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20 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 21, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com ThinkFast at Loyola brings hunger home By Priscilla Hwang GRADE 12, ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA H unger was in the air as 27 famished students from St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School par- ticipated in Loyola's annual ThinkFast, Friday, Feb. 29 to Saturday, March 1. These student representatives showed great dedication and persistence while fasting for 24 hours from 3 p.m. Friday until 3 p.m. Saturday. Throughout the 24 hours, no solid food was allowed; water, 100 per cent fruit juices and non-caffeinated teas were the only consumables the students were permitted to have. In co-operation with the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, the students of Loyola gathered to raise awareness of global and social injustice in the school community. For many students, ThinkFast was a familiar experience, having participated in previous years. For others, this first-time challenge was a very heart-warming, yet, stomach-aching experience. The students and their student leaders ran activities such as the PowerDown Olympics, Scavenger hunts, and dodge ball. All scheduled activities were well incorporated with current social injustice, poverty, and environmental issues. Students were enabled to participate freely in discussions and activities raising awareness of the global conflicts in the twenty-first century. "This is my final year and I wanted to try something new," said Lauren Shenoy, a Grade 12 student preparing for university this year. "My friends recommended ThinkFast, a lot of Grade 12s are doing it this year." In fact, more than half of the participants this year were in Grade 12. Their motives were to leave Loyola having done a good deed and having made a change in the community. There were even two former Loyola students, returning for another year of ThinkFast; they will be giving presentations next year on Pro-life and Social Injustice. "It's a great experience that everyone should partake in. I mean, going to bed (hungry) one night isn't that bad considering the millions of kids in the world who go to bed hungry every night," said ThinkFast student leader Monica Smith. The many social injustice movies, activities, and speeches allowed students to think out of the box and criticize the world today. Moreover, the group of students generated a sense of acceptance and community that encouraged students to express their opinions and share their insights. During an interview, Mr. Campanelli, the school chaplain and also the co-ordinator of the event said, "ThinkFast helps students become aware of our other brothers and sisters who live in poverty in our world today. Likewise, it is a community builder. New people are always welcome and I always see new relationships develop throughout the event." Many students agreed they are truly fortunate; they feel very blessed to live such a liberal and abundant lifestyle. Markedly, ThinkFast helped the students to empathize with the millions of children and teens who go to bed hungry night after night. The event concluded with a Multicultural Potluck luncheon -- a definite highlight of the retreat, and together, the Loyola ThinkFast participants raised more than $1,700 in pledges for Development and Peace. "You see the world in a different light, a different perspective, when you can't get stuff from the refrigerator or the grocery store," said a student participant of ThinkFast, 2008.