The Grade 12 Play: The Radio Play Disaster
By Holly Marini
Performing in the 'Grade Twelve Play' is something that all drama students have dreamt of throughout their high school career. We could not wait to collaborate with our classmates, produce our own play, and build long lasting friendships and memories.
Although this experience was different than how we had originally anticipated, we made the best out of the given situation, and worked incredibly hard to put forth a memorable, and hilarious performance that showcased all of our unique acting abilities.
This year, we wanted to challenge ourselves and go out with a bang, so we chose to perform The Radio Play Disaster by Don Zolidis.
This play involves a self-proclaimed genius, Harlan Bean, who wants to make history with his science-fiction radio masterpiece, Battle of the Planets. But, when the broadcast is in the hands of an ambitious actress with her own vision for her character, several terrified last-minute replacements jumping in, and a disgruntled Sound Engineer out for revenge, the mayhem in the studio makes an alien invasion look like a piece of cake.
Though we thoroughly enjoyed putting this play together, it did come with its fair share of challenges. From wifi glitches, to troubles navigating through different technology platforms, to camera and mic issues, to the struggles with editing, to say we faced some obstacles is an understatement. With the pandemic and new ‘quadmester’ format, this limited our time to put this show together. We only had 3 weeks to fulfill each of our production roles, and memorize our lines. This was definitely a struggle, but through the guidance of our director, we all stayed motivated. Throughout rehearsals, our incredible director, Samantha Takacs, whose innovative and entertaining vision helped us improve our acting, as well as build up our confidence.
It can be really hard to stay optimistic during these times, especially as a high school student. However, I feel so fortunate to have been a part of this journey. We are creating new traditions, and leaving a legacy of perseverance. It is so inspiring to be surrounded by such talented, ambitious, and compassionate individuals who have a strong passion for theatrical arts. We have had so much fun over the last couple years, and built a welcoming family atmosphere, all thanks to Miss. Paradis. Her love for teaching, kind nature, and willingness to help us succeed has shone through in every class. I am so proud of each and every one of my classmates, and am eager to see what the future holds for all of us. Thank you Irish for supporting the Dramatic Arts at Notre Dame, don’t forget to check out The Radio Play Disaster on the Insidend.ca Youtube channel!
Performing in the 'Grade Twelve Play' is something that all drama students have dreamt of throughout their high school career. We could not wait to collaborate with our classmates, produce our own play, and build long lasting friendships and memories.
Although this experience was different than how we had originally anticipated, we made the best out of the given situation, and worked incredibly hard to put forth a memorable, and hilarious performance that showcased all of our unique acting abilities.
This year, we wanted to challenge ourselves and go out with a bang, so we chose to perform The Radio Play Disaster by Don Zolidis.
This play involves a self-proclaimed genius, Harlan Bean, who wants to make history with his science-fiction radio masterpiece, Battle of the Planets. But, when the broadcast is in the hands of an ambitious actress with her own vision for her character, several terrified last-minute replacements jumping in, and a disgruntled Sound Engineer out for revenge, the mayhem in the studio makes an alien invasion look like a piece of cake.
Though we thoroughly enjoyed putting this play together, it did come with its fair share of challenges. From wifi glitches, to troubles navigating through different technology platforms, to camera and mic issues, to the struggles with editing, to say we faced some obstacles is an understatement. With the pandemic and new ‘quadmester’ format, this limited our time to put this show together. We only had 3 weeks to fulfill each of our production roles, and memorize our lines. This was definitely a struggle, but through the guidance of our director, we all stayed motivated. Throughout rehearsals, our incredible director, Samantha Takacs, whose innovative and entertaining vision helped us improve our acting, as well as build up our confidence.
It can be really hard to stay optimistic during these times, especially as a high school student. However, I feel so fortunate to have been a part of this journey. We are creating new traditions, and leaving a legacy of perseverance. It is so inspiring to be surrounded by such talented, ambitious, and compassionate individuals who have a strong passion for theatrical arts. We have had so much fun over the last couple years, and built a welcoming family atmosphere, all thanks to Miss. Paradis. Her love for teaching, kind nature, and willingness to help us succeed has shone through in every class. I am so proud of each and every one of my classmates, and am eager to see what the future holds for all of us. Thank you Irish for supporting the Dramatic Arts at Notre Dame, don’t forget to check out The Radio Play Disaster on the Insidend.ca Youtube channel!
H.O.S.A at Notre Dame
By David Pires
HOSA is a healthcare oriented club offered at Notre Dame CSS. The club gives students a unique, fun, enjoyable and educational experience when it comes to understanding the healthcare field. Students also gain the opportunity to participate in one of Ontario’s premier science competitions, HOSA, itself being the largest health science student organization in North America.
To join HOSA, students register through the website hosacanada.org. As a part of this opportunity, competitions take place in healthcare-related fields, with events involving medicine, nursing, law, emergency preparedness, health professions, leadership and teamwork, to name a few. Competitive events can be individual, as a pair, or as a team. Students compete in 2 portions: the written and the skills portion, with their scores being ranked against others from around the province, regardless of grade. This allows students to apply their skills in the interested health related field. A variety of written components students compete in include essay writing, speaking, debating and skills assessments. Students also compete through event planning, problem analysis, case study analysis and innovative ideas, all of these that judges will assess. Overall, HOSA gives students a variety of exciting ways to compete, all of which reward hard work and dedication.
By joining HOSA, students get to explore health care from a unique and specific lens, allowing them to practice and demonstrate medical procedures and help develop and prepare themselves for a potential future career.
Many Notre Dame students have participated in HOSA over the past three years. Notre Dame HOSA typically has meetings once a week in order to prepare, occurring on Mondays this year. Recently, the HOSA chapter at Notre Dame has had success. For example, this year, Notre Dame Student Clara Kim, finished 10th place in HOSA provincials while competing in biomedical laboratory science. Below are quotes from two club members about their experiences:
HOSA is a healthcare oriented club offered at Notre Dame CSS. The club gives students a unique, fun, enjoyable and educational experience when it comes to understanding the healthcare field. Students also gain the opportunity to participate in one of Ontario’s premier science competitions, HOSA, itself being the largest health science student organization in North America.
To join HOSA, students register through the website hosacanada.org. As a part of this opportunity, competitions take place in healthcare-related fields, with events involving medicine, nursing, law, emergency preparedness, health professions, leadership and teamwork, to name a few. Competitive events can be individual, as a pair, or as a team. Students compete in 2 portions: the written and the skills portion, with their scores being ranked against others from around the province, regardless of grade. This allows students to apply their skills in the interested health related field. A variety of written components students compete in include essay writing, speaking, debating and skills assessments. Students also compete through event planning, problem analysis, case study analysis and innovative ideas, all of these that judges will assess. Overall, HOSA gives students a variety of exciting ways to compete, all of which reward hard work and dedication.
By joining HOSA, students get to explore health care from a unique and specific lens, allowing them to practice and demonstrate medical procedures and help develop and prepare themselves for a potential future career.
Many Notre Dame students have participated in HOSA over the past three years. Notre Dame HOSA typically has meetings once a week in order to prepare, occurring on Mondays this year. Recently, the HOSA chapter at Notre Dame has had success. For example, this year, Notre Dame Student Clara Kim, finished 10th place in HOSA provincials while competing in biomedical laboratory science. Below are quotes from two club members about their experiences:
“Competing in HOSA has not only allowed me to test my scientific knowledge, but has also provided me with an opportunity to evaluate my perseverance and reflect on what invigorates my motivation to learn. Exploring the applications of biotechnology in regenerative medicine, genetic engineering, and various health monitoring systems has reinforced my appreciation for innovations that enrich the quality of life. This experience has solidified my goal to make such technologies more accessible to vulnerable populations, including older adults and those living in remote communities. I am thankful for the opportunity HOSA has provided for students to stay proactive in learning through the current situation, where many activities and conferences are being cancelled due to COVID-19.”
-Clara Kim
“Joining HOSA was a great experience for me! Even though I don’t see myself going into a healthcare field in the future, the contests allow for a lot of interdisciplinary learning, so it’s nice to see healthcare applications in other subjects like math or even something collaborative like a debate. The club is very supportive, we typically share study strategies together, but there’s also lots of opportunities for independent study between meetings- really, you’re part of a team but you do your own thing! Lots of us have different interests- my only regret is not joining sooner!”
-Easton McGillicuddy
Overall the Notre Dame HOSA chapter is an enjoyable and informative opportunity that all Notre Dame students should consider taking advantage of. The registration deadline is February 28th for this spring’s competition, and any late, last minute registrations should visit the website and get in touch with Mr. Bozzelli ASAP by email at bozzellia@hcdsb.org.
-Clara Kim
“Joining HOSA was a great experience for me! Even though I don’t see myself going into a healthcare field in the future, the contests allow for a lot of interdisciplinary learning, so it’s nice to see healthcare applications in other subjects like math or even something collaborative like a debate. The club is very supportive, we typically share study strategies together, but there’s also lots of opportunities for independent study between meetings- really, you’re part of a team but you do your own thing! Lots of us have different interests- my only regret is not joining sooner!”
-Easton McGillicuddy
Overall the Notre Dame HOSA chapter is an enjoyable and informative opportunity that all Notre Dame students should consider taking advantage of. The registration deadline is February 28th for this spring’s competition, and any late, last minute registrations should visit the website and get in touch with Mr. Bozzelli ASAP by email at bozzellia@hcdsb.org.
The Homestretch: The Countdown Begins!
By Easton McGillicuddy
It’s been 167 days since the first day of school; 125 remain until the last, and so, the countdown begins. While I begin the countdown towards graduation, there’s another benchmark on the way- March 13- one year since ‘the shutdown’, our last day of in person class for the 2019/2020 school year. A lot has changed in the last 365 days, not only for me, but for all of us.
It’s hard to process that it’s been a year with a pandemic. Even writing that sounds post- apocalyptic. As a kid I used to read that “Dear Canada” series- diaries of people who faced turmoil such as polio or the flu. As fascinating as it was to read about, I certainly never imagined living through the newest edition... and yet, here we are- not yet in the clear, but surviving.
Looking back on the beginning of quarantine, I think those initial moments were the best we were going to get- the distractions of whipped coffee, episodes of Tiger King, and the naive expectation to head back to school by the end of the year. A full year later, we can’t be fooled by false hope- so we’re forced to hold onto the real stuff. Although the road beyond the present is unforeseen, human nature requires us to use our imagination- and so, despite doubts, we plan. We think of the future graduations, birthday parties, and dinners with friends. We continue to push forward, for the sake of better times ahead.
My last semester is a bit of a mixed bag. While I feel hopeful for the distant future, the months ahead feel undefined since there’s so many questions about how this year will end. Like many other graduates, I do worry about closure. I truly understand the restrictions of this year, with cohorts and social distancing that affect gatherings- but it’s inarguable that Notre Dame has left a huge impression on my personality and my plans for the future. With this being the year that my graduating class and I part ways, I hope we still get to share our final moments as we graduate together. It’s not just the pain of losing this year, and the potential that it had. The pain is the nostalgia of what we knew it once was, before all this, and the longing to get back to it. After all, if my whole time at ND was ‘quarantine style’, I don’t think it would be nearly as hard to say goodbye.
Despite the uncertainty of the future, I do feel the need to look ahead. While I initially thought I’d apply to the Life or Medical Sciences, my plans took a turn as I applied to a variety of Mathematics, Engineering and Medical Physics programs at Waterloo, Queens, McMaster and Western. Some I have heard back from- others, I still need to wait. Getting an offer is a defining moment; a breath of fresh air, a glimmer of hope, a point on a timeline that I feel is otherwise blurred- something tangible that reminds me that the future is coming. Even though my applications are in and it’s out of my hands, I find myself contemplating a chapter of my life which has not yet begun. The challenge is to trust myself and be decisive on what I want to do. When it comes to officially making a choice, only time will tell. I’ve come to a crossroads in my life, riddled with uncertainties no matter how I look at it. It excites me, it terrifies me, and I can’t help but wonder who I’ll be on that last day of school.
It’s been 167 days since the first day of school; 125 remain until the last, and so, the countdown begins. While I begin the countdown towards graduation, there’s another benchmark on the way- March 13- one year since ‘the shutdown’, our last day of in person class for the 2019/2020 school year. A lot has changed in the last 365 days, not only for me, but for all of us.
It’s hard to process that it’s been a year with a pandemic. Even writing that sounds post- apocalyptic. As a kid I used to read that “Dear Canada” series- diaries of people who faced turmoil such as polio or the flu. As fascinating as it was to read about, I certainly never imagined living through the newest edition... and yet, here we are- not yet in the clear, but surviving.
Looking back on the beginning of quarantine, I think those initial moments were the best we were going to get- the distractions of whipped coffee, episodes of Tiger King, and the naive expectation to head back to school by the end of the year. A full year later, we can’t be fooled by false hope- so we’re forced to hold onto the real stuff. Although the road beyond the present is unforeseen, human nature requires us to use our imagination- and so, despite doubts, we plan. We think of the future graduations, birthday parties, and dinners with friends. We continue to push forward, for the sake of better times ahead.
My last semester is a bit of a mixed bag. While I feel hopeful for the distant future, the months ahead feel undefined since there’s so many questions about how this year will end. Like many other graduates, I do worry about closure. I truly understand the restrictions of this year, with cohorts and social distancing that affect gatherings- but it’s inarguable that Notre Dame has left a huge impression on my personality and my plans for the future. With this being the year that my graduating class and I part ways, I hope we still get to share our final moments as we graduate together. It’s not just the pain of losing this year, and the potential that it had. The pain is the nostalgia of what we knew it once was, before all this, and the longing to get back to it. After all, if my whole time at ND was ‘quarantine style’, I don’t think it would be nearly as hard to say goodbye.
Despite the uncertainty of the future, I do feel the need to look ahead. While I initially thought I’d apply to the Life or Medical Sciences, my plans took a turn as I applied to a variety of Mathematics, Engineering and Medical Physics programs at Waterloo, Queens, McMaster and Western. Some I have heard back from- others, I still need to wait. Getting an offer is a defining moment; a breath of fresh air, a glimmer of hope, a point on a timeline that I feel is otherwise blurred- something tangible that reminds me that the future is coming. Even though my applications are in and it’s out of my hands, I find myself contemplating a chapter of my life which has not yet begun. The challenge is to trust myself and be decisive on what I want to do. When it comes to officially making a choice, only time will tell. I’ve come to a crossroads in my life, riddled with uncertainties no matter how I look at it. It excites me, it terrifies me, and I can’t help but wonder who I’ll be on that last day of school.