The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

22 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 2, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com A primer for making the most of your high school years By Dominika Rozanska GRADE 12, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS Go to your seat. Sit up straight. Quiet down. Talk louder. No food in class. Get into uniform. Oh, and welcome to high school. Okay, so you're probably wondering what I'm going on about. But really, how is one supposed to summarize the four (or more) oh-so-wonderful years that you spend in high school? The pop quizzes, exams, and countless assignments aren't too appetizing, but there must be something good about it all, right? Well, let's start at square one, elementary school. I'm sure everyone remembers the constant pestering and pushing of his or her Grade 8 teachers in the hopes that you would be prepared for high school. On the night before my first day of high school, I wished upon a star in the hopes that I'd wake up in the morning and be six years old again. (I can tell you this now because it never happened). I stepped into St. Thomas Aquinas in the fall of 2003, terrified, but prepared (I checked and rechecked my school bag at least ten times the night before, right after my wish; you know, just in case). There was always one thing that frequented my mind ­ get involved. This proved to be very useful. In my first year, I wound up all the courage I had and joined the junior basketball team. And you know what? I enjoyed it a lot! Maybe high school wasn't so bad after all. Like computers? Join the web design or yearbook club. Like to dance? Become a cheerleader or salsa the night away in your school's dance club. I must give you some advice: meet new people, but don't forget who your true friends are. Oh, and the person who looks like they'll bite? They probably will (just kidding). Friends are always good to have. Good friends will be there to help you keep on truckin' and hold your head up when you can't take it anymore. I'm in Grade 12 now. I've only recently realized how much assistance and encouragement guidance counselors can provide. If only I figured this out in Grade 9, it would have saved me so much frustration and anger. Guidance counselors are there to help you ­ use this to your full advantage! Trust me on this one. They are good at what they do. The years you will spend in high school will hopefully bring forth long-lasting memories that you will look back on years after graduating. Your high school years will fly by, so make the most of it. The people I've met during these four years have had a great impact on my life, and the activities I've been involved in have made everything just that much better. To the students in elementary school, don't worry too much. The transition from elementary school to high school isn't as bad as you may think. Take each day one step at a time and don't forget to breathe. To the freshmen ­ make the most of what you have. Ask for help, fall and get back up again. To the soon-to-be graduates ­ this is just the beginning. Good luck in the future and accomplish what you've dreamt for so long. Welcome to your life. Ten thousand Villages supports International Women's Day Ten Thousand Villages in downtown Oakville invites the public to drop in to learn how it is doing its part to raise the profile of women internationally. "Strengthening women's economic security is critical to poverty reduction efforts," says Ingrid Heinrichs Pauls, Manager of Ten Thousand Villages. "Unless decent work is created for women, we will never bring an end to global poverty," adds Heinrichs Pauls who manages the store located at 189 Lakeshore Rd. E. Since 1975, March 8 has been celebrated worldwide as International Women's Day -- a time for honouring women's achievements in strengthening international peace and development. In recent decades, women have made significant gains -- access to education and health care, increased participation in the paid labour force and through legislation, according to Heinrichs Pauls. However, women still account for 70 per cent of the 1.3 billion people making less than $1 a day. These same women work an average of 60 to 90 hours a week, mostly in unpaid labour, to provide for their families, noted Heinrichs Pauls. For 60 years, Ten Thousand Villages ­ the largest and oldest fair trade organization in North America ­ has been committed to increasing economic opportunities for women artisans in developing countries. "About 70 per cent of the artisans we buy from are women. It is this revenue flow ­ to some of the poorest countries in the world ­ that makes our mission come alive for people like Jaweria Namirembe of Uganda and Rani Mani of Bangladesh," said Marvin Frey, Executive Director of Ten Thousand Villages Canada. Purchasing fair trade products ­ jams, jewellery or beautiful handicrafts for the home ­ offers increased support to women in places such as Bangladesh, Uganda and Haiti by providing much needed income. Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit, fair trade organization that provides vital, fair income to people in the developing world by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship & Make Your Home Comfort More Affordable LENNOX SALE CENTRAL AIR & FURNACE ® Up to "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" $ 1000 * Instant Rebate 10 Years Parts & Labour Warranty * 905.849.0266 EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF THE WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT IN FLORIDA. WestJet Vacations is now booking vacations to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining includes round-trip airfare, Disney Resort accommodations, Magic Your Way Base Ticket and all the features of the Disney Dining Plan. This package offers you the easy and affordable way to experience a wide variety of select restaurants, and you can save up to 40% per person on dining. And as a Guest at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel, benefits like Disney's Magical Express and Extra Magic Hours are available to you. Book now at westjetvacations.com. Call us at 1 877 737 7001 or talk to your travel agent. NO PAYMENT! Financing Available *Call for Details NO INTEREST! As Low As $ 3995 /month FOR 6 MONTHS AND O.A.C. *OAC NO DUCTS · NO PROBLEM Save $350 on ductless air conditioners W E S T 7 locations to serve you better! 905-849-4998 www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665 Pre-Season BBQ Sale Held Over Due to Popular Demand Best Prices of the Season Gas Fireplace Repair and Installations 2007 Models In Stock We Service & Carry Parts for the following when we arrive at your door: Insta-Flame, Valor, Napoleon, Regency, Majestic, Heat-N-Glow, Heatolator, Selkirk, Vermont Casting, Osburn & Many Other Brands In Store Specials Hurry in! Sale ends March 3rd *6 month deferral O.A.C. "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" Problem Solving since 1982 Experience is the difference! E-MAIL: scott@gasfix.ca w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e r s . c o m ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905.337.2066 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE 905-845-0701