By Patricia Barbas, Grade 12, STM

My fixed hold on my mama’s sweaty, shaking shoulders is now a memory. My constant fear of knowing this could be my last day is now false. My heartbeat mimicking the tremulous rhythm of each bomb pounding the Earth is now unheard. It has been a decade since the end of the Second World War. As the memories of the past rush through me, I realize how many things have changed throughout the past ten years. My husband and two daughters are the source of my existence. The place where I call home, Thessaloniki, Greece is a constant reminder of the war, and so, I seek a life of greater opportunity. Is there such a place that is filled with peace and hope? Yes, it is called Canada.

“Where are we going mama?” my eldest child inquisitively asks.

“Katerina, we are going on a journey.” She is not satisfied with my answer.

“We are trying to find…”  I breathe deeply as I am lost in her emerald eyes, “a new life.

A booming and rehearsed voice yells in a foreign tongue, “Welcome! You have arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax, Canada! Present your passport and a temporary Canadian visa will be issued to you with the official date of entry, December 18, 1965.” 

My teeth are chattering and my skin is burning from the cold - I feel out of place. Suddenly, a warm and heavy arm wraps around me.

“Petrina, we are finally here,” my husband, Nikolaos, gives me a jovial and affectionate smile.  “We must now board the train to Toronto where we will find George.”

George, my beloved brother, is our sponsor. His transition from Greece to Canada was difficult but in his letters he writes that Canada has now found a place in his heart. I write that my heart is open to Canada.

“Giagia, is it still there?” I enthusiastically ask my grandmother, knowing the answer as I have been told this story countless times.

“What are you talking about my darling?” her soulful eyes quizzically look back at mine. I grab her delicate hands and hold them in mine. Our lives are very different, just like the differences in our hands. Innocent and insightful. Smooth and rough. Young and old. Mygiagia has given me endless opportunities by coming to Canada, and for that, I will always be connected to her past. I follow an arched line on her palm, representing a long journey, maybe the one to Canada. I stop at the end of the line and look up at her expressive, russet eyes. I lift her hands to her heart, I feel a soft beat, “Is Canada still in your heart?”

“Forever,” she said, as if it was the last word of a song.

I glance outside the window, finally the sun has come out. “Giagia,I am going to go for a quick walk,” I say. I grab my gloves and hastily wrap my scarf around my neck. As I rush out the door, a sudden blast of cool air hits me. I follow the same path into the forest where peace and tranquility await me. Immediately, I am entranced by the bright, red maple tree. I feel the stretch in my arm as I pull a leaf down.  I observe the five major peaks on the leaf. I recall that this is my giagia’s fifth decade in Canada; each peak representing a decade.

I roll my fingers over the first peak, thinking about my giagia’sfirst ten years in Canada. In the beginning, her extended family all lived in one small house; one room for each family. Also, adapting to a new language and a harsher climate was difficult. The culture-shock was overwhelming and adjusting to the Canadian way of life was a challenge.

Moving over to the second peak, my giagia’s life started to look more optimistic. She and her family had their own home and her husband earned a stable income working in a factory. Her love for Canada grew, as she realized the opportunities that Canada presented. She gained respect for Canada as its citizens truly acknowledged the essence of being a cultural mosaic.

Looking at the highest peak of the maple leaf, I remember how significantly her life changed. Her husband was seriously injured while at work, losing his job and income.  Thankfully, they were able to open a restaurant which was very successful.  They contributed to the community by donating to various charities and fundraisers as they felt a need to give back to the country that offered them so much.

As I move my hand down to the fourth peak, a tear rolls down my cheek. My giagia’sbest friend, companion and soul-mate passed away. I realize the crimson leaf is slightly torn here, similar to the fresh wounds in her heart. With time and comfort from family, the wound healed.

My giagia has shown me unconditional love and she has taught me lessons that cannot be learned anywhere else. Her work ethic and active citizenship is exemplary to our family. She has contributed to Canada by inspiring others, like myself, to show love and respect for this country and its people. Now at the last peak, I realize how fortunate we are to live in Canada, but also how blessed Canada is to have a citizen like my giagia.

The story of my giagia’s journey to Canada is as familiar as the keys of a piano to a pianist’s hands. Each word is a note and each emotion creates a beat. It is a song that my family hears during tough times, and a song that we rejoice in during good times. It tells the story of how our family found and grew to love Canada. It is a song that I am proud to play.

Braves Run the Terry Fox Run

Kathy Hoang, Grade 10, SJB

The Terry Fox Run at St. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary school has always been a success. This year, over 300 Braves participated in this world-changing event that took place right outside our school. These same students raised over $9,200 for cancer research, the best in six years. 

The Braves carried the same spirit and determination that Terry Fox himself carried 29 years ago on his own run, the Marathon of Hope. Many students went out with the intention of making a difference and they have. The money donations will go to cancer research, and finding a cure for those who need it.

Terry Fox said, “Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going.”

Terry Fox had said those words 30 years ago. SJB students are doing just that; they are continuing Terry’s dreams, and they are doing it with heart and compassion.Go Braves!

By Kasey Landry, Grade 12, SJB

I am a grade 12 student taking the new photography class at St. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School. The course teaches both traditional and digital photography. In this class you learn about the different settings on the SLR camera and have fun during the developing process.  I love this class because it allows me to be creative and express myself. I have found it very interesting to learn how photography started and about the developing process. If you pay attention and follow instructions, your photographs will turn out great and you will be surprised at the quality of photos you can take, while having fun in the process.

The photogram was our first studio assignment where we had to choose a theme and find objects that both represented the theme and that would leave an interesting shape on the paper. I chose objects that represented something about my life. This assignment was where we first learned about the developing process.

This class is great for people who have creative expression, who love taking pictures and love learning new things.

SJB will have a photography exhibit at Turner Park Library in the spring.

Sarah Silva, Grade 12, SJB

P-R-E-F-E-C-T. These are the seven small yellow letters written across the back of our polo shirts. They are what make us stand out from the rest of the near 1800 students at our school. It is our job to be the leaders and student representatives of our school and community. We help those that need it, and organize and set up school and community functions. Who are we? We are the Prefects of Saint Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School.

We are the ones who make all school functions possible. We set up and help direct parents for parent-teacher interview night, and sell tickets for and seat people during our school plays.

It is also our responsibility to help new grade nine students acclimate into high school. We are there to help them whenever they need a questioned answered, and we are always available during lunch, and after and before school to tutor struggling students in whatever subject they need help in. We have also previously gotten together and collaboratively written a small book which outlined our top ten tips for success in high school, which every student got a copy of to aid in their study habits and learning practices.

We continue to hold a grade nine BBQ every summer so that new students can get to know each other, and a grade nine social in September to strengthen new friendships. We also assist in the grade nine parents night where new parents to our school can meet faculty members and get a look at the building.

Additionally, we regularly volunteer in our community. We enjoy raising funds and using our time to help those that are in need. We lend a hand in whatever way we can, to make our community a better place.

The Prefect program at SJB has continued to be a success year after year. Helping others makes us feel fortunate for our God-given gifts, and glad that we are able to use them to help others. The seven yellow letters on our shirt may set us apart, but they also bring us together for the collective purpose of doing good and helping others.