Book Review: Paper Towns

By: Sarah Asselin

Quentin Jacobsen had been in love with Margo Roth Spiegelman’s enthralling personality since he was a kid. Her crazy adventures and reputation were always enough for him to want to know more - especially when he gets caught in one. When Margo disappears, and Quentin might be the only one that can find her, he is caught in a crossfire of what he thought he knew and what he starts to find out.

Book Review: The Help

By: Sarah Asselin

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Aibileen lives in the rural town of Jackson, Mississippi, in the year of 1962, where the line between rules and cruelty are constantly being blurred. Working in the home of a white family, raising their white child, Aibileen is faced with racism in even the most basic forms of life. It isn’t until Aibileen meets Skeeter, an ambitious young journalist who fits just outside of society’s expectations, that Aibileen finds the courage to speak out.

Book Review: The Bell Jar

By: Sarah Asselin

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The Bell Jar, written by Sylvia Plath, is set in the life of Esther Greenwood - a brilliant college student struggling to discover the key between satisfaction and happiness. Beginning as an intern in New York City, Esther is constantly faced with the challenge of whether happiness will come in either the domestic or successful life. As Esther continues to question the purpose of her own life, she is faced with deeper thoughts that continue to plague her until her own mentality is at stake.

Book Review: And The Mountains Echoed

By: Sarah Asselin

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In a tale that is both emotional and gripping, And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini is a novel that provides insight into the actions that evolve from love, sacrifice, and honour. Following the stories of two motherless siblings completely dependent on one another, And The Mountains Echoed brings to life the conflicts of countless cultures around the world. This novel focuses on the delicate ripples that come from the actions of just a few.

Book Review: Ru

By: Sarah Asselin

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As a recent addition to profound literature, Ru, written by Kim Thúy, is a unique story that adds to our understanding of the lives of both privilege and poverty, and the moments that make them up. Following the journey of a woman’s life from Vietnam, to Malaysia, to the beginnings of a new life in Quebec, Ru flows between the past and present while captivating all those who read it.

Book Review: Wool

By: Sarah Asselin

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The air outside is deadly. The people inside must do everything to obey the rules of their home and evade being the one who contributes to the next cleaning – and being forced to go outside. But when the people begin to wonder about what life could really be like outside their underground home, things begin to change for the worse…or possibly for the better. Wool tells the story of a post-apocalyptic world where nothing is quite as it seems.

Book Review: The Rosie Project

By: Sarah Asselin

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Unique, captivating, and hilarious, The Rosie Project portrays the universal need to truly understand oneself. Don Tillman, a brilliant (though socially awkward) scientist believes he has found his solution to finding his perfect partner when he constructs his very own Wife Project. As he follows out this project with his own personal questionnaire and dating system, he is met with the challenge of meeting Rosie Jarman, an unsuitable yet highly intriguing grad student. As he gets to understand Rosie, Don is met with the question of whether love can really be planned after all.

Book Review: The Outsiders

By: Sarah Asselin

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The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton has captured the attention of countless readers with its insights into the true meaning of heroism. The novel follows the story of Ponyboy, a young teen who relies on his brothers to watch out for him on the streets of Oklahoma in the mid-1960s. Ponyboy and his fellow gang of “greasers” face the challenge of keeping their ground against the Socs – a gang of kids from the rich part of town. Everything seems under control, until one night things go too far.

Valentine's Day Date Ideas

By: Sarah Asselin & Katarina Brkic

With Valentine's Day swiftly approaching, it’s definitely time to start making plans for that special day! However, we know how hard it is to come up with that perfect Valentine’s date. With our fun ideas, you will be able to create the kind of Valentine's Day memories that will last a lifetime. 

10 Things To Do This Christmas Break

By: Sarah Asselin
Photo Credit: http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/06/01/11/

Now that you are out of school enjoying the Christmas break, it’s important to make the most of your time off with friends and family. Having exciting plans for the holiday will ensure that you’re having the best Christmas possible! Check out these exciting activities to make the most of your break this Christmas.

1. Ice Skating at City Hall- This Christmas make sure to visit the beautiful ice skating rink at Toronto’s City Hall to make the most of your winter experience.
2. Explore Christmas Lights- Explore the bright Christmas light shows by visiting an amazing festival such as the Lakeside Festival of Lights in Burlington or Niagara Falls’ Winter Festival of Lights.
3. Tobogganing- The many hills throughout the town offer exciting thrills waiting to be experienced this snowy season.
4. Bake Christmas Cookies- Channel your Christmas spirit this year by baking delicious cookies such as gingerbread or shortbread and sharing them with your loved ones.
5. Visit a Museum- The many museums close to Oakville will give you the chance to explore new things on your break; downtown Toronto offers the Royal Ontario Museum as well as the Art Gallery of Ontario and Hockey Hall of Fame. Many more are close by as well!
6. Hot Chocolate- Enjoy a hot cup of cocoa with a friend to warm up this winter at home or a coffee shop near you.
7. Christmas Movies- Enjoy one or two great Christmas movies such as Elf or The Grinch.
8. Volunteer- Help spread Christmas joy to those in need this holiday by volunteering at a nearby shelter or food bank.
9. Listen to Christmas Tunes- Listening to carols, either old classics or new finds, will keep up your Christmas joy!
10. Celebrate New Year’s- Celebrate the beginning of the New Year with friends, family, or an event such as the one at Yonge & Dundas Square in Toronto.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with your family and friends!

If You Can Make It There, You'll Make It Anywhere

By: Sarah Asselin

This past week the arts and business students of Holy Trinity experienced the trip of a lifetime. Filled with anticipation and wonder and lead by Mr. Galante and Mr. Finan, these students took a long and exciting bus ride all the way to the great New York City.

The next few days were filled with adventure, excitement, and unforgettable memories for everyone involved. The action-packed trip included a variety of educational museums and tours including the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, the Tenement Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Madison Square Garden.

 The students also explored the monumental landmarks of New York. At night, the students visited Times Square for the first time, blown away by the lights and people that filled the streets. The young travelers were also given the opportunity to walk through the beautiful Central Park and the luxurious Fifth Avenue. Delicious foods were discovered daily, including red velvet cheesecake and New York style pizza. The students also had the chance to see the acclaimed Broadway shows Aladdin and Once.

Filled with laughter, enthusiasm, and new experiences, the trip meant something different for everyone — whether it was seeing the home of a favourite celebrity, learning the fascinating history of New York City, or witnessing the incredible 9/11 memorial.

After an exhilarating and life-changing few days, the students of Holy Trinity made their way back home after experiencing this incredible journey, which they will continue to cherish and remember forever. 

Stay tuned for more information on this amazing trip. Another article will be featured in our first print edition, which will be released in the first week of December!

Holy Trinity for Social Change

Article and Photographs by: Sarah Asselin

The Social Justice League with Dr. Simone (red toque).

On Friday November 7, members of Holy Trinity’s Social Justice League embarked on a volunteering experience to Dr. Simone’s Canadian Food for Children warehouse, where they spent the day giving their time to help the less fortunate. During this time, part of the group helped ship supplies to those in need while the others spent time sending requests for donations from the community.

Upon being asked about his service, Lucas Stables, grade 10, remarked, “We have mountains of supplies here that we’ve been helping ship out to other communities in the world. It feels good, it really does.”

Lucas helping to unload donations from the bus.

Holy Trinity is one of the many groups of volunteers that help at Dr. Simone’s warehouse. With their time and donations, the Canadian warehouse sends out countless supplies to those in need.

Eugenie Kowal, grade nine, said, “I like volunteering at Dr. Simone’s warehouse because it helps out other people around the world. I think that we, who are so fortunate, sometimes forget those in need in other countries.”

The day was an eye opening experience to what our school community can do to help others. Later in the day, the group received a visit from Dr. Simone himself, whose kindness was evident in each word he said.

Sarah meets Dr. Simone with Mrs. Harkin.

The social justice committee will continue their service to the community throughout the rest of the coming school year. Their next trip to the Dr. Simone warehouse is scheduled for later this month, where they will continue their mission to help those in need.