Gender Wars

You don't even have to look at this article. I was just there, so figured I would write something.
This is the report from Junior lunch, I don't know what happened during Senior lunch.


Stamford's cafeteria was buzzing with excitement during lunch on Wednesday November the 17th for the "Gender Wars Pizza Lunch". Student council provided two pieces of pizza, one cookie and one can of soda to students who payed $3. All students had the opportunity to sign up for the second "Gender Wars" of the year. One guy and one girl faced off in the ultimate match: to put on a frozen t-shirt. The two contestants twisted, slammed and pulled in attempts to unravel the frozen t-shirt. The shirts were frozen solid and it didn't seem possible that they could be put on. The war nearly ended in a standstill but the girls pulled through and pulled their t-shirt on to earn a Win for the females.


by Kaye Puhakka

Remembrance Day

November 11th brought the whole school under the dimmed gymnasium lights to Stamford Collegiate's Remembrance Day assembly. Mr Azzopardi welcomed all teachers, students and guests in attendance at the event and welcomed guest speaker, Mick Storm. He spoke about the wars Canada has been involved in and the experience of having a brother involved and killed in the war. Many were shaken by the man's thoughtful presentation.The choir, dressed up in sharp black shirts, beautifully sang "Song Of Peace" and "Good Riddance". 

The grade nine open drama class did a dramatic presentation of the popular Remembrance Day poem "In Flander's Field". This was followed by a "Tableau" interpretation of the song "With My Own Two Hands" performed by the grade ten drama class.  The senior drama class ended with a dramatic presentation called "The Hero Within" about the war and how people remember which ended with a song. It depicted different scenarios and the hurt and loss people suffer when loved ones go away to war. 

A video by Michael Cunningham featuring various songs, war pictures and short clips was shown to the silenced crowd. All were quiet in respect and remembrance. A song was performed on the bagpipes and "The Last Post" was played by Zach Morris on the trumpet during the two minutes of silence at eleven o'clock. Stamford's own concert band performed "Sabre Dance" to finish of the assembly with a bang. 

The assembly's theme, "2 minutes of silence, 58 minutes of celebration" was embraced by all those participating and in attendance as they remembered the lives lost and celebrated the freedom those individuals brought us.


By: Kaye Puhakka

Grade Eight Day

Encompassed By Future Prospects?

Wednesday November the third was grade eight day at Stamford Collegiate High School. Students from elementary schools in the area arrived and filed into the gym with new "Stamford" teeshirts for their welcome assembly. Banners sporting the names of each school and their colours shone above the orange and black bleachers. The choir started the assembly off with a bang, singing "Don't Stop Believing". Mr Azzopardi introduced each school and each in turn cheered loudly. These kids all have great spirit so hopes are that they will come to Stamford Nation for grade nine. Speaking about all the fantastic clubs and opportunities to get involved in at Stamford was student president, Joelle. (Is it spelled like that?)

A Stamford Collegiate spirit video was shown to the students. It featured the Hornet Mascot dancing in the hallway and students displaying Stamford spirit. Stamford Cheerleaders ran into a chorus of cheers from the feeder schools. They cheered and demonstrated some stunts then got the crowd involved in a Stamford chant.

Mr. Azzopardi spoke a bit about high school to the students. "Look around. See all the people around you? You will make friends with people from other schools and by grade twelve you will have lots of friends." He spoke about the big day; graduation day, which led into a graduation video featuring students singing and dancing to "What I Like About You" by The Kinks.

Vice Principal Mrs Burns welcomed students and talked a bit about what is called Stamford Nation: "What is Stamford Nation? We are Stamford nation because all of the people here..."

After the assembly the students were divided up into eighteen groups. They were intermixed with students from other schools in order to encourage socialisation with unfamiliar people and to meet new friends. The groups went to the cafeteria to eat lunch then enjoyed tours around the building. Overall it was a very noteworthy day, and much thanks is given to all those who were involved in making this special day a success.


By: Kaye Puhakka

Ten Ways You Know You're a Hornet - Few Quick Ideas

Ten Ways You Know You're a Hornet - Kaye Puhakka


10. Your favourite colours are orange and black
9. You've bumped into somebody in the hallway
8. You don't bite, you sting
7. You've been lost at least once in your school
6. Halloween is your favourite holiday
5. You've been to a football game even if you have no idea what's happening
4. You have said "boo!" when someone wears purple
3. You've had pizza from Little Caesar's for lunch
2. You have the best teachers ever
1. You attend the coolest school ever; Stamford Collegiate

Impaired Driving Article (Kaye P) - Any Headline Ideas?

When people mention "impaired driving", what do you think of? For most people, drunk driving is the topic that comes to mind. This is not the only the form of impairment and it is important that people know of the dangers out there. In fact, more students admitted to driving within one hour after smoking marijuana than drinking alcohol.

Types of impairment include alcohol, drugs, texting, phone calls, passengers, loud music, maps, doing make up, eating, distraction by GPS and other electronic devices as well as being emotionally impaired. One person is killed every day due to an impaired driver. Is this a serious problem? Read on to find out more.

What is a safe driver?

A safe driver should be alert and have clear vision, good physical coordination and the ability to properly react to sudden events. Being impaired means that the driver cannot act in a way to ensure safety of themselves and others.

How do drugs impair a driver?

Using marijuana can cause drowsiness, altered perception, impaired coordination, relaxation and loss on inhibition. Marijuana is the most common substance in bodies of those killed in vehicle crashes. Cocaine can cause exhilaration as well as anxiety and panic. In addition to causing poor concentration and judgement, the use of cocaine causes unpredictable and possibly violent behavior. Effects of heroin on a driver include drowsiness, reduced reaction speed, blurred vision, altered perception, nausea and vomiting. Is this the kind if person you would want driving?

What does alcohol really do to a person?

Alcohol causes drowsiness, slower reaction time and problems with vision, coordination and concentration. In Ontario, drunk driving causes nearly 25% of all automobile crashes. If alcohol is mixed with any other drug, affects of both are increased, making it very dangerous.

Passengers can be both a physical and mental distraction to one so be sure that if you are driving a friend, that they are cooperative. Texting, receiving phones, and navigating with a map or GPS will take your eyes off the road. A person is twenty three times more likely to crash if they are texting while driving. Even if it is only for a minute and they are being careful, it only takes a second for a car to suddenly stop or for a child to run into the street. This is also true to doing make up or eating while in motion or at a stop light. In a moment the light can change, and if you are in motion while looking at your turkey sandwich, yourself and others could be at risk. Listening to loud music can limit hearing and one may not hear a car horn or a siren. These are very important things, even the car horn, as it may be signaling danger.

Emotional impairment is one of the least talked about ways of impairment. As a person is sad or upset, their emotions grow stronger. They may be impatient and take an unsafe turn or run a red light. If a person is sad they may cry which impairs vision and makes it difficult to drive. The person may be thinking about things and not be paying attention to the road which can cause accidents. This also ties in to talking on the phone. If a person receives a call with devastating news they may forget about the road or react in a way that causes them to run into another car.

Rates of impaired drivers are highest on weekends and early in the morning and Ontario is one of the lowest. It is the highest among teens ages nineteen through twenty four- let's stop it before it happens. Do not put yourself and others at risk. Call a cab, friend or parent when you need a lift. Be the smart one and say "no", for every person makes a difference.

For Stamford students who feel they would like to help others become aware of the dangers of impaired driving and would like to help prevent it, there is a SOSAID (Stamford Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving) club at the school. Meetings are Wednesdays after school in room twenty seven.

For more information please visit the following links

www.osaid.org

www.madd.ca

www.thinkanddrive.net