By Milan Streit

Tristan Belsey and his MYP project on Canada’s participation in WW I.

TENTH ANNUAL MYP FAIR

After a snow day cancellation, the Middle Years Program (MYP) Fair was rescheduled to January 23. Many Grade 10 students worked hard all school year on their personal projects, culminating in a large exhibition in the King George gym. The MYP project is also a sort of final exam as Grade 10 is the last year for students in the Middle Years Program, which runs from Grade 6 to 10.

Paul wok, Robin Kaebe, and Isaiah Vaniancy and their MYP project on Cadets.

Tristan Belsey tackled Canada’s involvement in the First World War. Mentioning major events such as Vimy Ridge, his poster board used a smart spray paint technique complete with information boxes.

The Dragon’s Pen’s Milan Streit and his MYP project.

Next, in a joint effort, Paul Kwok, Robin Kaebe, and Isaiah Vanlaincy did their project on Cadets. All three of them are very interested in and committed to Cadets and may pursue a career in the Canadian armed forces. Their poster was painted in camo, often associated with the military.

Finally, why not feature my own project? I dealt with the past, present and future of transit in Vancouver. From our steamboat routes on the Fraser River and an incredible and envied streetcar system to today's new projects such as Rapid Bus and SkyTrain, the history of our public transportation is fascinating.

What I found most interesting was the proposed freeway in the 60s. The city of Vancouver wanted to build a highway right through the downtown core, separating Chinatown and building over historic Gastown. Luckily, the plan was scrapped after a revolt from the people of Vancouver.

However, parts were still built, such as the viaducts, right over the historic Black community of Hogan’s Alley.

The West End Journal’s embedded reporter with the LRP snowboarding outing.

SNOWBOARDING WITH THE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Through the months of January and February, the Leadership Resiliency Program (LRP) has teamed up with Chill Canada, a charity operated by Burton Snowboards. This allows youth who have never or not recently snowboarded to learn the sport at Cypress Mountain while also learning other things along the way. I was invited to be in the program and so far, it appears everyone has enjoyed the program. It involves five KG students plus teens from other schools in Vancouver.

DISTRICT-WIDE ANTI-RACISM SUMMIT

With February being Black History Month, the Vancouver School Board has organized a chance to reflect and talk about current problems in schools relating to racism. Many groups are going to be speaking, such as the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre and Equitas – International Care for Human Rights. King George student Rain Stevens will also be a guest speaker, along with other teens.

King George students can sign for this event by February 4.

AN URBAN STUDIES COURSE COMING?

Social Studies teachers, Mr. Wilband and Ms. Preston are asking if any students would like to take an Urban Studies course. It makes sense since KG is the only public high school in the heart of the city. Urban Studies would centre around urban planning and trying to make the city we live in a better place. It would also allow students to look at past events that shaped Vancouver, including the Olympics, EXPO 86, and even the Freeway Revolt. For more information, ask either Mr. Wilband or Ms. Preston.

NO LOVE FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

Student Council has voted against a Valentine’s Day dance at KG. I understand public schools have been pushing back on dances, with concerns around drinking and peer pressure. I asked Nick from Grade 9 and he stated that “most of the time, loud rave music is played. What about getting the KG Jazz band to play?” referring to the Halloween dance earlier this year.

Another factor for the lack of support may have been that there is no school on Valentine's Day due to a district-wide Professional Development Day (Pro-D Day).

THE DRAGON’S PEN ON INSTAGRAM

The Dragon’s Pen now has an Instagram account, posting about King George events and other things. Many students learned from us first about Snow Day on January 15. Since things in this school change rapidly and the official website does not, it’s a great tool to have.

Our Instagram page has been endorsed by the administration and all information is verified.

ONE YEAR OF THE DRAGON’S PEN

It’s been one year since my first column for The West End Journal! I would like to take this time to thank all our readers for your support. Writing these monthly articles has boosted my essay skills and I believe I’ve become a better member of the community.