Page 130 – Algonquin Times

Students receive instant resume feedback thanks to VMock

On Feb. 1, Jessica Andrews and Lindsay Bortot from the Employment Centre introduced a new tool called “VMock” to students. VMock offers real-time feedback through the use of artificial intelligence, […]

Huijun Li

Photos: Huijun Li

February 16, 2023
Revised: February 26, 2023 7:46pm

Photo: Huijun Li

Construction engineering technician student Wajih Elzohbi asks file uploading questions.

On Feb. 1, Jessica Andrews and Lindsay Bortot from the Employment Centre introduced a new tool called “VMock” to students.

VMock offers real-time feedback through the use of artificial intelligence, providing students with 24/7 access to personalized services. The tool leverages data science, machine learning, and natural language processing to give instant, personalized feedback on resumes based on global best practices.

“VMock can assist you in writing your resume in several ways,” said Andrews. “It can detect grammar and spelling errors. With VMock, you can receive guidance on the content and focus of each section of your resume and receive clear recommendations on how to improve it.”

As described by Andrews and Bortot, the version of VMock available to Algonquin students is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Employment Centre.

“It is recommended to use either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for the best user experience,” Bortot suggested. “Each student is allotted 10 uploads per academic year and must review the detailed feedback provided by VMock to adjust their resume.”

VMock scores the resume based on best practices and community guidelines with the aim of reaching a score in the green zone, rather than 100%.

“However, VMock only provides feedback on resumes and interview skills, and does not provide feedback on cover letters,” she added.

VMock provides two feedbacks. System Feedback breaks down the resume score into three categories: impact, presentation, and competency. Targeted Feedback, on the other hand, allows students to scan their resume bullet-point by bullet-point and make specific changes to maximize impact. The targeted feedback includes information on the use of action verbs, bullet length, and specifics.

“The VMock workshop is great and the tool is incredibly helpful,” said Wajih Elzohbi after the workshop, a second-year student in the construction engineering technician program. “I’m working on updating my resume and sometimes I feel overwhelmed. VMock helps me focus on specific issues and not only checks for spelling errors, but also provides advice on style. It’s a fantastic guidance for students like me.”

VMock also allows students to customize their feedback by adding words that they know are correctly spelled to the platform’s dictionary. This way, they won’t be marked down for spelling errors for these terms in the future.

VMock is available for students enrolled in any full-time, on-campus program at the Ottawa, Perth or Pembroke campuses. For further support with cover letters, students can book an appointment with an advisor through HireAC.

To access the platform, AC students must log in to the website (vmock.com/algonquincollege) using their Algonquin Live email. Once logged in, students can either create a new resume using provided templates or upload their current resume in PDF format to receive feedback within a minute.

News

Artificial intelligence | Resume

Huijun Li

See more articles by
Huijun Li

Wolves unsatisfied after beating Huskies in women’s basketball

Despite winning 57-46, the Algonquin Wolves women’s basketball team felt it could’ve played better against the George Brown Huskies on Saturday. The Wolves started the game with the upper hand, […]

Mingan Wang

Photos: Mingan Wang

February 16, 2023
Revised: February 16, 2023 11:06am

Photo: Mingan Wang

Dasia MacDonald (wearing number four) passes the ball by a player from the Huskies.

Despite winning 57-46, the Algonquin Wolves women’s basketball team felt it could’ve played better against the George Brown Huskies on Saturday.

The Wolves started the game with the upper hand, scoring 20 in the first quarter, and finishing the quarter with a score of 20-9.

The Huskies started to close the gap in the second quarter.

Faith Wandji managed to make a breathtaking jump shot at the end of the third quarter and brought three points to the Wolves. Both teams scored 11 points in the third quarter.

The Wolves ended the fourth quarter of the game with a score of nine, outscored by the George Brown Huskies, 9-13.

“We got the ‘W,’ but probably wasn’t our best performance of the year,” said Wolves coach Jaime McLean. “I think we went away from the absolute basics, which really hurt us today, we weren’t finishing the way we want to be finishing, we’re letting the girls on the other team do what they want to do, instead of us trying to control that pace and time.”

The coach wasn’t the only one who felt this way.

“I think we executed somewhat to not really our standard, it was definitely not our best game,” said player Jade Lyons. “Our standard in September has been discipline defence and discipline offence, and we didn’t do either of those today, so, we won, but we’re kind of disappointed.”

The Wolves will face Durham on Saturday, and according to McLean, it’s going to be a tough game. “Last time, it was an eight-point game, so this week’s practice will be very important for us,” said McLean.

Sports & Recreation

George Brown Huskies | Wolves | Women's basketball

Mingan Wang

See more articles by
Mingan Wang

Trudeau to attend CARICOM assembly to discuss aid to Haiti

Local: CBC: Ottawa police are investigating the death of 18-year-old Omar Al-Khalidi after being taken to The Ottawa Hospital’s General campus on Feb. 14. Al-Khalidi died from injuries after being […]

Justin Hancock-Lefebour

Photos:

February 16, 2023
Revised: February 16, 2023 10:42am

Local:

CBC: Ottawa police are investigating the death of 18-year-old Omar Al-Khalidi after being taken to The Ottawa Hospital’s General campus on Feb. 14.

Al-Khalidi died from injuries after being shot by an unknown suspect.

Police said in a news release issued Wednesday that they were called to the hospital before 7 p.m.

They suggested the shooting happened on Station Boulevard just north of the General campus. Police have not given any information about arrests or suspects.

National:

CBC: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to the Bahamas to attend the CARICOM heads of government meeting relating to aid in Haiti.

Climate change, migration and food insecurity will be the main issues talked about at the meeting.

CARICOM marks its 50th anniversary after Trudeau’s arrival. This will mark Canada’s return to Caribbean politics. Stephen Harper was the last Prime Minister to attend a CARICOM meeting in the Caribbean’s in 2007.

The Canadian government has provided $90 million in humanitarian and development assistance to Haiti in 2022-23.

Global:

Global news: China plans on taking measures against U.S. entities after American officials shot down a suspected spy balloon.

China has returned spying accusations against Washington, alongside its threats of retaliation. China initially expressed regret over the balloon’s entrance into U.S. airspace.

China says the balloon was an unmanned weather airship and accused the U.S. of overreacting after bringing down the balloon with a missile fired from an F-22 fighter jet. China says the balloon had accidentally blown off course.

The United States has sanctioned six Chinese entities it said are linked to Beijing’s aerospace programs after the downing on Feb. 4.

News

News briefs | News curation

Justin Hancock-Lefebour

See more articles by
Justin Hancock-Lefebour

AC Purple Couch gets students talking about mental health

Students discussed some of their mental health issues near the Nawapon entrance on Feb. 7 the AC Purple Couch initiative. This event offers students a safe space to talk with […]

Justin Hancock-Lefebour

Photos: Justin Hancock-Lefebour

February 16, 2023
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm

Photo: Justin Hancock-Lefebour

Connor Sunderland, a museum studies student, stands by the AC Purple Couch after having a talk with student health leaders.

Students discussed some of their mental health issues near the Nawapon entrance on Feb. 7 the AC Purple Couch initiative.

This event offers students a safe space to talk with trained student leaders about mental health issues and to present students to the college’s resources.

“We run this event to target mental health. We’re just trying to start a conversation here,” said Jules Medeiros, a student health promoter. “It’s an opportunity for anyone to come sit on the Purple Couch and talk about anything that’s going on in their life and specifically mental health.”

Medeiros’ advice for students would be to talk. “It’s what connects us all and talking about our struggles makes us all relatable to each other,” she said. “It makes going through things easier. When they see the Purple Couch, they recognize it. So people know that it’s a safe place to come sit and talk.”

Elizabeth Peña-Fernandez, a health promotion and education coordinator, said they found it’s better going directly to students to give them resources instead of waiting for them to come.

“That is the only way in which (students) can find someone, something, or some resource to receive this help,” said Peña-Fernandez. “If we don’t talk about then who will know it.”

Elizabeth Peña-Fernandez (left) and Jules Medeiros (right) greeting students attending the event. — Elizabeth Peña-Fernandez (left), a health promotion and education coordinator, and Jules Medeiros (right), a student health promoter, greet students attending the event. Photo credit: Justin Hancock-Lefebour

Adam Johnson, a radio and broadcasting student took part in the event.

“Well I just got out of counselling at the college and I figured might as well see what’s happening,” he said.

Johnson said going to counselling at the college has helped him greatly. “I really appreciate having the opportunity to talk about my problems with someone who’s experienced. I would strongly suggest going.”

Delbert Budge, a computer system tech networking, figured a stranger would be easier to talk with than somebody they know.

“Small talking here and there between friends, family and what not, but also to get an unbiased opinion,” said Budge. “I like to talk to somebody that is a complete stranger.”

Connor Sunderland, a museum studies student, saw the event as a good opportunity to talk to someone.

“Ultimately I’ve been sitting on a lot of things. It’s been a lot of late nights sitting there thinking about issues in my own life,” Sunderland said. “You just think about the same issue every night for like a week. You think you should probably talk about it at some point.”

What advice does Sunderland give to students going through these tough times?

“I think the big thing is to try to be vulnerable and talk about it,” he said. “Take that leap of faith, especially in scenarios like this. It’s so much better to take that risk because it’s probably going to end up well.”

Featured Story | Life

Mental health | Purple couch

Justin Hancock-Lefebour

See more articles by
Justin Hancock-Lefebour

Air at the AC Hub fills with love on Valentine’s Day

Singles and couples gathered in the AC Hub for some Valentine’s Day cheer and free donuts. The AC Hub hosted a Valentine’s Day event Feb. 14, between 4 p.m. and […]

Kate Playfair

Photos: Kate Playfair

February 15, 2023
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm

Photo: Kate Playfair

Simran Damian, Aman Basra and Simran Chouhan enjoying donuts and drinks.

Singles and couples gathered in the AC Hub for some Valentine’s Day cheer and free donuts.

The AC Hub hosted a Valentine’s Day event Feb. 14, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., featuring snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, cookie decorating, trivia, a photo booth and plenty of time to mingle. The event was open to all current Algonquin students, whether they brought a date or not.

“I saw a post about this event today on the Algonquin SA Instagram page,” said Karnavie Panchotiya, 25, a fitness and health student. “I don’t have any classes (today), so I just thought I’d take myself on a date.”

This is the first Valentine’s Day event hosted at the college since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the AC Hub’s event programmer and the creator of this event, Samantha Therrien. She was very excited to bring this event to life and re-imagine the definition of “love”.

“I just love a good theme, so I had to do something fun for Valentine’s Day,” said Therrien. “It’s just a nice day to, like, not only celebrate love, but I wanted to give students the opportunity to do something if they don’t have plans or if they don’t have something to do. To show that love isn’t just romantic love, it’s friendship love, it’s self-love. Take a little time out of your day, do our event, spoil yourself with treats, and to give students something to do on this day that can sometimes be sad and lonely for people.”

Some students used the event as a way to enjoy Valentine’s Day with their partners at school.

Brayden Hermann and his girlfriend of three years, Julia Almeida, enjoyed their Valentine’s Day in the AC Hub decorating cookies and dressing up for photos.

“I was just looking at the events happening at the school, and one day I just happened to look at the whole thing for this semester, and I saw this come up,” said Hermann, 23, a computer engineering technology student. “And I said, hey, why not sign up for this, so I said to her, hey, we should go to this event.”

“We were both going to be in school, so I thought it would be cute,” said Almeida, 20, an accounting student.

While advertised as the “day of love,” the Valentine’s Day event welcomed all students to attend and have a good time, despite the label.

“I just wanted to check it out,” said Rakin Islam, 30, a computer programming student. “I don’t attend a lot of on-campus events, and I guess I’m just trying to meet new people. Whatever happens, happens.”

“Usually, I come here to study,” said Clark Pauo-hector, 23, a drawing foundations student. “But I noticed what was going on here, and I saw free donuts and I was like, ooo, free donuts, okay cool.”

In addition to the free food, prizes were also offered to the winner of a Valentine’s Day-themed Kahoot. Daniel Bouchard, a first-year radio broadcasting student, walked away with a $50 Visa gift card and an Algonquin College T-shirt.

To view upcoming events hosted at the Ottawa campus, please visit the Algonquin College Events Calendar, https://www.algonquincollege.com/studentsupportservices/events/.

Arts & Entertainment | Featured Story

AC Hub | Valentine's day

Kate Playfair

See more articles by
Kate Playfair

‘Fearless’ bartending student left her 30-year career as a pharmacist to seek joy

The assignment in a mixology class in the H-building one February afternoon was to make an alcoholic coffee. Ed Sheeran was singing from the professor’s laptop, the students’ glasses were […]

Arty Sarkisian

Photos: Arty Sarkisian

February 15, 2023
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm

Photo: Arty Sarkisian

“Manhattan. You think of someone from New York. A bitter New Yorker, so you put bitter in it,” said Pat Beckett, mixing a Manhattan for class.

The assignment in a mixology class in the H-building one February afternoon was to make an alcoholic coffee. Ed Sheeran was singing from the professor’s laptop, the students’ glasses were clinking and everyone was about to put some whipped cream on top of their drinks. Instead, there was a shout.

“Stop everything! Don’t put that on your drink!” said Patricia Becket. The class stopped. Beckett had accidentally sugared a batch of whipped cream with salt. The class laughed at the mix-up. So did Beckett. Then she whipped up a new batch. This time with sugar. That’s what she does – she never takes herself too seriously.

Patricia “Pat” Beckett, is studying bartending at Algonquin College. Her hobbies include being an opera soloist, an open-water swimmer and a dog enthusiast. But after an almost 30-year career as a pharmacist, Beckett decided to return to school this January and become a student again.

Beckett has worked in almost every field of pharmacy. She has travelled all across Ontario doing relief pharmacy. She has served in the Canadian military – she is highly professional and experienced. But several years ago she asked herself “Am I happy?” She wasn’t.

“It’s always tempting to stay with what you’ve got,” Beckett said. “It can be very frightening to let go of that safety net. But I thought ‘Just do it!’”

Robert J. Sawyer, Beckett’s brother-in-law, describes her admiringly as “fearless and crazy.”

“She leaps before she looks,” he said.

Back in Toronto, several years ago, Beckett did a couple of shifts for a catering company and she loved it. She was serving a Seder, meal celebrating the Jewish nation’s exodus from Egyptian slavery.

“The dinner was big. And the family wanted it to be perfect,” Beckett said. “And it was perfect.”

The event helped bring her to the idea that serving people, serving them well, helping their day, can be extremely satisfying. And bartending seemed similar enough to her life’s career.

“People go to see a pharmacist when they’re unwell,” said Sawyer. “They go to a bar to either drown their sorrows or to forget about their cares for a while. And I guess Pat has decided that she would rather be the sympathetic ear than the one dispensing medicinal cure.”

The leap from her old career to her new one comes with some challenges, however. For instance, bartending students at Algonquin should be able to make five cocktails in 2.5 minutes. For a former pharmacist, this can be tricky.

“I’m always looking at the directions, pausing, because that’s how I’ve been trained,” Beckett said.

In pharmacy, she had to double- and triple-check everything, but now she has to get used to speed being more important than accuracy.

Beckett makes up stories to better remember all the ingredients. She records her voice and listens to the recipes before going to sleep.

“Manhattan. You think of someone from New York. A bitter New Yorker, so you put bitter in it,” she said. “I won’t tell you how I memorized the Porn Star – that’s a bit perverted.”

But still, mixing five cocktails in 2.5 minutes is often too fast for Beckett. She is the oldest and the slowest student in the group.

“I want to become the best bartender I can be,” she said. “I want to take my time with it.”

But a perfect idea of a perfect future does make her smile.

“I would like to own a piano bar,” she said. “To have all my musician friends come and play, and I could have theme nights. It would be so beautiful.”

For now, she organizes cocktail parties at her house, inviting her classmates, friends and neighbours to drink and have fun.

“I would hire her right away,” said Ezio Margiotta, Beckett’s bartending professor. “Look at her. My mom is not alive anymore, but I wish she would actually do that.”

Although the news about the “big switch” stunned her family, they are very supportive of her decision.

Sawyer learned about it in the “Clink fashion.” Clink is Beckett’s maiden name. “They never talk, the Clinks, but they send emails to each other. So, in a group email, we discovered this. And we’re thrilled for her,” Sawyer said.

Of course, a 62-year-old pharmacist going back to college to study bartending is unusual. The decision she made was unpredictable.

“It takes courage to be Pat,” said Meg Yuan, Beckett’s classmate.

But Beckett does things when everybody else doesn’t. She asks questions when everybody else is silent. She continues when everybody else is ready to stop.

“Going back to college is a game for the young,” Sawyer said. “But Pat is young at heart, so she will do well.”

Featured Story | Life

Bartending | Careers

Arty Sarkisian

See more articles by
Arty Sarkisian

Ottawa Senators extinguish Calgary Flames

The Ottawa Senators forged a remarkable late comeback to take down the Calgary Flames in historic fashion at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday night. With Anton Forsberg out for […]

Brandon Plant

Photos: Alex Lambert

February 14, 2023
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm

Photo: Alex Lambert

Fans brought bristle boards in preparation to secure respective wishes at the Sens vs. Flames game on Monday.

The Ottawa Senators forged a remarkable late comeback to take down the Calgary Flames in historic fashion at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday night.

With Anton Forsberg out for the next two or three months after tearing his MCL in both knees and Cam Talbot still sidelined with a groin injury, 2019 second-round draft selection Mads Søgaard made his third career NHL start.

Søgaard was tested early, fighting off the Flames offensive attack.

Seven minutes into the first period, Brady Tkachuk scored the opening goal of the game off a breakaway rush against Flames netminder Jacon Markstrom.

Ottawa Senators captain, Brady Tkachuk, tossing excited fans with posters a puck at the Sens vs Flames game on Monday. Photo credit: Alex Lambert

The opening marker gave the Senators captain 21 goals on the season and four in his last five games.

With the Senators on the man advantage, Derrick Brassard got penalized for holding, nullifying Ottawa’s man advantage.

Senators fans were not pleased. The booing inside the Canadian Tire Centre was relentless.

It would only get louder as the Flames on the ensuing powerplay would strike to even the game at one.

Dillon Dube would get the equalizer with a tip out front off a blistering shot from the blue line by defenceman Noah Hanifin.

The Senators weren’t alone in their dismay of the officiating, as both teams seemingly were frustrated with the officials in the first period, resulting in many large hits and scrums after every whistle.

Players brawling due to a Flames player sending the puck into the net after the whistle at the Sens vs Flames game on Monday. Photo credit: Alex Lambert

As the second period began, the Senators had no response to the Flames relentless offensive attack.

Søgaard tried his best to keep it tied for his club, but ultimately Ottawa would succumb to Calgary’s unrelenting pressure.

Six minutes into the second period, as the Flames powerplay came to an end, Tyler Toffoli along the left hashmark fired a shot low glove side past Søgaard to give Calgary its first lead of the night.

As the second period came to a close, it looked as if the Senators had no chance to claw their way back into the game.

The Flames after 40 minutes of play were outshooting the Senators by a preposterous amount and were dominating the play. The Flames had 27 shots and the Senators only had 11.

Things would only get worse for the Senators in the third period, as the Flames early on would extend their lead to a two-goal advantage.

Dube would strike for the second time in the game, beating Søgaard five-hole, as a defensive breakdown left Senator defenceman Thomas Chabot exposed and unable to properly defend.

With less than five minutes remaining in the game, many spectators began to head for the exits, not knowing the history that was about to take place.

With the net empty with less than three minutes remaining in the game, Drake Batherson put home the rebound off a Tim Stützle shot to cut the deficit to one.

Suddenly the Senators had life.

Less than a minute later, superstar Alex DeBrincat unloaded a top-shelf one-time blast over the right shoulder of Markstrom to even the game at three.

The Canadian Tire Centre faithful erupted as if they had just won the lottery.

In some ways, they had. This game was like none other in Senators history.

The Senators had remarkably clawed their way back to tie the game with two goals in the final 120 seconds, and the remaining fans inside the Canadian Tire Centre had the building shaking with jubilation.

After the Flames dominated nearly 58 minutes of this game, the Sens pulled off the impossible and forced overtime.

In the extra frame, it only took 90 seconds for the Senators to complete the comeback and as well make history.

Less than two minutes into the overtime period, DeBrincat fed Stützle through the neutral zone, using his speed to blow past Flames defender Mackenzie Weegar, and tucked in the overtime game-winning goal under the blocker of Markstrom.

The Senators mobbed Stützle in the corner as the Ottawa goal horn blared.

With Stützle’s winning goal, the Senators had completed their latest comeback victory in franchise history.

Tim Stützle had four points, including the game-winning goal. Søgaard made 34 saves en route to his second career NHL victory, and DeBrincat extended his point streak to four straight games.

The Senators will look to make it two straight wins on Tuesday night against the Islanders in New York.

Featured Story | Sports & Recreation

Canadian Tire centre | Hockey | NHL | Ottawa Senators | Sens

Brandon Plant

See more articles by
Brandon Plant

College doesn’t offer financial aid to Ukrainians and Russians escaping war

Algonquin College doesn’t provide financial help to students affected by the war in Ukraine if they arrived in Canada after the beginning of Russia’s invasion, according to Ernest Mulvey, director […]

Arty Sarkisian

Photos: Arty Sarkisian

February 14, 2023
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm

Photo: Arty Sarkisian

“It doesn't bother me to have to pitch in to cover someone else's fees,” said Evan McNeil.

“You should arrive with the money to support yourself. You should not be arriving and then claiming that you can’t get the money,” Mulvey said.

Usually, international students are not eligible for fee deferrals, which means they cannot ask to extend their payment deadline via ACSIS. However, the college has made an exception for students who came to Canada before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Those who came after the beginning of the war “arrived in Canada with the full knowledge of what is happening with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” according to Mulvey.

Galya Sioui, a first-year police foundations student, thinks that considering the circumstances students, arriving after the invasion are the ones who need help the most.

“It’s a war. They escape the war. They should get help,” Sioui said.

Sioui came to Canada almost 30 years ago. Originally from Russia, she has been a Canadian citizen since 2014. She doesn’t want to identify herself as Russian.

“Yes, it’s a Russian name, but I’m not,” she said.

Evan McNeil, a third-year networking technology student, agreed that if the college has made a commitment to help students affected by the invasion, “they should go all the way with it.”

A total of 13 students, who arrived in Canada from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus before the invasion, had their fees deferred, according to International Education Centre. However, not meeting the new payment deadline could result in a one-time penalty of $150.

“That was an expensive proposition on the part of the college. It’s several thousands of dollars,” Mulvey said.

McNeil didn’t mind his tuition fees being spent on the newcomers affected by Russia’s aggression.

“It doesn’t bother me to have to pitch in to cover someone else’s fees. And I don’t think they’re helping enough,” said McNeil when asked about his tuition fees being spent on financial aid to international students

The policy was the same for students from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus and was based on the principle of “students arriving in good faith.” They couldn’t control the decisions their governments made, and “once those decisions were made, they were essentially being punished,” according to Mulvey.

Both Sioui and McNeil said that they would also like to see the college offering financial aid to students from countries experiencing other kinds of crises.

“I think they’ve set a precedent now. I think if a student has come from a country, like Turkey or Syria after the earthquake, they should be given a leeway for payment deferral, payment support, grants, whatever it is,” McNeil said.

Sioui was visibly worried about all the students who didn’t have the funds to pay their fees and thus couldn’t start or continue their studies.

“It’s concerning,” she said. “Concerning because young people… they didn’t choose to… there is a war right now… It’s unfair.”

Featured Story | News

Financial aid | International students | Russia | Ukraine | War

Arty Sarkisian

See more articles by
Arty Sarkisian

Wolves defeated by Huskies after a ‘very tough game’

The Algonquin Wolves fell short on Saturday night, losing 93-83 to first place team, George Brown Huskies. The Feb. 11 game started off poorly for the Wolves, losing the first […]

Marco Ghosn

Photos: Marco Ghosn

February 14, 2023
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm

Photo: Marco Ghosn

CJ Gallaza (right) driving the ball past Naseem Barry (left) on Feb.11

The Algonquin Wolves fell short on Saturday night, losing 93-83 to first place team, George Brown Huskies.

The Feb. 11 game started off poorly for the Wolves, losing the first quarter in dominant fashion by 19 points with a score line of 35-16.

That was the only quarter the Wolves lost in the game. Winning the second quarter 19-17, tying the third quarter 20-20 and winning the fourth quarter 28-21.

The late attack, however, wasn’t enough to break the 19-point lead that the Wolves gave up to start the game.

“Very tough game,” said Trevor Costello, the head coach of the Algonquin Wolves. “Number three team in the country. We knew what we were in for, we knew we prepared for all week for the pressure. We didn’t handle it the best. The score looked respectable, but really it wasn’t really a ten-point game. It went 20 to 10, so really not a good result, but we knew we were going to be in tough and we lost. When you play the top teams in the country you got to be ready to play.”

“We went over stuff all week, but we just didn’t execute early,” he said. “Got it close and then suddenly, they went on a run with steal, steal, steal and that was basically the game. We didn’t handle the turnovers well and it turned into easy points for them.”

Costello was pleased to see his bench players stepping up and proving a point that they deserve to be at this high and competitive level. This was a positive taken from Saturday nights result.

“Couple of the bench guys stepped up,” said Costello. “Chris Kambu stepped up. He’s been playing better and again he showed a little bit that he’s getting better. Tarek (Sauve-Mohamed) came on and got a little steal. It’s a long process for a couple guys on the bench, but a couple guys showed that they’re trying to get better and maybe they can play at this level.”

The Algonquin Wolves hope to get back to their winning ways Friday night at home against the Fleming Knights.

Featured Story | Sports & Recreation

Algonquin Wolves | Basketball | George Brown Huskies

Marco Ghosn

See more articles by
Marco Ghosn

Masabo offers a blissful one-hour escape in the Student Commons

A long time ago, there lived a village man who was given the wisdom of the entire world. He greedily kept it for himself. He decided to put it all […]

Brahim Ait Ouzineb

Photos: Brahim Ait Ouzineb

February 14, 2023
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm

Photo: Brahim Ait Ouzineb

Each member of the group has a place under the spotlights. The audience savours the beats and the traditional dance and stories from West Africa.

A long time ago, there lived a village man who was given the wisdom of the entire world. He greedily kept it for himself. He decided to put it all in his calabash – a container – on top of the coconut tree. He then tied this calabash in front of him and instructed his son to wait at the bottom.

His son reminded him to put the container on his back so it wouldn’t break. The father, however, threw the calabash against the tree, furious that his little child was smarter than he is. The calabash broke and all the wisdom inside reached the entire universe.

Algonquin College’s audience listened attentively to this African fable on wisdom told by Masabo performer, Jean Pierre Makosso on Feb. 7 in the Student Commons.

Masabo, literally the house of the wise, is where villagers in West Africa come to receive advice. During the Masabo shows, stories precede music and dance.

Makosso’s story opened an event that would go on to see students jump and swirl to a feast of traditional dance and stories from West Africa. It was also the first of five events taking place to honour Black History Month.

“Black History Month is not just about what happened in the past,” said Shurouq Kamleh, a second-level pre-health program student. “Sharing the love through dance is such a powerful way to convey a message.”

Originally from the tribe of Senoufou in Ivory Coast, Fana Soro is a master of the balafon, a xylophone, and the group’s founder. After touring the world, he settled in Vancouver in 1997. He then moved to Ottawa in 2009 where he started Masabo musical group.

“The new generations abroad do not get to see such shows,” said Soro. “They give them an idea and ignite their curiosity about our life celebration, our roots and traditions. It is an opportunity for us to bring our culture to celebrate, represent and reconnect with Africa.”

Around 40 students witnessed an array of traditional dances and sound for the performance Celebrate Africa with Masabo. Each artist on his instrument got their share of the spotlight and took the lead in one of the dances.

“Music and movies are a start. If the different black communities on campus also participated and show their own cultures,” says Leila Simplice, a 2nd-year interior design student. — “Music and movies are a start. If the different Black communities on campus also participated and show their own cultures, I feel like that would be really nice,” says Leila Simplice, a second-year interior design student. Photo credit: Brahim Ait Ouzineb

Passersby stopped at the sight of the drums, djembe and colourful clothes. They listened to the stories of Makosso and Soro and at intermissions, the performers would talk to students about the joy of Africans and the cultural heritage of Africa.

They explained that culture welcomes them to be performers too. Some of the students would then join them on the stage to dance and move to the beats.

“Anyone who can walk, can dance,” said Soro, to the audience.

During the performance, Soro encouraged the whole audience to participate in group choreography.

Kamleh, who attended the whole event, was not only entertained by the event.

“The men’s demeanor and the audience share the energy and the love,” Kamleh said.

Celebrating Africa should happen every day, not just in February, explained Makosso during the performance.

Students, too, need the college to offer more resources for such cultural events to thrive according to Elsie Akuzwe, an African Student Alliance board member. However, Akuzwe also trusts the Students’ Association to handle events like this well. They do a good job of connecting them to a general audience.

“Students want to learn about the culture, but they lack the resources. It would be cool if we could have an African club," says Muyoboke (red parka on the left) — “Students want to learn about the culture, but they lack the resources. It would be cool if we could have an African club," says Muyoboke (right) with group members Mohamed Diarra (left) and Fode Bamba Camara. Photo credit: Brahim Ait Ouzineb

Sylvane Muyoboke, a level-one practical nursing student, would like to see more.

“Students want to learn about the culture, but they lack the resources,” said Muyoboke. “It would be cool if we could have an African club. The college can provide them a platform to educate others on their cultures.” For Muyoboke, music and movies are just a part of the culture.

Sofia Gbadamosi, a level-two practical nursing student, says African cultures are so varied at Algonquin College.

“Music and movies are a start,” said Leila Simplice, a second-year interior design student. “If the different Black communities on campus also participated and showed their own cultures, I feel like that would be really nice.”

Featured Story | News

Black History Month | Commons theatre | Dance