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Page 24, Whtby-Free Preië- Wesdciài DeceM"ber, 99 Recognize the other" graduates To the oditor I arn a regular reader of your newspaper for the last 12 years. I have recently become worried about your education reporting. 1During October and early November, each secondary school has a graduation activity with a nuxnber of awards to students. It is wonderful to acknowledge the achievements of our young people. Your newspaper i8 very cooperative in offering an opportunity to profile the sucoess of our academie students. I arn conoerned that toc, often we acknowledge the acadexnic and forget another measure of success. What about the majority of sjtudents who obtain employment, apprentioeships or other options after graduation? There 15 neyer a mention of the st udents who have obtained an apprentioeship. In a region famous for manufacturing, i8 not apprentioeship worthy of recognition? Other students achieve the sucoess of finding paid employment as a graduate of a secondary echool. ls this not worthy- of recognition? hI the economy of today, we need to acknowledge succese in ail forme. The achievement of paid employment for a graduate student is really a cause for oelebration, not back row applause. It would be great to have a news report about the young people who pursue other options after graduation. Recently Minister John Snobelen said 70 per cent of graduating students do not attend post-secondary education. Why are your reports and pictures putting a focus on 30 per cent of the class? Next year when reporting the graduations of area secondary school, consider mncluding the'70 per cent who have made choices other than university. Marie Gabriel Whitby Fies,,tanigtatAstin On Dec. 7, students of Father Leo J. Austin Cathohic Secondary. School'will host the third annual Mulicultural Fiesta Might - a celebrati on of cultures within Canada - consisting of' ethnlc music, dance, art, food and displays of various countries. The event à. coordinated by Austin's Connections Club, a group of about 35 students whose goal i. te promote positive attitudes and relationships within the school community - acceptance of others regardless of their ethnic background, »ex, age, lifestyle or handicap. Nicole Fillion ST. CHARLES GARNIER ýFor students at Saint-Charles- Garnier, winter-15 an important time ofyear because it means that the annual Christmas food and toy drive is on its way. This year, the members of Jeunesse du Monde (school's youth group) have decided that this Christmas charity drive will be entirely dedicated to the gathering ofcdhildren's toys. The group urges studenÏts te remember to bring ini ail their unwanted or used toys because a child's happiness may depend on it. 0f course, new toys wili also be accepted. Aithougli the weather outside is cold and icy, Garnier students can stay warm during the winter months by keeping busy. Many sehool activities, such' as the pep rally which teok place on Nov. 30, have been organized by student council te promote school spirit and keep students' minds off the cold weather. Each homeroom had to not only create a cheer and a mascot, but aiso had te present it te the rest of the schol. We determined that our school spirit la alive and well at Saint.-Charles-Garnier. For Fiesta Night, students in the clu have been preparing information displays of more than 40 cultures te fouter understanding and increase cultural sensitivity. SINCLAIR SECONDARY SCHOOL Just a rominder, Docember is Community Sharing month. Students and staff are asked te bring in non-perishabie foods and a pair of mittons for our mitten tree. You can aiso bring in new or gently used clothos and toys. Bring ail items into TAG and heip mako someone's Christmas a littie brighter. Do you have a sweet tooth? The SAC prom committoe has got the remody for you. The committeo wili be taking candy cane and chocolate orders next week. Have your money ready to support this year's prom. With the yoar almost haîf over, athlotics are stiil full steam ahead. The junior girls' volleyball team 'y was at the Unàiversity of Toronto this past weokend to participate in a tournament. Bump, set, volley! Go, girls, go! Acoustic for Cancer, a breast cancer benefit at the Oshawa Little Theatre, wiil take, place Friday, Dec. 22. KORE, Middlo Earth and Rupert's Star wil perform. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased from any of the band membors. Our fabulous students of the month for Novomber are Ashley Richards and Adam Inglis. Sinclair recognized those students for their oxtracurricular involvement and outstanding academic achievemonts. Way te go. Edward CanningLjA FATHER LEO J. AUSTIN A key themo at Austin this past week has been "preparation." Our OAC students were callod upon te indicate te which threo universities they play te apply. Under the esteemed guidance of Ms. Roy and Mr. Thomas, the pupils teok the first step te their future confidontiy. There was more preparation on display at Austin this'week i the form of tho upcoming Fiesta Night which takes place temorrow (Thursday). The performers have been rehearsing franticaily for the evening and the decorations and colours that wili adorn - the cafeteria wiil undoubtedly bring a shine to this loss colouirful time of year. Austin's sports toams have also been preparing to do battle. The boys' hockey and baskotball teams have began their seasons strongly, a poit exacted by the sweep of Port Perry last weok by our basketbail teams. Preparation also came from the Grade 12 prom committee as they sold pizza te raise funds to help subsidize the prom. F'inally, if you are not part of a club or an organization at Austin, and you have nothing to preparo for but you would like te, thon may I suggest that you tako a look at the exam schedules that have posted recently? I didn't think 0o. Tara Singh TRAFALGAR CASTLE Weil, it finally happehed. On Nov. 29 our four houses competed, in the annual house play festival and for those of you haven't attended one of these events, lil try to give you some idea of the' way it goes. Four student directors from competing houses cast haîf-ho ur plays and then, over a four-week period, took on the scary task of extracting every ounce of acting talent from the girls in their house. Naturally, ail students invoived were in complete panic mode by eariy in the week: acters cramrmng to get their lives straight, directors yelied ini exhaustion to quiet everybody down and backstage bladders exploded in those final two minutes before show time. The directors of my play, Asha James and Abigail Pearson, gave us a backàtage pep talk that did little te calm anybody's nerves. Overali, the night was a huge succoss, judging from how well al of the plays were recoived by those attending. The adjudicator, Mark Danby, a profossor from Queen's Umivorsity, was generous with bis praiso and singlod out many for individuai and group awards. The best-supporting award wont to Kia James of Maxwell house for her portrayal of agile old Auntie May in Erniels's Incredible Illucinations. Best set went to Farewell house for the complete bedroom they beautifully recreated on stage. But it was such close attention to detail that won best play for Sorry, Wrong Number, the 1948 classic that still delights those with nervos of steol. Best actress went to Sonya ieosling of Carter house for her slapstick 'comody portrayal of Christophor Columbus (I nover knew the spiits could bo done like that), i Whoel of Justice. A special adjudicator's award went teTiNshya Mohta of Hare houe for her sensitive performance in A View of the Sea. Carnie Kolowaskj and Christina Simic shared best director honours for Carter. Now half the stress je over; only two things rromaini - Christmas carol sevice and exam'a. With only two weeks left and hours of proparation stili ahoad my friends and I can only take we much before we break down altogother. But that's okay because we will have our long Christmas holiday. te look forward to. HENRY ST.. Wth less than three weoks until Christmas, Hawk lifo i. getting busior than ever. The 'Evening of One Act Plays' was a huge sucoess thanks te the dedication and hard work of al învolved, as well as the support of Henry staff and students. If you were among those who didn't get a chance te attend this exhibition of student talent, make sure you get your ticket early néxt year. Henry will hold the fourth annual food, toy and clothing drive from Dec. il te 20. Staff, studenta and members of the communitv are asked te drp off at the school non-perishable food" items, new unwrapped toys and new articles of clothing. AUl donations will be distributed te local families by the Salvation Army i co-operation with other social organizations. In the past, Henry's food drive has been one of the most sucomful in the Durham area, so let's ail reach out te those le.. fortunate then ourselves and give generously. Career Week hasjust come te an end at Henry. This year, classes had the opportunity »te find out about many interesting professions by talking te 'people who work in those fields. When studenfa are given the opportunity te interact wlth the workforoe, both parties benefit by galnlng experience. ONTARTIO SCHOLARS Trafalgar Castie School Lana Armstrong Elaine Chang Cathy ChenLidChe Sanhahw Linda Chien Samantha Chow