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10 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 2, 2009 www.oakvillebeaver.com Obama's election brings hope to youths By Tricia Strachan GRADE 12, ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA I t was an event that made history and the type of thing that in years to come will still have us asking one another: "Where were you when Obama was elected president?" 2008 has been a year of change and undoubtedly the most exciting change has been the United States presidential election of Barack Obama. Everyone in the world surely has his or her opinion on the subject. Politicians have had their say and everyone from Joe the Plumber to Wolf Blitzer has weighed in on the topic. Yet what does the youth of our nation have in mind for the future of the United States under this new president? The answer is -- quite a bit. On the cusp of a new year and ultimately the new world to follow the The Regional Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca election of Obama, the younger generation has much to say as to what it expects to come of America's choice for the presidency. With the installment of America's first AfricanAmerican president, youths have hope for the transformation of our world as we look ahead to the future. Marco Brasil, of Grade 12, agreed. "It is time for change," he said and expressed that his personal hope for America's future lay in the Christmas Tree Collection (urban areas only) Christmas tree collection occurs in the month of January (urban areas only). For your collection date, please check your Waste Management Guide & Collection Calendar or use the "Search by Address" tool at www.halton.ca/waste. Remove all tinsel, lights, decorations, tree stands and plastic bags from Christmas trees prior to collection. Please ensure trees do not become stuck or frozen in snow banks. Christmas trees are taken for composting at the Halton Waste Management Site, where they are turned into valuable mulch for use in landscaping projects. "end of the war, the debt, and all the other issues that the U.S. has, and that soon the country can have similar health care benefits to Canada," he said. Another Grade 12 student, Aline Kazazian, saw the election as an opportunity for change as well. "I think it's great for the U.S., it needed the change after the past eight years. You can tell (Obama is) really prepared for the next four years and has really thought about what needs to be done. I'm not saying everything's going to change immediately, but this is definitely a great start," said Kazazian. Although not immediate, change seems to be the biggest aspiration in the hearts of the young. For the most part, many adolescents, when asked about the election, reflected upon it with enthusiasm and at the very least expressed optimism for the new president. However, for other teens, the election not only meant the beginning of change, but also provided youths with a powerful role model. To Grade 10 student Amanda Cuffie, Obama's election to the presidency, proved motivational, above all else. She described the election as something to provide us all with inspiration. "I hope the election makes more people see that they can do anything that they set their minds to. We now have a role model just like that," said Cuffie. Just a little while before the inauguration of the United States' 44th president Barack Obama, and after much discussion with my peers on the election, the fact remains that youths are hopeful as we reflect upon the recent vote. Remembering the tears that filled our parents' eyes when they saw the world changing before them on the night of Barack Obama's election -- we, the youths, look forward to all the changes we hope to see and experience in the times to come. Winter Tips Don't be late. Put your waste at the curb by 7 a.m. the morning of your collection day, but no sooner than 5 p.m. the evening before. Keep the weight down. Containers and bags should weigh no more than 23 kg (50 lbs). Items that are too heavy will not be collected. Do not put material out in cardboard boxes. During the winter, ensure material is free of snow and ice and is visible to the collection crew. Do not place material on top of snow banks. Blue Box Stack it! Stack your Blue Boxes and place heavier items such as phone books and magazines on top of loose containers. Squish It! Before putting containers in your Blue Box--give them a squish! Squish your aluminum pop cans, plastic pop and water bottles, beverage cartons and Tetra Paks. Tie It! Before putting corrugated cardboard in your Blue Box--tie it up! Tie corrugated cardboard in bundles no larger than 90 cm x 90 cm x 30 cm (3 ft x 3 ft x 1 ft) and place beside your Blue Box. GreenCart To avoid items sticking to the bottom of your GreenCart, wrap material in This reduces moisture and helps prevent freezing. To clean your GreenCart take a bucket of hot water with mild soap, pour into the GreenCart, swish and empty the water in your garden or lawn. Try to keep water away from sidewalks and walkways. After cleaning, ensure the GreenCart is dry before placing material inside. Put material with high water content, such as fruit inside a cracker box or milk carton (no plastic spout). This can prevent these materials from freezing to the sides of the GreenCart. Only put your GreenCart at the curb. Do not place your Kitchen Catcher or compostable bags at the curb; the Kitchen Catcher is more likely to blow away in the wind and compostable bags may leak or break apart, they are only meant as liners. 090109 INSTALL NOW AND ENJOY FOR TWO WINTERS (O.A.C.) 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