Volume 93 Arts and Culture Editor reflects on her time at the Silhouette and the immense healing inherent storytelling
Storytelling is a skill I feel I have undervalued most of my life. It wasn’t until this year that I learned to appreciate its full potential and power. A good story can draw out our deepest emotions, forge connections and inspire us. But there is also a side to a story that can provide healing and growth.
My curiosity, love for stories and interest in writing are what initially drew me to journalism in high school. When I later joined the Silhouette in university, my main motivation for becoming a reporter was getting to know the Hamilton community better. I mostly viewed the storytelling I practiced through journalism as a medium to understand the spaces I was part of — that was until I had a conversation with Carmen Cooper and Carl Lambert from 541 Eatery & Exchange.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Cooper and Lambert to cover a new harm reduction initiative at the eatery called Concrete Tales which focused on ex- changing stories and teaching storytelling skills to people who are unhoused or experiencing substance addiction. They shared with me the differences these workshops were making on people’s lives and how it provided healing for everyone involved.
“Because I’ve been [working at 541 Eatery & Exchange] for four years, in some ways, I have earned the privilege and hon- our of getting to know some people who have had very hard lives and because I myself found healing and growing through storytelling, I wanted to offer that opportunity to other people,” said Cooper.
Since our conversation, this is a quote from Cooper I have continuously reflected on and held close to me. It showed me that stories can enable people to understand their lives, construct meaning from trauma and cope with reality. After reflecting on it further, I realized I, too, had taken advantage of this part of storytelling to cope with my own past trauma.
It showed me that stories can enable people to understand their lives, construct meaning from trauma and cope with reality.
The most difficult event I had to endure in the last few years was the passing of my aunt. Growing up, with my mother often busy at work, it was my aunt who acted as the primary caregiver. Unfortunately, when I was in high school, she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. The years following, and especially when she entered the palliative care home during the pandemic, were the most challenging years for us.
For a while, I couldn’t speak about her to anyone because all I would do was cry and so instead, I chose to suppress my feelings and tuck her story away. However, I finally revealed her story to the world through the Silhouette in 2021.
I found immense healing through the experience of retelling her story and her impact in my life. Recounting my memories with her washed away my sadness and brought warmth over the painful experience of watching her slowly deteriorate away. Since writing the article, I’ve also been more comfortable speaking about her to others and my family which provided further healing.
I found immense healing through the experience of retelling her story and her impact in my life. Recounting my memories with her washed away my sadness and brought warmth over the painful experience of watching her slowly deteriorate away. Since writing the article, I’ve also been more comfortable speaking about her to others and my family which provided further healing.
There is so much one can take away from stories and storytelling. I’ve continued to apply the lessons I learned by encouraging family and friends to ex- press their feelings and experiences and listening attentively to them when they are going through a difficult time. Even in conversations with strangers, I’ve had experiences where people would thank me for allowing them the space to share their story.
Storytelling can be a powerful skill to develop to help others understand their own narrative but also for you to better understand yourself. It is one of the most meaningful lessons I’ve learned through- out my time at the Silhouette and I encourage everyone to practice and hone this skills — whether it be through participating in journalism or reflection — to become a stronger advocate for others and yourself and navigate trauma and loss.
Students Advancing Brain Cancer Research raised over $2,700 through their art auction earlier this month
Beyond the auction, the event also featured special guest speakers Sheila Singh, a pediatric neurosurgeon and researcher at McMaster University, and Chloe Asselstine, the Brain Cancer Canada ambassador at McMaster. Singh spoke about her research and Asselstine spoke about her experiences when her mom was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Both spoke about how important it was to donate to brain cancer research.
The idea for the event was first brought forth by Sydney Wisener, one of the co-vice presidents of fundraising at SABCR. She wanted to provide a platform as a form of expression for people who are in the brain cancer community — especially for brain cancer survivors or people who had their loved ones affected by it.
SABCR received more than 20 art submissions from McMaster students and local artists, including works by a brain cancer survivor who was diagnosed with glioblastoma and someone who lost their sister to brain cancer. Over $2,700 was raised from the auction; they donated half of the funds to Singh’s pediatric brain tumor lab and the other half to Brain Cancer Canada. They also donated an additional $5,000 to Brain Cancer Canada using funds from their previous fundraisers.
Other than raising a significant amount for brain cancer research, the SABCR executive team were touched by the people who came out to their event and donated artwork.
"The success of our art auction goes beyond the amount we raised. We are touched by the speeches from our partners, the donated artwork and the interactive prompts to engage our guests . . . It was immensely inspiring to observe the motivation and drive SABCR has for this cause and transpire into a new audience,” explained Kayla Benson, the co-president of SABCR.
"The success of our art auction goes beyond the amount we raised. We are touched by the speeches from our partners, the donated artwork and the interactive prompts to engage our guests . . . It was immensely inspiring to observe the motivation and drive SABCR has for this cause and transpire into a new audience."
Kayla Benson, the co-president of SABCR
Although, this was their first art auction, after seeing how successful it was, they are hoping to continue it as an annual fundraiser.
At the event they had two prompts displayed on Bristol boards for attendees to interact with: What's your favorite thing about the brain? and What brought you out here tonight? They hoped these reflection questions would provoke attendees to feel more connected to the importance of brain cancer research and continue to sustain that connection as they continue to attend more brain cancer events.
“I was amazed by the diversity in the community that was able to donate the art — just in terms of how they found us, what motivated them to get involved and to donate their submissions,” said Wisener.
Events such as these bring together the artistic talents in the McMaster community and allow them to shine for a good cause.
“I think there is a lot of creativity that can be explored within the McMaster community and there's definitely potential for that, even in science-based programs,” said Simrit Rana, the other co-vice president fundraising of SABCR.
SABCR hopes for greater turnout in their future art auctions and to be able to showcase more artists. They are excited to continue working at the intersection of brain cancer research and art with the McMaster community while fundraising for brain cancer research.
Werk Nights Hamilton is building safe spaces for the women entrepreneurs community
Werk Nights Hamilton is community-building initiative focused on promoting women-owned businesses and fostering connections in the industry. Werk Nights consist of a featured speaker, games, drinks, food and an all-around fun time to interact with like-minded individuals.
The larger events are currently being held every other month with a limited capacity and smaller events are hosted every month. Werk Night’s current venue is the Steel Town Cider, located downtown.
The next event is being held on Apr. 16 at 7:00 p.m. The speaker for this month’s event is Alex Coombs, the founder and president of Northern Spruce Media, a marketing media agency. The only requirement to attend is that you must identify as a women business owner.
Werk Nights was founded by Alyssa Lancia and Anna Di Carlo, both small business owners themselves. Lancia currently owns and operates Darling Donuts, a donut shop geared towards making gourmet and gluten-free, vegan donuts and Di Carlo owns Day of Creative, an event planning company.
Before working on Darling Donuts and Werk Nights, Lancia worked in human resources until her company closed down and she went on maternity leave. This prompted her to grow her side hustle baking business into something bigger and it has been her focus for the past year and a half.
Lancia found entrepreneurship to be a lonely and isolating business and felt the urge to create an empowering and safe space for other women who might be having similar experiences.
“There's a lot of entrepreneur events, but there's no female entrepreneurial events. [As] women in this industry, [we] are very similar. We've been through the same types of challenges and similar journeys. So I wanted to create that space that we didn't have previously,” said Lancia.
“There's a lot of entrepreneur events, but there's no female entrepreneurial events. [As] women in this industry, [we] are very similar. We've been through the same types of challenges and similar journeys. So I wanted to create that space that we didn't have previously."
Alyssa Lancia, founder and event organizer of Werk Nights Hamilton
During the pandemic, Lancia set out to interview different women entrepreneurs to shine a light on their businesses, especially during such a difficult time. Out of this, she started to see a way to bring other women together. After bringing Di Carlo onto this project, the two of them began to work to make Werk Nights a reality, hosting their first event last March.
Reception for the events has been very positive so far. A combination of new members and returning ones frequent Werk Nights. Lancia explained people come excited to see the featured speaker, meet new people and create professional in-person branding.
Lancia hopes people leave the events having had a fun time, but also having facilitated new friendships while learning more about themselves and what other businesses have to offer. Most importantly, she hopes they will feel a sense of relief knowing there are other people going through the exact same journey.
For students entrepreneurs or those interested in pursuing entrepreneurship, Werk Nights can be a great way to learn about other women in the industry.
“I think it's good that students can definitely come out and see what it's all about and get inspired. You [can] see how inspiring and ambitious people are and think, “Oh my God, this is me; I want to do this.” So I think it would be great for them to come,” Lancia said.
Practicing a sustainable lifestyle may seem daunting, but it's a small price to pay for the future of our planet
Over the past decade, the use of the term sustainability has soared among consumers, businesses and governments alike. Though the buzzword may seem like a passing trend or another greenwashing gimmick, it’s much more than that.
Sustainability is simply the act of meeting our needs today in ways that do not hurt the ability of future generations to meet their needs tomorrow. As we grapple with urgent environmental challenges like climate change, resource depletion and pollution, it's clear that we can’t afford to ignore the ugly truth: we’re killing our planet.
Sustainability is simply the act of meeting our needs today in ways that do not hurt the ability of future generations to meet their needs tomorrow.
Living sustainably is no longer a choice, it’s a shared responsibility.
Past the grim reality and urgency of sustainable lifestyles, they tend to be deceivingly marketed as expensive, aesthetic ways of life that involve vegan diets and pricey eco-friendly products.
While it can seem daunting and overwhelming to adopt a sustainable lifestyle as a busy student, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, living sustainably can be affordable, healthy and enjoyable.
Perhaps the most simple yet impactful changes are the ones you’ve repeatedly heard. At first glance, avoiding single-use items and limiting food waste look like surface-level changes. However, think about the fact that only 9 per cent of the 3 million tonnes of plastic waste Canadians generate is actually recycled or that 60 per cent of food waste generated by Canadians could have been avoided – that's a big deal.
Even as busy students, we can be responsible citizens. By bringing reusable bags, using refillable water bottles and recycling, you can limit the waste that ends up in our landfills and oceans. And by carefully planning your meals, composting your scraps, and donating excess to food banks, you can reduce your carbon footprint – all while saving money and supporting your community. And the same can be said for other sustainable practices like eating healthy greens and thrift shopping.
Even as busy students, we can be responsible citizens. By bringing reusable bags, using refillable water bottles and recycling, you can limit the waste that ends up in our landfills and oceans.
I know that these may seem like baby steps but they are important ones in the long journey towards a more sustainable future.
By being a sustainable student, you can also be a happier person. Knowing that your moral compass is in check and making conscious decisions for the benefit of yourself and others is proven to give you a good feeling.
We might be living in a world that still prioritizes convenience today, but as the leaders of tomorrow, it’s up to us to create the new normal.
With the end of the school year approaching, and new leases being signed, here’s what you should remember as a student renting off-campus housing
The school year is coming to a close and many students are debating whether to continue their leases for their current rental, while others still on the hunt for off-campus housing. Student renters often face issues in their homes that they are unequipped to advocate for, such as unaddressed maintenance problems and rent raises.
McMaster University has various resources available for students to become familiar with student housing laws and their tenant rights. The Silhouette has summarized some of the most important points from these resources that student tenants should know renting this season.
Rent
Renting prices in Ontario have seen a steady incline in the last few years. If you’re re-signing with the same rental, it’s likely that your landlord has instated rent increases for the upcoming school year.
It is important to note that landlords in Ontario can legally raise the rent by only 2.5 per cent. This rule applies even if your landlord is including utilities onto your rent; if the total rent increase is greater than 2.5 per cent, it is illegal.
Your landlord cannot demand a specific method of payment of rent, such as post-dated cheques. However, once a method of payment is agreed upon, it cannot be changed without the consent of both the landlord and the tenant.
There is a current student renter aid program available through the Government of Canada, which grants low-income renters a tax-free $500 in rent relief. The due date for application has passed, but more opportunities such as this one may become available in the future.
Maintenance
With regards to maintenance, your landlord has a responsibility to keep the rental unit in good repair and in compliance with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards. The landlord is responsible for any repairs, even if you were aware of the need for these repairs prior to signing.
If a landlord has failed to address a maintenance problem, tenants are advised to file a tenant application for maintenance within one year of the issue persisting. Note that a tenant cannot legally withhold rent due to landlords not complying with maintenance standards.
Eviction
Lastly, it is important to remember that an eviction notice from the landlord does not necessarily mean you must comply and move out, specifically if you feel you’re being wrongly evicted.
Your landlord can only terminate tenancy under a specific set of guidelines and, further, the tenant does not have to move out when a landlord sends notice for eviction. If the tenant chooses not to move out, the Landlord and Tenant Board will decide during a hearing if the eviction should be enforced.
For more information about student housing tenant rights, visit the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, as recommended by the university.
The Hamilton downtown core has everything that you could ever need as a student looking for a fun day out
By Downtown Hamilton BIA, Community Partner
At the Downtown Hamilton BIA, we understand that as busy students you likely have a set routine that is determined by proximity to McMaster University, regardless of whether you live on campus or commute. However, if you are looking to venture outside of the McMaster area, downtown Hamilton is a great place to visit and it is only a short drive away. The downtown core has everything that you could ever need as a student looking for a fun day out and you are sure to have a great time when you visit!
If you are a student looking for a peaceful place to study, any one of the incredible cafés in the downtown core will provide you with a great atmosphere and even better food and drinks. Mezza Caffe, located at 28 James Street North, is dedicated to providing top-quality products and customer service, with a journey that started over 25 years ago in Venezuela before coming to Hamilton. The extensive menu is full of many delicious options, including specialty drinks, caffe, pizze, paninis and a variety of sweet treats. Another amazing café in downtown Hamilton that will make the perfect backdrop for your study sessions is Coco Fresh Tea & Juice, located at 96 Main Street East. As the name suggests they are focused on delivering high-quality tea products, with a menu that includes bubble tea, milk tea, smoothies and lattes. Visiting either one of these incredible cafés in the downtown core will give you the opportunity to complete your work in their inviting atmosphere and simultaneously enjoy one of their delicious menu items.
There are a variety of delicious restaurants in downtown Hamilton, perfect if you are looking to grab a bite to eat with your friends. One of Hamilton’s most popular and beloved restaurants is Lulu’s Shawarma, located at 32 John Street North. It is not uncommon to see a line out the door of the restaurant, the result of a delicious menu that includes Middle Eastern-inspired dishes such as shawarma, chicken and rice and falafel pita. Another delicious restaurant in downtown Hamilton is Kenzo Ramen, located at 21 King Street East. Kenzo Ramen sets itself apart by making its noodles in-house daily, with ramen broth that is stewed to perfection for over 24 hours. Their menu includes items like hot ramen, tonkotsu ramen, chicken karaage and katsudon. Each of these restaurants, like any in the downtown core, is sure to impress.
If you are looking for a fun experience to relieve stress from your classes, there are plenty of great entertainment venues in downtown Hamilton that can help. If you are looking for a high-energy experience Zen Lounge, located at 69 John Street South, is a great option. Each week they host Fiesta Fridays and Shanghai Nights on Saturdays, with extensive bottle menu, food, late night and drink menus. Another option is Escape Manor, located at 103 King Street East. This is an entertainment lounge that acts as a one-stop shop for a great night out, as they offer escape rooms, axe throwing, table games, food and drinks. Once classes are over, you can also reward yourself for all your hard work by attending the Downtown Hamilton BIA’s Gore Park Summer Promenade, an outdoor summer concert series. This year it will be running in Gore Park from May 25 to Aug. 31, with musical performances from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., a community activation or event from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and then an additional musical performance from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The Downtown Hamilton BIA constantly strives to promote the downtown core as a vital and prosperous part of Hamilton, full of incredible businesses that enrich the location and those within it. For more information about the BIA, you can visit our website at www.downtownhamilton.org. Our website includes a full directory of all the amazing businesses within our boundary, an events calendar, self-guided walking tours and links to our social media channels to ensure that you stay updated on all of the changes in downtown Hamilton. You are sure to enjoy your time in the downtown core, as it has everything you could ever need for a great day out!
Two motions were recently passed in Hamilton City Hall that address the ongoing drug crisis and lack of safer-use spaces in the community
On Feb. 13, 2023, two motions regarding harm reduction were moved at Hamilton City Hall by Ward 13 councillor Alex Wilson and seconded by Ward 3 councillor Nrinder Nann.
The first motion called to allocate funding towards a substance abuse and addictions program and the second called for the development of an evidence-based harm reduction plan for safer use spaces in Hamilton. Both motions were passed with a unanimous vote.
Alongside the recent opioid crisis in 2020, Hamilton has seen a significant rise in opioid-related death this year, spiking conversation surrounding the potential of a drug poisoning crisis.
Kim Ritchie is a social worker with lived experience of opioid usage in Hamilton, and extensive knowledge and experience advocating for the implementation of harm reduction practices.
In an interview with the Silhouette, Ritchie explained that the climbing number of opioid-related deaths is alarming and abnormal, with Hamilton seeing 814 incidents related to opioid overdoses in 2022. For this reason, Ritchie explained that it is urgent that Hamilton address drug-poisoning and opioid related emergencies now.
“The body count is ever rising because half our clients out there and half the workers out there have complex grief and trauma for navigating direct medical crises that they're ill-prepared for or from constantly saving each other,” said Ritchie.
“The body count is ever rising because half our clients out there and half the workers out there have complex grief and trauma for navigating direct medical crises that they're ill-prepared for or from constantly saving each other,”
Kim Ritchie, social worker
In a separate interview with the Silhouette, Wilson explained that the harm reduction motions aim to respond to this significant rise in opioid cases and opioid related deaths in Hamilton. Wilson explained that current challenges within the city such as high rent costs and soaring food prices may contribute to high rates of opioid usage.
The plan to advance a whole-community harm reduction framework entails consulting experts in health and drug policy while also convening with individuals with lived or living experience with addiction and opioid usage.
“We need a new approach, and we need an approach that's based in evidence and based in saving lives, informed by those with lived and living experience,” said Wilson.
“We need a new approach, and we need an approach that's based in evidence and based in saving lives, informed by those with lived and living experience,”
Alex Wilson, Ward 13 councillor
Consulting individuals with lived and living experience is an important principle also shared by the Student Overdose Prevention and Education Network, a prevalent student organization works towards overdose prevention and harm reduction awareness.
SOPEN co-founder Olivia Mancini explained that the harm reduction and prevention work they do is rooted in listening to and uplifting individuals with lived experience with drug use to foster a stigma-free environment for learning safer-use practices and discussing the drug poisoning crisis.
Mancini, who has worked alongside Ritchie to enact harm reduction awareness and practices within Hamilton, explained that many of SOPEN’s initiatives aim to educate and de-stigmatize harm reduction and drug education among youth, such as community engagement initiatives at Hamilton’s Art Crawl. However, the mission to normalize and educate about harm reduction is not always widely accepted.
“Yeah, our focus is youth. We would like to have [harm reduction] education included in high school curriculum. It’s proven to be difficult to just do, much how sex education is controversial, it’s been hard to get into high schools,” said Mancini.
Alongside SOPEN, Wilson explained how organizations such as the YWCA are already demonstrating the feasibility of effective harm reduction plans. The YWCA has been operating a safer use space that has seen over 200 unique guests and have successfully reversed 34 drug poisonings.
Wilson explained that while community organizations are able to provide successful safer-use spaces, outside of these spaces individuals continue to overdose and lose their lives while faced with hospital delays and lack of available ambulances on the roads.
These motions are just the beginning of a longer process of acknowledging and acting upon prevalent drug-related emergencies in Hamilton. Mancini explained that with policy in place for safer-use spaces and broader-spanning harm reduction services, a tremendous weight will be taken off many frontline workers.
“If we have those funded services, it will also create cost savings to the community. It would relieve that pressure off of frontline workers, police, paramedics, the emergency department if people had access to harm reduction services,” said Mancini.
“If we have those funded services, it will also create cost savings to the community. It would relieve that pressure off of frontline workers, police, paramedics, the emergency department if people had access to harm reduction services,”
Olivia Mancini, SOPEN co-founder
Ritchie shared the same sentiment, explaining the complex grief and trauma that accompanies frontline workers, shelter workers and opioid users from navigating an influx of medical crises.
Ritchie explained that implementing harm reduction policy and work surrounding safer-use and de-stigmatization will ripple into other areas of intersectionality.
“I don't want to look one more worker in the eye and watch them sob because they just saved somebody's life, I don't want to talk to another client who just buried another friend in a poppers grave, I don't want to stand in one more meeting having to yell for the rights of people who use drugs who are somehow villainized as though it's their fault, instead of acknowledging intergenerational trauma, structural racism,” said Ritchie.
Following this motion, Hamilton residents should expect a follow-up report detailing an updated opioid response plan and recommendations to be presented at the next Board of Health meeting in June 2023.
Ritchie explained that this work is a step in the right direction, and she has hope for positive outcomes from effective and informed harm reduction.
“And that's why I love harm reduction, it demands that we hang up our capes and we sit down in humility with other people's pain, and we start asking what they need instead of pushing change. There's no gaslighting in it. There's no heroism. It's humility and empowerment and education and understanding, and I really do feel that this is a foundation for momentum moving forward,” said Ritchie.
More information on City of Hamilton harm reduction policy plans can be found in the recent Board of Health reports.
McMaster Pakistani Students’ Association Charity Gala fundraised to support those affected by the floods in Pakistan and the Turkey-Syria earthquake
McMaster Pakistani Students’ Association hosted their “Starry Night” themed charity gala themed on Mar. 17 at the Grand Olympia convention centre in Stony Creek. All the proceeds from their event went towards services supporting those affected by the 2022 Pakistan floods and the Turkey-Syria earthquake.
The charity gala has been an annual event hosted by PSA and typically 80 per cent of the proceeds go towards a Pakistani charity. Last year, they used their funds to support the building of a water well in a village in Sindh, Pakistan.
The event this year featured raffles, dinner, performances and dancing. It was also supported by major new sponsors including the Pakistani Canadian Friendship Association, who also helped to find the venue, and Wahab Shah, a realtor from the Greater Toronto Area. The gala allowed the Pakistani and non-Pakistani communities at McMaster University to come together to immerse and learn more about Pakistani culture.
“We wanted to center the charity gala night around [raising awareness for the Pakistan floods] through embracing Pakistani culture. A big part of [our event] is giving back and we wanted to make that the center of our event,” said Momina Ali, the PSA co-president.
We wanted to center the charity gala night around [raising awareness for the Pakistan floods] through embracing Pakistani culture. A big part of [our event] is giving back and we wanted to make that the center of our event.
Momina Ali, Co-President, Pakistani Student Association
PSA’s take on their formal was to ensure everyone had fun, embraced their culture and went back to their roots while giving back to their community.
“While we are making sure that we're putting out this whole cultural vibe out there and mak[ing] sure that our traditions and culture are being seen, we also want to give this aspect of our community as well, where we really like to give back to our community,” explained Noor Latif, the other PSA co-president.
Through the event, the PSA also aimed to break down stereotypes around the Muslim and Pakistani community by shining light on the unique and hidden parts of their community by representing their diversity.
“[We wanted] to break down any stereotypes that might be around being Muslim or being Pakistani, [which can happen] living in the diaspora sometimes. But we wanted to break down those stereotypes,” said Ali.
Moreover, the PSA team wanted to ensure everyone felt included at their events as they are a diverse, open and welcoming community.
“We want to make sure that we're catering to everyone because that's the main thing about us. As a community, we're so diverse, we're so accepting, we're so welcoming,” said Latif.
The turnout at the event was better than previous years and they sold out their tickets within two weeks. With an evening packed with great food and performances, the attendees had a great time at the formal.
“I thought the event was pretty great. I loved the photobooth and the performances were great as well. There were also lots of places to take pictures with your friends,” said Yashfeen Nauman, a third-year McMaster student.
PSA’s charity gala was a night of celebrating Pakistani culture, appreciating the diversity at McMaster and promoting inclusion and acceptance all the while giving back to their community.
Students and athletes participate in Marathon of Sport event to raise money for the Special Olympics programs
A non-profit organization, motionball was founded in 2002 by brothers Paul, Mark and Sean Etherington in support of the Special Olympics movement. Through both social and sporting events, motionball helps raise funds for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation and their goal of enhancing the well-being of individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport.
Headed by event directors Emily Van Berkel and Gurleen Sandhu, the Marathon of Sport gave members within the McMaster University community an opportunity to engage with Special Olympic athletes. The day marked the sixth time that McMaster has been able to host a Marathon of Sport and the first time the event has ran in-person since the start of the pandemic.
“Both of us had only ever attended or been a part of the online events these past three years. . . I’ve never been to any in-person [Marathons of Sport] before the one we had [on March 18], so that was really exciting to finally have it back in-person,” said Sandhu.
Throughout the event, teams were able to take part in a variety of games and activities, including soccer, bocce ball, bench ball and seated balloon volleyball. Competing in these sports allowed for a fun and collaborative athletic experience for teams to promote fundraising and awareness for Special Olympic athletes and organizations.
“I was talking with some parents at our event and they were just saying how incredible it is that their children or their grandchildren have the space to come and participate with university students. . . It’s like a soul-filling, energy-giving day and it’s awesome,” explained Van Berkel.
“I was talking with some parents at our event and they were just saying how incredible it is that their children or their grandchildren have the space to come and participate with university students. . . It’s like a soul-filling, energy-giving day and it’s awesome,”
Emily Van Berkel, Marathon of Sport Event Director
Direct donations were made to support athletes through their motionball sponsorship page for participating universities and teams on the Marathon of Sport leaderboard. Along with their other team members, Van Berkel and Sandhu have helped to raise $3753 for their Executive Committee motionball team at McMaster and over $8000 at the event overall.
Of the donations raised for each Marathon of Sport hosted at participating universities and local chapters, motionball allocates 70 per cent of the funds to Special Olympics Ontario and programs for local community athletes.
A quarter of the donations are sent directly to the Special Olympics Canada Foundation while 5 per cent is directed towards the #NoGoodWay campaign to eliminate the use of the “r-word” in everyday conversation.
“When you actually go to the event in-person, you meet all the athletes. You get a better sense of what you’re really donating to, where your money is going, the people that it’s really affecting. . . A lot of people end up donating after the event is over as well,” said Sandhu.
“When you actually go to the event in-person, you meet all the athletes. You get a better sense of what you’re really donating to, where your money is going, the people that it’s really affecting. . . A lot of people end up donating after the event is over as well,”
Gurleen Sandhu, Marathon of Sport Event Director
For those who were unable to take part in the event, motionball Hamilton will be hosting a Marathon of Sport on Jun. 24, 2023 at Hillfield Strathallan College. Participants can register as either a Corporate Team with their participating organization’s employees or a Standard Team and will be partnered with one to two Special Olympic athletes on the day of the event.
With chapters across 18 Canadian cities and 35 university campuses, motionball provides multiple opportunities for interested individuals to become involved as organizing committee members or volunteers at their events.
In a future with AI, we need to harness ChatGPT’s potential as a tool for teaching and learning
Change is inevitable in our constantly shifting and unpredictable world. Whether that change is for better or for worse, we adapt. And we can expect to see the same with the increasing use of powerful AI tools like ChatGPT.
ChatGPT is a conversational chatbot available to users for free. It can perform a range of different functions with varying complexity based on simple prompts. The AI can answer thoughtful questions, prepare essays, write code and do so much more.
With the rise of AI in the realm of education, many academics are marking ChatGPT as a threat to teaching – but it doesn’t have to be. This premature fear is preventing us from appreciating the benefits of ChatGPT for education.
When the calculator was invented, it too, wreaked havoc among educators. The calculator brought fear that students would no longer be able to practice computational skills and would render themselves dependent on the device.
However, we adapted. Schools didn’t give up on teaching math. Instead, they began challenging students with more complex mathematical concepts. Working around the cheating-related concerns posed by calculators paved way for smarter methods of teaching and learning. In the same way, ChatGPT holds incredible applications for both students and educators.
Industries and professionals are already using ChatGPT to perform and collaborate on a range of projects and tasks. For instance, many companies have begun implementing ChatGPT as a personal assistant to help with managing meetings and schedule, writing emails, generating code, and completing a variety of other functions that save time.
With the growing use of AI in industries, some educators are realizing the need to prepare graduates who are ready to navigate a world where AI is ubiquitous. Students need to be encouraged to develop their knowledge and skills surrounding AI tools like ChatGPT so that they are aware of the limitations and ramifications of their use and misuse.
In fact, the MacPherson Institute at McMaster University has already begun to address the potential benefits of ChatGPT in classrooms as a tool to enrich teaching and learning. One McMaster professor from the School of Interdisciplinary Science, Dr. Katie Moisse, plans to ask students to use ChatGPT to prepare scientific content and then edit and annotate the content to follow principles of inclusive science communication. Redesigning assignments in this way creates opportunities for students to use AI and demonstrate their critical thinking and course-related skills.
However, we adapted. Schools didn’t give up on teaching math. Instead, they began challenging students with more complex mathematical concepts. Working around the cheating-related concerns posed by calculators paved way for smarter methods of teaching and learning. In the same way, ChatGPT holds incredible applications for both students and educators.
For students and educators, the applications of ChatGPT are truly limitless. Educators can use ChatGPT to enhance lesson plans, develop study resources and test students for critical concepts in innovative ways. Similarly, students can explore the AI as a personalized tool for creating study schedules, understanding challenging concepts and preparing their own study materials like flashcards, summaries of content and practice questions.
While we explore the benefits of ChatGPT and integrate it into education, we must be mindful of its limitations too. As a chatbot trained on heaps of text, the AI does not necessarily know what it’s talking about. It can generate inaccurate or biased information at times and remaining weary of these imperfections is necessary.
With ChatGPT in the arena, it’s time to rethink education.
We need to embrace AI technologies and thoughtfully apply them to create opportunities for teaching and learning in ways that are engaging, equitable and ethical.
This article is the second article in a 2-part series. Be sure to check out Part 1: ChatGPT is not your friend.
