Windermere Word 2008/2009
Take a look at Windermere Word issues from 2008/2009 here!
January Issue
http://whsword.wordpress.com/category/windermere-word-20082009/january-issue/
February Issue
http://whsword.wordpress.com/category/windermere-word-20082009/february-issue/
March Issue
http://whsword.wordpress.com/category/windermere-word-20082009/march-issue/
April Issue
http://whsword.wordpress.com/category/windermere-word-20082009/march-issue/
May Issue
http://whsword.wordpress.com/category/windermere-word-20082009/may-issue/
June Issue
http://whsword.wordpress.com/category/windermere-word-20082009/june-issue/
Featured: New Writers
http://whsword.wordpress.com/category/windermere-word-20082009/featured-new-writers/
Warrior of the Month
http://whsword.wordpress.com/category/windermere-word-20082009/warrior-of-the-month/
Editors’ Weekly Update
http://whsword.wordpress.com/category/windermere-word-20082009/editors-weekly-update/
Warrior of the Month
http://whsword.wordpress.com/category/windermere-word-20082009/warrior-of-the-month/
April Horoscopes
Aries – April showers bring May flowers? You’re going to dread the rain falling in Vancouver and wish that it would just
go away. Don’t worry; soon enough, May will arrive and after that, summer!
Taurus – Do you have a strong dislike for a certain food? This April, that food is going to start popping up in your meals, driving you crazy. By the time the month is over, your hate for that food will turn into love.
Gemini – You might feel a bit lonely this month, but don’t worry. Your friends are going to drown you with love and attention pretty soon, which will cheer you up in a second!
Cancer – This month, it will seem like all umbrellas will hate you. They will open up when you don’t want them to, and refuse to open in the pouring rain. And, of course, beware the black foldable umbrella.
Aquaculture + Hydroponics = ???
By: Angela Ho, Grade 9
As many Windermere students know, we are fortunate enough to have a courtyard in the middle of our school. In the courtyard, we have an organic garden that not only provides vegetables for the cafeteria, but also houses several different composting systems. Over the past two months, a new addition to the garden offers many new opportunities for students to learn and have fun. Tucked away in the greenhouse is Windermere’s very own Aquaponics system! So what exactly is it? The Aquaponics system uses a combination of features from hydroponics and aquaculture (fish farming). When combined, the system supports growth for both plants and fish.
To start the system, goldfish are used to bring in bacteria, which is essential when running an Aquaponics system. Later on, edible fish such as koi or catfish will be raised and eventually sold or used in the cafeteria’s food production. Due to the fact that no soil is used, all nutrients are required to be in the system before plants can be introduced. The plants start off growing in rock wool, and will be transplanted into the gravel beds later on. To name a few, lettuce, cucumbers and basil are some of the many plants that grow easily in this system.
You Know What Grinds My Gears?
By: Jenny Ho, Grade 11
You know what grinds my gears? Yugioh! and Magic cards.
Lately, there has been a trend making its way back to our school. You’ve probably seen it: Yu-Gi-Oh! and Magic
cards. Groups of people hover over two players, going at it with a huge deck of cards in their hands. Some people play once in a while, but others play whenever they find the time. They try to sneak a few minutes of playing time into break and lunch. Could it possibly lead to a gaming addiction?
Anything can become an addiction when done/used compulsively. The most common types of addictions are drug, alcohol, and gaming. Strangely enough, addictions may reflect one’s family life. Many people use their addiction as an escape from reality, just like drugs and alcohol. Symptoms include neglect of peers, issues with school and work, changes in sleeping pattern and lack of personal hygiene. Many theories about gaming addiction have been made. Researchers at University of Rochester believe that video games satisfy psychological needs (like winning, rewards, freedom, interaction with other players).
Canucks Update
By: Jasmin Gadey, Grade 8
Are you ready to catch some playoff fever, Canucks fans? Yes, it’s that time of year everybody! The first round for the Stanley Cup is right around the corner. I know it’s hard to believe but just two games remain in the 2009-2010 regular season. Our incredibly stacked and talented team played considerably well in March, with a record of 9-4-2. There’s almost no reason to doubt that the Canucks are going to be amazing against whoever their first round opponents will be. Our potential matchup for the first round will be between the Nashville Predators, LA Kings or the Detroit Redwings. Although Captain Luongo has been inconsistent lately, we all know that come playoff time he knows how to step it up and pull out his “A” game. In addition, Samuelson has returned to the team and GM Mike Gillis has added to our defence with Andrew Alberts. Furthermore, Alberts isn’t the only new addition to the Canucks, Michael Grabner was recently called up from the Canucks farm team, the Manitoba Moose. Surprisingly, Grabner has been doing exceptionally well, and had his first career hat trick on April 2nd against the Ducks. Some other interesting facts are that the Canucks have six players that have scored twenty or more goals, which is second best in the league and on top of that Henrik Sedin is ahead of Alexander Ovechkin in the point race! Plus, he just needs four more points as of April-05-10 to tie Pavel Bure for the most points in a season as a Canuck. I don’t know about you but I’m feeling pretty darn confident about our team going into the playoffs this season! It’s time to find all that green, blue and white clothing in our closets to show our support in what might be the second greatest thing to happen this year after the Olympics! GO CANUCKS GO!
What’s The Scoop?
By: Cassandra Ly, Grade 11
We’re back from what probably feels like the shortest week of the school year; Spring Break flew by in a flash. We’re getting back into our usual routine: waking up early, but still staying up late. Catching up on new units for classes, while reviewing what we’ve learned so far. On top of that, we’re also heading full on into third term. That means an endless amount of activities are flying our way. So, here’s the scoop:
SPRING HOOPS 2010 – Boys and girls of all grades have been invited to join Spring Hoops, happening during lunches for boys and Friday mornings for girls. This is a great opportunity to have fun, work with your friends, and have some friendly basketball competition! Check it out during lunch or after schools to show your support!
Plush 3-Ply Butt-Wipers
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 11
It’s soft. It’s white. It’s like nothing you’ve ever touched. The contact of it against your skin is like a thousand tiny little beads sifting through the cracks between your fingers. It’s soooooo lush. It’s the softest thing you’ll ever wipe your butt with.
So, we all know what toilet paper is. It’s the thin paper layer that you clean yourself with after using the toilet. Most of us go through life without giving a second thought about what we use to wipe our bums. So why is it that big companies, like Kleenex or Scott, spend millions upon millions of dollars researching and advertising their softest toilet paper ever? They promote the image of disposable toilet paper that doesn’t leave behind bits (Ew, why bring that up at all?), leave your bottom soft and moisturized, and is the strongest blend of thin tree you will ever find.
CONSERVATIVES’ CRUMMY CONDUCT
What happens when you shoplift? You get arrested. What happens if don’t wear your seat belt? You get fined. The common thing in both these scenarios is punishment, but it seems some of us don’t receive that if we commit a wrong.
On February 19th, 2010, Helena Guergis, Conservative Minister of State for the Status of Women, threw a tantrum when she arrived a few minutes prior to her flight to Montreal at the Charlottetown Airport in PEI. In the pre-boarding area, Guergis refused to remove her footwear even thought she was warned that her shoes would set off the alarm in the metal detector. When the alarm went off, she was asked to remove her shoes and supposedly slammed her boots in the bin that was given to her and remarked to an airport staff member, “Happy f—ing birthday to me. I guess I’m stuck on this hellhole” (she turned 41 that day). After her boots cleared the x-ray, the minister yelled to her aide, Emily Goucher, “Get those for me. I’m not walking around here in sock feet.” She then tried to force open the locked door that separated the pre-boarding screening room from the aircraft area and when she was told that all passengers are supposed to arrive 2 hours before boarding time, Guergis retaliated back, “I don’t need to be lectured about flight time by you. I’ve been down here working my a– off for you people.” Despite this fiasco, the Minister Guergis was still allowed to board her plane and apologized later in the House of Commons. She screamed, she swore and threw things. Most people would be tasered for this kind of behaviour.
Change: Friend or Foe?
By: Kaitlyn Fung, Grade 9
The world is all about change. Things, such as fads, are exciting and popular when they’re new, but then they get old. It’s then that everybody moves on to something else. Whatever was left behind is considered obsolete or stale and is soon to be forgotten. Change can be annoying but it can also be a relief. Some people love change while others hate it, and many fear it. Is change good or bad? It’s probably best to know some examples before answering that question.
Technology is, perhaps, one of the best examples of change. Have a look at some of the many computer operating systems from Microsoft: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000, 98, and 95. If you own a computer, you have probably experienced having to change from one version to another to avoid becoming stuck with an outdated version. Not having the most current version is often extremely inconvenient; you can’t run a lot of the newest programs, your computer may not be compatible with newer computers, etc. Even if you don’t like to switch, eventually there would be a point where you would have to give in to the change you are being forced into.
Editorial: How Comics Can Make Us Think
By: Emily Chan, Grade 11
It all started when I read a comic strip in the paper. It was from Pardon My Planet, a classic comic featured in The Province daily. An overweight man sitting at the bar states, “After six years of high school, I lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of the school system for not properly preparing me for unemployment.”
Even though this may seem like a juvenile comment at first glance, it caused me to sit back and think about our education system. We are taught to succeed in life; we are taught to keep our heads high and accept accomplishments gratefully. We are also expected to be content with trying our best – because with that, we’ll go far in life…
But what will happen when the gigantic brick wall of failure sneaks up on us and smacks us down? As harsh as that may sound, it’s how failure will feel if you’re not prepared. You’ll be caught off guard, and won’t know how to gain the confidence back in order to pick up the pieces of your life.
April`s Warrior of the Month
By: Emily Chan, Grade 11 & Puneet Riar, Grade 12
The moment you’ve all been waiting for, April’s Warrior of the Month! This month’s lucky winner is Franco Huang!
P: CONGRATS FRANCO, ON BEING APRIL’S WARRIOR OF THE MONTH! TELL ME, HOW DOES IT FEEL?
F: Surprised and annoyed because I have to answers these questions.
P: LOL! FUNNY GUY! SO OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE MUST LIKE YOU. WHY DO YOU THINK YOU WERE NOMINATED?
F: I have no clue.
P: OH COME ON, SURE YOU DO! RANDOM QUESTION NOW, IF YOU COULD HAVE THREE WISHES, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
