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In the age of social media and AI, do Algonquin College students trust the news they see online?

In a fractured and quickly evolving media landscape, knowing how to discern trustworthy news sources from unreliable sources is more crucial than ever

Kevin Clasper-Inglis

Photos:

November 28, 2025
Revised: November 28, 2025 4:39pm

A laptop displaying social media and news websites.

Nolan Berger, a student in early childhood education at Algonquin College, gets his news from social media, mainly TikTok. But he realizes that’s not a reliable source of information.

“You have to be more careful now with AI, there’s a lot of fake news on all social media,” he said.

“You have to be careful on Instagram. I’ll see a lot of stuff on there, like someone died and then people repost it to their stories. I don’t really look for it. It just comes across my feed.

“A whole account can be fake news. That’s all they do. Like people will send it as a joke because it’s obviously fake.”

Nolan Berger, an early childhood education student. Photo credit: Kevin Clasper-Inglis

A new collaborative initiative from the Winnipeg Free Press and the Manitoba government aims to bring journalistic expertise and teach media literacy skills to classrooms across Manitoba through various participatory initiatives that teach students about media and journalistic integrity.

The initiative is more pertinent than ever and not just for Manitoba, given the multitude of pressures bearing down on the media industry.

Those include a changing business environment due to social media and government legislation and the rapid adoption of AI, which encourages the proliferation of false news more than ever.

The Free Press 101 homepage. Photo credit: Kevin Clasper-Inglis

Students at Algonquin College say that they are seeing those changes themselves when looking at online news.

According to the Handbook for Journalism Education and Training, a media literacy resource developed by UNESCO, AI technology is being used to proliferate fake news using bot accounts and “deep fakes,” hyper-realistic videos that feature the likenesses of real people that look and sound real.

While bot accounts are often easily detectable, deepfakes are increasingly harder to single out. According to UNESCO this poses a very high risk of spreading disinformation and fraudulent content made by bad actors to discredit others.

The UNESCO handbook on disinformation Photo credit: UNESCO

Zack Harous, an Algonquin College student, agrees that AI proliferating fake news is a problem but he believes it blow out of proportion.

“There has always been fake news,” said Harous.

“Everybody blatantly lies online and I think AI is just another step towards that, but at least it’s got more research behind it.”

He admits that there is still some risk to it, however.

“For me, it’s pretty easy to spot, but for older people, they might not be able to tell the difference between a human-written article and an AI-written article,” he said.

“I think AI is okay where it is now, but it could be a bit more regulated.”

Zack Harous Photo credit: Kevin Clasper-Inglis

The Free Press project also offers “The Free Press 101,” an online resource that outlines journalism best practices, including accuracy in reporting, how to acquire stories, and how to distinguish between fact-based and opinion journalism.

Nathan Holmes, a paramedicine student at the college, believes he knows how to fact-check news he sees online accurately.

He tries to read articles from authors that he already knows are trustworthy and have a track record of verifiably fact-based reporting.

Reading contradicting facts in two different stories about the same subject will set off Holmes’ alarm bells towards both pieces.

“Maybe if I’ve read something previous that says something different from what I’m reading now, I’m thinking two different things, like okay, one of these things is true, maybe they’re both true,” said Holmes.

“It makes me question both sources.”

Alex Sundaresan, a TV production student, says his trust in mainstream news has been diminished because of the increased use of AI.

“AI has drastically impacted my willingness to trust a lot of mainstream news sources because I would prefer them to be reported upon by actual humans with human interests rather than have like a couple of keywords be shoved into an algorithm that is then reverberated back to me,” he said.

Alex Sundarasen, a TV program student. Photo credit: Kevin Clasper-Inglis

Sundaresan believes that most mainstream news has become much more impersonal and sensationalist, partly due to the emphasis on online platforms. He makes an effort to fact-check whatever he reads.

“I do make an effort to fact-check if I think the headlines are being sensationalist or clickbait-y,” he said.

Holmes believes that young people today would greatly benefit from having more mandatory media literacy education from a young age.

He has benefited from classes where he was taught some basic media literacy skills, like how to read the news objectively and to watch out for bias in reporting.

He believes that others of his Gen Z cohort struggle to apply critical skepticism to what they read and see online.

Sundarasen, who was born in 1994, can’t speak to the younger generation’s media literacy, but he acknowledged observing his class colleagues’ willingness to defer to AI as a concern to him.

“I think a compulsory media education course would be good for high school,” he said.

“All of us could benefit from being more literate about the media we consume, myself included. I’ve never had any formal training myself, I’m just trying to do the best I can with what little resources I have.”

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What a moustache can start: Algonquin College students push for honest talk about men’s mental health

Movember isn’t just about facial hair on campus. For many male students, it’s becoming the first step toward conversations they’ve avoided for years.

Gavin Oregan

Photos: Gavin Oregan

November 28, 2025
Revised: November 28, 2025 11:51am

Photo: Gavin Oregan

Algonquin College student Will Friendo Jones reads a Movember message urging men to speak up about mental health.

Each November, the campus fills with moustaches that didn’t exist a few weeks earlier. Some are thick and carefully shaped. Others are patchy and uneven. A few barely qualify as facial hair at all. But they all tend to spark the same reaction: a double-take, a laugh, a question.

For Nathan Martell, a second-year business student, that question is exactly what he hopes for.

“It’s funny when people comment on it,” he said, running a hand over the thick lines of hair along his upper lip. “But it also opens a door. It gives me a chance to say why I’m doing it.”

Martell has dealt with anxiety for years, but says he learned early to “push through it” rather than talk about it. Movember gave him a way to break that habit.

“The first time someone asked about my moustache, I joked about it,” he said. “The second time, I told the truth. I told a friend I’d been struggling more than I let on. And he said he had too. It was the first real conversation we’d had about anything like that.”

Since then, Martell has kept the moustache even on days when he doesn’t like how it looks. He says it reminds him to check in with the people around him, not just during Movember but whenever something seems off.

“It’s surprising how quickly guys open up once someone starts,” he said. “We’re all stressed, but nobody wants to be the first to say it.”

An infographic on campus outlines key facts about men’s health across all stages of life, underscoring Movember’s message about awareness, prevention and early support. Photo credit: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Will Friendo-Jones has had a different experience with Movember. He jokes he “couldn’t grow a moustache even with beard oil,” but he still feels connected to the campaign.

“I’ve had friends who hit really low points,” said Friendo-Jones, a first-year accounting student. “Guys don’t always show it, but they struggle. And a lot of them don’t feel comfortable saying anything.”

His involvement this year has been mostly online, sharing Movember posts, reminding friends how to reach campus supports and trying to start conversations in group chats.

“It’s not much, but it’s something,” he said. “I think we underestimate how much just checking in can matter.”

The more he speaks with classmates, the more convinced he is that Algonquin needs something permanent, not just one month of awareness.

“I’d like to see the college create a men’s support group or even a drop-in space,” he said. “Not counselling, just a place where guys can talk without feeling judged. Somewhere you can go if you’re having a rough week, or you need to say something out loud.”

He says some men avoid counselling because they feel their problems aren’t “serious enough,” or they don’t know how to start the conversation.

“If there was a space where you could just walk in and talk to other guys who get it, I think a lot more people would reach out earlier,” he said.

Dr. Abolfazl Mohammadi, a psychologist with CBT Associates, says that kind of peer-based support can make a meaningful difference.

“Men often feel pressure to appear strong and independent,” he said. “They may interpret reaching out as a sign of weakness. Peer groups help counter that by showing that others share similar experiences.”

Mohammadi says the earlier men speak about stress or emotional strain, the better the outcome.

“A single open conversation can help someone feel less alone,” he said. “When young men start talking to each other, it often leads to more willingness to seek professional support when needed.”

As November winds down and assignments pile up, both Martell and Friendo-Jones say the moustaches may disappear, but the conversations shouldn’t.

“It’s easy to hide how you feel throughout the semester,” Martell said. “Everyone is busy, everyone is tired, but Movember shows that talking about it doesn’t have to be awkward.”

Friendo-Jones hopes that one day students won’t need a campaign to have those conversations.

“Movember’s the spark,” he said. “But what guys really need is somewhere on campus where you can go anytime and not feel like you’re the only one going through something.”

For now, the moustaches continue doing their quiet work, sparking jokes, breaking the ice and helping male students say things they’ve been carrying alone for far too long.

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Wolves split Toronto road trip after emotional win at George Brown

The weekend showed both the progress of a young, evolving lineup, and the reality of back-to-back road games in the OCAA

Gavin Oregan

Photos: Gavin Oregan

November 27, 2025
Revised: November 27, 2025 9:06pm

Photo: Gavin Oregan

Algonquin Wolves men's basketball head coach Trevor Costello talks to his team during a timeout against the George Brown Huskies.

The Algonquin Wolves men’s basketball team closed out their final road trip of the semester with a split in Toronto, earning a hard-fought win over George Brown on Saturday before falling to top-ranked Centennial on Sunday.

On Nov. 22, the matchup at George Brown carried weight for both teams, each looking for a second win of the season. The Wolves opened with their best quarter of the year, doubling up the Huskies 30-15 with lights-out shooting. Guard James Texeira knocked down three straight threes for nine early points as the Wolves shot nearly 70 per cent from the field in the opening frame.

But the momentum flipped over the next two quarters. The Wolves were outscored 45–24 in the middle stretch and entered the fourth trailing 60–54. Head coach Trevor Costello said the group needed a reset.

“We stunk the joint up a little bit in the second and third,” said Costello. “But the addition of Frank Thomas made a hell of a difference. First game, and he changed the pace for us.”

Texeira tied the game at 65 with two free throws midway through the fourth. A minute later, Aydin Gilani drilled a three from the top of the arc to push Algonquin ahead. The teams traded baskets until back-to-back scores from Albert Opena and another Texeira three-pointer gave the Wolves the separation they needed. They closed out their second win of the season 79–75.

Texeira finished with 20 points on efficient shooting, while Opena added 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. Haven Holder scored 15, and Gilani recorded an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double. Newcomer Thomas had 10 points and five boards in his debut.

Algonquin Wolves men's basketball guard Albert Opena dribbles against Dylan Jones of the George Brown Huskies. Photo credit: Gavin Oregan

Players said the late push came from finally locking back in defensively.

“We started sleeping on defence earlier, but once we got that timeout, we knew we weren’t going to lose,” said Gilani. “When we all play with energy, no one can stop us.”

Thomas, who impressed in his first outing, said his focus was on earning the team’s trust.

“I didn’t want to do too much,” he said. “Just play hard, make the little plays and keep the energy up. You’re not going to score every game, so you’ve got to affect the game in other ways.”

Less than 24 hours later, the Wolves met a Centennial team sitting near the top of the OCAA East. The Wolves opened well again, leading 16–8 before the Colts surged late in the first. The second quarter proved decisive as the Wolves shot 21.4 per cent and turned the ball over seven times, creating a 19-point halftime hole they never recovered from.

Algonquin Wolves men's basketball players, Shyeem Brown, Frank Thomas, and James Texeira, are listening in a timeout against the Centennial Colts. — Algonquin Wolves men's basketball players Shyeem Brown, Frank Thomas and James Texeira listen in a timeout against the Centennial Colts. Photo credit: Gavin Oregan

Centennial controlled the remainder of the game, handing Algonquin a 108–69 loss. Opena led the Wolves with 21 points, while Holder and Shyeem Brown each added 10.

Costello said fatigue played a role but didn’t excuse the outcome.

“My main guys played close to 40 minutes the night before and then had to do it again, but that’s the league,” he said. “The Colts were the better team. They were more physical and they asserted themselves.”

The Wolves sit at 2–6 heading into their final game of the semester on Friday, when they host the Seneca Sting at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre. Costello said the focus now is on discipline and defensive execution.

“Seneca’s smart and well-coached,” he said. “If we don’t play smart defensively, they’ll make us pay. But this weekend showed we’re getting there.”

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Wolves split Toronto swing as Taryn Mitchell makes personal history

The Wolves women's basketball team left Toronto with a win, a loss and a surge of momentum after a back-to-back that brought out their best

Gavin Oregan

Photos: Gavin Oregan

November 27, 2025
Revised: November 27, 2025 8:33pm

Photo: Gavin Oregan

Algonquin Wolves women's basketball guard Cianah Miller holds the ball at the top of the key against the Centennial Colts.

The Algonquin Wolves women’s basketball team split their Toronto road trip with a win and a loss, returning home with flashes of promise and a lesson in late-game pressure.

The Wolves opened the trip on Nov. 22 against the George Brown Huskies, coming out quick behind freshman Meaghan McNamara, who hit two early threes and grabbed four rebounds in the opening five minutes. But George Brown’s high-powered duo of Corrynn Parker and Jayme Foreman responded with 10 points each in the first quarter, keeping the game tight.

The Wolves still held a 24–22 advantage after a late jumper from Cianah Miller, and they built on that momentum with a 6–0 run to open the second quarter. Taryn Mitchell, who finished with 23 points, controlled the pace early in the frame with two baskets and two assists, pushing the lead to 30–22 at the five-minute mark.

“I’m just trying to do my best to lead us in any way I can,” Mitchell said. “We play hard at all times, win or lose. That’s what makes us great.”

George Brown answered with an 8–0 run of its own, but baskets from Abby Couture and McNamara steadied the offence, sending the Wolves into halftime, up 34–30.

Mitchell added seven more points in the third quarter as Algonquin built a seven-point lead heading into the fourth. But George Brown’s pressure intensified, and Parker took over, scoring eight of her game-high 26 points in the final frame. Her driving layup with 1.6 seconds remaining gave the Huskies their first and only lead of the game, 66-65.

Algonquin Wolves women's basketball team guard Taryn Mitchell lines up to shoot free throws against the Centennial Colts. Photo credit: Gavin Oregan

Despite the loss, head coach Jaime McLean said he saw encouraging signs throughout the first three quarters.

“These girls are battling hard for each other right now, and that is so key in team development,” he said. “The little moments today where we fell apart weren’t because one person wasn’t doing their job; It was that we all fell apart. But then the next time something happened where one person didn’t do their job, everybody was there to pick it up.”

Nov. 24 brought new energy for the Wolves, as they closed out their weekend road trip with one of their strongest performances of the season, rallying late before shutting out the Centennial Colts 10–0 in overtime to take an 87–77 win.

The victory was powered by Mitchell’s first-ever triple-double, a 30-point effort that came in a game where she had to adjust her style to stay on the floor.

McLean said Mitchell’s leadership was just as important as the stat line.

“She recognized she wasn’t going to get it done the way she normally does defensively,” McLean said. “She chose a different way to play the game. She still got steals, still got in the way, but wasn’t getting in foul trouble. She adapted and found other things to do.”

Algonquin Wolves women's basketball team's bench celebrates a big shot by #22 Taryn Mitchell, Nov. 23, against the Centennial Colts — Algonquin Wolves women's basketball team's bench celebrates a big shot by Taryn Mitchell Nov. 23 against the Centennial Colts. Photo credit: Gavin Oregan

Mitchell said the performance didn’t sink in until after the final buzzer.

“It’s so surreal to me,” she said. “It was a tough team and a tough game, so I just went out and did what I could. It’s not a one-person game. I had the team around me to get those assists, those rebounds, those points. I appreciate them for that.”

With several Wolves in foul trouble early, Algonquin leaned on its depth throughout the night, especially with rookie Naya Nicholson. Nicholson finished with 12 points, but McLean said her impact came from the defensive plays that don’t show up on a score sheet.

“She had a phenomenal game doing all the little things,” he said. “She took three charges in big moments. For a kid who hasn’t been playing a lot to step in and do that is awesome.”

Centennial held control late in the fourth quarter before Algonquin’s defensive urgency kicked in. The Wolves cleaned up their rebounding, tightened rotations and finally found a rhythm in transition.

Mitchell said the group reached a point where they’d had enough.

“We’ve been suffering a couple of losses this season, and nobody likes to lose,” she said. “Going into overtime was what we needed to realize we weren’t playing the way we should have. We switched gears and showed people what the game should have looked like from the beginning.”

That shift carried into overtime, where Algonquin dominated every possession, turning defensive stops into quick scores while keeping Centennial off the board entirely.

“We told them going into overtime that we had to own the defensive end,” McLean said. “We had to get stops, have each other’s backs, box out and run. We executed perfectly.”

Mitchell said stepping into a leadership role has become a key part of her presence on the court.

“If anyone hangs their head, I want to be the one to pick them up and get momentum back our way,” she said. “That’s the biggest thing I want to contribute.”

The Wolves now return home for their final game before the winter break, hosting Seneca on Nov. 28, 6 p.m. at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.

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Music meets nature at Rock the Wild in Meridian Theatres

Juno Award winner TALK and a lineup of local musicians brought stories, songs and support for Outdoor Play on Nov. 7

William Barritt

Photos: William Barritt

November 27, 2025
Revised: November 27, 2025 3:36pm

Photo: William Barritt

Connor Riddel delivers an electrifying performance alongside Amos the Transparent during the Rock the Wild benefit concert.

The sound of guitars and cheering filled Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe on Nov. 7 as Rock the Wild brought together Ottawa musicians and fans for a night of music with a purpose.

The show, organized in partnership with Outdoor Play, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of reconnecting with nature and providing youth with creative outlets outside the classroom.

Outdoor Play offers forest and nature-school programs, field trips and day camps across Ottawa, focusing on children’s mental health and fostering a connection with the outdoors.

For Ottawa singer-songwriter and Juno Award Winner TALK, headlining the event was more than just another show. The Algonquin College alumnus, known offstage as Nick Durocher, said the message behind Rock the Wild hit close to home.

“I was a pretty shitty student, so I feel like if I had this outlet, I would’ve taken advantage of it,” Durocher said. “I went camping a lot and had a lot of friends who spent time outdoors. It’s pretty much the same thing, and I loved it.”

TALK speaking and engaging with the audience on stage at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe during Rock the Wild — TALK, also known as Nick Durocher, interacts with the audience during his set at Rock the Wild. Photo credit: William Barritt

The evening was hosted by comedian Elvira Kurt and featured performances by TALK, Amos the Transparent, Paesler, Jonathan Chandler, Emma Lamontagne and Julia Rita. The lineup brought together a mix of indie rock, folk and singer-songwriter talent, keeping the theatre lively throughout the night.

The crowd matched the energy with families, students and longtime fans clapping along to original songs. Between sets, organizers spoke about Outdoor Play’s work in the community and how events like Rock the Wild help fund programs that encourage active, outdoor lifestyles.

Members of Amos the Transparent playing instruments and singing on stage at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe during Rock the Wild — Amos the Transparent performs on stage at Rock the Wild, entertaining the crowd with their indie-rock sound. Photo credit: William Barritt

The organizers had been looking for a cause to support, focusing on two key areas: children and neurodiversity. For event organizer Cindy Beauchamp, Outdoor Play’s mission made it a natural fit for the concert.

“I visited forest schools and I was sold. The programs really matched the needs of the children,” Beauchamp said.

Cindy Beauchamp posing outside the theatre in front of the Rock the Wild sign prior to the concert — Cindy Beauchamp stands in front of the Rock the Wild sign at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe before the concert. Photo credit: William Barritt

Beauchamp added that raising awareness is only part of the goal, and the other is making sure the funds actually reach the programs that need them most.

After her set, Lamontagne stressed the importance of music bringing people together for a greater cause.

“It’s my favourite thing in the world, because at the end of the day, music is a universal language,” Lamontagne said. “I’m neurodivergent, so I could’ve used something like this. Music became a safe space for me, and to be able to support this cause through what I do, yes, absolutely.”

Emma Lamontagne on stage playing guitar and singing at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe during Rock the Wild — Emma Lamontagne performs with her guitar at Rock the Wild, sharing songs and stories with the audience. Photo credit: William Barritt

Michael Lalonde, a fan in attendance, said that sense of connection is what makes smaller, cause-driven events like this one so important.

“A lot of younger people aren’t enjoying the outdoors like they used to,” Lalonde said. “When you attach music to a charity or a greater cause, you get way more people that actually come out.”

Michael Lalonde and Natasha Farinaccio smiling standing outside the theatre doors at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe before the Rock the Wild concert, smiling and chatting — Michael Lalonde and Natasha Farinaccio stand outside Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe before Rock the Wild, excited for the night of music and community. Photo credit: William Barritt

When the lights came back on, Rock the Wild had done exactly what it set out to do: bring people together through music, community and a shared cause.

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Merivale Mall Christmas craft show brings holiday cheer

Christmas joy is spreading throughout the neighbourhood, as 80 local vendors bring cheer to Merivale Mall

Hau Ting Ng

Photos: Hau Ting Ng

November 26, 2025
Revised: November 26, 2025 12:39pm

Photo: Hau Ting Ng

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and their elves brought festive joy to people.

At a table adorned with soft pastel plushies, crocheted by hand and carefully arranged in neat baskets, vendor Amanda Cayen conversed with passing shoppers inside Merivale Mall, showing the warmth and creativity of the Holly Jolly Christmas craft show.

The Nepean Day Market presented the Christmas craft show on Saturday, with local vendors on site sold items such as soap, candles, crochet and more.

Pam Smith, the organizer of the craft show, said that the Nepean Day Market has always been a big fan of supporting local businesses.

“I think it’s very important to support your community and your city and your country,” Smith said. “It’s a wonderful idea to let people purchase Christmas crafts locally.”

The Nepean Day Market will return on Dec. 13 for its second Deck the Halls Christmas craft show at Merivale Mall, offering a similar mix of local makers and festive goods. Smith noted that the December date typically draws bigger crowds because it’s much closer to Christmas.

“There’s a lot of good energy and good people and fantastic craftsmanship,” Smith said.

Pam Smith said that they have always been big fans of supporting local businesses. Photo credit: Hau Ting Ng

Cayen has come to the craft show a couple of years in a row.

“I don’t usually get out of the house too much, so I get to meet lots of new people that I wouldn’t normally, and show them what I can make. It’s nice to meet new people,” Cayen said.

“It’s nice to see that people are interested in what I want to create and like.”

Amanda Cayen, a vendor who has come to the craft show a couple of years in a row, sells crocheted plushies. — Amanda Cayen, a vendor who sells crocheted plushies. Photo credit: Hau Ting Ng

Local markets offer a space for people to connect, share small joys and talk to one another. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their elves added to the festive mood, bringing pockets of laughter as families wandered between tables.

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their elves added to the festive mood — Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and their elves brought festive joy to people. Photo credit: Hau Ting Ng

Nova Stables, who has visited the market several times in past years, said she enjoys coming back.

“It’s just fun to be here,” Stables said. She bought Christmas presents for her girlfriend this year, supporting local vendors while joining in the holiday spirit.

“I bought a couple of things and they look really cool. I love how more local handmade markets are popping up in Ottawa.”

Shoppers browse tables of local makers at Merivale Mall during the Holly Jolly Christmas craft show. Photo credit: Hau Ting Ng

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Firefighting students are putting their best foot forward in upcoming boot drive

Firefighting students are preparing for their fourth annual boot drive

Mitchell Ansell

Photos: Mitchell Ansell

November 25, 2025
Revised: November 25, 2025 2:51pm

Photo: Mitchell Ansell

Pre-firefighting student Issaac Molnar.

If you see firefighters fully suited in bunker gear on campus this week, don’t panic. It’s the pre-service firefighting students conducting their annual boot drive.

The boot drive raises money for the Students’ Association Food Cupboard.

Pre-service firefighting students will be suited up in their full bunker gear with large firefighting boots in hand to collect donations all over campus.

Cheryl Hardwick, the head instructor of the pre-service firefighting and training program, is the mastermind behind this fundraiser.

“We used to have some students do some winter volunteering, and it became apparent that food insecurity was one of the most common problems with students. It’s expensive to go to school, so we added the boot drive as a pre-Christmas feel-good event,” she said.

The students are also excited to get started with the fundraiser. Pre-firefighting students Oliver Lea, Joe Power and Max von Althen expressed their enthusiasm for the fundraising initiative.

Pre-firefighting students Oliver Lea (left) Joe Power (middle) Max von Althen (right). Photo credit: Mitchell Ansell

“It’s a great way to get out into the community and help in any way we can and make some connections,” said Lea.

“I think it’s a super honourable thing and we love charities,” said Power.

The platoons of students have a friendly competition to see who can bring in the most donations. There are four platoons: A,B,C and D.

“Usually, the winning platoon gets doughnuts as a prize,” said Hardwick.

Lea, Power and von Althen are all in platoon B, and they are ready to take home the win and the doughnuts.

“It’s good we have a little inner squad competition going. Platoon B is going to take home the win this year,” said von Althen.

The pre-firefighting students are equally excited to show off their bunker gear to the campus after training vigorously with it in P-building for months.

“Anytime we get to wear the gear it is a privilege,” said Lea.

“We have fresh new name tags on our helmets just for this,” said von Althen.

The boot drive is happening from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. each day between Nov. 26 and Nov. 28.

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Wolves’ late rally stuns Georgian College in women’s basketball

A slow start didn’t stop the Wolves from making a thrilling comeback

Nicklaus Korim

Photos: Nicklaus Korim

November 25, 2025
Revised: November 25, 2025 2:40pm

Photo: Nicklaus Korim

Coach Jamie McLean and the Algonquin Wolves bench celebrate after the final buzzer on Nov. 15 in the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre at Algonquin College.

The Algonquin Wolves women’s basketball team pulled off a dramatic 58-53 comeback win after trailing the Georgian Grizzlies for nearly the entire game on Nov. 15 in the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre at Algonquin College.

The Wolves entered the game coming off a tough loss the previous week to Loyalist College, falling by 20 points. Early on, it looked like they carried the same energy into this matchup, trailing for three straight quarters and not looking like the same team everyone had been watching after going undefeated in their previous regular season.

The Wolves knew, going into the locker room at the half, adjustments had to be made to stay in the game and contain Georgian’s leading scorer Sydney Shawyer.

“One thing was just about staying composed, don’t lose your composure, play with patience, play with confidence,” coach Jaime McLean said to his players at halftime.

Even with the pressure rising, the players believed they could find a way to win.

“I think a lot of it was just taking our experience from past games,” said Wolves guard Taryn Mitchell.

“We did lose for the first time (this year), so we don’t like that feeling,” she said.

“We took that feeling of loss into the second half thinking it was possible we could lose, but didn’t want to. So, we put our heads together, said this is a feeling we don’t want again, and we went out and did it.”

Taryn Mitchell playing defence against one of the top scorers for Georgian College Grizzlies Ami May Nov. 15 in the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre at Algonquin College. — Taryn Mitchell playing defence against one of the top scorers for Georgian College Grizzlies, Ami May, on Nov. 15 in the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre at Algonquin College. Photo credit: Nicklaus Korim

Not only did Mitchell demonstrate a great attitude going into the second half, but she was also the team’s top performer, playing a major role in the Wolves’ victory with 17 points, four assists, six rebounds and three steals.

By the third quarter, the Wolves had clearly made defensive adjustments to counter the Grizzlies’ aggressive offence. Despite the shift, they still faced an 11-point deficit heading into the fourth.

In the fourth-quarter one player stood out among the rest. Cianah Miller, who had a slow start to the game, turned it around quick, transforming into a fourth-quarter hero.

Miller had an exceptional finish in to the game, scoring 10 points in the final quarter and being the difference-maker, allowing the Wolves to gain the momentum they needed. She finished the game with 12 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals.

“I knew that we all started off a little bit slow, maybe a bit of nerves, especially me,” said Miller.

Cianah Miller watching her jumpshot sink into the rim Nov. 15 at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre at Algonquin College. — Cianah Miller watches her jumpshot sink into the rim on Nov. 15 at the Jack Doyle Athletics Centre at Algonquin College. Photo credit: Nicklaus Korim

“Making that adjustment after the first half and getting back into our rhythm, seeing what their defence is like, and then playing and adjusting to that,” she said.

McLean left impressed with the grit of his team coming away with the win.

“It was a big maturity win today,” said McLean.

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Nicklaus Korim

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How Kinks and Coffee breaks sex taboo through comedy

Can you laugh your way to better life lessons?

Elyse Barker

Photos: Elyse Barker

November 25, 2025
Revised: November 25, 2025 9:11am

Photo: Elyse Barker

Comedians Logan Brown, Eva Alexopoulos and Rob Morgan performing on stage

Body positivity, adulting and relationships are all things best discussed over laughter, drinks and a centre stage.

On Nov. 20, the Algonquin College Students’ Association filled the campus Observatory with an energetic crowd for the sex-positive stand-up special all-star edition.

Presented by Kinks and Coffee and Laugh Lounge , stand-up comedians Nick Burden, Eva Alexopoulos, Rob Morgan, Kyra Carleton, Logan Brown and Kate Robototham brought a taste of humour to break the taboos of an often uncomfortable topic: sex.

Carleton, who has been doing comedy for four years, said she tends to lean into familiar material about dating, sex and relationships.

“Those are the topics that people can relate to the most,” she said.

Comedian Kyra Carleton on stage for the Sex positive stand-up special All-Star Edition. — Comedian Kyra Carleton on stage. Photo credit: Elyse Barker

In her opinion, comedy can make tricky conversations approachable.

“I think a lot of comedy is based on truth. Students get to watch a show and think, ‘Okay, this is an approachable way to think about sex’,” she said.

Her set, like those of her fellow performers, blended humour with honesty. The comedians approached the subject matter with lightness, yet with clear respect for boundaries and consent. Jokes were grounded in real-life experiences, giving the audience room to laugh while also reflecting on situations many have faced or might.

People in the crowd were just as engaged with onstage interactions. Bella Fox, celebrating a birthday that night, and her friend Kayla Wysf said the show exceeded their expectations.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Fox.

Performers had fellow students and staff nodding in recognition at relatable anecdotes, and even applauding through clever punchlines between sets.

The energy in the room made it clear that comedy can be a powerful tool for connection and conversation.

But, the evening was about more than laughs.

To close the show, sex educator Natalia Jaczkowski of Kinks and Coffee took the stage for a live demonstration on consent, safe sex language and ways to safely explore intimacy.

Sex educator Natalia of Kinks and Coffee introducing the show at the Sex-Positive Stand-Up Special — Sex educator Natalia of Kinks and Coffee introducing the show. Photo credit: Elyse Barker

For Jaczkowski, humour helps students build adaptability, which is essential for learning about the different challenges that can come with sex.

“Humour is really important to human resiliency, and resiliency is really important in sex because sex doesn’t always go as planned,” she said.

“We have high expectations and things will go haywire because bodies are strange, they’re unpredictable, they’re messy, and so we need to be able to handle unpredictability and not get embarrassed and not feel ashamed”.

Her demonstration was hands-on, interactive and informative, yet delivered with a levity that kept the audience engaged and comfortable.

The audience learned that conversations about safety and consent do not need to be awkward or clinical.

“You’re going to continue learning about it for the rest of your life because our bodies are going to change,” said Jaczkowski.

“We’re going to have different situations that require us to be adaptable, and so humour helps with that adaptability,” said Jaczkowski.

After the final applause, students lingered in their seats, still laughing over their favourite punchlines.

The night showed that talking about sex, even the messy parts, does not have to be scary.

With a room full of students, a handful of brave comedians and plenty of laughter, the Observatory had never felt more alive.

For students looking to continue the conversation or learn more, Kinks and Coffee shares resources and upcoming events on Instagram at kinksandcoffee.

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Elyse Barker

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First person: “Since childhood, we were crazed by the black and white jersey”

It started as a superficial connection, but my fandom of PAOK became an extensive part of my identity over time

Vasileios Tselios

Photos: Vasileios Tselios

November 24, 2025
Revised: November 25, 2025 4:19pm

Photo: Vasileios Tselios

A young Vasileios Tselios wearing a scarf and a beanie of his favourite Greek team, PAOK.

It was the loudest I have ever screamed, and I still couldn’t hear myself. All the cheers melted into one voice yelling in the middle of the night. Even my ever-stoic dad shot up to celebrate the goal. How could he not?

PAOK had just gone up 1-0 on Panathinaikos in a crucial game for the 2010 Greek Super League. The whole bar, including me, exploded into a frenzy. It would have been the moment that ensured I stay a fan of PAOK forever, if I was not already hooked since birth.

I was introduced to the soccer team by my dad at a very young age. Sharing the supporter experience with him was, and still is, my favourite part of being a soccer and PAOK fan.

I wanted to be a fan because he was a fan.

A lot of the happiest memories I associate with the team include my dad. The fondest was when we went to a game with my grandpa.

Despite living in the city of Thessaloniki for many years, it was my first and only time in the team’s stadium, and I relished every second of it. Before the game, I got dressed in my bedroom and walked out into the living room with one standout accessory: my toy binoculars around my neck.

My parents tried explaining that toys were not appropriate for the stadium, but I was not having it. I was so scared I wouldn’t be able to see from far away; I needed a guarantee. So, I got my way, and I celebrated three goals in the stadium with my father, who was charged with holding the unused binoculars during the game.

My PAOK fandom was originally tied to him, but it very quickly grew past that.

By the age of 10, it became an identifying trait for me. I could always point to a geographical and family connection that I had with the team, and obviously, it fit my interest in sports. The bond was beyond that, though.

I wore the team’s scarves everywhere outside the stadium. I watched every match and every highlight I could. I made a conscious effort to learn all the team’s chants by heart.

One of the lyrics says, “Since childhood, we were crazed by the black and white jersey,” and that could not be more applicable to me.

Calling myself a supporter would be a disservice to my affection for the club. It is a part of me and my personal journey, no matter how far away I am from the stadium in Greece.

PAOK, like many other sports teams, fosters a community connected by more than just a geographical boundary. The club was founded by excluded immigrants and citizens of the overshadowed second biggest city in Greece, and their purpose is to represent the underdog. As a kid who moved around a lot, I found this team invaluable. PAOK was one of the few constants in my life. I was always the new kid in the school, repeatedly having to reintroduce myself and rebuild new connections.

The club and its fans are anti-establishment in a very vocal way, often celebrating their identity as outsiders from the cultural and economic elite of Greece, mainly residing in Athens. It was hard to define myself among all this change. Maybe that’s the reason I always talked about my favourite soccer team. Being a PAOK fan was the one thing I could always be, no matter where I was in the world.

This reality puts a lot of emotional weight behind the team’s crest. It is no longer a simple logo, but rather, a symbol. A badge of identity, even if you are not entirely sure who you are.

Every Sunday, I am one of hundreds of thousands who take two hours out of their day to cheer on their team. The club represents a part of themselves, whether that is their favourite childhood memories, their connection to a loved one or a community they can always participate in.

Even if there is no game happening, I still wear the jersey and sing the chants to represent the shy elementary school kid who would always say, “Hi, my name is Vasi and I support PAOK.”

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