GUYS AND DOLLS

This year’s Brentwood musical production had a stellar five-day run. Though many members of the cast suffered from extreme exhaustion during the week, they pushed on without incident. To the amazement of many audience members, this musical cast exhibited miraculous talents never seen in public before. Dancers could suddenly sing, singers could suddenly dance, and the most reclusive students embraced their over-the-top characters in front of hundreds of their peers.

After months of losing free time devoted to the show, the final week of rehearsals for the cast and crew arrived. At 6:30 p.m. every night a drove of students trudged towards the inescapable. Hours were spent mastering the difficult harmonies and becoming comfortable with the stage and its mikes. Thrust upon the cast was the ‘look’ of New York in 1949: costumes, hair, makeup and those tedious accents began to seep into the modern lives of the cast. Several reports were made that roommates were awakened by the musical zombies lying next to them, humming the catchy show music in their sleep.

After the seemingly unending anticipation, the final five days were left to prove to everyone that all those sacrificed Sundays were worth it.

Not one cast member fell victim to their nervous energy, but rather, embraced it. Everyone managed to pull off acting, singing, dancing and remembering to look up and share it with the audience. The four principal roles exceeded expectations that had been set months before. Josh Mann and Marguerite Thompson embraced the difficult love songs and proved to all that opposites do attract. Like most musicals 'Guys and Dolls' epitomises the unlikely Broadway love, shared between two couples. Only on stage could an international criminal and a sergeant of the Salvation Army fall passionately in love in an exotic club in Havana. The other two leads: a quirky nightclub dancer and naïve gambler, played by Jennalee Desjardins and Noah McColl, made the audience giggle along with their antics.

The cast was torn between celebration and sorrow closing night. The close of the musical brings about more free time, but a parting for solid working relationships and friendships developed over and intense six months. Parents, alumni, students and staff were all overwhelmed with the spirit and devotion of the youthful cast. After greeting the audience for one last time, students rushed off to the cast party. The highlight of the two final hours was probably when the music equipment ceased to work, and the cast joined together to sing the songs they had come to know so well. And so, with one final 'Good ol' Reliable Nathan,' it was over.

Thanks to the cast, crew and the understanding staff for helping this year.

Story by: Jennalee Desjardins (Grade 12)

Crap Shooters Chorus
Charles Angle, Phillip Kang, Billy Sio, David Summers, Simon Woods

Hot Box Singers
Simone Biggs-Farrell, Melanie Cheshire,
Kat Davy-Traynor, Rebecca Faris,
Jennifer Mann, Laura McLean,
Ellisha Mott, Cirisse Stephen

Hot Box Dancers
Andrea Allan, Sara Gray,
Margaux Keith, Rebecca Kerswell,
Seghan MacDonald, Stephanie Mills,
Erin O’Shea, Christine Pierce,
Anna Pitoniak, Tamara Thornton,
Carly Turnbull, Ariana Vito

DAILY MORNING MARATHON

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise, or so the old adage goes. Unfortunately, such wisdom conflicts with newer information, instructing students that the more sleep they get, the better they will do in classes. Each student must determine for themselves an exact time to wake up, based on a complex formula involving shower density and personal preference. If the time chosen is too popular, then all the showers will be full, especially as the rising time gets later. However, many students are prepared to eat a bit faster and wait a bit longer for the showers to squeeze in a few more minutes of sleep. Only one firm rule exists: each student, barring only Grade 12s, must have been down to breakfast by 7:40 am, when sign-in ends. Again, each student must determine the acceptable level of risk they wish to undertake: some, as represented in the picture, need not ask for whom the bell tolls, for it invariably tolls for them as they glide in to breakfast on time by the skin of their teeth.

Sam Silbergeld (Grade 9), already a hardened criminal, holds up the sign-in list, sadly lacking a check mark next to his name.

Of course, there are always those who choose sleep over security, and sleep in past the final bell. For these evil-doers, the fearsome Mr. Felix comes searching, making sure they do not go unpunished. Rarely does a student risk this leviathan’s roving eye more than once, for the sight of seven feet of Mr. Felix bending over one’s bed is never a welcome sight first thing in the morning.

One question must be if a trend exists between grades. In search of an answer, a highly inaccurate and unscientific poll was held, polling a completely non-random group of people (20 Ellis House boys) for their bedtimes. Did any trend exist? Unfortunately not. Even more unfortunately, in the grand scheme of the school, this data means nothing, as it completely misrepresents the majority, and so almost nothing can be extrapolated from it. If one shuts one’s eyes, however, and ignores this gaping flaw, the results are interesting. Age, and presumably the accumulated wisdom associated with it, has no effect on exhaustion or fear of Mr. Felix. Common sense available to all grades does seem to dictate rising before the final bell, as each student at least plans to rise before they are so rudely awoken. The proverb is indeed true: Early to bed, early to rise, keeps a man healthy and far from Mr. Felix’s eyes.

Story and picture by: Nicholas Chesterley (Grade 11)

The weather was warm and the breeze was blowing last Saturday morning as six of Brentwood’s finest awoke at a Days Inn in Portland, Oregon, not yet aware of the embarrassment which was yet to overwhelm them that afternoon. The morning started off pleasantly enough, with a tour of the local zoo, the previous night’s tempura and green tea still sitting amiably enough in the pits of their stomachs. A group of Mr. Zenker’s students, a bubbly crew from The Dalles, had joined in the pleasantries in order to cement the bond between the two school groups and, consequently, their enthusiasm as the designated cheering squad for Brentwood’s High-Five team.

A win at High-Five, a daytime television program designed to test the general trivia knowledge of anyone with the gall to brave their downtown Portland recording studio, had become a Brentwood claim to fame, a rite of passage into our proud school’s record books, and there was no doubt in anyone’s minds as to what the ultimate goal of the trip was—to crush our opponents mercilessly, without regard for their emotions or the delicate appearance of their psyches. So, it was shocking to say the least when upon arrival at the studio, and after many technicalities, the trivia categories appeared on the board, and appealed to not a one of our fair team members. Questions about medical abbreviations, breakfast foods, and Arthur Miller’s wife caught the team off guard, as Gig Harbour, WA, our opposing team edged slowly yet steadily ahead.

In the second half of the show, Brentwood regained their wits and their trivial knowledge, fighting back, yet without the necessary conviction to gain a lead, and the addition of a few good “steals” on the part of Gig Harbour, Brentwood finished up the game in a solid second place. After such a disheartening loss we were left with a hollowness that not even the key chain LED lights we received as compensatory gifts could fill. Luckily, our minds were soon swept away by Portland’s Saturday market, Thai food, and a good movie, which served as ample distraction from the agony of defeat. We returned to Brentwood the following day, slightly disappointed, yet well fed and in good spirits. Mr. Zenker is to be applauded for his constant entertainment of the group and his infallible support of our collective intellect, which although tried has remained true, at least in the minds of the team.

Story and picture by: Berit Anderson (Grade 12)

FABRICATIONS II

The winners and runners-up of the second term Fabrications competition were announced at the Thursday school assembly. Responding to the prompt 'Lies', numerous students employed their creative talents in both poetry and prose forms. The winners are shown below.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Grade 11 student Ria Parks won the District Championship of the Lions Club Public Speaking contest on Friday evening at the local Kerry Park venue. In addition to winning a cheque for $300, Ria goes on to the Area championships to be held on 1st April in Nanaimo. Her speech about marriage in the 21st century was far superior to those of her competitors.

Rob MacLean

DRESSING UP?

In our rapidly changing world, the definition of dressing up has certainly changed from what it may have entailed a few years ago, yet society also seems to go through a cycle when dressing up requires different approaches from individuals. Every year, we watch high-class events such as the Oscars, Grammy's, Juno Awards and fashion weeks around the world where stars and celebrities don gorgeous gowns and stunning suits by top designers. Emerging from an era where the only clothing acceptable for a lady were dresses and high-heels, we now seek highly coveted jeans by top designers and skirts for spring time where only plain patterned dresses had ever been before. Girls often rebel at the idea of being asked to "dress up" even if it only requires a pair of pants and a nice top, where as little as sixty years ago, women wore high-heels and skirts to do just about everything.

When a school dance at Brentwood is dubbed "formal", the call to dress elicits groans and excitement alike. Some girls approach the dressing up challenge seriously, whereas others have no interest in it. Most guys say that they don't mind dressing up as Kevin Chin (Grade 11) states, "It's better that dances and Snowball are formal because that's tradition." Generally, a night in the T. Gil Bunch for musical or a play or concert is an exciting excuse for girls to dress up and the "Theatre Dress" mandate is a licence to have some fun. Grade 12 Nicholle Charette says that: "It isn't necessarily being dressed up that makes it fun, it's the process of getting ready...hair, dress, make-up and shoes, shoes, shoes."

Grad is perhaps the most dressy event of the year for Brentwood staff, parents, and grads. Some girls spend phenomenal amounts on that perfect dress, shoes, hair and makeup for the evening. The invitation states that it is indeed a black tie event, and each of the male graduates is outfitted with a black tuxedo. Due to the fact that going out for a night on the town, or to the theatre is not nearly as common, youth and adults alike either embrace, or denounce, every possible opportunity to dress up.

Grade 12 Meghan McGuigan and Nurse Donna Decker have recently taken on a project that includes collecting dresses and gowns from the girls of Mackenzie house that, having been worn for a particular occasion, will probably never be worn

again, and donating them to girls who are less fortunate for their school dances. "The Cinderella Project" calls for all dresses in good shape so that every girl can be allowed the opportunity to have a dazzling night of her own. With this in mind, every girl and boy is reminded just how special those dances and formal occasions are when they do come along.

Story and Pictures by: Ellen Kutscher (Grade 12)

ARE THE PREFECTS PERFECTLY FINE?

As the third term plods towards the Brentwood Campus, butterflies waft in the air, the smell of daffodils arrives, and students across campus are warming up to the idea of tanning, a fresh start with new teachers, and lazy and warm walks to Rusticana. Something, however, seems to have gone awry with the graduating class. This time of celebration, of shorts and swimsuits, does not bring its familiar joy. For other grades, this appears to be quite inexplicable. With little on their plate, not literally, for the cafeteria is full of flip-flopped feet and exposed shoulders, all other students are asking themselves “Why exactly are the Grade 12s so stressed?”

Having some familiarity with the subject, will try my best to enlighten students and teachers alike by informing them why exactly our prefects may be a little less lenient with their morning inspections and a little less willing to wake up and do them.

Katie Jackman struggles through conic sections and logarithmic equations

Chelsea Theriault ...

... but both find comfort in the approach of spring break.

perfect on “their” night. Unfortunate but true — girls worry about one night for over a month. Boys simply try on their ordered tuxes in the cafeteria.

For many courses, we also have the slight inconvenience of provincial exams, and if the gods are truly out to spite you, A.P. exams. These exams are not just for Brentwood, and — once completed — they cannot be retrieved. The “Ministry” has your marks and you can’t get them back. A.P. students inflict this on themselves, paying to take a challenging exam!

So, while the grad class may be normally crazy, these are some of the reasons they are acting especially eccentrically lately. Maybe you can give your loving prefects a bit of TLC; you only have a couple months left with them after all.

Story and Pictures by: Sydney Black(Grade 12)

WANNA BE A BALLER?

Students will be pleased to know that preparations are currently underway for a new basketball court to be installed behind Whittall House. The large rock that once sat behind the house has been removed, and as you can see below, a hole is already being dug there. Once enough ground has been leveled, this site will be the new home of a 50x84 court, which is the proper highschool/college court size! Mr. Ward-Phillips, the director of this exciting new project, explained the plans for the court’s layout. There are two standard basketball court sizes; the NBA size and the college or high school size. The main differences between the two are that the NBA courts are longer and their three-point lines are further away from the hoops. Our new court will be paved and fully painted with a hoop on each end. Construction will officially begin after Spring break, and will most likely be completed before the Brentwood regatta.

Garett Graeme, Grade 12 student and co-House Captain of Rogers House, is one of Brentwood’s star basketball players. Garett is greatly looking forward to having a new court in the vicinity of the boys houses, as it will be an excellent incentive for students of all ages to become interested in basketball. He also pointed out that the court can be used not only for basketball, but for many other activities, such as street hockey.

Story and Pictures by: Amy Weinberg (Grade 12)

DRAWING AND PAINTING

Students from the Drawing and Painting class recently entered the local Youth Banner Design Contest. Their prompt: to produced the preliminary designs for a 2 ft. by 4 ft. banner carrying a spring/summer or marine theme. Three students, Andy Youn, Natalie Howlett and Stephanie Steinbrink Kelly were invited to submit their designs to the final judgment process. The winners of the contest will have their banners promoted around the local shopping centre, initially to promote the upcoming Mill Bay boat show.

Right: Natalie Howlett at work on the actual banner

T. GIL BUNCH CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Future presentations:

Acting 11 / 12.

Waiting for the Parade by John Murrell. Humorous and touching, this is the major work of an important Canadian playwright.

The War of the Worlds. Lights, sound effects, film-clips and scenes fill the stage as we create our version of the original radio broadcast.

Pacific Institute of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts Concert

www.celticperformingarts.com, 250-758-0208, 1-866-301-2358

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