Progress report cards are out, but MSS students have their minds on the short time before March Break.
The boys’ hockey team played their last game of the season last Tuesday against Algonquin Secondary School, winning 2-0 in their final game. The game was played at the ESSAR Center in Sault Ste. Marie. The guys on the team all said they had a good season and are excited for next school year’s season. But the girls’ team continue in the finals after beating their rivals Bishop-Carter 8-3 last Wednesday at the M’Chigeeng Arena. The team plays the final game for the championship at the Centennial Arena in Sudbury on Tuesday.
The Nordic Skiers from MSS have represented our school well at NOSSA and OFSAA. At the NOSSA competition on February 16 in North Bay, Mackenzie Turner and Tommy Wiwchar both qualified for OFSAA in their races. Mackenzie Turner won gold in the senior girls’ division at NOSSA. Her time was 16:51 on a 5km course. Tommy Wiwchar placed 11th in the senior boys’ division. His time was 32:43 on a 6km course. For OFSAA, Tommy and Mackenzie travelled to Collingwood. On February 25, Mackenzie placed 12th out of 152 competitors with a time of 21:29.94 on the 5.8km race. Tommy placed 109th out of 135 with a time of 30:43.76 on a 6.8km race. Mackenzie said, “The OFSAA race conditions were not ideal as the track was really bare and there were lots of icy patches. I was super cold, but I think I had a good race.” Mackenzie is now preparing to compete in the National Biathlon competition from March 14-20.
The SHARE/Go Green Coffee house was a huge success. On Thursday, March 3 a group of around 40 people gathered in the MSS Library for a fundraiser to support Free the Children projects in Kenya. Jessica Jordison, Isaac Gosse, Patrick Therrien, Alexa Gordon, Robbie Shawana, Bryce Mastelko and Max Chapman performed musical numbers. Other entertainment included Charlie Adam with a stand up comedy routine. The audience was laughing as Charlie told jokes reflecting his own experiences. I presented my speech on Dreams of Kenyan Children, and Jadah McGraw performed a poetry slam, receiving a large round of synchronized-snapping from the audience. There was baking for sale and free coffee and tea to add to the artsy atmosphere. Beth Wiwchar, a supporter of the group, said, “I think that it was a really well put together event. There was a lot of talent in those performances, and it was definitely worth going to for a good cause.”
On March 2 Mr. Robinson took a group of students to the Skills Competition at Cambrian College. All of the participating students did well in their competitions, and some even placed in the top three. Cole Corbiere won first in Carpentry, Jonah Kennedy placed first in Small Engines, Tristan Golder got second in Auto Mechanics, and Eric Orford placed third in Small Engines. Cole and Jonah will be moving on to the Provincial level of competition in May at Waterloo University.
The Pre-NOSSA gymnastics meet was held on Friday, with six schools attending. There were gymnasts from Lockerby, Bishop- Carter, Sudbury Secondary, Marymount, MSS, Confederation, Horizon and College Notre Dame. The girls were given the opportunity to be viewed by eight judges and receive feedback to prepare more efficiently for NOSSA. The events were vault, floor routines, bars, and balance beam. The MSS is now preparing for NSSSA which will take place in Sudbury on April 4. “I did really well, and I am really excited to see how MSS does at NOSSA,” said Donnshai Bruleigh, a first year gymnast.
On March 4 the MSS Rainbow Rights group went to Dare To Stand Out (DTSO) at Chelmsford Secondary School. The group shared a bus with nine CMPS students who were going to their first DTSO. The Rainbow Rights students really welcomed these elementary students and everyone got along great. The day started with a very emotional keynote address from Charlie Forbes who is a “queer” high school student at Glebe Collegiate in Ottawa. He was born female but has transitioned to using he/him pronouns as part of his identity. He gave a powerful talk about the misunderstandings and hurtfulness that comes with people’s ignorance about gender and identity. His speech was an act of pure courage. After this speech, the group separated into various workshops for most of the day with topics like: cyberbullying, transgender 101, self care through yoga, etc. The learning day ended with a keynote by Jessica Acevado about respecting identities. After the workshops were over, the group went to a dance in the gym and headed home afterwards with a couple of pizzas on the bus and a bunch of tired but happy students. Barb Erskine, the adult supervisor of Rainbow Rights said, “The group really stepped up and took great leadership with the elementary school students.”
Mr. Theijsmeijer took a group of about 30 students to Sudbury Secondary School for the All Board Talent Show on March 4. All of the students performed with enthusiasm, and were immensely proud of themselves. None of the students from MSS placed in the top three, but Jessica Jordison and Jordan Moore were very close.
Word has it that the Students’ Council is planning a Winter Carnival before the March Break. The activities will include hockey (both road hockey and ice hockey), a snow sculpture contest, trivia, karaoke, movie, Swedish dinky, free food, ice fishing and Don’t Forget the Lyrics.
There were so many activities going on this week, the stress of progress reports was almost non-existent. ‘Til next time, stay golden, Mustangs.
