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The sound of footsteps against hard stone echoed down the drafty hallway. A thin man slunk reluctantly through the room, long raven hair flowing behind him. As he walked, he anxiously fiddled with his appearance, making sure there wasn’t even a hair out of place. After all, he was on his way to meet with his master, the Emperor of the lands he called home, and carelessness would not be tolerated.

The Emperor had not always reigned over this land. Mere years ago, the kingdom had been ruled by a wise, benevolent king, whom the man had contentedly served for most of his life. Until one fateful morning, as the sun rose over the hills, when the Emperor and his men had invaded the peaceful town, putting an end to the king’s reign and crowning himself ruler in his place. The man despised his new liege, but there was nothing he could do. No one would ever dare defy the Emperor.

At the end of the hallway sat the throne room. The man drew in a few deep, shaking breaths, before pushing open the heavy oak door.

Sitting at the head of the room was a large, ornate golden throne. On it, a tall man with bronzed skin sat straight and regal, overlooking his domain. A ring of carved gold leaves fell across his brow, and glints of thin gold wire were entwined with his braided hair. Golden chains and buttons decorated his fine, luxurious robes, and glittering treasures littered the ground around his feet. Only one man on this earth possessed this much gold, enough to make his body and surroundings into trophies of his wealth.

Emperor Orpheus glared down at his advisor with cold, dark eyes. “Ah, Alvis. You’re late.”

Alvis bowed to his master. “Terribly sorry, my liege. It was a...rather unexpected summons.”

“Excuses, excuses,” The Emperor tutted. “I shall pardon you for the moment, though. We have far more important matters to discuss.”

Alvis shuddered, despite himself, at the term “important matters.” Those words usually entailed rather gruesome business, such as invasions, imprisonments, or, heaven forbid, executions. As much as he resented it, advice on such matters was part of his duties as the royal advisor (though the previous ruler had rarely carried out such violent commands.)

Reluctantly, Alvis inquired as to his master’s latest endeavor. He kept his expression blank as stone while the tyrant spoke, though his heart trembled with intimidation.

“As you well know, there have been rumours passing through the common folk of mysterious spirits inhabiting the Taltwist Woods.” Orpheus spat the word ‘spirits’ with disdain.

Alvis had heard the tales, and he was a firm believer. It was common knowledge that anyone who dared step foot in the woods at the edge of town never returned, and unseen supernatural creatures were as good an explanation as any.

Orpheus, on the other hand, did not believe in any power except his own. “It’s preposterous that the peasants have found fears in something as asinine as little woodland pixies. Simply preposterous.” Orpheus paused to glance at his advisor, noticing fear in the man’s eyes.

He sighed. “Alvis, please don’t tell me that you, of all people, believe in those stories.”

“I-I’m sorry, my liege, but I must admit I do,” Alvis stammered. “There is enough evidence to support that something, at least, is out there. Besides the disappearances, people have heard a ghostly sort of noise that eerily resembles singing. And there are some who say that yellow bestial eyes peer out from between the trees at night. And--”

Orpheus put his hand to his forehead, and from his mouth came a sound between a sigh and a growl. “Alvis, enough! Enough of this babble of sprites and spirits and mysterious voices! There is nothing to fear about those woods! What peasants like you should fear is the wrath of your Emperor. No force on this green earth is more powerful than I! Do you understand?!”

Alvis went pale. “Y-yes, my liege.”

Orpheus nodded, satisfied in his show of power. “Good. Now, back to the subject at hand; those woods. They’re taking up too much valuable land. Land that could be used to further my domain. I want every last tree burnt to the ground.”

Alvis’ face became white as a sheet. “Burn down the woods? Master, you can’t be serious!”

Orpheus slammed his fist onto the arm of his throne. “And why not? They’re just a waste of space. And, if you’re daring to mention those foolish fairy tales again, well, surely a few nature spirits are no match for an army of men with torches.”

Orpheus’ lips curled into a cruel grin, and Alvis knew there was no point in arguing further. “Yes, my liege. When do you want it done?”

“Have everything ready for me and my men to march out tonight.”

“But…sire, tonight is All Hallows Eve!”

Orpheus raised an eyebrow in warning. “Will that be a problem, Alvis?”

Alvis hung his head in defeat. “No, my liege.”

In fact, it would be a problem, and a massive one at that. According to legend, All Hallows' Eve was the night when supernatural forces were at their most powerful. To invade their domain tonight of all nights would surely prove to be disastrous for all involved. But Orpheus simply wouldn’t listen.

Knowing that pressing the point any further would only stoke the flames of the Emperor’s anger, Alvis quickly turned and fled the room to begin preparations.

As the Emperor reclined in his throne room, heart filled with glee at the prospects of his latest scheme, Alvis milled about the castle, a pit of dread growing inside him with each instruction given to the castle staff. Everyone, from the guards readying for combat to the scullery maids preparing the soldiers’ rations, was utterly terrified by their ruler’s plot. But like Alvis, they knew that speaking their mind was a deadly act. No one would ever dare defy the Emperor.

After the orders had been given, Alvis retreated to his chambers to rest and ease the headache that had stemmed from the morning’s events. His involvement with the proceedings was complete, but he still feared for the safety of his fellow castle staff. Most of the soldiers that would accompany Orpheus that evening were Alvis’ close friends and longtime coworkers, and he dreaded the thought that any of them may be lost forever as a result of the Emperor’s greed.

By the time the last embers of the sun were snuffed out by the night’s velvety funeral shroud, the Emperor and his soldiers were ready to attack. They marched through the streets, torches blazing in a show of might that kept the townsfolk in awed fear of their overlord.

When they reached the outermost ring of trees, Orpheus ordered his men to begin their assault. As the men paced through the woods, their torches struck tangled branches, surely marking the start of a massive blaze. But, what none of them noticed was that not one tree caught fire.

Suddenly, as the men neared the forest’s heart, a chilling breeze swept between the trees and extinguished each and every torch. Instead of being left in complete darkness, however, the flora around them seemed to glow with its own light. A ring of mushrooms, perfectly circular, grew at the men's feet. The silence of the night was filled with eerily beautiful voices, singing in unison.

Entranced by the mystifying lights and singing, none of the soldiers noticed their bodies stiffening and changing, until there was no difference between them and the nature that surrounded them.

Slowly, Orpheus became aware that he was now standing completely alone, surrounded by trees that hadn’t been there moments ago. The numbing peace that came from the light show was replaced by a deep, gnawing fear that something was seriously wrong.

A bright light flashed in front of him, and his breath caught in his throat. Standing before him was the most ethereally beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her skin was as pale as ivory, her eyes shimmered like small diamonds, and her long sky blue hair fell in waves down her back. She wore a dress that shimmered like the stars in the sky, and the bottom of her skirt seemed to fade into mist.

Orpheus was mesmerized, but his fear and confusion were ever-present. Gathering his courage and rebuilding his powerful, commanding facade, he scowled at the woman. “You there! What have you done with my soldiers?”

The woman smiled sweetly. “Your soldiers? Why, I see no soldiers here. Only you, me, and peaceful trees.”

A knot formed in Orpheus’ throat as realization set in. A quick glance to either side of him confirmed that the trees were perfectly arranged in a military formation, the same one his men had stood in mere moments before.

“Witch! You’ve put a spell on them! Turn them back, this instant!”

The woman laughed, a melodious sound like the ringing of bells. “Fear not, Orpheus. They’re in no pain. Not that you truly care for them. Your heart has no place for anyone but yourself.”

Orpheus chuckled at the woman’s audacity to dare critique him. “Is that a problem? Why should I care? I’m the Emperor! The most powerful man to walk this earth! I don’t concern myself with the matters of those beneath me. Who are you, anyway? Why would you dare tell me what to do?”

The woman stared Orpheus down with her glacial eyes, and he struggled to meet her intense gaze. “That may well be true, Orpheus, but you have yet to grasp where you truly stand. You’ve built your empire by taking what isn’t yours, at the expense of everyone else. You believed you could enter here tonight and do the same. You may be the most powerful man on Earth, but there are forces far, far more powerful than man.”

At those words, a fierce wind whipped through the glen, knocking Orpheus to the forest floor. Cold rain began to pelt his skin, and he heard rustling amongst the leaves, accompanied by ghostly howls. The woman, though her appearance did not change, had shed her disguise to reveal her true nature as a powerful, intimidating presence who wielded more power than a puny mortal emperor could ever dream of.

“As for who I am? I carry no mortal name of my own, but there are some who call me the Queen of the Forest. These woods are my domain. I am one with nature, a force far more powerful than you could ever hope to be. And I don’t take kindly to intruders.”

For the first time, Orpheus realized that he was not all-powerful, and that perhaps he had made a mistake in coming here. In a desperate attempt to avoid punishment, the Emperor deigned to bow and grovel at the Queen’s feet, begging for mercy.

Mercy he would not receive.

“You shall not escape your actions with insincere lies, Orpheus. I can see beyond your words. I see what is inside your heart: your real intentions, your deepest wishes, what you truly desire. And, I intend to provide it to you. You desired this domain, enough to leave your own? Very well, stay here. Stay in these woods for eternity. You shall never return to your precious empire.”

Orpheus’ eyes widened. “Wait, no! That’s not what I-” His voice was silenced.

The Queen wagged a finger at him. “Orpheus, enough. Enough of this babble. It hasn’t gotten you anywhere so far, has it?”

Orpheus shook his head, and the Queen nodded. “That’s what I thought. Now, back to the subject at hand. You’re quite used to getting all that your heart desires, correct? Well, I’ll happily oblige another of your wishes. You don’t want to care about anyone else? Very well. You shall never see a single other soul for the rest of your days. There’ll be no one else to care for but yourself. I wouldn’t dare defy your wishes. After all, no one would dare defy the Emperor.”

Before Orpheus could protest, the Queen vanished into the night, leaving him lost and alone, never to return to his empire again. He’d received everything he thought he wanted, at the cost of everything he had.

What do busy intersections, New York skyscrapers, railway tracks, and Gonzaga all have in common? If you guessed noise pollution, you would be correct.

I know I am not the only student feeling the frustration at the noise of the construction going on around the school’s property, which will seemingly never end (and we have been given no information on what the construction is truly accomplishing besides the decorum of cleaner windows in our classroom). This constant noise pollution has created a lot more issues than one might think. Beyond the obvious distraction of the sounds during instruction time, this constant noise is actually having an impact on our education - and our brain's ability to absorb information.

Let’s clear a few things up, and set down some definitions of what I’ll be discussing today. First of all, noise pollution is defined as excessive or constant levels of noise that can have ranging impacts on a person. This noise can be from internal or external sources. Within the classroom setting it can be noise coming from within the building or on it's exterior. In this case, this noise is coming from an external environment, i.e. the construction that surrounds our school.

Now, I will only be talking about the noise pollution that is experienced whilst in a classroom environment, but rest assured this construction is having other impacts. Washroom closures, whole gaps in the wall where windows used to be (allowing for cold drafts of bitter winds to enter the building) as well as the ominous red tarps that now cast an eerie shadow into the halls and classrooms of the school. These significantly more minor factors aren’t the real issue here, but act as the cherry on top of the proverbial noise pollution cake.

It is now a running joke among the student body that “We’ll all be graduated here before the windows get replaced.” And this phrase has enough evidence to back the claim.

Now, I know, this construction has a reason behind it (although no one can seem to give one to me, I don't doubt the building was needing these renovations) I’m not trying to claim in this piece that it shouldn’t be happening at all, but rather the hours of construction should be moved, because the planning on these renovations did not remotely take into account the learning of our student body. Gonzaga prides itself on being educated and well-informed, and having a close relationship with its student body. Many students at the school feel as if their concerns over the construction have gone unheard (both literally and figuratively) and feel distracted in class because of the work being done. That is the Achilles heel of this situation, because noise pollution has been shown to inhibit levels of content retention, attention span, and overall capacity to learn, and it is unfair to our student body to have construction continue to be done during school hours. We are a learning institution, and it surely had to have been taken into account during the planning of this whole process, just what damages and effects it could have on our student body.

In a study conducted in England and Wales, chronic exposure to external noise has been proven to have a negative impact on a student’s overall academic performance, the effect being greater, the older the child. Test scores were lower in schools that were facing busy streets, versus those tucked away in quiet neighborhoods. Noise has detrimental effects on memory, concentration, and test taking skills. A similar study was conducted in New York City, where two classrooms, one in an industrial zone with constant sound, versus one in a tranquil area were both given cognitive assessments. The results were the same, children in a noise polluted area regularly scored lower in all sectors, the depth of the margins making it clear that these children were falling behind in literacy and mathematics.

On the flip side of this, it also hinders the teacher's ability to conduct their lessons, and teach effectively to their students. Beyond the obvious auditory consequences, there are many subconscious factors that have a role here. I don't think it is hard to imagine that sitting in a classroom and trying to be attentive while a drill drones on in the background is not an optimal learning environment.

Sitting in math, chemistry, biology class (or any class one might be in) and having to listen to a drill being buzzed right outside of the window of the classroom, is not an optimal learning environment, you know it, and I know it too. Many classes have had to relocate to other areas since September (such as the library or classrooms where teachers are on a prep period) in order to continue with their class. This having happened to multiple of my classes, and is not an isolated incident. The construction has uprooted many classes, and startled many minds, having mental damages our administration may not be aware of. I ask those in charge to take a moment to reflect on the renovations project, it's longevity, and how much longer we really want to hinder our students' learning.

I am not alone in this sentiment, and above all, I ask that administration clear the air on the length of the construction, and consider moving the hours that the workers are surrounding the building and creating this pollution. Just how much longer will noise pollution be having detrimental consequences on our education? You tell me.

As many of you probably know already, it’s Olympics season! We are just about a week in, and so far it’s been a tumultuous but successful ride. Though they’ve experienced some undeniable upsets so far, the Beijing winter games are off to a great start for Team Canada, who have risen to the second place spot on the medal count with a total of 6. One gold, one silver and four bronze medals under the belt so far and with plenty more to come I’m sure. As ecstatic as we all are about this turnout at present, you may be wondering; “If Canada is in second for total medals so far, who is in first”? The answer to that question, with just one extra medal (for a sum total of seven) is the ROC. The Russian Olympic Committee.

The Russian Olympic Committee, which is quite literally just team Russia with a slightly less extravagant and patriotic front, is the group of Russian Athletes who are attending the 2022 winter Olympics to compete on behalf of a country whose national flag and anthem you will not be hearing or seeing during the games, even if it’s athletes bring home the coveted champion titles. Instead they receive their medals under the ROC moniker for the third Olympic games since the scandal that rocked Sochi and stripped 13 athletes of their podium victories, upending the medal count and angering the world.

The 2014 winter Olympics in Sochi were undeniably dynamic, after all, it's never boring to get the opportunity to watch the world’s best compete for their countries on the biggest competition stage of all time. Sochi took place in a pre pandemic world where spectators were in abundance, diplomats were not boycotting the games due to horrendous human rights violations, and athletes were free to mingle amongst each other in the Olympic village as was tradition for decades before COVID 19. The opening ceremonies were stunning, the competition was fierce and Russia seemed to be proving the age old theory of the “home team advantage”. Little did the world know what was brewing just beneath the surface of Sochi’s spotless facade.

With Russia claiming the top spot on the medal count with 33 total medals, the Sochi Olympic games came to a close. It was an incredible performance by the Russians, one of the best seen in many years, and the country was undeniably pleased with the turnout. Internationally, the other athletes went home to celebrate victory, to mourn defeat and to prepare for the next four years to reclaim their titles or secure the top spots they had just barely missed. Meanwhile in Russia, things were heating up.

The doping scandal was finally uncovered in 2016 after the head of Russia’s “anti-doping” center revealed the totality of his crimes in helping create practically undetectable cocktails of steroids for Russian athletes to take ahead of competition. His confession came as suspicions of doping began to arise. Germany’s ARD TV network accused him of heading up the Russian doping programme on national television. The head of the lab was Girgory Rodchenkov and he had been, for years, a key figure in the state sponsored doping program that allowed his country to play dirty in several international competitions, most notably the London 2012 and Sochi 2014 Olympics. He admitted to not only creating the almost untraceable drug combinations for athletes but also to aiding in the falsification and covering up of their positive tests. For Grigory this was a damning revelation, which caused him to leave the country in fear for his safety in 2015. This powerful testimony was enough for the international Olympic committee and world anti-doping agency to investigate further and in December of 2017 ultimately make the decision to ban Russia from competing for the next four years.

Even as Russian president, Vladimir Putin denies the allegations, few seem to believe the claims he has made to oppose the ban and the scandal will, doubtless, follow the country for years to come. Even with their technical participation, their patriotism and pride have suffered a blow.

As most of you know by now we are expecting to go back to in person learning on the 25th of January 2022, our endless hours of screen time coming to a close for the time being. We will be back in class on Tuesday with the intent of finishing out our first semester in an actual high school classroom. Though there is obvious excitement at the prospect of going back to school, seeing classmates face to face, and learning without the hurdle of a computer screen, hesitation also seems to be growing among highschoolers. Online petitions have been started in an attempt to postpone our return to the classrooms, and worried grandchildren fret for the safety of themselves and at-risk individuals at home. Still, others applaud the decision to send us back and eagerly await the beginning of what we can all hope is a return to normalcy. Some say that the only way to regain the sense of a true high school experience is to just dive in and take it as it comes. I wanted to get real statistics on this. Are our students feeling their sentiments vocalized and reflected by government policies or do they feel themselves shouting into the

wind?

Finalized on the 20th of January, the decision to go back had been made final. I was subject to reading countless reaction posts to the news as they came up on my social media, and the volume of negative reactions was startling, even as I myself was apprehensive at the prospect of our return. The announcement came hot on the heels of an unprecedented surge of COVID hospitalizations and a flurry of new cases that continued the trend of the rapidly spreading omicron variant. After hearing the news I became even more invested in the voices of my fellow students, especially as the reality set in that our return would not be postponed further as many (including myself) had suspected it might. Despite Memorial University making the choice to wait until the 31st of January, highschools are surging ahead, and so too am I.

I knew that if I wanted to get as much participation as possible that technology would be my best resource. Though certainly not without its faults, social media can be an incredible tool and I can attest to this wholeheartedly. I posted a simple link to my snapchat and sent off a few quick texts, not expecting much, and in less than 24 hours had been inundated with responses. It is a testament in full force to just how much students want to be heard that a 3 minute google survey I made between online classes received 76 submissions. I was blown away by the support that such a small endeavor could receive, with no sort of compensation other than a possible mention in a school newspaper article. These 76 people have been my motivation over the writing process of this article, my motivation to let their voices and opinions shine through regardless of how many people will ever read this.

The very first thing I wanted to know from my peers was how they felt about their current online school experience. This is the third go-round at online learning that our province has had, so I was eager to know just how things had changed. It brought me a sense of hope to see much more positive numbers than I had initially expected, with a combined 56% of surveyed individuals describing the experience as good or great. Even though 69.8% of students would still prefer in person to online learning as a whole, the fact that more than half of the people to answer were still able to feel productive and happy, and another 34% felt they were making do, suggests that things are really improving should another lockdown be necessary.

While I was happy to see growing satisfaction with the online system, and a clear perspective shift compared to previous surveys I have conducted, not everything had that kind of silver lining. Out of all 76 students to submit answers, only 5 of them felt entirely safe and comfortable going back to school. I truly think that was the most difficult statistic for me to have to see. For reference 5 out of 76 is 6%. Only a mere 6% of students expressed that they felt comfortable and safe in an environment designed to provide comfort and safety for students. This statistic in particular tells me so much. Students want to go back, they want their high school experience and the normalcy they are owed, but they also want to be able to prioritize their safety and it seems that it’s impossible to do both. Combined with the currently minimal online support for students who will inevitably be isolated at home, the order of the day is growing worry and confusion.

My hope is that going back to school can provide some solace for those whose mental health has been negatively affected by the social isolation of online school, but that the government will also take these next few days back to hear student and teachers voices and observe their own suggestions and protocol closely. Clearly if I was able to learn so much from a single 76 person survey, then government members and the school board could learn so much more with their available resources and influence. All we ask for is a chance to have our opinions and options considered, and to be thoroughly educated on the changes being made. We are going back to school, but this doesn't mean we have to go in blind.

Even during a pandemic, extracurricular activities in Gonzaga continue to thrive. Gonzaga’s Environmental Club has gotten creative, and this year's co-leaders, Alana Gale and Emma King, both level three students, are here to give an update. While some initiatives haven’t been able to happen due to COVID-19 regulations, the club has seen tremendous growth in both membership and support over the last three years. The club has been able to reach beyond the school and into the local community, partnering with various organizations and businesses that place emphasis on sustainability and reduced carbon footprint. Here’s a debrief on what the environmental club has been up to this year.

A major project the club has kickstarted is a recycling program in the school, meant for products that may be ordinarily thrown away. This includes batteries, bottle caps, writing utensils, and dental hygiene products. This program was brought to life through the club’s partnership with those in the local community, including The Bees Knees and The Dental Hygiene Studio.

During online schooling last spring, members of the club took to social media to post information on environmentalism in a pandemic. The club was also able to attend multiple online events, including a seminar on the sustainability of space travel, hosted by two former astronauts and members of the U.N. Alana and others from the club attended a virtual climate summit this past summer hosted by MUN called the Climate Collective. Offering seminars by professors prominent in the environmental sciences field, and professionals working to better fuel our tomorrow, it was an amazing opportunity to learn about sustainability.

Another project that is in the works is a hydroponics garden. The environmental club partook in a climate series run through Learning for a Sustainable Future. They have submitted an application for a grant that will add supplementary funding to help purchase the necessary tools to build the kit. The plan for the garden is to create a deep learning project and allow students to access it as part of their curriculum for different courses. They also have the goal of eventually introducing the foods grown within the school to the cafeteria service, however that is a more long term goal. Finally, the club's primary focus when students come back in the New Year (most likely sometime in the spring due to online schooling) is to plan a sustainability fair hosted in the school gym. Inviting local businesses that have sustainable products and practices, provide food and entertainment and have educational stations available. The aim of this fair is to support local business while also placing an emphasis on the importance of sustainable consumer behavior and household practices.

“We know that when it comes to environmental support, small steps can make a massive difference. We believe that if we can create a culture of awareness within the school, it will trickle into our everyday lives in a meaningful way.” Thank you to Alana and Emma for taking time to share what the club has been able to achieve in the past couple of years!

Since January of 2020 I think it’s safe to say that most people's lives have changed, perhaps some more drastically than others but still, it seems unavoidable that during a global Pandemic a wrench or two would be thrown into the proverbial gears of everyday life. Even in a province as small as Newfoundland and Labrador we’ve seen the changes that Covid-19 has brought with it. Among the most notable certainly has to be the changes made to the Education system. I think we are all able to recognize that the education system has problems, and it always has. It truly is difficult to create a program that can successfully cater to so many different types of students. 2020, however, shifted things even further for education. We went from fulltime in-class learning to virtually no instruction at all. Many students were left floundering in the wake of the tidal waves produced by such a volume of change all at once. Even as some educators continued to teach (for which we are certainly grateful) the level of learning was not, and arguably could not be, the same as it was in class. School had turned from a regulated and regimented routine of learning and testing to an educational choose your own adventure, where nearly every option available was “you have no resources, you give up”.

Learning was at a standstill in our province but, inevitably, time marched on. We abandoned our empty email boxes, and tumbleweed-ridden Google Classrooms in favour of sunnier spring days, and before we knew it school was over. Our 2019-2020 school year cut off just like that. No graduation parties or proms would be possible, and with little to no acknowledgement besides a “goodbye” email and a few “see you soons” to classmates who had become strangers over the course of an isolated last three months; we left. We logged off for good, hoping it would be the last time we had to do it. No one wanted to think about what would happen once September rolled around. No one wanted to imagine the foreseeable future hidden behind plexiglass and medical masks. It felt like something out of a sci-fi movie, seeing everyone wearing their masks for the first time out in public. It was like starring in my very own dystopian novel, but it was keeping us as safe as possible, and we were grateful for the help and advice of our province’s doctors and nurses and, of course, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald.

Besides the mandatory masking, the summer of 2020 went as well as it could have, no mass outbreaks, no deaths. We went about our lives acting as normal as we could, forgoing exciting trips to New York or Disneyland or Mexico in favour of the much safer “Staycation” which had become a staple word in radio host vocabulary. September rolled around, and with masks and as much physical distance as you can pull off in a high school of 800, we were set to face the new school year head on. And face it we did. From September through January (with minimal scares) we managed to pull off a pretty seamless first semester, and stayed (in relative safety and comfort) in school. We were even able to kick off extracurriculars like Band, and sports like Basketball, Soccer and Volleyball. Some might speculate that this was our error, bringing in elements of less than necessary physical contact with friends and teammates outside our bubbles. I’m no expert, and I'm thankful for the opportunities that those same activities have provided me, but I think it’s hard not to wonder if this was our Achilles heel. Especially after non-symptomatic and rule-following teenage athletes had to take the heat for spreading the virus from an apparent non-rule following traveler, in Newfoundland’s first large outbreak since the very first in March of 2020.

This second outbreak, beginning in February of 2021, is really where the focus of my article comes into play. Within days we had gone from no cases to 500; many young people now waited for tests whose positive results could ostracize them for their “irresponsibility” and countless were self-isolating as contacts of possible cases. Facebook had become a virtual war zone of angry adults playing the blame game, and Instagram comment sections flooded with heated comments, targeting high school students who had been at the wrong place at the wrong time. I myself fell into the trap of believing some of the stories spreading about the outbreak, and while I never publicly expressed an opinion one way or the other, if I had not looked further into the situation I might have been inclined to side with the other uneducated commenters, venting their frustrations in a manner that was neither healthy nor kind.

After this outbreak we went back to online learning, but this time infinitely more prepared for what would be required. We were taught virtually, but this time we were truly taught, being required to attend regular length classes online, and continuing on with assignments and testing as normally as possible. This situation was not only an improvement from the previous year but many felt that it was even an improvement from in-person learning in general. A survey I took of a small sample of my peers proved this as a surprising 33% of participants favored the Online approach, even when given the option of normal full time learning, and another 50% were quick to choose it compared to the hybrid model. It was a trend I did not expect to see in as high numbers as I did. I knew, of course, that there were benefits to virtual learning, but to have a third of my survey participants express it as their preferred method was a testament in full force. When asked why they preferred this option much of it seemed to come down to stress. The ability to have unrestricted movement in school is incredibly rare, and it seemed to have done wonders for students. I was unsurprised to see that 58% of participants felt much more stressed to be in the hybrid model after they’d experienced a level of physical comfort and freedom that had previously been unheard of in a learning environment.

Alongside the elevated stress levels, another disheartening trend I saw as I read through my survey results was the alarming number of times that participants cited “being able to stay hydrated and full throughout the day” as a positive of online learning. Study after study has shown that teenagers who are hungry become easily distracted from their work and what they can produce is of a much lower quality than those who are functioning on a full stomach. It’s sad to see students acting as if the “freedom to eat” is not integral to their education and quality of learning but merely a bonus. I understand, of course, that with the global pandemic, accommodating in class snacking is significantly harder, but we have to start thinking about the toll it takes on our students. Whether consciously or not, a recess-less schedule not only leaves many feeling famished by lunch, but it also (unintentionally) promotes unhealthy habits for growing teenagers, and takes a heavy toll on those who already struggle to maintain nutritious diets and habits as a result of eating (or other) disorders.

The more I read, the more I began to realize how many other kids felt like me. The half and half forces us to rock back and forth between completely different learning styles, and to attempt to retain information in a situation that is simply not conducive to the fast pace and intense curriculum being taught. Only 16% of my surveyed students reported being able to hear and see their teacher 100% of the time in their classes and not a single participant selected the option which compared their quality of learning outside of the classroom to that of their learning inside. This in itself speaks volumes.

Unfortunately, the voices of the students and teachers who are opposed to this system have been, for the most part, left out of the conversation. With the obvious concerns regarding the physical health of the province's residents, it’s easy to see how the issue surrounding mental health has been left on the backburner. It’s painfully obvious that students and teachers are suffering under the pressure of a system that is doing more harm than good, but we continue to be unceremoniously thrust into an educational tug of war which leaves many people not only exhausted, but utterly unmotivated. Procrastination is the order of the day as one moment we are face to face in a classroom, and it seems that the very next we are “present online” but quite absent minded. It is, of course, imperative that we are practicing safety, social distancing, masking and sanitizing, but I firmly believe that the hybrid method is not the way to tackle these unprecedented barriers in an educational environment.

Until we are able to be safely and fully present in person, I ask the school board to reconsider the implementations in place and to take the time to do more studies into its effects on the student and teacher populations of our province. So far we have received no formal surveys about how the experiences are affecting us, and no opportunities to publicly express an opinion - for or against. Taking the time to collect the data I did has completely opened my eyes, and I only had a small pool of responses to look at. Taking into account the feelings and opinions of even a miniscule group of participants was able to really expand my views on the situation, so imagine what we could learn if the entire student (and teacher) population of our island were to get their say! I don’t see what the hold up is, even without changes being immediately made, a survey of some sort can at least provide hope that we are being heard and that it is coming. With a simple Google Form I’m sure that the NLESD will see, as I most certainly did, that a compromise is not always the solution needed for the problem at hand. If you are asked to choose between two pieces of clothing, cutting both in half to get equal pieces of the pie does not get you anywhere. The hybrid system is giving us half of a sweater, and I’m not the only one feeling the chill.

Sometimes the idea of going green is a scary thing. Many people have this overwhelming feeling that they aren't doing enough, most don't even know where to start! There needs to be a societal shift towards how we view sustainability, but a great start is just having this conversation Now, I am no eco-friendly guru, but I'm here to give a list of small things we can do to start caring for our planet. While we do need to hold large corporations accountable (they are the ones contributing the most to climate change after all ) any small act you can incorporate into your day to day life is an important first step. It's best to start small and create habits, as it's easy to drown in all the eco-friendly products out on the market today. A laundry list of to-do's isn't always the best way to go about things.

Investing in reusable items is often a good way to start. Researching is another way to find where in your life you create the most waste. Personally, I bring my own reusable water bottle and tote bag with me everywhere. It's a small and effective way that I feel eliminates potential waste from my day to day life. Recognizing where you use single use products in your life is important. Investing in items now and using them for years to come saves money in the long run and is good for our planet. Oftentimes going green can be a win-win situation, as long as you know how to approach it. But to sum it up, here is a small list of things I try to do to be more environmentally conscious. Going green one step a time!

1. Log all the items that you buy in one month. Try and break down why you bought these items in the first place, and if it was a single use product vs a long term investment.

2. Using this list, try and think of ways to eliminate potential waste, whether that be by bringing a thermos on your daily espresso run, or bringing a water bottle with you to work/school.

3. Watch documentaries and educate yourself on our planet! It's far easier to invest your time into something when you can see its impact on the world around us.

4. Don't throw away any products that you already have!! Use what you have before you turn to an eco-friendly version of it. Especially when it comes to hygienic products and makeup, there are a lot of amazing alternatives that you should research for the next time you run out of bathroom supplies.

5. Many objects we would ordinarily throw away can be reused. Old glass bottles can be made into planters, hold stationary, or be painted for decorations.

6. Spend time in nature, connect with what you're trying to help. Go for a walk, participate in a clean-up, and don't litter! It's important to keep our green spaces clean for wildlife. Picking up trash you see out in nature is an awesome way to directly help the environment.

7. Instead of using plastic forks and spoons, bring your own. When packing food keep in mind what utensils you might need.

8. Go thrifting and buy second hand! See what you buy the most of and look at how you can reduce the environmental effect (and the cost). You can borrow books and DVDs from the library, and some thrift stores have an amazing CD and tape selection. Thrifting clothes is an awesome way to reduce environmental impact. Fast fashion is a major contributor to unnecessary waste. Eliminating buying new products, and also avoiding major fast fashion brands is definitely a much harder step.

9. Educate your loved ones on steps they can take in a greener direction; knowledge is key.

10. Take things one step at a time and remember that any small change is an important one.