and the walkway was slippery, says Weir. Janice Blake, 23, a second-year student in the General Arts and Science program, from Fisherville, Ont., says it is hard to find where the parking lot and parking spaces are. “I actually don’t think they are doing anything. It doesn’t look that way.” Dave Martin, 20, a second-year student in the Electronics Engineering Technology program, from Welland, says the sidewalks are “horrible” and the parking lots are bad too. “The snow gets packed down and becomes icy.” Dori Jones, 22, a second-year student in the Dental Hygiene program, from Waterloo, says the sidewalks and pathways are somewhat cleared but are “very” slippery. “People can’t see where the parking spots are and take up two spots, making it hard to find a Tony Scime, Facilities Management Services manager, says the plowing is done on a demand basis. Scime says if the snow is more than two inches deep the college will plow all lots and sidewalks, and they sand and salt at the campuses in Welland, Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake. To be careful during the winter season, Scime’s advice for students is to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. spot.” Jones says she has to park in parking lot B because parking lot D was full, but B hasn’t been plowed. “I had to trek through a foot of snow before I got to the pathway.” Mat Taylor, 20, a second-year student in the Journalism-Print program, from Norwich, Ont., says he wishes the college would plow a path across the field for students who live in the subdivisions off Rice Road. By MARIAN ORLEANS Staff Writer A Niagara College student is using her co-op placement to reach her goal. Carrie Latke, 23, of Welland, is a second-year student of the Social Service Worker program at the college’s Welland campus. “The program has always been the way that I was heading. I didn’t quite know exactly what area I wanted to do,” she said. She studied psychology at Brock University, in St. Catharines, for a year before finding out about the program in the college’s course calendar. “I love it here. There is a lot of one-on-one contact with students and teachers as compared to Brock University, where students have to make appointments to see a teacher. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made and I’m very happy. I knew I wanted to get into some kind of social work field.” Niagara was her first choice. Latke completed three months of co-op last year at Centennial Secondary School, in Welland, where she worked in the bridge program, which transfers students building relationships into developing greater education. She worked with young people 12 to 16 years of age who weren’t doing well in their regular schools. “Working with youth can be stressful in terms of wanting so much for them. Last year I wanted so much for the children and I still Photo by Marian Orleans Co-op placement helping student reach goal CARRIE LATKE think about them. That’s one of the biggest challenges. Since I love it, I was just so much eager to be there,” said Latke. “Right now I’m at a women’s shelter in Welland, doing my placement. It’s wonderful and I’m enjoying it there. I’m interested in a lot of areas too. I started working there in September of last year and will be there right through to the ending of April,” she said. Asked about the challenges in college, Latke said, “A lot of the things we do in the classroom involve role plays” and every day is “really challenging with the things we are learning.” “In my placement, I’m just being a student in a learning environment, which is wonderful but it can also be very intimidating knowing that you’re a student and each day will be challenging. I think you really gain the tool to deal with people. The tools are developed mostly from role play activities in the program.” After graduation in April, Latke said, she plans to continue with the Social Service Worker program at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont., to receive her bachelor’s degree. She said she’d “love” to still work at the women’s shelter after graduation. “I’m also open to anything. I’ve had interviews for working with people who have endured brain injuries and mental health, but hopefully I’ll get into the University of Western Ontario.” COLLEEN MULLER After getting a taste of what lies ahead, she said, she has changed her mind. “It’s not that I don’t want to work with children. It’s just that I don’t think I’d have the patience or the strength to work with an abusive parent or a rambunctious child. “If my job was to empathize and help a parent, for example, that had beaten the hell out of their child, there is no way I’d be able to do that. I’d be too judgmental.” When Muller was asked if she would regret her decision to leave the Child and Youth Worker program, she said, “Everything that I have ever regretted has taught me a lesson which now keeps me from making the same mistake twice. I believe everything happens for a reason.” By MARIAN ORLEANS Staff Writer A Niagara College student is working hard towards graduating and establishing her own business. Carol James, 19, originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, who lives in Niagara Falls, is a first-year student in the Culinary Management (Co-op) program at the college’s Maid of the Mist campus in Niagara Falls. “I chose the program because I want to start my own business in the field. I plan working in Canada for a while after I graduate and then go back home to start my own hotel, restaurant and club business.” “Coming to the college was a personal decision,” said James. “I wanted to have peace of mind and here was the best place to be. I want to be happy, and living here makes me happy.” Photo by Marian Orleans By SHARI HADGRAFT Staff Writer After almost finishing her first year in the Child and Youth Worker program, this student said she might not come back to Niagara College next year. Colleen Muller, 19, of Kitchener, said she is learning counselling techniques, case management and communication skills. These are just some of the aspects being touched upon in her program. “I like learning about how to counsel and help people with their problems, but it’s something I no longer want to pursue because I’d rather lean towards my alternative choice.” Muller said that is interior design. “I’m trying to decide a different route to take in design, so I’m thinking after this term I’m going to apply at other colleges for a design-related course with a hope that I’ll get accepted.” One of the many reasons Muller said she wants to leave her program is it wasn’t what she had expected. “I don’t like some of the class discussions or some topics presented by the teachers because to me it is irrelevant to this point of time, for example, immigrants from the early 1900s. To me it is irrelevant to how we are going to counsel children in the 21st century.” Muller thought she would be “right for this type of profession” because, she said, she loves being around children and would want to help them if they are in need. Photo by Shari Hadgraft Expectations not Culinary student taking new met in program skills back home to Africa CAROL JAMES, of SIERRA LEONE, WEST AFRICA James said the teachers are “all right” and they don’t “differentiate black students from Thank you! We'd like to thank all of the Peer Tutors who worked during the Fall 2002 term. Many of the Learners have been successful in their courses because of the dedication of the Peer Tutors who helped them. From all of us here at Niagara College, thanks for your time and commitment to your fellow students. Peer Services Staff More than 14,000 booked already! white students.” James will be doing her co-op at Casino Niagara, in Niagara Falls, where she will be working as a second cook, assisting chefs in preparing food for customers. She starts in May and finishes in August. “I hope to work there for some time before I go to Sierra Leone to pursue my goal.” While James is working her way through her two-year program, she said she would like to enrol in the Hotel and Restaurant Management (Coop) program at the college after she graduates. “The college has great academic standards, and I felt good about myself for coming here.”