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"WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2001 - 7 Students' Antarctic odyssey way cool By Chris Hall Weekend Star A Prince Albert teen has returned home from a trip that saw him travel through South America before setting foot on Antarctica. After returning home on Monday from his 12-day adventure, 17-year-old Scott Duncan described his trip to the South Pole as "amazing". Taking part in the Students On Ice pro- gram, Mr. Duncan left home on Dec. 27, boarding a flight at Pearson Airport in. Toronto for New York City. About 100 people went on the voyage, including more than 50 other students from across Canada. They flew to Buenos Aires where they took a tour of the city before boarding another flight, this one headed to the southern tip of Argentina. There, they boarded the ship Marine Discoverys, and headed to the frozen con- tinent. The day-and-a-half trip to Antarctica was one to remember, said Mr. Duncan. "It was very, very rough. | got seasick at first and then went and lay on my bed," he said, recalling gale force winds and 15- metre waves. "It was a pretty bad crossing, and we were quite happy to see land. | guess doing that was pretty important; getting sick was sort of a rite of passage to Antarctica. There were only one or two students who didn't get sick." The group made their first landing on the third day of their trip, and were quite surprised at what they saw. Taking a five- minute ride from the ship via a Zodiac boat, the first group of students landed on a small island off continental Antarctica. "It wasn't what we expected ot all nothing what we thought it would be. | pictured all this ice and snow, but there was a big rock beach just covered in pen- guins," said Mr. Duncan. Most people didn't take into consideration "the horri- ble smell" of the penguins, he said. During their five-day stay just off the coast of Antarctica, the students made a total of 10 trips to land. Each trip lasted up to two hours. "We just really walked around and took a look at everything while the scien- tists did experiments, taking ice cores for research and studying the water and UV penetration into the ocean," said Mr. This penguin is stuffed, but Port Perry High School student Scott Duncan found himself frolicking with the real thing when he joined a voyage to - Antarctica as the new millennium dawned. Duncan. "We just really wandered around and took lots of pictures," he said, noting he shot about 300 frames himself. Mr. Duncan said that the students were told not to go within 15 metres of the penguins. "We were reminded to stay away from them, but sometimes if you sat down they would come up and see you. Some people were pecked by them." Most of the penguins stood about 18 inches high, while one Emperor Penguin sighted stood at least a metre tall. On the ship, the students listened to lectures about global warming and the ozone layer, as well as other environ- mental issues, and talked with each other. "We learned a lot about the effects of the glaciers and the ozone hole and glob- al warming and plenty about the biology on the continent," said Mr. Duncan. There was time to fit in some fun as well, he said. "The sun wasn't really up for 24 hours a day, but it never really set so it was always bright out. One day we had a bar- becue on the deck of the ship and it was quite warm in the sun," he said. Temperatures varied from about 10 degrees above zero to 10 degrees below 'the freezing mark it's summer in Antarctica - meaning students were wear- ing jeans and sweaters at one point of the day, and shorts and sandals a few hours later. A few students even took a swim while exploring Deception Island. "We went to see the old whaling base there and it's actually an active volcano with plenty of geothermal activity," said Mr. Duncan. "When we went swimming it was quite cold - it was during a blizzard - but when we got out we dug holes in the sand and let them fill in with water. It was like sit- ting in a hot tub; it was a really weird experience." Mr. Duncan first learned of the oppor- tunity to travel to Antarctica in a Port Perry Star article last spring. He applied for a spot on the trip, and found out he was selected for the adventure last June. Since then, Mr. Duncan, who attends Grade 12 at Port Perry High School, has worked hard raising cash for the trip, which cost each student approximately $8,900. | Family, friends and local businesses helped him raise $4,500. Each of the }2 students from the Durham District Board of Education -- including Carrie Joyce and Shane Hart from the Blackstock area -- ° also received $6,000 from the Board to help with their trip. "It was just an amazing experience, a real trip of a life time," he said. Lending a supporting hand were THe Antrim House, Baagwating Community Association, Back Bay Outfitters, Bernie Butler (Investor's Group), Brock's Department Store, Canadian Tire, Chuck Willes, Country Acres Driving Range, Dave Roth (Investor's Group), Dr. Kevin Dunkerley, Emmerson Insurance Brokers, Essence of Beauty, Flieler North End Petro Canada, George and Marie Jirka, Homestead Furniture, Lake Scugog Lumber, Mike Fowler, Mother Jackson's, Peggy Hunter, Port Perry Auto Glass, PPHS Student Council, Port Perry Optical, Prince Albert Public School, Port Perry Royal Bank, Tim Horton's, Greenbank UCW, and Utica Farm Equipment. Saturday Matinee Movies running at library Saturday Matinee Movies are still run- ning at the library for the younger set. As the name implies it is on Saturday after- noons starting at 2 p.m. and usually runs for about an hour and a half depending on the lenBth of the presentation. This Saturday, little ones, school age and up can enjoy "Balto," based on a true story of one of the most courageous canines known, it will surely touch the heart. The story has become a legend and will be enjoyed by your children. It runs until 3:20 p.m. and admission is free. Just call the library at 655-3191 in advance to reserve a seat. Senior's Enjoyment Brooklin Centennial Seniors are back at their weekly endeavours at Brooklin Community Centre. Each Monday, re 2 Brooklin Profile - By Roxanne Reveler Wednesday and Friday enjoy shuffle- board from | to 4 p.m. Each alternate Friday night, it's euchre, same place but starting at 7:30 p.m. Next Friday, Jan. 19 is the next euchre party which always includes prizes and refreshments, so mark it down now on the calendar. If you are 55+ join your friends and neighbours, you'll be welcomed heartily. Legion Stuff Saturday, Jan. 13 enjoy an evening of karaoke at Brooklin Legion. The fun starts at 8:30 p.m. so tune up your tonsils and turn up. No admission charge and you don't even have to bring along your show- er to sing. Just check your I.D. and make sure you're of legal age. Register Now Registration for the 'winter session of Meadowcrest/St. Leo's Community School programs will be held this coming week. The six week classes, which begin Jan. 22 include a wide variety of sports, crafts, etc. for both children and adults alike and class costs vary, although all are very inex- pensive. Sign up at Meadow®rest PS. on Saturday, Jan. 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or on Monday and Tuesday (Jan. 15 and 16) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. If you would like any additional information concern- ing available classes and prices call either 655-5136 or 655-7205. Euchre Whitby Senior's Centre will be holding a euchre at Brooklin Community Centre on Tuesday, Jan. 16 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Dolly and the gang will be hosting this event, so don't miss this opportunity for a covers entry, euchre, prizes and refresh- change room again. He took one look at great honey, get that one." She looked a wearing when we came in." Ooops, fun afternoon. The cost of $2 per person ments. You won't find a better bargoon anywhere. Hmmm... Not one to pass up the after Christmas sales, | headed into the big smoke to visit some of my favourite clothing stores. | notice a nervous, edgy young fellow sit- ting in one of the two "husband chairs" as I browsed and after about 15 minutes and five outfits, the guy's wife came out of the her and immediately said: "that looks just little pouty and replied "this is what | was Explain that one. Poor Joung chap. Call 655-4420 with submissions.