HSB teacher may soar to new heights
Transcription
HSB teacher may soar to new heights
e e ne! FTarke o Feb-March 2013 HSB teacher may soar to new heights Ryan Moulton In Billings we have many substitute teachers, but only one of them has the opportunity to fly 103 km high. Mr. Matthew Claude, born and raised in Chateauguay, is a participant in the AxeApollo Space Academy, a promotion sponsored by Axe, the deodorant company, which will send 22 winning candidates into space. The competition is open to the public and taking place in more than 60 countries around the world. Stage one of the contest requires participants to attract as many votes as possible for their entry. The two participants in Canada with the most votes will join other stage one winners from around the world for stage two: the Axe Apollo Global Space Camp. The event, to be held in Orlando, Florida, will provide astronaut training missions, including a flight in an Albatross Mk11 Jet, a session in a g-force centrifuge simulator, and a microgravity parabolic flight. Based on participants’ mental, physical, and social performance during these activities, a panel of judges will select one Canadian to join the international crew for a ride into space. The space-plane that will fly them 103 km high is still under development by the Space Exploration Company, but the flight is expected to take off sometime between 2014 and 2018. “The purpose of the competition is strictly promotional,” said Mr. Claude, “However, I think it is fantastic that Axe has managed to drum up enthusiasm for space tourism among the general public, Matt Claude at the launch pad of Kennedy Space Center last summer. Chateauguay native Matthew Claude attended a Space Studies Program, an international professional conference for space enthusiasts, at Kennedy Space Center last summer. The aerospace engineering student hopes to win a seat on the Axe-Apollo Space Academy flight to space. (courtesy photos) since space has typically been the domain of governments and the extremely rich.” Mr. Claude attended Howard S. Billings High School for grades seven through nine, but graduated from Loyola High School in Montreal, where he was in the science program, and was a member of the Loyola Robotics Team. The Loyola Robotics Team participates in the F.I.R.S.T. competition each year, which provides outlines and rules, and grants six weeks for each school involved to design and construct a robot to complete the challenge. Claude joined the team in 2004 and in 2005 was the Student Captain. After graduating, he returned in 2006 as a mentor and helped the team to victory at the World Championships in Atlanta, Georgia. “I learned a lot about what is actually involved in constructing these (seemingly) impossibly complex machines, but I learned much more about working as a team to accomplish a single goal,” he stated. He continued to pursue studies in science and technology, and attended Dawson College in the Pure and Applied Science Program, and received his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from McGill University in 2011. He is currently working toward a master’s in aerospace engineering, and expects to graduate in August after completing an internship in the aerospace industry. This past summer, he participated in the International Space University’s Space Studies Program, hosted last year by the Kennedy Space Center, along with more than 130 other space enthusiasts from more than thirty countries. “I’ve been interested in engineering since I watched Star Trek as a kid. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew that Geordi La Forge had the coolest job ever,” said Mr. Claude. One aspect that he is most looking forward to is the perspective available on the voyage. “It’s called the overview effect: it’s where you see the whole Earth and it clicks in your head how small we really are in the galaxy and how we’re all in this together as one species. Tsiolkovsky, the ‘Father of Rocketry’, said ‘Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot remain in the cradle forever.’” Mr. Claude is ranked 45th in Canada in the Axe Apollo competition at press time. To cast your vote for this Chateauguay resident to blast off to new heights, go to tinyurl.com/sendmeup and click on “vote” next to Matthew Claude’s name. City of Chateauguay partners with Vision The City of Chateauguay will soon host Vision newspaper on its website following an agreement reached in December. The move will greatly increase visibility of the newspaper as it will provide a direct link to the current issue. As online readership increases, the number of print copies will be reduced beginning next year. With the new partnership Vision hopes to increase its audience and advertising base, while continuing to provide English speaking citizens with original content in the community paper. Communications Director Sylvain Daignault confirmed support on behalf of the City for the student-run project. Watch for website links in upcoming issues of Vision and on the City’s website: www.ville.chateauguay.qc.ca. commentary Vision Newspaper 102 years of history in one remarkable woman Kirk Elsmore Berthe Gagné is now the oldest member in the Les Quatre Saisons Residence in Chateauguay. Born March 5, 1911, Mme Gagné will be turning 102 this year and is currently in good health. It was only recently that she has had to use a walker, due to a broken ankle. In her youth, Mme Gagné worked at home. “Women in my day never worked outside the home. My dad didn’t want his girls to work. I guess he needed us more at home to do chores,” she said. She explained how her father, Wilfred Gagné, was a very successful business man. He was very adventurous, much like her, and he was never scared to take risks to further his company, Clarke Beans in St. Rémi. Her dad, along with her brothers who always worked with him, also helped construct the waterworks system in St. Rémi. Mme Gagné describes her life as very calm and relaxing; going to church, Chateauguay resident Berthe Gagné will celebrate her 102nd birthday soon, but her good health and lively conversations make her seem decades younger. (photo: Kirk Elsmore) organizing activities, and playing cards to pass the time. She’s been a very competitive bridge player for years. Mme Gagné agrees that these are very different times; unlike in her youth, one may now go dancing at clubs and bars and listen to more alternative music. Berthe got married when she was twenty years old to a man who was ten years older than her. They met at the National Bank in St. Rémi, where he worked and where she would occasionally pass by on her walks, and he would sometimes join her. During her marriage, she travelled all over the world; to Europe, across Canada, and to Florida where she owned a mobile home. She loved her time around the world with her husband, but to this day, she regrets not having children. For a woman in that time, it was very rare not to have kids, but she never really talked about it with her husband. “He said I was too adventurous,” she stated. Mme Gagné also loves hockey. Her husband would often buy her tickets until his death in 1991. She has had many loves but as she puts it, the real secret to life “is to be happy and satisfied with what you have.” Satisfied with what she had, she now wishes that she would move on to her next adventure. “All I do now is sit at home and watch hockey, and occasionally talk with friends or family.” She believes she has lived a good life and is now ready to go. Though it might seem sad that Mme Gagné wishes she would pass on, she knows she won’t be alone when she does go. Mr. Yvon Reid, who also lives in the residential home, helps Mme Gagné by driving her around. Mr. Reid was married to one of her sisters, who has passed away. She said it is good to have a friend so close by. Berthe Gagné is a great person to look upon for nearly 102 years of insight and wisdom. Just talking with her was very special; to talk with someone who is over a hundred years old is amazing. She has so much experience and knowledge of the world and how it has changed; it was such a cool experience to meet her! Le Soleil website to host Vision Chateauguay’s Le Soleil newspaper will begin hosting Vision on its website beginning with this month’s issue. In addition to providing a link to the virtual newspaper, they will include occasional articles and photos from Billings’ journalism students on their blog at http://blogues. hebdosregionaux.ca/vision/ in coming weeks. After a meeting in January, Le Soleil’s Information Director Michel Thibault stated in an article that the initiative is aimed at supporting the mission of the journalism class at the school, training the next generation and providing a forum for teens. 2 Feb-March 2013 Vision C h â t e a u g u a y c/o Billings High School 210 McLeod, Châteauguay, QC J6J 2H4 450-691-3230 ext. 355 [email protected] Project Manager & Editor Mary Leblanc Layout Editor Mary Leblanc Journalism Teacher David Neudorfer Copy Editors Val Allen, Geza Burai, Angela Croteau, Shirley Donohue, Judy Markhauser, Paula Monette-Bennett, Kelsey Powell, Jill Smeall, Mary Verrelli Advertising Mary Leblanc Contributing writers & photographers Sabrina De Rosa, Chloe Emond-Lane, Shandy Massicotte, Sophia Neacsu, Brendan O’Brien, Austin Robson, Stephen Baranski-Lee, Kirk Elsmore, Tyrone Freeman, Ryan Holowaty, Corey Janisse, Ryan Moulton, Spensir Roy, Lissa Simoneau, Samantha Stevens, Iakorihwató:ken Hemlock, & Graysen Moses --------------------------------------- See Visison online at: www.hsbillings.qc.ca/pages/links. html and click on ‘current edition’ --------------------------------------We acknowledge the financial support of the Forum Jeunesse de la Vallee-duHaut-Saint-Laurent 2012-2013 Provisional member of: --------------------------------------- Vision would like to thank the following citizens and businesses for their generous support. Although space does not allow to list all donors, Vision also thanks those who donate under $100. Your combined donations help us greatly! ------------ Sponsors ($1,000 & +) Forum Jeunesse McDonald’s Restaurant La table de concertation jeunesse de Châteauguay Chateauguay Civitan Club PIerre Moreau, MNA ----------- Patrons ($100 & +) Chateauguay Seniors Catherine Hooper Alish O’Keeffe Debbie Hofer 55+ Centre Ed Colton community update Vision Newspaper Walmart’s Grand Opening draws crowds After years of expectation, Walmart’s Châteauguay branch has finally opened its doors. During the opening ceremony, Mayor Nathalie Simon took the opportunity to welcome the new store to the City of Châteauguay. Mrs Simon said she is convinced the Châteauguay Walmart store will not only become one of the city’s attractions, but will also help our region to be discovered. Hundreds of people were waiting outside when the doors opened at 8 a.m. Walmart is the first supermarket to open its doors in the Faubourg Châteauguay, a project evaluated at $100 million. The store will pay $100,000 annually to the City in property taxes alone. Once the project is completed the City will receive $1.8 million on an annual basis and will benefit from the creation of 900 new jobs. The Faubourg Châteauguay project in figures: Renting surface: 535,000 square feet 3 Feb-March 2013 Property taxes: $1.8 million annually for the City Mayor Nathalie Simon welcomes Walmart to Chateauguay at the Grand Opening january 31. (photo: City of Châteauguay Communications Department) Population of the 21 surrounding municipalities: 120,000 Family income: 43% of the population have an annual income of $60,000, compared to 37% for the entire province Advertisement AMR pets of the month Léa Hi, I’m Lea. I’m a little 2- year-old ferret. I was left at AMR Refuge because my former owners didn’t have time for me. I’m sociable and, like all ferrets, I love to explore my environment and play. Even if I use my cage as a ‘house’, I can’t stand being cooped up there all the time. I have to go out a minimum of 2 hours a day or I get very unhappy. James Hi, my name is James. I’m a nice chocolate Lab and I’m about 5 years old. I was found as a stray on the streets of St. Constant on January 13, 2013. They say that I’m affectionate, sociable, and obedient. I’m excited to find a new family to take long walks and play ball with. For more details, visit AMR’s website: www.refugeamr.com or contact Refuge AMR at 47 St-Pierre, St-Constant, tel: 450-638-9698, Hours are Mon-Wed: noon-5 pm; Thurs-Fri: noon-8 pm; Sat: noon – 2 pm. Farewell to the Penny A Currency Fact Sheet Ryan Holowaty As Canada stopped producing pennies in May 2012 and now has stopped distributing them as of February 4, 2013, we thought our readers would be interested in a bit of penny history: • The first Canadian-made pennies were minted in 1908. Before this date Britain supplied Canada’s pennies. • Since the first production in 1908 the Canadian mint has produced about 35 billion pennies at a combined value of $350,000,000. • The current design of the penny with 2 maple leaves was first used in 1937 and was created by G.E. Kruger Gray. • The penny is made of 94% steel, 4.5% copper plating, and 1.5% nickel. • Although pennies are only worth 1 cent they cost 1.6 cents to produce. • In 2011 alone, 600 million pennies were minted. • The name penny comes from the British ‘pence’, and cent comes from the French word ‘hundred’. • Canada has spent $26 million to produce $18 million worth of pennies, effectively wasting $11 million. entertainment Movie Review Vision Newspaper The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Brendan O’Brien To follow-up a stellar trilogy of films like The Lord of The Rings is no small feat. Yet Director Peter Jackson may have done it. The Lord of The Rings movies are praised for being such faithful and welldone adaptations of Tolkien’s signature Middle-earth and its lore. The Hobbit is no different. The Lord of The Rings was about a fantasy world torn apart by war and misery. The Hobbit takes place right before that period, and what you get is the same world filled with magic and adventure, so it’s really interesting to see the two sides of Middle-earth adapted in film. The Hobbit takes place 60 years before the events of The Lord of The Rings, and tells the tale of a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, the uncle of Frodo Baggins. Bilbo is hired as a “burglar” by the wizard Gandalf and his company of 13 dwarves to aid them on their quest to take back The Lonely Mountain, which became the lair of the dragon, Smaug. Over the course of the adventure Bilbo and crew are engaged in various obstacles and conflicts, each one exciting and interesting to watch. When the company is resting after a hard day’s work, they trade tales about Middle-earth, and it’s genuinely fascinating, even if it’s not moving the plot forward. The film has a long three-hour runtime, but it is verywell paced with a bit of filler plot points taken from Tolkien’s various appendices he wrote about The Lord of The Rings. Every character is well acted and filled with charm. You may not remember every dwarf by name, but their personalities are more than enough to identify them. Sir Ian McKellen plays an excellent Gandalf once again, and Martin Freeman is the perfect actor for Bilbo, portraying him with the qualities you might expect from a hobbit. The acting is spot-on all-around. The set pieces and special effects are nothing short of incredible, but rely a bit too much on CGI when it isn’t necessary. The 3D version of the film, if you wish to see it, is very immersive and doesn’t strain your eyes too much. The movie is the first major motion picture to be filmed in 48 frames-per-second, double the speed of your average film. Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to see it in this format. It should be noted that the 48 fps version has given some viewers headaches, and some say that it makes the movie look “fake”. The movie is still available in the traditional 24 fps, so you can keep that in mind. Overall, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a very well made retro follow-up to the incredible Lord of The Rings series, and a great start to another potentially epic trilogy. Discover the Desjardins RRSP and TFSA at your Caisse populaire Châteauguay The RRSP and the TFSA are complementary registered savings plans. The Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is the perfect financial tool to help you make your retirement projects and even some of you wildest dreams, such as the purchase of a new property, come true. By contributing to a Desjardins RRSP, you will also take advantage of our cooperative distinction and benefit from attractive dividends on your savings. Don’t forget, the earlier you begin to contribute to your RRSP, the more your investment will grow. The younger you are, the more advantageous it is to contribute to your RRSP! The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a registered investment where income and withdrawals are not taxable. You can access the money in your TFSA anytime1 and make withdrawals to cover unexpected expenses or make major purchases. TFSAs are flexible tools that will help you build your savings and reduce your taxes. 1 Certain restrictions apply on some investments. HEAD OFFICE 139 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard SERVICES CENTERS 169 Maple Boulevard 65 Principale Street 450 692-1000 FOllOw uS www.desjardins.com/caisse-chateauguay www.caissedechateauguay.com 4 Feb-March 2013 5 entertainment Feb-March 2013 Vision Newspaper Alleged animal deaths during Hobbit filming Tyrone Freeman Chloe Emond-Lane “Perfectly in tune” is one of the many ways “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” was described in a New York Times review. With the number of screen format options setting a record there has been great anticipation by millions of viewers over the release of The Hobbit. Audiences were waiting to experience a fantasy adventure story with special effects as dazzling and realistic as The Lord of the Rings series. For many of the animals involved in the filming, however, their experiences were a little too real. Reports of animal cruelty have gotten many people up in arms and debating whether it is morally correct to watch the film after hearing about the abuse and neglect the animals experienced. The movie premiered in the UK two days after the International Animal Rights Day. Director Peter Jackson denies all claims of animal cruelty stating that he refrained from using any animals during all action scenes. “No mistreatment, no abuse, absolutely none,” said the Oscar winning Hollywood director. A rep addressed the deaths, but said that many died of natural causes. In total 27 animals were reportedly killed on set, many of which were horses. A pony named Rainbow was euthanized after he broke his back falling off an embankment. Another horse named Clare had a similar fate; she fell off a bluff and was later found with her head submerged in a stream. Zeppelin’s record says he died from natural causes. Johnny Smythe, a wrangler, believed otherwise. He believed that Zeppelin died after eating a new bag of feed which caused him to have digestive problems, whereas a veterinary report said he died of broken blood vessels. A horse named Shanghai had his legs tied together so that he couldn’t move and was left on the ground for three hours because he was too energetic for his rider. With the rope burning his skin, his legs were covered with makeup. Horses weren’t the only animals to succumb to death. Six goats and six sheep were kept in crowded pens, where they died after falling in sinkholes or developing worm infestations. Twelve chickens were mauled by a pack of dogs after they were left out of their enclosure. Those that did not die were seriously injured. Two horses, Molly and Doofus, had their legs torn open after getting them caught in a fence. The injury nearly resulted in Doofus’ death. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has openly spoken out against The Hobbit, even going as far as getting followers to boycott the film. The enclosures that the animals were living in were described as “death traps”, filled with sinkholes, cliffs and jagged fencing. Four wranglers pleaded with crew members to fix the problem, but were denied. Production staff says they were unaware of any deaths. They claim to have had a sufficient amount of money to improve the animals’ living conditions. How can something like this happen when the production was monitored by the American Humane Association? Although the AHA monitors animal welfare during Become an Administrative Assistant Program Starting Soon! Graduate with a Professional Diploma in only one year! Our students learn up-todate computer software skills and business practices industry is looking for. Our grads find employment as executive assistants, secretaries, accounting clerks and a variety of other office positions. Be our next success story! Call today. Program begins in March. Limited space available! 450 691-2540 actual filming, these abuses occurred outside production time. However, the industry needs to recognize and accept responsibility that animals need to be cared for off set during production as well. Also, this movie was directed by Peter Jackson, a master at computer-generated imagery. In a movie that features dragons, ogres, and hobbits, they could have managed without using a single animal. Movie Review Lights, Camera, Thirty Spensir Roy Zero Dark Thirty is an movie based on actual events that took place during the war in Iraq, shortly after the bombing of the Twin towers commonly known as 911. The hunt for Osama bin Laden, was the key and root of this story. Dan (Jason Clarke) and Maya (Jessica Chastain) work together with a team of elite trackers to interrogate and torture known terrorists in the hope that they will spill the information on bin Laden’s whereabouts. Gruesome details are shown on the how and why the torture happened, allowing all the viewers to have a glimpse of what the prisoners experienced. As they gather info on bin Laden’s closest followers, they find the location and prepare a raid on the location that some professionals thought held a 60% of Bin Laden being there; while Maya confirmed it to be 100%. President Barrack Obama confirms that the raid is a go and the elite soldiers raid the compound. Surely enough Bin Laden is found on the second floor where they kill him, bringing his body back to a US base in Afghanistan. Zero Dark Thirty was nominated for five Academy Awards at the 85th annual gala, including Best Picture, Best Actress (for Jessica Chastain) and Best Original Screenplay. At the Golden Globe Awards, Zero Dark Thirty reaped four more prizes for Best Picture for Drama, Best Director and once again Best Actress for Chastain. Despite the awards, I was not too interested in the story of the movie per se. The performances were wonderfully portrayed by the actors, giving the audience the believable story as if they were truly in the characters shoes. However, it is a movie based on information and decisions made behind the scenes, rather than about the actual events that took place during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is what brought about my disappointment. So if you’re looking for an action flick, you may have trouble sitting through this two-hour movie. But if you’re curious to know the planning that was involved in order to take out bin Laden, you should enjoy it, because it is very well made overall. Rating: 8/10 Genre: Suspense aboriginal pride 6 Feb-March 2013 Vision Newspaper What’s in a name? Mohawk names, their meaning and pronunciation (photos: Danika Sierant-Stacey & Raven Horn) Ieriwakweniestha Kenétakte Pron.: Yer-ee-wag-wan-yes-tah Meaning: she has respect for everything that she sees Pron.: Guh-nay-doc-day Meaning: a small tree growing on the edge of the pines English name: Raven Horn English name: Bryar Lawrence Pron.: Gun-a-ruh-da-wa-no-roo Meaning: precious leaf English name: Blade Lahache Kanawanó:ron Onerahtaken:ra Kahnarahtawano:ron Pron.: Gun-a-wa-no-roo Meaning: precious meadow Pron.: O-nay-hrah-dehn-gu-hra Meaning: falling leaf English name: Darren Rice-Commando English name: Dylan Diabo Registration Week 2013-14 February 11 to 15 >PSS`V\YJOPSKILÄ]LILMVYL:LW[LTILY& 0[»Z[PTL[VYLNPZ[LYMVY2PUKLYNHY[LU7SLHZLJHSS[OLZJOVVSPU`V\YaVULMVYPUMVYTH[PVUHUK[V make an appointment to register. (YL`V\UL^[VV\YJVTT\UP[`& 0M`V\KVUV[RUV^^OPJOZJOVVS`V\YJOPSKZOV\SKH[[LUKWSLHZLJHSS[OL:JOVVS)VHYKHUK^L ^PSSILOHWW`[VOLSW`V\ 0Z`V\YJOPSKJ\YYLU[S`YLNPZ[LYLKPUVULVMV\YZJOVVSZ& (WYLWYPU[LKYLNPZ[YH[PVUMVYTMVYUL_[`LHY^PSSILZLU[OVTL^P[O`V\YJOPSK7SLHZL]LYPM` JVTWSL[LZPNUHUKYL[\YU[OLMVYT[V`V\YJOPSK»ZZJOVVS Great things are happening @ NFSB! 5L^-YVU[PLYZ:JOVVS)VHYK Y\L4J3LVK*Oo[LH\N\H`8*11/ Telephone : 450-691-1440 1-800-461-1440 ,3,4,5;(9@:*/663: Centennial Park 85 Jeffries Châteauguay, QC J6J 4A4 Telephone 450-692-8251 -YHURSPU,SLTLU[HY` 1410 Route 202 Franklin Centre, QC J0S 1E0 Telephone 450-827-2505 .H\S[0UZ[P[\[L 17 Gault Street =HSSL`ÄLSK8*1:9 ;LSLWOVUL /HYTVU`,SLTLU[HY` 280 Brahms Châteauguay, QC J6K 5G1 Telephone 450-691-9099 /LTTPUNMVYK,SLTLU[HY` 548 Champlain Ave. East /LTTPUNMVYK8*13/ Telephone 450-247-2022 /LYP[HNL,SLTLU[HY` 21 King Street /\U[PUNKVU8*1:/ Telephone 450-264-5482 /V^PJR,SLTLU[HY` 3HTI[VU(]LU\L Howick, QC J0S 1G0 Telephone 450-825-2606 4HY`.HYKULY :[/\ILY[ *Oo[LH\N\H`8*122 Telephone 450-691-2600 6YTZ[V^U,SLTLU[HY` 7 George Street Ormstown, QC J0S 1K0 Telephone 450-829-2641 In order to attend an English-language school, students T\Z[OH]LH*LY[PÄJH[LVM,SPNPIPSP[`MVY,UNSPZO Instruction1MYVT[OL8\tILJ.V]LYUTLU[;OPZ YLX\LZ[JHUILTHKL[OYV\NO[OLZJOVVS ^^^UMZIXJJH -VYTVYLPUMVYTH[PVUVUYLNPZ[YH[PVUVY 0UZ[Y\J[PVUPU,UNSPZOPU8\tILJ]PZP[ O[[W!^^^TLSZNV\]XJJHVYJVU[HJ[ 1VHUUL:LN\PU VY :[>PSSPIYVYK 4J3LVK Châteauguay, QC J6J 2H6 Telephone 450-691-4550 /0./:*/663: *OH[LH\N\H`=HSSL`9/: 9V\[L( Ormstown, QC J0S 1K0 ;LSLWOVUL /V^HYK:)PSSPUNZ9/: 4J3LVK Châteauguay, QC J6J 2H4 ;LSLWOVUL 7 aboriginal pride Feb-March 2013 Vision Newspaper Kanawa:ke in History Young ironworker wins rights for Natives in US court Celeste Groux Kanen:to Paul Diabo was a very important man in Native history. He made it possible for ironworkers and all other Iroquois and Natives to cross the border to the United States freely. Problems began when the US Congress instituted the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people refused to accept US citizenship when they realized that they would lose their treaty status and all claims to be a distinct nation. It seems that the American government didn’t like that and decided to make an example of one young ironworker who still dared to cross the border to work. Diabo was an ironworker from Kanawa:ke who was arrested in 1926. In 1927 at age 36, he appeared in court to discuss his deportation to Canada as he was considered an illegal immigrant because of the new act. Although Kanen:to faced trials and the possibility of going to prison yet another time (he had been in prison for getting caught in Philadelphia before, working on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge), he did not give up. He argued that it was his right to cross the border without interference, according to the Jay Treaty of 1794. He said that since he was a citizen of the Haudenosaunee Six Nation Confederacy he was able to cross the border without anyone stopping him. During his time in court, the people in Kanawa:ke were helping Diabo and his family by providing both financial and moral support. Finally in 1928, he did win his case and the right to cross the border freely, a victory for him and all his people. The court later deemed in 1952 that any person who had at least 50% Native blood could have these rights. This was an amazing success. And this all happened because one young Native man risked his freedom to fight for the rights of his people. International Word Search Vision reporter Celeste Groux stands next to the display of the story of Kanen:to Paul Diabo at the Kahnawake Cultural Centre, where she began the research for her subject. (photo: M. Leblanc) Mohawk words of the month Iakorihwató:ken Hemlock Ieweiehente Moses Sammii Stevens Enníska February Awé:ri Heart Akithsé My honey Wakathsennó:ni I’m happy Thiákaret Chocolate Konnorónhkhwa I love you Wakathsé:iaron I’m shy Wakenakhwèn:`a I’m mad Otsikhé:ta Candy CALL TODAY FOR A FREE EVALUATION OF YOUR PROPERTY! billings billboard Vision Newspaper Is marriage still a viable option? Ryan Holowaty Ahh February, the month of love, the month of romance, and the month where you’ll most likely find either happy couples or your Facebook flooded by comments about being “Forever alone”. Yes, it’s a magical time that’ll surly lighten your wallet. It was estimated that the average American spent $126 dollars on Valentine’s Day, for a collective $18.6 billion in 2012 alone, according to the National Retail Federation. There are also approximately 220 000 persons who “pop the question” each year, based on information released by NewsFeed.com. However, one statistic is the most shocking of all: every year in mid-February, the demand for divorce lawyers jumps 40%. One can only wonder why…Bad gifts? Dinner date went terribly wrong? Whatever the case may be, it’s astonishing that a day that is supposed to unite couples may be the very day that separates them. Of course, not all marriages end on Valentines’ Day. However, according to Government of Quebec, 49.9% of all marriages ended in divorce in 2008. Although the Globe and Mail claims that the divorce rate is dropping, we still see the Canadian divorce rate at about 40%. After polling a cross-section of approximately 100 Billings students about marriage and the very high divorce rate, the results were quite astonishing. Of those surveyed, 85% said they wished to get married and only 14% of the total population thought their marriage would end in divorce. In addition, 74% agreed With a Canadian divorce rate of about 40%, do HSB students still think that marriage is worth it? (illustration: Chloe Emond-Lane) that the divorce rate was too high, while 87% of the students believe marriage is still worth the time invested. In terms of first-hand knowledge of divorce, 54% of H.S.B. students know 1-5 divorced couples, 29% know 6-10 divorced couples, while knowledge of 11-15 divorced couples came in at 8%, and students who know of more than 15 divorced couples come in at 15%. The general consensus was that marriage was frequently taken too lightly, rushed into, and inevitably regretted. The high divorce rate discourages some of these young minds who frequently question the perseverance of the divorcing couple. “I myself don’t want to get married because I don’t believe in divorce and I think it is too easy for couples and marriages to end without any efforts of fixing it!” Sabrina Hickey commented. New couples do have the advantage to opt for common-law marriages. Common-law marriages are different in one aspect: they aren’t religious. In fact, since the Quiet Revolution of the 1960’s, when Quebec ousted the church from public affairs, Quebec has become the world’s leader in common-law marriages. This phenomenon solves some problems; according to student, Mikhail Babcock. “I believe marriage is based on religion, which is why I don’t want to get married.” A lack of religious beliefs and a feeling of not needing the papers and hassle of marriage are reasons why many HSB 8 Feb-March 2013 students say they will choose commonlaw marriages. Marriage today is more complex than ever. Children can be seriously affected by their parents’ divorces and the custody battles that often ensue. For many that is only the tip of the iceberg when dealing with divorce problems; issues can also include alimony, child support and losing half of your assets, to name a few. Media sources give daily news flashes about celebrities’ 72-day marriages, adulterous affairs with cleaning ladies, and scandalous divorces that involve sordid details. No wonder many students believe there is a lack of values and understanding about the institution of marriage. However, despite the many signs that point to marriage becoming a thing of the past, the students polled overwhelmingly expect to get married themselves. Why? Several students said that what matters most is that the couples who say “I do” believe in the institution. “I believe if you make a commitment to someone you should stick with it, and if you think at some point in your relationship that you’ll get a divorce, then don’t get married,” said grade 11 student Samantha Stevens. Another anonymous student stated, “If you loved someone enough to marry them, then you should love them enough to stay.” While failed marriages have steered some teens toward common law unions, perhaps teens’ overexposure to divorce has developed a desire to take marriage more seriously before entering into it. 9 billings billboard Feb-March 2013 Vision Newspaper Celebrating singlehood Shandy Massicotte Sabrina De Rosa Valentine’s Day wasn’t initially celebrated by people who were in love. According to one legend, it originated because a prisoner named Valentinus was said to have healed a jailer’s daughter, and before he was executed he wrote a letter to her to say farewell and he had signed it “From your Valentine”. Whether his affection was returned by the girl is unknown, but the day of his death came to be celebrated with love. Today, Valentine’s Day can make single people feel left out and unnoticed, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Being single doesn’t mean that you are alone. Breakaway from the tradition and re-invent the day as a celebration of life or a reflection of who you are. If you don’t know what to do, here are a few suggestions: • Celebrate your way because if you’re single, then you are free to live your life without worrying what others think and without taking into consideration everyone around you. • Have fun and be yourself. • Hang out with your four-legged friend; your pet don’t care what day it is they love you always and unconditionally. • You have friends and family to share your love with, so plan a party or go out with them. Get together and remember your childhood days when romance wasn’t important. • Be creative, do something you love that has nothing to do with the day. It will remind you it’s just another day of the year. Live your life because Valentine’s Day only comes once a year. You can choose to let it bring you down or you can choose to celebrate. Just remember that being single is being free. Zumba: the happy accident gone wild Zoe Tremblay In the past ten years, the Zumba phenomenon has spread across the world like a wild fire. Now more than 14 million people worldwide in over 140,000 locations in more than 150 countries are joining the “Fitness Party” weekly. Zumba is the largest and most successful dancefitness program ever. But what is Zumba and the secret behind its success? Zumba is a Latin inspired dance session fueled with motivating music to help push you through an awesome exercise without even noticing how much you really are working. It’s fun, an awesome activity, and a great way to stay in shape. There are eight types of Zumba classes, all with different aims and levels. They trick you into working out in the best way possible. So how did this amazing program launch? It all started when Alberto “Peto” Perez forgot his traditional music to teach an aerobics class at a gym in Cali, Columbia. He decided to use the music he already had with him, which was the salsa and merengue CDs that he grew up with, and he spontaneously created a dancefitness class. Everyone there was smiling and really enjoying it, so he decided to expand this happy accident. Once it started, it never stopped! Perez soon joined forces with business people and they produced Zumba DVDs together. Next came Zumba classes and instructors, then CDs, Zumba Wear, and interactive games for the Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Today, the program continues to expand, and its vision is to fill empty classes with people dancing and exercising, having the most fun possible. Instructors wish to spread the philosophy of health, happiness and loving everything you do, especially your workout. Want to try it for yourself? Billings gym teacher, Mrs Johnstone, a certified Zumba instructor, gives regular Zumba classes every Friday at the beginning of lunch in the dance studio for students and on Wednesdays after school for staff; everyone is welcome. According to Ms. Johnstone, everyone who has done it during her gym class loved it and just wanted to keep dancing. Now with these special classes, you can too, so give it your best shot. Some important facts about eating disorders Shandy Massicotte Sabrina De Rosa Eating disorders are multi-faceted conditions that are generally defined as abnormal eating habits. While many people today are aware of this problem, few know the facts and even less know how dangerous they can be. They seriously alter your digestive system and can even result in death. People who suffer from some of the more dangerous eating disorders have low body weight and inappropriate eating habits since they have an obsession of maintaining a thin figure. Most people who are affected with eating disorders only consume about 600-800 calories a day, whereas a healthy diet should contain about 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men. “If people stop eating, their body loses energy and becomes weak. It affects every part of your body since it takes the energy that is inside,” said HSB Eating disorders are extremely serious conditions which can result in permanent health damage and even death if left untreated. Who is at risk? What are the symptoms? Shandy Massicotte and Sabrina De Rosa reveal the facts. (photo: Patricia Leblanc) nurse, Danielle Leger. The two main eating disorders are Anorexia and Bulimia. Almost 90% of females with eating disorders have anorexia, and 86% of them develop it before the age of 20. Females are nine times more likely to develop anorexia than males. People who suffer from bulimia have severe long-term effects since they make themselves regurgitate and, because our stomachs contain acid, this burns the throat and vocal cords, and there may even be dental damage. Eating disorders can result in extremely serious health problems or worse. Possible complications include acne, constipation, diarrhea, tooth decay, osteoporosis, cessation of menstruation in females, scurvy, tooth loss, brain atrophy, kidney failure, cardiac arrest, and suicide. Several factors put people at risk for developing eating disorders. The problem is more common among teenagers who have suffered trauma, such as psychological, physical, or sexual abuse. Studies have shown that women and girls with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have a greater chance of developing it. Having an addiction to drugs or alcohol can increase the chances of worsening the disorder. That said, however, anyone can develop the condition. Many today, especially young people, feel pressure from the media to be thin. They feel they are not beautiful enough or want to look like models. Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a mental illness which alters the way a person’s mind perceives its body, and it imagines a physical defect that others can not see. A few symptoms are obsessive thoughts about perceived appearance defects, obsessive and compulsive behaviours related to these perceived thoughts, social and family withdrawal, anxiety or panic attacks, chronic low self-esteem, or strong feelings of shame. The Billings nurse says that there are many ways to treat and control eating disorders. One example is to have nutrition counseling. “Speak with doctors or specialists. There are special clinics for Anorexia,” says Danielle Leger. The Douglas Hospital in LaSalle is specialized in eating disorders. They have an entire department just for those who need help to overcome eating disorders. If you believe you have, or a friend has an eating disorder, you can make an appointment with the nurse. Speak with her at the Guidance office at school. Danielle cautions that having an eating disorder is “a serious matter”. But don’t think you’re alone! Seeking help will ease the burden, and Danielle assured us, “Everything told to the nurse will always remain confidential.” billings billboard Vision Newspaper Exchange students enjoy Canadian experience Kirk Elsmore Celine Madsen, Martin Šenitka, and Franziska Šimecki are three exchange students who are spending a year at Howard S. Billings High School. All three, originating from different countries, decided to sign up for the exchange program to experience the world more and to learn different languages. Franziska, a grade 10 student, is from a small village with a small population of 1000 in Germany. She chose to be an exchange student mainly for the experience of interacting with different cultures around the world. Martin, grade 11, and Celine, grade 11, also stated that they wanted to enjoy the world and to learn about different cultures and languages. Celine, who is from Denmark, is really enjoying her stay here. Celine and Franziska are currently staying together with a family in Chateauguay. As for Martin, who is from Slovakia, he is staying with his friend who also attends HSB. All three exchange students agree that Canada is very different from their homes in Europe; how the school system works was a big shock for them. The school system in Europe is more challenging, the teachers are less attentive, and students are treated like adults when it comes to homework. Franziska said coming here was a bit unsettling for her. “It was scary, because I know nobody here and I’m only 15.” Although all three were apprehensive when they arrived, they love it here and 10 Feb-March 2013 Vision distribution Châteauguay Exchange students Martin Senitka, Celine Madsen, and Franziska Simecki discuss their Canadian adventures with our reporter. (photo: Kirk Elsmore) don’t feel homesick. Franziska noted that, “Making friends was very easy because people will come up to us and say, ‘Oh my God, you’re from Germany?’” The friends they’ve made are very special to all of them, and they plan not to lose touch with them when they return home. All three exchange students will miss many others aspects of their experiences. “I think I’m [also] going to miss the lockers,” Celine mused. At her school in Europe, there are no school buses to school and no lockers. Celine and Franziska had the opportunity to visit New York City and loved it. They have always wanted to go to America. What they enjoyed very much was the IB program’s skiing trip to Mont Orford, since they all ski in their own countries. There was never any doubt that this new adventure would be a scary one for the students, but they are fitting in just fine. “I take it easy now. I’m less stressed,” Franziska commented. Martin added, “Of course there is change. Coming into a new country, you have to change to fit the culture.” With all three loving it here and quickly fitting in, they all agreed that taking trips to other countries in the future is definitely in their futures. Martin explained how he would probably go to Japan, and Celine would love to go to Australia. Although Franziska would love to go somewhere else, she explained that when she returns to Germany, she will be starting her second year in college, and it would be difficult to travel so soon. It was a great privilege to get to know Martin, Celine, and Franziska. Meeting new people from around the world is an amazing experience for both the visitors and the visited. Kahnawake Kateri Hospital Maddie’s Place McComber’s Store Iron Horse Wear House Turtle Bay Elders’ Lodge Kahnawake Public Library Chateauguay Churches Welcome You! OLPH Catholic Church 295 McLeod • 450-691-4430 Saturday Mass 5:15 pm Sunday Mass 10:30 am Maplewood Presbyterian 215 McLeod • 450-691-4560 Sunday Worship 9 am Odd pastimes... St. Andrew’s United 46 Dupont • 450-698-1050 Sunday Worship & Sunday School 10:30 am ...It must be a TGIS contest! This “Thank God It’s Spirit” event took place on Friday, January 11, with students of all grades participating in “Minute to Win It” style games. Led by the Prefects, activities are held every second Friday in the cafeteria at lunch. Everyone is welcome to participate. The goal of TGIS is to promote school spirit and to provide students with more fun activities to break up their day. (photo: Jessica Thauvette) Calvary Baptist Church 215 McLeod • 450-691-7828 Sunday School 11 am Sunday Worship at 12 pm St. George’s Anglican Chocolate chip cookies Chocolate chip cookies have always been my favorite cookie so I thought I’d share this delicious recipe. Sammii Stevens Ingredients: • 3/4 cup brown sugar • 2 tbsp melted butter • 1 egg • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 cup all purpose flour • 1/4 tsp baking soda • 1/8 tsp salt • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (or as many as you prefer) Preheat the oven to 350°. Take a baking sheet and spray with a non-stick cooking spray or lightly grease. In a large bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. Mix together until the batter is well mixed. Add the chocolate chips. Take a spoon and drop scoops of the batter on the sheet about two inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes and let stand for 5 minutes on a wire rack or on the pan. Makes 12 large cookies. All English schools and churches Chateauguay Public Library Mini-General, St. Francis Maison des Jeunes Chateau Bagel Civitan Club Photolux City Hall CLSC Curves 55+ Centre Pizza Maya Sous-Sol Hobby Chateauguay Legion Chateauguay Horizons Club Chateauguay Seniors (OLPH) Anna Laberge Hospital (CHAL) 162 St-Francis 450-691-4970 Said Holy Eucharist 8 am Holy Eucharist 9:30 am Chateauguay Community Church 111 Lauzon Street 450-699-4673 Sunday Worship: 11 am Beth-Rephael Ministries Church of God (photo: Stephanie Turner) 68A boul. Salaberry Sud 514-777-9715 450-844-7771 Sunday School 10 am Worship 11 am We pray for the healing of the sick and afflicted 11 billings billboard Feb-March 2013 Vision Newspaper SWAT takes the drama out of college applications a visit to the Guidance Department aids her friends in the situation. As the students realize how greatly their unpreparedness can affect their future, they start to freak out. Once the student actors shuffled off stage, HSB’s Guidance Department employees Mr. Muirhead and Ms. Morin take the floor and provide an introduction to the college application process for the eager students. A slide show was presented, showing many pages of information, such as the choices students have if they want to begin college immediately or take a SWAT actors try to navigate college application info in a skit called “PANIC” for a grade 11 audience, as the deadline for CEGEP applications looms. (photo: Brendan O’Brien) Spensir Roy Are you or your parents coming down with college-application-phobia? Will you be breaking out into hives as the March 1 deadline looms, worried about mountains of paperwork and infinite Internet highways? Don’t sweat it! HSB’s SWAT team is one step ahead. Its informative and comedic play entitled “PANIC”, which was an acronym for panic, anxiety, need ongoing Chateauguay CIVITAN Club BINGO is held every Saturday evening at 7:30 pm at the Bingo Hall at 305 Principale Street. Your bingo $$ is appreciated and helps several deserving community groups, including Vision Newspaper. For info call Anita at 450-692-9629. Chateauguay CIVITAN Club CRIB is held on the second Saturday each month at 1 p.m. at the club house. Team play and cash prizes; donation $7.00. For info call Henry: 450-692-8441. CAREGIVER’S PROGRAM: Walking the Crossroads Together. The Caregiver Program addresses many concerns to prevent the caregiver from falling into a state of exhaustion. For info call Christelle: 450-699-6289. PAIR PROGRAM: A reassuring free program of prevention and safety at home for people living alone by the Greater Chateauguay Volunteer Center. You remain free to go about your activities, you notify us in case of absence. To register, contact us at 450-699-6289. MOMMY & ME PLAYGROUP: A free morning of activities and help—no clue?, insomnia, and check it out, pointed grade 11 students in the right direction. The brief skit was about a group of students who are nearing the end of their senior year and have gut-wrenching fear nagging them about applying for college. While at a party, as the topic of prom switches to possible job opportunities, one informed student who has previously paid discussions await all mothers who are home with their toddlers and are looking for something fun to do. If you have children under 5 and live in the Chateauguay area, this playgroup is for you! Call Frankie at Re-Nou-Vie for more info at 450-692-9805. The Centre d’action bénévole du grand Châteauguay offers a free help with walking service. To signup or volunteer call Laura: 450-6996289. FRIENDLY VISITS: If you are 65 years of age and older & live alone, one of our volunteers could visit you for 3 hours a week, to talk, play cards or do any other activities that may interest you. To sign-up or volunteer call Laura: 450-699-6289. february Saturday, Feb 16, 2 – 11 pm: Bluegrass Music at the CIVITAN CLUB, 3 rue Paul-Hallé, Chateauguay. Also on March 16, April 20 and May 18, same hours. Jam with us from 2-5 pm and from 7-11 go up on stage in a group and have loads of fun. $5.00 entrance fee or $2.00 for members and a fantastic supper available at a reasonable cost by Civitan members from 5-7 p.m. Become a Chateaugrass Bluegrass member for $20.00 or $30.00 per family. Hope to see you there! pre-college course to get comfortable with the program. Popular local colleges were also displayed, such as Dawson, Vanier and John Abbot, as are their requirements on entry, as well as vital information like how a few marks and credits can change the course of your future. The students in IB are rather happy as their overall mark will be increased by 2% because of the difficulty of their program. Mr.Tennant also delivered a speech on credits, capitalising on their importance and how students should go about achieving them. Calling all college applicants: March 1 is approaching! Kirk Elsmore ATTENTION all grade 11 students who are interested in applying to college: all applications must be submitted by March 1, 2013. If you have not already filled out an application, don’t panic; there is still time and there are many people at HSB who are willing to help you. On select days in February, the computer labs will be accessible during lunch and before and after school for those who wish to fill out their applications online (see schedule in Guidance for details). Also, Guidance will be open for appointments. But don’t delay…appointment times in February tend to fill up fast. Sunday, Feb. 24, 9:30 am – 1 pm: Civitan Brunch featuring scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, coffee, tea. Adults $6.00; Children 10 and under $3.00. For info call Jessie: (450) 692-2666 march March 5, 1:30 – 8 pm: Blood Donor Clinic at Civitan Club Hall, 3 PaulHallé, Chateauguay. For info, call Paul: (450) 691-2304. Friday, March 15, 7 – 9 pm & Saturday, March 16, 9 am – 3 pm: Arts & Crafts Exhibition and Sale at the 55+ Centre of Chateauguay at 27 St. Francis Blvd. Café available from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. Friday, March 15: Cabane à sucre with the Chateauguay English Community Network (CECN). Cost is $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers Register with Gayle: 450699-1078 or Pauline: 450-617-0513. Friday, March 22, 6:30 pm: The CECN presents another 9-“Doc McCoy Murder Mystery Supper” at Restaurant Casa Grecque, 104 St. Jean Baptiste. Bring your own wine or beer: $25.00/member or $30.00/nonmember includes meal. Reservations for groups of 6+ (tables of 10). Tickets from Pauline: 450-617-0513 or Gayle: 450-699-1078. TAX RETURNS: Le Centre d’action bénévole du grand Châteauguay offers to individuals and families with low-income, a tax return preparation service. Voluntary contributions accepted. Service counters schedule for March: In the basement of SteMarguerite D’Youville Church (near the Maxi, the side entrance): March 15, 9 am – 8:30 pm; At La Rencontre Châteauguoise (200 Salaberry N, Chât.): March 26, 2 – 4 pm; At the Centre d’action bénévole du grand Châteauguay (10 rue Gilmour, Châteauguay): March 18, 1:30 – 4 pm and 6:30 to 8:30 pm. For info call Johanne Reid: 450-699-6289. april April 5 & 6: The organizing committee of 50th Anniversary of Mary Gardner School Celebrations is actively searching for former students and staff who attended MGS from 1962 – 2012. We are also looking for photos and memorabilia. You can find us on Facebook by searching for MARY GARDNER SCHOOL 50TH ANNIVERSARY STUDENT & TEACHER ALUMNI. You won’t want to miss it! Saturday, April 13, 9 am - 2 pm: Maplewood Presbyterian Church Rummage Sale. Clothing, books and small items available at 215 McLeod, Chateauguay. 12 hsb sports Feb-March 2013 Vision Newspaper In the Crease Austin Robson Mathieu David, Marco Guiliani, and Justin Bayliff represented the HSB team at this year’s AllStar Game. All three did very well and Guiliani scored a goal in a 6-5 Team White victory over Team Blue. (courtesy photo) season has been a learning curve for younger players and has displayed the potential the team has going forward. Berlinguette and Delaronde have proven that they will be a superb one-two tandem in the future, while Durrant and Keyes have the opportunity to be a top two shutdown pair. The Blazers have shown great poise in battling with greater depth opponents and in coping with all the issues that surrounded it this year. Next year, the Blazers look forward to a better season and more student body support at home games; so come and support your Blazers! At press time, the Blazers were 2-16 for the season. See the GMAA.ca website for updated stats. Basketball’s final countdown Billings’ five basketball teams are going through the last miles of their season. In fact, once you read this, the playoff games will be underway, but here is an update of events. Juvenile Boys, who won two tournaments this year and are in first place overall in the GMAA, will be hosting a playoff game Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 4 pm. Juvenile Girls are also in a first place tie in their division in the GMAA and will be in the playoffs. John Rennie and St. Thomas will be their more serious contenders. Midget Girls, who won the annual Clint Dunning Tournament in their division, just finished their season with many players of Bantam age, making it an educational year for the young team, although they did not qualify for the finals. Midget Boys, coached by Mr. Southward, lost their last two GMAA games by one basket to come up short of a playoff run, but they played a qualification game for the SSIAA tourney Feb. 14. Results did not come before press time; check gmaa.ca for details. Bantam Boys, coached by Mr. Snow, will have a shot at the GMAA playoffs; this is a young team that could bring some surprises to the court. The team will host LCC on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 4 pm. The SSIAA Visser Mcleod Basketball Tournament will take place at Billings on February 28 and March 1 during school hours. This tournament is reserved for all English schools of the province and many teams will be travelling from far and wide to play our Juvenile teams. Players from Stanstead, Galt, Quebec High, and several other schools will compete to become the provincial champions. For the rest of the games, keep an eye on the GMAA website’s playoff grid. The Blazers have the ammunition to go all the way, but they need encouragement from as many fans as possible. So don’t miss the games. Go Blazers go! Are you in Grade 6? If you love sports, want to improve your French, have good study habits and a positive attitude, Option études Châteauguay is for you! Spend half the year at École Gabrielle Roy and the other half at Billings High School, making new friends, improving your French and participating in great activities! Information Meeting for parents & students February 20 @ 7 p.m. Howard S. Billings Mosher Auditorium. Call Lisette Beaudoin 514-380-8899 ext 8153 for more info! ole Éc Gabrielle R oy Ho l times, was overworked, but he continued to be the rock on the blue line and earned an invitation to the GMAA All-Star game. Keyes and Durrant have been pushed into a bigger role than they expected this season and have been unsteady with it at times, but they continue to get better with every passing game. “I feel very confident that next year Mack and Andrew will be pillars on our defence,” stated Coach Al. With Cappellano and David leaving next year, the hole on the blue line becomes a deep one, but the experience Durrant and Keyes have gained this year will be crucial to next year’s success on the backend. The forwards were considered the team’s brightest spot and before the season, they were. However, the HSB curse that has plagued the team infected the forwards deeply. Three HSB students, Brandon McCulloch, Kale Kane and Gabriel Tessier, all made the Chateauguay Grenadiers Midget AAA team and were unable to play for another team. This was a huge blow to the HSB team, as Kane and McCulloch had played Juvenile Hockey as Bantam players two years ago and thrived in it. Another deep cut came when four Bantam AA players transferred to John Rennie High School to be a part of their Option-Etudes program. Up front, the centre stones of the team this year were Jonathan Bergeron, Ben Godbout, Justin Bayliff, Cortland Thomas-Beaton and Tanner Wilding, who were all returning players. Unfortunately, Wilding moved away, but the team added Marco Giuliani, who was later named Captain of this year’s squad. Micheil Klostermann and Chris Marchand were named to the team after playing for the Bantam team last year. Senior players Zac Duquette, Shayne Leftakis, and Toby Laplante were taken on to add depth to the bottom six forwards. This part of the team has thrived significantly as Giuliani, Godbout, Bayliff, and Bergeron all earned GMAA All-Star game invitations. After this year, the forwards will need some work as all but Marchand, Klostermann, and Thomas-Beaton will be graduating at the end of this year. HSB hockey has shown a ton of potential this year and will be a force to be reckoned with in years to come. This w ar dS oo This year’s Billings’ hockey season has truly been a wild ride - from Midget AAA commitments, to injuries, to kids changing schools, and even kids quitting the team. This is the season that could have been, but wasn’t at all. With the amount of potential this year’s team had, it just sticks the dagger in that much deeper when faced with the reality of the team’s lack of success this season, although one must look ahead to see all the positives that HSB hockey has in store for the future. This year, goaltending was initially seen as a weakness by the team’s coaching staff, but the play of Daniel Berlinguette and Rohsennatekha Delaronde put a different perspective in the eyes of the coaches. Both goalies did everything they could in the cage, displaying great athleticism and poise. Bryant Montour-Leblanc also received some starts in the net and backstopped the team to its first win of the season when they defeated Selwyn House 7-5 at Leo Crepin. Berlinguette got the other win for the Blazers when they ousted Centennial at home with a 4-3 victory. These goalies have really gained the confidence of Coach Al Massel. “What was viewed as a weakness coming into this year will be looked upon as a position of strength going forward,” said Coach Massel. Both goaltenders are in grade 9 and still have two years of eligibility remaining. Defence also seemed to be a positive for HSB hockey this year. They had returnees Mathieu David and Chris Chave, as well as Tyler Wilding from last year’s Bantam team, and Saxo Kirby, who together were viewed as the top four going into the season. The defence was rounded out by Mackenzie Durrant and Andrew Keyes, both ninth graders with two more years of eligibility. “We were hoping to bring Mack and Andrew slowly along for the future,” said the coach. That plan was quickly decimated when Tyler Wilding moved to Florida, Chris Chave went down with an ACL injury, and Saxo Kirby quit the team. With only three defensemen, the team looked to find a replacement. They found one in Salvatore Cappellano. The only returnee, David, logged above average ice time for the young defensive core and at . B ill in gs Hig hS ch
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