Britannia’s Senior Boys Basketball: Kings of the Court Once Again!

Britannia Secondary’s senior boys basketball team has once again come home heroes for their school. For the second time in three years the senior boys AA team has brought back the B.C. championship banner to their school.
“We were really excited we were going to play Palmer again [in the finals],” says grade 12 player Gerardo Palomino. “We were hungry to win.”

The Britannia basketball team had a pretty impressive season bringing an 11-1 winning record into the championship game. So what was one of the reasons for such an impressive season? “At the start of the season we all pointed up at that provincial banner and said that’s our goal,” recalls coach Jesse Brown. The team worked hard, stayed focus, and persevered until the end; and in the end came out of it with an outstanding result.

To honour and celebrate the big win, Britannia Secondary’s faculty and student body held a victory ceremony for the champions in the school gymnasium. The team received their gold medals while everyone clapped and cheered for their great accomplishment. “When you end up provincial champions you can be nothing but happy,” says coach Brown, and I’m pretty sure his team agrees. Congratulations to the the players, coaches and the entire Britannia Secondary community!

4 Grad Dress Trends

White Wash

If bright colours aren't your thing, try a gown in classic white. “Make a statement in white: clean, always classic and sophisticated,” advises Monti Samuel, director of sales and marketing for Blush Bridal. To play up this timeless colour (or non-colour) without looking too bridal, add some brightly coloured or metallic accessories. If white still feels too glaring, or if you have a paler skin tone, go for a dress in an ivory or off-white shade.

Celebrity inspiration
Kate Hudson presenting at the Golden Globes in a white Marchesa gown (Photo ©HFPA)

Be Bold

It wasn’t just wild prints that garnered attention on this season’s runways; bright colours also stole their share of the spotlight. “Yellow was the colour shown most this year,” says Karen Karras, manager of Bryan’s Bride. Adds Monti: “Bright colours: pinks, teals and yellows popped at the shows, brightening an interesting year and illuminating a positive 2010. Be bold this season, embrace colour!”

Celebrity inspiration
Diane Kruger at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards in a mustard yellow Jason Wu gown. (Photo: image.net)

Go for the Gold

Perhaps inspired by the Olympics, a major trend on runways this season was sparkly dresses in an array of gold fabrics. “Gold is a key colour for the season,” says Monti. “There are styles borrowing from the 80s with shimmer, sparkle and fringes. We saw celebs like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood really leading the way with these styles.”

Celebrity inspiration
Penélope Cruz goes for the gold at the Rome premiere of Nine. (Photo: image.net)

The Cold Shoulder

A popular look on red carpets this year, single-shouldered and strapless dresses are set to show off those arms and shoulders while baring just enough skin. “One-shouldered dresses and cut-outs are very much in vogue,” confirms Monti. “Look for soft draping over the shoulder in flowing materials like satin and chiffon or more avant-garde like our Nicole Miller dresses with full ruffles coming over the shoulder adding a feminine yet thoroughly modern look.”

Celebrity inspiration
Avatar’s Zoe Saldana on the Golden Globes red carpet in a bright pink shoulder-baring Louis Vuitton gown. (Photo © HFPA)

Handsworth Senior Girls Basketball: A Talented Group with a Strong Work Ethic

"We might have talent but we pride ourselves on being the hardest working team in the Province. Hard work is what has made us successful!" – Ramin Sadaghiani, assistant coach, Handsworth Royals

Located in North Vancouver, Handsworth Secondary School is home to British Columbia’s #1 senior girls basketball team. You might be thinking, “How did the the team earn that ranking? Well, it definitely took a lot of sweat and tears, says assistant coach Ramin Sadaghiani. “They’ve made a lot of personal sacrifices. A lot [of the girls] play in the off-season. It’s a lot of hours in the gym.” Being thrust into the spotlight hasn’t been easy on the team either. ”There’s a lot of pressure on us. We’ve been ranked #1 all year. There’s a lot of media attention.” Star player Diana Lee chips in with her thoughts about the chances of winning the Provincials: “I’m confident but also cautious about it, because like our coach says, we have a target on our backs, and everyone wants to beat us. Everyone focuses on us considering we are number one.”

It isn’t just the senior girls basketball team that’s laudable. The basketball program offered at Handsworth Secondary also has proved to be very successful, especially over the last five years, with the senior boys winning the championship in 2005/2006 and the senior girls winning last year. One of the contributing factors that has led to its success is its ability to foster star athletes by having admirable star athletes in the program who motivate younger players to reach for their own dreams. “The overall success of the program [has been due to] just having great role models at the top.” says Sadaghiani.

And indeed, Diana Lee and Angela White are just two admirable examples of the aforementioned “role models” in the program. These two girls are nothing short of ambitious and amazing: Diana will be playing Division 1 basketball at Boise State next year. She had always been thirsty for success, and worked industriously to achieve her dream to play at the next level. “I knew from a young age that if I was going to devote myself to it, I wanted to play at highest level possible”. Her teammate, Angela, dreams that she will one day play on a university’s basketball team, a perfectly attainable goal for this shining young star.

Of course, these girls understand that dreams don’t come easily; they aren’t just handed down to you on a shining silver platter. Throughout the year, the team’s motto has been “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work.”

They know that achieving success not only takes hours of practice, but it also takes a considerable amount of perseverance. Over the past few months, the senior girls have been training hard every chance they have in order to mentally and physically prepare themselves for the upcoming game. “We spend a lot of time at practice worrying about our execution, what we do on the floor [and] our different rotations on defence,” says Diana. This team’s ability to succeed also hinges on the unconditional support that ties the team together, and that’s an enviable trait that this team is in no short supply of.

“We all love each other. It’s one of the best teams I’ve ever been on, and everyone gets along so well,” expresses Assistant Coach Sadaghiani. “We’re like a family, and we just strive to make everyone better.”

For now, it’s safe to say that the girls feel ready to defend their title. In fact, it’s hard to ignore the quiet confidence that Diana and Angela display. With a timid smile, Diana expresses, “We’ve been working really hard, and we’re ready.” Her teammate, Angela says, “I feel like we’re peaking right now.” If they do win, it would mean that all their efforts had finally paid off, but that’s not the most important outcome in their minds.

Whatever happens, the girls know that they have already won a much more valuable prize: it’s the everlasting bonds that the girls share with each other. It’s something that even the assistant coach has noticed throughout his many practices with the girls. He smiles, and states “We’ll try to win, but regardless, we’ll have friendships and bonds forever. It won’t be measured by the championship.” It's that perspective that makes this team so memorable and special.

To follow the Lady Royals on their journey to a second Provincial title in as many years, and to watch the amazing talent this year's senior girls bring to the court, check out the AAA Senior Girls Provincial Championships from March 3rd to 6th, 2010 at Capilano College.

Is the iPad Really Worth Your Money?

Apple’s iPad was launched on January 27th, 2010. Although CEO Steve Jobs announced that it would be a “revolutionary and magical product”, some closer observations into what the iPad offers has made critics question: is the iPad really as revolutionary as Apple would have us think? Let's take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of Apple's latest creation.

Advantages

Sleek design
Apple is well-known for its products’ polished designs, and the iPad is no exception. With a weight of 1.5 pounds and a width of 0.5 inches, the iPad is a marvel that can be easily carried and handled.

Large screen
This tablet has a 9.7 inch display screen, making it easy on a viewer’s eyes.

Long battery life
The iPad boasts a 10-hour battery life, longer than its other tablet competitors.

Runs Apple Applications
The iPad can run applications from Apple’s App store, allowing for convenience and quick entertainment at your fingerprints.

Disadvantages

Its Name
Several critics have already made Maxi-pad references.

No Camera
The fact that there is no front-facing OR back-facing camera is almost unspeakable. Without a camera, users lose out on methods of communication and entertainment, such as taking photos or participating in video-chats with long-distance family members or friends.

No Multitasking
The fact that you cannot run multiple applications at the same time makes the iPad extremely inefficient, especially now that we are in the 21st century.

No Flash
Users will not be able to watch web videos or play web games.

No HDMI Output
Unlike other convenient laptops, you cannot plug the iPad into the television.

No USB Port
The fact that the iPad has no USB port means that you will have to purchase additional adapters if you want to plug in additional devices (printer, keyboard… etc.)

Touch Keyboard
The touch keyboard on this tablet forces you to have to type in an uncomfortable and awkward position. Luckily, Apple has already thought of a solution: the company is selling an external keyboard dock.

Revenge of the Nerds: Is Uncool the New Cool?

What is the definition of “cool”? It may vary between schools, cities and individuals, but many people link being cool to being popular. Decisions including what music we listen to, what movies we watch and how we dress will often determine if we’re considered cool by our peers. One thing is for sure: being cool in the past has always seemed to depend on other people’s opinions.

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So I have no idea what caused the world to start spinning in the opposite direction. Who declared that being uncool was now cool?

I began to notice this shift one day at school last year. I looked around at my fellow grade nines and wondered why we were all so close. Was it because we’ve been together since the second grade? No. Was it because we all live in the same neighbourhood? No. I think it was because we are the most uncool people alive.

No offence, guys. I mean, we considered ourselves cool because we weren’t like anybody else; we weren’t two-dimensional clones. Yes, we had our jocks and our nerds, but you know what? We hung out together. We listened in science classes. We joked with teachers. Bill Nye was our hero. Cartoons were awesome. Hugging was normal. Beat It was our theme song. We were uncool and that made us cool. We were who we wanted to be.

Now that I have realized which way our world is spinning, I’ve noticed that not only has our school changed, but pop culture has turned in the same direction. Paper Heart, a recent movie featuring Michael Cera, portrays characters who don’t fit the old definition of cool. Back then you were uncool if you couldn’t get a boyfriend, and you were really uncool if you didn’t want one. And what’s up with the characters’ choice of clothing? The glasses? The baggy sweaters? That definitely wasn’t cool before. But what’s weird is when I first watched the trailer for this movie, I thought it would be a cool movie to see.

When I asked some of my friends what they thought about themselves, many of them said they didn’t think that they were cool. They’re the type of people who don’t care what others think, but just want to enjoy life. When I hang out with them, we often find ourselves doing stupid and silly things; we don’t have fun the way “cool” people do. We’ve never gone to huge parties where everyone gets drunk and we definitely do not smoke. We’re involved in things like leadership, volunteering and helping others out. Some of us like to debate in classes about world issues (e.g. global warming). And it’s funny, because when we stop and realize what we’re doing, usually the first thing that comes out of our mouths is, “Well, we’re just that cool.” Whether this statement is said sarcastically or not, it’s ironic how we all seem to say things that prove that the societal view has indeed been flipped.

I also asked them what they thought the definition of cool was. One of my friends told me “someone who’s cool is someone who you can have a good time with.” Another close friend told me that “people nowadays who are ‘cool’ are the people who are unique; people who act differently than everyone else. It makes you want to hang out with them.” I know some pretty wise people. (On the other hand, someone else very close to me told me that I am a nerd and nerds aren’t and never will be cool. I guess it really depends on who you are and what view you subscribe to – the old or the new cool.)

So the next time someone tells you that you are uncool, don’t stress out about it. Especially since you, the uncool people of the world, are already following the world in the right direction and are becoming cool yourself.

The Oscars: The Year’s Best Movies

On Sunday, March 7th, Hollywood’s elite will gather in Los Angeles for the annual biggest night in movies – The Oscars. Hosted by Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, this year’s Academy Awards promises to be a night full of glitz, glamour and glory.

Another year in movies has come and gone. The past year has taken viewers from the deepest reaches of outer space to the end of the world, and somehow we’re a lot better for it. Maybe out a few dollars, but many of them very well spent.

2009 was a year of eye-candy. With new technology and computer graphics as real as that social studies homework you’re putting off till later, filmmakers seemed eager to show off their visual supremacy. While some like Avatar and District 9 (both nominated for Best Picture) took advantage of this to complement some extremely fine movie-making, others seemed to have forgotten everything else about filmmaking except making stuff blow up – but in the case of Transformers 2 and 2012, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing – the end of the world has never looked so good!

Sharlto Copley in District 9 (Photo: TriStar Pictures)

Animation too made progress in leaps and bounds, and movies such as Up, The Princess and the Frog and the technical wonder that was Coraline remind us why the art form still holds its charm – and they all earned Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature Film. Up has even made the cut for Best Picture.

Carl, voiced by Ed Asner, in Up (Photo: Disney Pixar)

This year has graced us with some truly astounding performances from some truly astounding performers, especially from some industry icons. George Clooney put forth one of his best ever performances in Up in the Air, as did supporting actresses Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick, earning the film three nominations for acting performances alone. Morgan Freeman made us believe he was in fact the great Mandela himself in Invictus, earning himself a nod for Best Actor.

Anna Kendrick in Up in the Air (Photo: Dale Robinette/Paramount Pictures)

Famous for fluff flicks like Miss Congeniality and Speed, Sandra Bullock has finally earned her first Oscar nomination and some industry cred with her Golden Globe-winning dramatic performance in The Blind Side. She has some tough competition though with Oscar veteran Meryl Streep nominated for her brilliant portrayal of Julia Child in Julie & Julia.

Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side (Photo: Ralph Nelson/Warner Bros. Pictures)

In terms of blockbusters, Avatar clearly takes the crown, knocking off Titanic as the new highest grossing film of all time – and the Academy clearly agrees with the public, giving the film a total of nine nominations. The Hurt Locker surprised us with its portrayal of the ever-changing and controversial war in Iraq, and continues to surprise as it ties Avatar for the most nomination at this year’s Oscars.

Jeremy Renner in The Hurt Locker (Photo: Jonathan Olley/Summit Entertainment)

But those two films should not be thought of as the only ones in the race for the prestigious title of Best Picture as the Academy nominated 10 films for Best Picture for the first time since 1943. Inglourious Basterds, Up in the Air, Precious and District 9 have all shown to be serious contenders – and the other four are strong films that should not be discounted.

Brad Pitt in Inglourious Basterds Photo: François Duhmel/Alliance Films	Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) in Precious (Photo: Anne Marie Fox/Lionsgate Films)
Carey Mulligan as Jenny in An Education (Photo: Kerry Brown/Sony Pictures Classics)	Michael Stuhlbarg in the Coen brothers’s A Serious Man (Photo: Alliance Films’ release)

With so many amazing films to come out of 2009, it really is anyone’s game.

What are your Oscar picks? Download a ballot here >

Corporal Julia: Shattering Assumptions

Photo: A Canadian soldier makes a new friend in Afghanistan.

I was trekking up to Metrotown, complaining inwardly as I was pushed into a crowded bus, worrying about school, friends, and other customary adolescent conflicts. Little did I know that I was on my way to meet a woman whose journey made my petty complaints and fears seem inconsequential. As I walked into South Burnaby Neighbourhood House, Marleen, our youth coordinator, informed us that today we would meet a woman who had just arrived back from fighting in Afghanistan.

As Corporal Julia walked into the room, my assumptions were shattered in an instant. She was not at all the square-jawed, bob-cut woman I stereotyped her to be. On the contrary, I was quite surprised to find a slim woman of average height and build walk through the door, pretty by all standards but otherwise quite unremarkable. She greeted us all with a simple "Hello," her voice about three octaves higher than the deep-throated bellow I’d been expecting to resonate from my earlier, imagined version of her. I sat there, rattled but intrigued by the woman who stood before me. I was beginning to realize that this interview was not going to be at all what I had expected.

She began her story by describing her military role in Afghanistan as a radio communications worker, channeling all the handsets and relaying information between the troops. Before being shipped out, she had been trained in a three-month boot camp. Despite this, she had not been prepared for the shock of the first deafening time she heard a rocket explode, or the overwhelming sadness every time a body was brought back onto the base. Julia described how, despite all the obvious dangers she faced on a daily basis, the scariest part of it all was not knowing; not knowing if the casualty was your best friend (maybe your roommate); or if the next body brought in would be your own.

After her stories, and a few shared laughs over the natural result of housing hundreds of men together in confined quarters, I had finally worked up the courage to ask her the question that had been on the back of my mind throughout the interview: Did she think there was hope for the Afghan people? After a short pause she responded honestly. She said that though it is difficult for one corporal to assess an entire war, in her last two months while walking through the Afghan villages, providing them with protection from the Taliban, she realized something fundamental in the honest, smiling and grateful faces of the Afghan people. All they really want is security; the ability to go to school, work, and the shops without fearing for their lives. A country living in constant fear is in no state to improve its conditions and that’s what the Canadian mission is – to give them that chance.

Though I entered the interview a little skeptical about the war in Afghanistan, Corporal Julia's firsthand insights truly opened my eyes by forcing me to put myself in the shoes of not only our troops, but the Afghan people. As we said our goodbyes, Corporal Julia left me with a reminder: though war is never positive, our work is not in vain. All the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives lost them fighting for what they believed in. Rather than always concentrating on the negative, we, the next generation, have to remind ourselves of what is important. We have to remind ourselves of the smiling faces of the Afghans.

Zenith Youth Conference: Unleash Your Potential With Zenith

Today's youth are a model of the potential change the world can be. Young people of this generation are at their prime ability of altering the future of tomorrow. The Zenith 2010 Global Citizenship Conference fosters this belief in empowering today's youth. It's an opportunity for youth to learn about environmental sustainability, multiculturalism, social justice and international business whilst networking with numerous local non-profit organizations.

Zenith itself a nonprofit conference that's organized by university students for the benefit of students all over the Lower Mainland. With the support of the Rotary, the Zenith team's objective is to inspire students to become strong leaders of the future.

This year, the 3rd annual Zenith Conference will occur at the River Rock Casino in Richmond on April 12th. It's an all day event and registration is now open. Students can sign up at www.zenithconference.org and proceed by clicking the "Registration" bar. The registration cost can be paid directly online or through the student's school. Further information regarding registration or any other inquiries can be found at www.zenithconference.org/ or by emailing zenith@zenithconference.org

Top 10 Beach Destinations for Spring Break

Imagine yourself walking alongside the crystalline blue waters, your toes squishing the sugar white sand in between them. The rays of the sun dance across the water and you feel your skin soaking up the warmth. In the background, you can hear a steel drum band and the distinctive clank of glasses.

Sound familiar? Probably not, since you’re stuck in school reading this article, but this daydream can become a reality this spring break at one of the following top ten beach destinations!

Miami, USA
Miami is situated only 50 miles from the Bahamas, so it’s no wonder that you can soak up some major rays in this otherwise metropolitan city. Though sun tanning is likely to be the most favourable activity at Miami’s two main beaches, Miami beach and South Beach, celebrity-spotting is also a favourite as stars frequent these spots quite often!

Cancun, Mexico
Cancun is easily one of the most popular destinations amongst North American students during spring break. All-inclusive resorts, which offer unlimited food, drinks and more, are appealing to most on a budget. However if you aren’t down to get wild, I would say adios to this hot spot!

Varadero, Cuba
With over 20 km of beaches, beaches and more beaches, it’s no wonder over 500,000 tourists flock to this Cuban resort town each year. Hop on a catamaran cruise or go exploring in the naturally formed rock caves. Old school automobiles, and architecture also provide for a unique cultural aspect when one travels to Cuba!

Waikiki, Hawaii
Located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Waikiki is one of Hawaii’s most famous locations. Whether you want to go tanning, running through a pineapple maze or participating in an authentic Polynesian luau, there is something for everyone. Home to some rockin’ waves, this Hawaiian paradise will have you saying “surf’s up!”

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Although only 196 square kilometres in size, Grand Cayman is the largest of the three islands which make up the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. Home to the famous seven-mile beach (which is really only 5.5 miles long!), this stretch of paradise is truly postcard perfect. Crystal clear water, soft white sand and tanned bodies galore... need I say more?

Phuket, Thailand
As you gaze out onto the brilliant blue waters and beautiful rock structures, you would never know that the island of Phuket was deveatated by the infamous tsunami only six years ago. Phuket’s main beaches, Karon and Kata, have yet to be industrialized, thus no-so-touristy tourists are flying to this Thailand paradise.

Palawan, Phillipines
This 270-mile long island province has been noted as having the best beaches in Asia. Perhaps this is due to its eco-friendly and biodiverse environment which provides homes to a number of endangered animals and species. The beaches, which are situated deep in harbours, are naturally surrounded by limestone cliffs and protected coral reefs. The perfect spot for the eco-lover!

Bora Bora, Tahiti
Although this tiny island is home to only around 8000 residents, its luxurious resorts bring in thousands of tourists each year to test out the waters of the Pacific Ocean. This area is well known for its abundance of sea life, including deep sea sharks and sting rays – an attraction for many who are interested in scuba diving!

Saint Tropez, France
Trendy among stars for that “je ne sais quoi,” Saint Tropez is one of the most well known beaches in the world. Described as “playground to jetsetters, models and millionaries,” it wouldn’t be a surprise to find yourself sun bathing next to a celebrity. For those who are comfortable with the idea, there are also plenty of “naturist” beaches around!

Harbour Island, Bahamas
Of course the Bahamas are known for their pristine beaches, but have you heard of the Pink Sands Beach? Yup, the name says it all, stretching for three miles, this naturally pink beach is known as the best beach area in the Bahamas. However, the Bahamas are also infamous for their ferocious waves, so keep an eye on the water or you might just get swept out and away!