P.S. The teachers still got it.

Transcription

1 YALE IDOL! -Elise Yu Yale Idol is put on every year at school. For anyone who missed it, Yale Idol is a singing competition. If you come first you win a gift card, and the top 5 get chocolate bars. But mainly I think it's to be able to say you won Yale Idol. You know, bragging rights. So, this year the majority of the contestants were juniors, which is pretty rare since if you decide to make a fool of yourself, you have to live with it for another 3 years. Nevertheless, all of the performances were enjoyable, funny, or downright amazing. Seriously, some people are better than the rich and famous. A shout out to Jessica who won! You can really belt it out! I mean, those high notes? Super impressive. Yale Idol is one of the biggest events at school, and It's a chance for many to showcase their talents (and bravery) so congratulations to everyone who participated! P.S. The teachers still got it.

2 A FRESH FACE -Alexa Ezergailis and Katie Martens As many of you should already know, at the beginning of April, Yale saw Mr. Pankratz leave for W.J. Mouat and a new principal, Mr McDonald, come to take his place. This month, the Paw Print has decided to interview his successor and see how he's taken to his new school Yale. Katie Martens sat down with Mr. McDonald to discuss the transition, what he's liking most about the school, and what he hopes to leave behind when he's done his share here. Here's a bit of what he had to say. "My first impression started on day one when I walked into my office which was decorated by the leadership team which was very welcoming. I found that a nice way to walk into a new school. Coming in the middle of the year was a bit awkward at first, but...the Yale community embraces new people and goes out of their way to make them feel comfortable. When asked what the biggest change so far for him has been, he answered by mentioning how he s very much a people person and that having so many new unfamiliar faces is strange. However, he s optimistic that that ll change with time, so I just have to be patient. I chose [to become a principal] because I like knowing that I m playing a role in a bigger goal and being able to impact what s happening in the school. I looked at it as a challenge, and it still is a challenge. Using three words to describe himself and his character traits, I would say caring, integrity, and teamwork. If he had to pick a favourite saying that he lives his life by, it would be either we judge others by their actions and we judge ourselves by our intentions or happiness is wanting what you have. I like the fact that there seems to be something for every kid. Our job is for four years to help kids meander their way through a tough time in their life but I think Yale offers a lot of things to the kids. Finally, when asked what the legacy he d like to leave behind at Yale is, I ve heard great things about Yale and so just to keep the perception of being a great school doing great things would be it.

3 TO STRIKE OR NOT TO STRIKE -Elise Yu Teachers going on strike?! YES! I m expecting no school and no homework. But in reality, teachers just seem more tense and on edge than normal. Granted some of us might get rattled from the fact that teachers might not like being at school as much as us, but we ll make the best of it. Obviously this is a touchy subject, and since this article needs to be approved by a teacher before it s published, I m taking a risk here. But, I think there are a few facts that can be pointed out about this job action non-sense. First, didn t teachers go on strike already? Was that not successful or are teachers just as big procrastinators as students? Strikes can be very effective, when they aren t dragged on. I think if teachers really want a change, they should do something big and bold to catch the government s attention. If not, it s just going to be another payout that wastes everyone s time. Also, shouldn t students get some kind of reimbursement for not going on strike as well? If everyone, student and staff went on strike, doesn t the entire school system collapse? Just something to think about. At least we should get bonus marks on our tests.

4 PERSONAL PET PEEVE -Ariel Ezergailis There are people in the world who are paid to give out public announcements. Sometimes it's only part of their job, and sometimes it's their entire job, but still - actual money is given to them to write these announcements and then relay them to the public. So, after a while, you think they'd be pretty good at them, right? Apparently not. Seems to me like the higher you go in the world the more cryptic you have to make things (and the more heavily worded things have to be, too!). "It's sunny tomorrow" turns into "the sun may make an appearance tomorrow" which then turns into "a yellow orb may shine above us tomorrow" It's unnecessary, annoying, and totally confusing to the people who hear it. And most of the time, these "announcements" don't even tell anybody anything!the whole point of putting out an announcement is so the public can know what's going on without being confused. In the case of possible school closures, for instance, I just want to know if the school is open or closed. It's a yes/no question. I don't want to know what was said yesterday, I don't want to know about American schools, and I don't want to know student's thoughts on this matter. But somehow, most of these things end up in the announcement, cluttering the answer so I have to search for ages to find what I'm looking for. Really, instead of being short, informative blurbs, announcements have turned into long paragraphs that leave you exactly where you started, but trick you into thinking you've learned something. Nothing is said in these announcements except for long sentences that contradict the sentence before. They're a way of making the public stop asking questions; empty words temporarily satisfying the need for fuller words. Honestly, though - these people with the jobs of writing these announcements feel it necessary to confuse us. But...why?

5 AP EXAMS: THE STRUGGLE -Jacqueline Pan May is AP season, and for the 3.1 million high school students across the world who are taking at least one exam this spring, it means an unbelievable amount of stress; I am no exception. When I first signed up for four AP classes last year, I was concerned about whether I was going to be challenged enough. I wouldn t even have class every day, and I would only be taking four courses for the entire year-only half of what a regular grade 11 is faced with. This is going to be easy, I thought. Boy, was I wrong. Taking four university courses is akin to running a marathon, except this particular race is a grueling 8 months and not a few hours. I can t even remember the number of all-nighters I ve pulled this year to finish homework or study for a big exam. Mental breakdowns? I have at least one every second day. I ve had days when every single class was just a test. By the end of it, my brain was fried, and I had probably cut about 20 years off my life. But all that-the endless homework and studying and panic attacks-were nothing compared to now. Now, in about two weeks time, I will be faced with my first AP exam (calculus) and three more in quick succession. I have just begun studying, and already, I know it s going to be a major struggle. How is it even humanly possible to try to memorize 8 months of coursework for 4 classes in 14 days? Just thinking about it makes my head hurt. Currently, it s past midnight, and I m still reviewing. I ll probably get up early, maybe 5, to continue. Let s just say that June can t come fast enough!

6 TASHI RIDER PART 1 -Katie Martens A small cry escaped from the bundle sitting outside the door of the local orphanage. Drowned out by the thunder ripping through the sky, its wails for help and fear went unheard by everyone. Everyone, but a passing stranger. Wrapped in cloths you couldn t tell the babe from a bundle of bread someone left outside from lunch. The stranger bent down to move the cloth from the face of the child and looked upon the face of a small girl. Her pleas grew silent as she reached for the draped stranger, as if she immediately felt safe. And for good reason; this passerby was no ordinary mortal; they hunted for creatures and humans with abilities that surpassed most human capabilities. They protected them and trained them to benefit others from their abilities and even with some disagreements, most were now helping others in their turn. The cloak fell from the shoulders of the woman who reached for the infant. Her white hair pronounced against the darkness and brokenness from all around them. The child was silent as she clung to the cloak of the woman, who clutched the child as if someone were threatening to take her away. She walked briskly down from the steps of the orphanage and entered the forest in one area where the vines and brambles hid from view. The trail was silent and no sound was made. Not even the heavenly thunder could be heard with as crisp with clarity. The lightning was bright and lit the hidden path in front of the woman. The path first narrowed then expanded and revealed a clearing with a couple small cabins. A variety of people came out from these cabins hearing the footsteps of the woman. She slowed her pace to a walk as she went to meet a young teenage boy. Who is she? the boy asked in wonder as he moved to see the face of the small child. I have no idea. I found her crying on the steps of the orphanage. Came the reply in a quiet melodious voice. The boy looked once more at the face on the child then closed his eyes, his left hand hovering over her head. The child let out a whimper as the boy s eyes flashed open. She has no gift! Why is she here? He called out, as mummers went through the crowd of younger children.

7 CONTINUED... Never before had the woman come back with a child so young and without any abilities. One little girl around the age of ten came forward and touched the child s cheek. Angel, I thought you said no child, except those with abilities, can come here. Even still, she is too little for a gift. She wouldn t be able to control it. The young girl did motion to hold the infant who seemed to have calmed down from the intrusion of her mind. That I did say, Raine, but this child is different. How? The boy from before cut in before Angel could continue. She doesn t have any abilities. Maybe your senses are wrong! Angel gave him a look as she passed the child into Raine s arms. True, I did not sense any abilities within this young one, but there is something strange about her. Her memories are gone and she has no claim to this life. Yet take a look at her; what do you notice? The other children came forward to look closely. The children could only see her face and hair. One child lifted their hands with a miniature sun to see closer. Her hair was a light brown, almost blonde with golden streaks running through it. The girls face was delicate, like a china dolls, but it was her eyes that captivated the audience. They seemed to switch colors every second, merging and swirling in her iris, never stopping to settle on just one, moving from color to color. Her eyes are changing! one smaller six year old exclaimed in surprise, captivated. That was not all I found. It was like the child was drawing me to her. Like she knew me and what I was. The little infant closed her eyes and finally fell into a slumber. So I decided to bring her here and raise her. I believe that she has something to tell us. With that, Angel guided Raine to her own cabin to put the baby into bed. The figure of the teenage boy remained however. He watched as the other children tramped after the baby and whispered everything they would teach her. He watched the small child take his place as the most important figure here. She would pay; he muttered in his mind. I will make sure she does. Read next month s issue of The Paw Print to see what happens in part 2!

8 ASK ALI -Emily Higgins Dear Ask Ali, Where can I find cute shorts that are long enough to meet the requirements of the dress code? The general rule at most schools is that shorts must fall below your fingers when you have your hands by your side, but it seems like the only shorts available now are shorter than that. This is a huge dilemma, because no one wants to be told to change at school, and no one wants to wear ugly shorts! But we must ask ourselves why the dress code is this way - and that's because we don't want to distract guys by wearing shorts and revealing the age-old secret that girls have legs. In order to save those poor boys from getting distracted, the only logical thing to do is come to school completely wrapped up in layers upon layers of blankets. This dress code doesn't seem to apply to boys, as they have their underwear hanging out and are allowed to wear tank-tops, so this appears to mean that a woman's appearance must be controlled as to not sully the innocent minds of the easily distracted boys. Think about it - they won't be distracted by your legs if they can't even see your face! Never again will you be told to cover your shameful body, and blankets come in so many colours and patterns, so the possibilities are really endless. Who cares if you pass out from heat stroke or suffocation - at least you'll be comfortable and fashionable in your distraction-free blanket. Teachers will really appreciate being able to teach their classes again without having to tell you to change your too-short shorts because all the boys are too busy staring to learn. Forget about changing the double standards of the dress code, forget about telling boys to stop objectifying us, forget about having the freedom to express yourself through what you wear; just wrap yourself up in layers of duvets and enjoy the summer sun! Have a question that needs answering? yalepawprint@gmail.com and be featured in the next issue!

9 HOROSCOPES -Alexa Ezergailis Aries: (Mar 21 - Apr 19) Your past struggles will soon be over and life will start to get much easier! Taurus: (Apr 20- May 20) Something big is about to present itself to you. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride! Gemini: (May 21 - Jun 20) B e c a r e f u l, y o u r physical or mental health may be in slight danger this month. Cancer: (Jun 21 - Jul 22) Yo u r d a y t o d a y family life is about to change soon, but it should be for the better. Leo: (Jul 23 -Aug22) Now s the time to be on top of your game. A big promotion is in your future! Virgo: (Aug 23 - Sep 22) Life s about to calm down a bit real soon. Hang on a little bit longer and you ll be free in no time. Libra: (Sep 23-Oct 22) You might receive some bad news soon, but keep your head up and things will work out! Scorpio: (Oct 23 - Nov 21) You ll soon have clarity about a major relationship in your life and whether it ll last or not. Sagittarius: (Nov 22 - Dec 21) Lucky for you, you ll be find yourself with some money this month! Capricorn: (Dec 22 - Jan 19) There s something you ve been thinking about for a long time and you ll soon know the answer. Aquarius: (Jan 20 - Feb 18) Keep a careful look out for some stressful situations coming. Pisces: (Feb 19 - Mar 20) You ll be traveling to new places this month and having lots of fun doing it! CALENDAR AP Exams- May 5, 7, 8, 9, 12 Spring Play- May 7-9, No School- May 9 Canada Day in May- May 16 No School- May 19 Grad Convocation & Dry Grad- May 23 Yale Lions... We Want YOU! Join our pride and speak your mind at the Yale Pawprint Every Thursday in room B133 11:00 (lunch) Writers: Katie Martens Elise Yu Emily Higgins Jacqueline Pan Ariel Ezergailis Alexa Ezergailis Editor/Formatter: Alexa Ezergailis