Luciani Bowl 2017: A Smashing Success
By: Emily Nobes
On Wednesday October 11, Notre Dame held our first Joe Luciani Bowl in the glow of our floodlights. Over 1 100 parents, students and teachers showed up to cheer on the two competing teams, Notre Dame and St Thomas Aquinas, and to celebrate the memory of Mr. Luciani. Joe Luciani spent his years in Halton working as a teacher, coach, principal, chaplain and motivator, coaching at both Notre Dame and St Thomas Aquinas. Mr. Luciani died of a heart attack at age 68, leaving behind a wife and three children, and many more who worked with him throughout his life. |
“He was the same (when I met him) as he always was. He’s the motivator, the inspirer; he’d cook pasta dinners for us the nights before the game. (He knew) the game would have more meaning if we were all friends. And he made sure of it” Says Mr. Montoya, head of the Phys-Ed department here at ND, to Inside Halton in an interview.
When the night of the game arrived, students flooded the stands to watch what promised to be an exciting game.
“It was the most spirit I’ve ever seen at Notre Dame.” Says Caitlin K, grade ten student at ND.
After an exciting victory over St. Thomas Aquinas, the crowd walked away both excited and solemn, touched by the story of Mr. Luciani and the life he led.
But the real victory was the aftermath. The proceeds of the game were tallied up, and the school raised more than 2000 dollars for a new scholarship that will be awarded to two outstanding athlete graduates here at Notre Dame, one male and one female student.
All in all, 2017 will go down as the year that a new tradition, being dubbed the Luciani bowl, was born, and that the memory of a man who touched so many people’s hearts continued to live on.
When the night of the game arrived, students flooded the stands to watch what promised to be an exciting game.
“It was the most spirit I’ve ever seen at Notre Dame.” Says Caitlin K, grade ten student at ND.
After an exciting victory over St. Thomas Aquinas, the crowd walked away both excited and solemn, touched by the story of Mr. Luciani and the life he led.
But the real victory was the aftermath. The proceeds of the game were tallied up, and the school raised more than 2000 dollars for a new scholarship that will be awarded to two outstanding athlete graduates here at Notre Dame, one male and one female student.
All in all, 2017 will go down as the year that a new tradition, being dubbed the Luciani bowl, was born, and that the memory of a man who touched so many people’s hearts continued to live on.
Our Town: My AuditionBy Olivia Van Dam
Auditioning for the school play is not always a walk in the park. Auditions require a load of preparation, particularly if you are hoping to land a lead role. As a grade nine student, I felt extremely nervous walking into my audition. As a huge theatre nerd, all I wanted was to be a member of the production team and meet more people who share my love of the arts. This year, the play is called “Our Town”, and is written by Thornton Wilder. It takes place in a small New Hampshire, Grover's Corners, in the early 1900s. The play tells the story of the everyday lives of the local residents, focussing on the Webb family and the Gibbs family and their two children, Emily Webb and George Gibbs. As I entered the drama room, I was met by a group of excited and nervous students, keen to show Miss. Paradis their talent. Some students were chatting in small groups while others mumbled their monologues to themselves over and over again. It all made me eager, but also nervous. Soon, students were called to perform their auditions. One after the other, they were called to the stage to present their monologue. Soon, it was my turn. I nervously walked onto the stage and performed my monologue. After everything was said and done, I was sent on my way. The next day the cast list was up and I got the part of Wally Webb, Emily’s brother. After only attending a few rehearsals, I can already tell this show is one you do not want to miss! Vertical Divider
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AutumnBy: Carter Curry
Autumn leaves Change from green to brown, falling to the ground, Gently enough to be caught. Joyfully piled, you want to jump Into their cottony softness. Soon you’ll be ‘round the table Telling fables, With the family, Turkey tiring those in attendance. Then spooky ghosts and kooky witches Looking rotten, As horribly imagined in children’s minds. Walking the streets, Door to door For treats to be chompin’. Some people say they don’t like the Change in weather, But cold or hot, Autumn is awesome. |
The #MonsterSlayer Cometh
By: M. Giardina
It’s a spooky time of year… Ghosts, goblins and witches are out… pumpkins, waiting to become Jack O’ Lanterns sit on porches up and down Burlington’s streets. Here at Notre Dame another menace lurks… a monster is in our midst… A #ChessMonster to be exact. October 5th, 2017, Chess history was made at Notre Dame, as Mr. Cychner (hereby referred to as #ChessMonster) took on 7 students in a simultaneous Chess Friendly. (Yes, simultaneous, as in, at the SAME TIME!) |
7 of Notre Dame’s bravest and most foolhardy Chess Players lined up side, by side, by side, to match wits with the one, the only, the Chess Monster.
Eamon (Grade 10) was the first to go down, followed, one by one by his brothers in arms. The Chess Monster devoured them all: Grade 12’s, down. Grade 11’s down. Grade 10’s down… until all that remained was one, young, lone warrior.
“Checkmate, Checkmate, Checkmate!” the Monster bellowed, downing victims like lunchtime Empanadas… “Checkmate, Checkmate!”… until finally, only one competitor was left at the table to do battle.
Grade 9 Justin Ji had been relentlessly building fortifications, Castling and moving sneaky knights (horses) and bishops into position… until the trap was set.
The #ChessMonster furrowed his brow and moved a rook into Justin’s territory, the gleam of a well laid plan in his eye… and that, is when Justin struck.
Slowly he reached down and moved his queen. “Checkmate” he whispered quietly… a hush fell over the Spectrum. “Checkmate?” replied the ChessMonster, stunned and in awe.
“Yes, Checkmate” said Justin, Notre Dame’s own #MonsterSlayer. The crowd went wild… the Chess Monster stood stunned, confused, trying to figure out where it all went wrong.
After a few stunned moments, the Monster extended his hand, “Good game young man…”
7 entered, 6 fell… a legend was born. Let’s hear it for our hero, the #MonsterSlayer, Grade 9, Justin Ji.
Eamon (Grade 10) was the first to go down, followed, one by one by his brothers in arms. The Chess Monster devoured them all: Grade 12’s, down. Grade 11’s down. Grade 10’s down… until all that remained was one, young, lone warrior.
“Checkmate, Checkmate, Checkmate!” the Monster bellowed, downing victims like lunchtime Empanadas… “Checkmate, Checkmate!”… until finally, only one competitor was left at the table to do battle.
Grade 9 Justin Ji had been relentlessly building fortifications, Castling and moving sneaky knights (horses) and bishops into position… until the trap was set.
The #ChessMonster furrowed his brow and moved a rook into Justin’s territory, the gleam of a well laid plan in his eye… and that, is when Justin struck.
Slowly he reached down and moved his queen. “Checkmate” he whispered quietly… a hush fell over the Spectrum. “Checkmate?” replied the ChessMonster, stunned and in awe.
“Yes, Checkmate” said Justin, Notre Dame’s own #MonsterSlayer. The crowd went wild… the Chess Monster stood stunned, confused, trying to figure out where it all went wrong.
After a few stunned moments, the Monster extended his hand, “Good game young man…”
7 entered, 6 fell… a legend was born. Let’s hear it for our hero, the #MonsterSlayer, Grade 9, Justin Ji.
Upcoming Event: Pink Day 2017
By: Daniella Lopez
Pink Day it is one of our biggest events of the year! Pink cloaks the school, from floor to ceiling. Everyone exhibits school spirit by wearing pink to support breast cancer awareness. And no one can forget about our beloved football teams. They make the day extra special, playing their hearts out on the field, striving for a win.
Each year, Notre Dame has an annual Pink Day, which raises awareness for breast cancer. Every year our feeder schools are welcome to attend this legendary day to see what ND is all about. When they come, they see how spirited our school is and never want to leave.
We begin the day with a prayer by our Chaplain Wayne. Next, the teams are introduced at our loud and proud pep-rally. Walking, rolling or performing whatever stunts they can, they help excite the student body. Next, the walk-around the football field begins. The cluster of people wearing all pink walking around our football field it is a site to see in itself. Once everyone is finished the walk, the game begins. And you can surely bet, Mr.Montoya will be hyping the crowd, encouraging everyone to make some noise for our team. And finally the best part: the food! You can bet they serve food outside during the game. Whether you're a hot chocolate person, cookie person or a cupcake person, you surely will find some sort of food to tickle your taste buds.
All in all, it’s a wonderful day filled with laughter, cheer and fun. If you’re debating whether or not to go, I’ll be the first (but not last) to tell you: GO! You won’t regret it!
Pink Day it is one of our biggest events of the year! Pink cloaks the school, from floor to ceiling. Everyone exhibits school spirit by wearing pink to support breast cancer awareness. And no one can forget about our beloved football teams. They make the day extra special, playing their hearts out on the field, striving for a win.
Each year, Notre Dame has an annual Pink Day, which raises awareness for breast cancer. Every year our feeder schools are welcome to attend this legendary day to see what ND is all about. When they come, they see how spirited our school is and never want to leave.
We begin the day with a prayer by our Chaplain Wayne. Next, the teams are introduced at our loud and proud pep-rally. Walking, rolling or performing whatever stunts they can, they help excite the student body. Next, the walk-around the football field begins. The cluster of people wearing all pink walking around our football field it is a site to see in itself. Once everyone is finished the walk, the game begins. And you can surely bet, Mr.Montoya will be hyping the crowd, encouraging everyone to make some noise for our team. And finally the best part: the food! You can bet they serve food outside during the game. Whether you're a hot chocolate person, cookie person or a cupcake person, you surely will find some sort of food to tickle your taste buds.
All in all, it’s a wonderful day filled with laughter, cheer and fun. If you’re debating whether or not to go, I’ll be the first (but not last) to tell you: GO! You won’t regret it!
Art: Here's to People Who Make It
By: Julianna Marr
The Art Gallery of Burlington’s “Culture Days” event was such a warm experience. If you can recall, The ND Art Club painted breathtaking gowns and suave vests for “Arts Night” last year. Well, they were yet again on display at“Culture Days” on manikins and students walking around. Picture this: A large room with floor-to-celling windows overlooking Spencer Smith Park and Lake Ontario. Smack dab in the centre of the room are the painted gowns and vests, surrounded by tables representing each of the seven guilds at AGB. A guild is a group of people who work on projects specific. We met so many lovely people. They were so welcoming and interesting. A kind gentleman from the Woodworker’s guild crafted me a wooden nametag. I learned beginner rug hooking techniques, which I found very |
therapeutic, from a lovely lady of the Hooking Craft guild. I got my portrait taken by some nice men from the Latow Photographer’s guild. I spoke with a kind woman from the Fibre Arts guild about embroidery and quilting. They displayed a beautiful piece on the wall, a collage of different fabrics with embroidery, which depicted two young girls playing on a spinning clothesline, their hair blowing in the wind. We did some printmaking with a colourful lady from the Fine Arts guild. I observed a potter in action, using the wheel to create smooth bowls. While I was watching his hands shape the wet clay, I couldn’t help but think of that scene from Ghost. In the corner of the spacious room, the sunlight created a spotlight on a small elderly woman spinning wool with a spinning wheel that looked as though it was straight out of Sleeping Beauty. She was such an interesting woman; you could sense she practically lived in that chair spinning her wool. We learned about the process of cleaning and dying the wool, spinning it into yarn, and then using that yarn to weave something beautiful like a scarf or a blanket.
The Art Gallery of Burlington is a building filled with a abundance of colourful art forms. However, it is truly the colourful people that fill the building that make it the marvel it is. It is such a wonderful feeling to see the outstanding work put on display by Canadian artists, from British Columbia to Quebec, and even people living in our very own backyard! These men and women are some of the unsung heroes of the creative world. I could not have volunteered my time to more wonderful people, and I sincerely thank the artists and everyone who came out for making it such a great day!
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