Tenth Edition - December 2025
The Mustang Messenger
Tenth Edition - December 2025
The Mustang Messenger
Movember
Stangs with staches!
By Elaina Schnurr
The month of November is known as Men’s Health Month, and F.E.Madill showed their support on November 26, which was Moustache Day. The staff and students grew out or purchased and put on their staches in support.
In 2003, founders of Movember Adam Garone, Travis Garone, Luke Slattery, and Justin Coghlan decided to grow out their moustaches as their small way of supporting men's health. The men then created their foundation in 2004, starting their first campaign in Queensland, Australia.
The movement continued growing and spreading across the globe, reaching around 6 million active participants. The campaign has raised 1.7 billion dollars and has funded over 1300 projects. Canada alone raised 24.1 million in 2024.
Semi Formal Fun
By Rowan Gaspirc
F.E. Madill’s Student Council started the Winter season strong with a Semi Formal dance.
On December 5th, students arrived in their best dress, ready to pose with an award at the Hollywood-themed dance.
Throughout the fun night students were able to dance, walk the red carpet, get refreshments, and get a photo with friends. Smiles could be seen the whole dance, and laughter could be heard as students had the opportunity to relax in the middle of all the Winter busyness.
The dance was put together by the hard work and volunteering of Student Council members. From pre-dance planning of booking the DJ, ordering and creating decorations, and doing set-up, to creating cotton candy throughout the night, selling snacks, and taking photos, volunteer students dedicated a lot of time into ensuring the dance went well for all.
The time planning was well spent as it had been one of the most well-attended dances at Madill in recent years. The dance brought in a number of students across all grades to have a fun and safe night together.
This improvement in attendance brings promise that the new year will bring many more exciting student-led events to come.
Arts Night Postponed
Due to weather, the Winter Arts Night - an evening celebrating the creativity and talent of our students and staff - was postponed from December 12 and will be rescheduled for the new year
Keep your eyes open for the new date to enjoy wonderful drama and music performances, to bid on items in the silent auction, and to support Madill.
Beating the Winter Blues
By Lillian Beyersbergen-Oakes
With another Canadian winter coming in hot (or should I say cold!), many people will be stuck inside. Winter usually makes you feel a lot worse because you're stuck inside all the time. In this article, I'm going to give you a few things to do that can hopefully help you beat the winter blues.
Take up a new hobby
Crocheting, painting, cooking, basically any hobby you want to try, you can find a tutorial online. As well as many hobby supplies can be found at the dollar store without burning a hole in your wallet.
Start a new book
Visit the local library or hunt along your bookshelf to find a new book, or re-read an old one.
Have a movie night
Grab some blankets and snacks and get cozy. You might even be able to invite friends if you're not snowed in. Half the fun is picking the movie.
Call friends/loved ones
No matter how blue I feel, when I call my friends I always end up laughing. Stuck inside can also be a great reason to catch up with family.
These are just a few things to do, hopefully these keeps you feel better being stuck inside.
The Christmas Teddy Bear
By Lily Verbeek
Snuggled up at the back of the tree, I sit patiently waiting for the morning to come. Any second now she will come running through the doors and pick me up. Warm and cozy I sit between two boxed up presents towering above me with pretty bows and colourful paper. I take in the calm before the storm. The crackle of the fireplace and the buzz of the christmas lights fills me with a warm feeling. In just a few moments, she will come running through those doors and pick me up. It will be love at first sight. Just as I get sat up the door comes open with a clash!
She's here, she's here, she's here! The moment I've been waiting for! I sit up all proper and adjust my bow around my neck, how could she resist a cute little teddy bear like me. The sound of wrapping paper being ripped open and laughter filled the once quiet room. As the presents slowly start to fade, I sit patiently with my red bow and my gift tag. She’ll get to me, I know it! Just as my hope started to quiver, a small hand reached through the bottom branches. Yes, I’m next! The hand reached closer and right before it got to me, it grabbed the present beside me. As she pulled out the present, my bow got caught!
Oh no! I grabbed my bow and tugged back. My bow will be ruined! Just before I got to the last bit of branches, I tugged and tugged. Suddenly the bow came flying off. The bow and I went tumbling back to the wall with a thud. I grab my bow and fix it, while doing that I realize that I’m stuck at the back of the tree. Oh no, how will she get me now! I look around as the piles of presents get smaller and smaller. I must do something, and something quick! I look around for things to grab onto. The last boxes tower around me like a prison. Just as I feel all my hope is gone, I notice a piece of garland on the tree is dangling above me. Yes, my grand escape! I grab onto the garland with my small paws and tug myself up. As I climb I notice she’s leaving the room. No, she can’t leave, not yet at least! Through the branches, I see a gap. I take a deep breath in and start to swing. Back and forth, I start to swing harder and harder until I can perfectly see the couch through the trees. I close my eyes and let go.
The air wooshes past me as the sound of toys beep and buzz in the distance. PLOP! I land on the couch cushion, being grateful it was a soft landing. She stops in her tracks, slowly turning around. I quickly sit up and adjust my bow and tag. Her face lights up to see me on the couch. She runs up to me and takes me into her arms. This is the best Christmas ever!