Submission deadline for this month is...
September Prompts
Knightwatch Editors

What are you looking forward to in this coming school year?
Summer is a great time to unwind with a good book; write a review of a book you read over the break!
September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, write about your experience of the day and its importance.
September marks our entry into fall; write a poem or piece of creative writing about the concept of changing of seasons. ...

Student Provincial Elections
Brianna

The student elections for the provincial government are yet another important event our school hosts for its students. I spoke to Mme. Sandapen, a civics and careers teacher who ran this event.

The results provided by Mme. Sadapen for the Ontario Student Votes:

The province-wide results from the 124 ridings in Ontario.
- Number of participating schools: 1,672
- Votes reported: 252,680

Students elected an NDP majority government and the Liberals formed the official opposition.
NDP: 75 seats, 29% of the vote
Liberal: 28 seats, 22% of the vote
PC: 17 seats, 19% of the vote
Green: 4 seats, 16% ...

Behind the Scenes of the NAC20’s T-shirt Project
Ella Zubec

“I think a lot of what we want to achieve is awareness. Awareness of the fact that a lot of Indigenous artwork is stolen, and a lot of the orange shirts we wear are sort of a form of tokenism, if they don’t genuinely give back. Awareness to issues in our country surrounding Indigenous people. As well as just awareness of what true reconciliation is.” – Elsa (student in NAC20).
For the past two months, the NAC20 class has been working hard on a project to design orange shirts for Indigenous Heritage Month that will directly give back to Indigenous ...

The Creature Creeps Review
Olivia Milley

After over two years of limited activities, Nepean’s drama department was finally able to put on a show; this year’s feature was The Creature Creeps. Well advertised, this exquisitely cast production was a demonstration of our school’s dramatic excellence.
Despite co-editor Hugh Kelly being a main character in the play, the cast still took it upon themselves to call out our newspaper directly and I have thus taken it as a challenge to write a scathing review ;)
All jokes aside, I was very impressed by the overall talent and execution with stellar performances from the entire cast, in particular Max ...

Introducing the new generation to music: A step in the right direction
Karina Groza

Towards the beginning of this month, Nepean’s music program put together a small concert to introduce the new students to the possibilities that the program offers. This event was made to inspire a new generation to take up music by introducing a myriad of different options, from the school choir to the Jazz Band, and even a song composed and performed by the grade 11-12 Jazz Combo.
In the morning, the musicians and singers performed in Nepean’s very own auditorium - with this being the first time it’s been used for a concert since the start of the Covid-19 shutdown ...

The future isn't concrete. Here are four alternative eco building materials
Lilian Cheng

Concrete. A universally durable and versatile construction material, concrete is the second most consumed substance in the world, right behind water.
As it stands, it’s hard to revise the widespread use of this material, which has been in use since its origins in Rome, 200 BC. The UN Population Division (2022) estimates that 56% of the human population now lives in urban cities. This intensifies the need for concrete for high density in infrastructure ranging from schools and office buildings to skyscraper living areas (Giatec Scientific, 2017).
Watts (2019): Concrete uses nearly a 10th of the world’s industrial water use, ...

Nepean Students Voting in the Provincial Election
Hugh Kelly

For many 18-year-olds at Nepean, the Ontario provincial election on June 2nd was their first ever chance to vote. In the week leading up to the election, I asked these students some questions to help me understand their feelings about voting for the first time.
Almost every person I talked to who was eligible (18 years or older on the day of the election) said they planned to vote or had already participated in advance voting. Some were very excited about this, but most were not particularly invested in it. They were happy to contribute to our democracy, however didn’t feel ...

Athletic Banquet at NHS
Georgia Jones

On June 10th, Nepean’s dedicated staff and students hosted the Athletic Banquet as a way to honor the achievements of the school’s student athletes. The event consisted of an assembly and an awards ceremony, as well as free pizza at the end for those involved.
The assembly began with coaches of the different teams giving brief speeches about the year’s highlights, celebrating their team, and presenting an MVP award to one student who best demonstrated the team's values. Once each team's coach had spoken, eight more awards were presented to select athletes. These included the Coaches Award, Vincent Frank Memorial ...

Youth in Action and NAC20 Bake Sale
Anonymous

Do you like brownies or cupcakes? Well then, I hope you were present for the bake sale which took place in the main hall at lunch on Friday, June 17. This wonderful event was organized by the Youth In Action Club, as well as Ms. Samuels’ NAC20 class.
From cookies, to donuts, there were dozens and dozens of baked goods generously made by students for the NAC20 and Youth in Action’s bake sale. In addition, there were the kindly donated treats from Maverick’s Donuts and Strawberry Blonde Bakery for those students with food allergies or dietary restrictions.
The bake sale was created ...

Relay For Life 2022
Nina Beck

On June 2nd over 600 Nepean students participated in Nepean’s annual Relay For Life fundraiser in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. A long-standing Nepean tradition, Relay for Life has continued on over the past two years in a modified online format, with this year's fundraiser being the first in-person event since 2019. This year, Nepean students raised a truly impressive amount of over $113,000, beating their original goal of $70,000 with flying colours. Some very dedicated students in particular spent the month of May fundraising and managed to raise over $1,000 each.
This year being the first in-person RFL since ...

Key Club Clothing Swap
Yana Golic

This year, Nepean’s Key Club came up with an exciting new initiative, the clothing swap. The first clothing swap happened on April 28th and was a hit with students. This was Key Club’s first in person event of the year and the group was very happy with the turn out and the chance to host an event to bring students together. Key Club got a giant donation of clothing from a local second hand store, Plato’s Closet, and students could either swap their own clothing for another item or buy an item of clothing. All proceeds go to supporting the ...

What the NHS Music Department Has Been Up to!
Ella Zubec


This semester has been packed with opportunities for students involved with our music department. Read through to see what we’ve been up to!
NHS students in the instrumental music program were practicing vigorously for their adjudication at Capital Region Music Fest. The Concert band and Wind Ensemble recorded the week of April 25th. Capital Region Music Fest is an opportunity for schools across Ottawa to perform, and receive feedback on their musicality. A professional musician watches each school’s performance and adjudicates them (gives them feedback), and gives a score. On Thursday, May 12th, Mr. Chris ...

Who uses the elements of art? (Collection 2)
Multiple Artists

Parent
Ian Yang
Garbage Collector
Ethan Harvey
Painter
Felix Delage
Detective
Grace Nicol
Gardener/Landscaper
Greta Gaskin
Chocolatier
Isabelle Kukla-Colby
Chef
Jack Mandel
Marine Biologist
Jana Alnakeeb
Crossing Guard
Jenna Zaitlin
Soccer Player
Lauren Ortiz
Marine Biologist
Miina Wallner ...

The Knight, a collaborative painting
Block D AVI10, Spring 2022

Each student painted one of the 25 canvases. We put them together and, voila, we have a 100cm x 125cm painting of the school mascot, the Knight! ...

Mountains Reflected in Lake
Block B, AVI10, Spring 2022

Each student painted one of the 25 canvases. We put them together and got this beautiful lakeside mountain scene. This painting is now permanently mounted at the Cornerstone Shelter for Women in the NHS neighbourhood and helps to make the facility feel more like a home. ...

Who uses the elements of art? (Collection 3)
Multiple Artists

Train Conductor
Rachel Berliant
Stage Actress
Natalya Rose
Uber Driver
Noah Tourangeau
Runway Model
Rayna Marcantonio
Rock Climber
Robin Daniels
Scuba Diver/Marine Biologist
Sawyer McDonald
Energy Engineer
Tabisa Watanabe
3D Modeler
William Jiang
Author
Amiyah Whissel
Florist
Grace Dingwall
Farmer
Enida Bala ...

A Warm Place to Chill
Block A, AVI10, Spring 2022

Each student painted one of the 25 canvases. We put them together and got this beautiful scene by the lake. This painting is now permanently mounted at the Cornerstone Shelter for Women in the NHS neighbourhood and helps to make the facility feel more like a home. ...

Who uses the elements of art? (Collection 1)
Multiple Artists

Pirate
Brayden Saxe
Florist
Aisha Yousuf
Entomologist
Amelia Chardon
Optometrist
Ava Lawlor
Kayaker
Blake Laughton
Game Designer
Callum Lynch
Author
Charlotte Rempel
Fashion Designer
Daniela Kucser
NFL TV Broadcaster
Danika Richardson
Farmer
Ella Smith
Nurse
Emily Nicol
Surgeon
Estella Grondin ...

Battle of the Books Pitch
Anonymous

The trends of 2021/2022: Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, baggy jeans, Squid Game, Kim and Kanye’s demise, the Met Gala and most metionably, social change. See, never more has social justice been a topic discussed, argued and defended than by our very own Gen-Z. Only as a generation, we struggle to prolong the spotlight of such radical societal issues for which reason they often fail to withstand the test of time. For one month wide reaching corporations dress their logos in rainbow and call it support. For a month, headlines were dedicated uniquely to the crisis in Ukraine and for a ...

Diverse Book Pitch (Butter Honey Pig Bread)
Yasmin Aguiar

“Pain-eater fast today; starve yourself a while.”
This is the first line we’re greeted with in the actual book and is just an example of the beautiful, poetic wording of Francesca Ekwuyasi, who’s writing style I, personally, am in love with and the first reason why this book is a must read. Though the book doesn’t contain any actual poems, the way the words will speak to you and have you feeling like you’re really there, watching these characters, living their lives and feeling how they feel definitely isn’t something to look over.

Francesca (a Nigerian-Canadian author), in her debut ...

June Prompts
Knightwatch Editors

This will be the final edition of Knightwatch for the school year so we hope to finish off strong with lots of submissions! As always, we have prepared some prompts to get the ideas flowing but all appropriate content will be published.
Happy Pride Month! We would like to especially encourage submissions from LGBTQ+ members of our school community.
June is also Indigenous History Month! Celebrate by sharing your favourite songs, books, movies, or artwork by Indigenous creators.
The first day of summer is June 21st. Share your bucket list or exciting plans with us!
As we close off another school year, many ...

Multi-Sport Athletes During the Pandemic
Olivia Milley

Bryn Robins (left) dunking a basketball. Sophie Milley (right) with a soccer trophy.
In the past two years, the unpredictable pandemic has caused more cancellations and postponements than anyone could have imagined. Athletes are among those who have been particularly affected by all this, as rescheduling has become a regular occurrence, and many sports have been scrapped part way through seasons. Even when practices have been allowed, games, tournaments, and events have often been considered too much of a risk. At these times, players were limited to training with just their teams.
2022 has shown promise in the return to “normal” ...

Three Views of a Lantern
Natasha Mazerolle

Inspired by Hokusai's 36 Views of Mt. Fuji, done for Media Studies class assignment on 8' by 11' paper with pencil and pencil crayons. ...

A Guide to Making your World Last in Hardcore Minecraft
Nicholas Ficara

Minecraft hardcore is a fun challenge for most. Some people will play until they defeat the ender dragon (and arguably beat the game), while others will stick around to grab their loot. There are, however, a select few that will elect to stick with their worlds for hundreds (sometimes thousands) of hours. If you want the best chances of keeping your hardcore world for as long as possible, then this guide is for you. These are my personal tips to live by that I have learned in my thousands of hours in the game and 300+ hours playing hardcore.
Early game ...

Reflectionless
Natasha Mazerolle

A blank wall,
discoloured rectangles sit
in stage centre.
The girl reaches out,
her fingers brush along
where frames once sat.
Picture frames, her mother told her,
taken down now
as their glass was reflective.
Every wall in the house
exactly like this one.
No glass, no mirrors, no reflections.
Nothing to gaze upon oneself with.
Mirrors, her mother warned her,
portrayed only lies and ugliness.
Purity can only be found
when the ego is beaten and forsaken.
The girl’s hands freeze as the water from the sink runs cold.
She takes a facecloth and dabs her face,
hoping that,
though she will not see,
her facial features are lovely.
At school,
the bathrooms are to be avoided.
So that ...

Teacher Appreciation Week
Nina Beck

May 2nd through 6th is recognized by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board as Education Week, often referred to as Teacher Appreciation Week elsewhere in the world. Over the past few years, with countless sudden changes to school operations, it’s fair to say that our teachers deserve some appreciation. I recently spoke with a few of Nepean’s many wonderful teachers, to learn what drew them to this profession, and what inspires them as educators.
First, I talked with Mrs. Hunter, who has been teaching music and English at NHS for the past two and a half years. When asked why she chose ...

The Nepean Playlist Vol. 3 (Summer Edition)
Hugh Kelly and Kevin Pham

Here is the playlist on Spotify!
The Nepean Playlist has returned! For our third and final edition, we asked NHS students to send us their three favourite upbeat, summer songs. Once again, the response was incredible, and we have compiled this wide variety of songs into a Spotify playlist (linked at the top of this article).
The collection is over five hours long, so you’ll have lots of great songs to enjoy as the summer begins. Out of all 83 tracks submitted, there were ZERO duplicates, which demonstrates the individuality of Nepean students’ taste in music. There were 92 artists, with the ...

Nepean's Music Program: 'Getting Back on Track'
Georgia Jones

Nepean’s music programs are making a tremendous effort to lead the way in our return to regular life, with students and teachers alike paving the way for incoming grades. On June 2nd, Nepean’s music department will be giving performances for grade seven and eight students at Broadview and Fisher Park Summit Alternative School (FPSA). The primary goal of the event is to reintroduce students to the importance of music in schools, and inspire them to take part in their own school music programs.
Earlier this week, I was given the opportunity to sit down and discuss this event with Mr. Carter, ...

Distorted Sizes Using Rule of Thirds (Collection)
Multiple Artists

Rachel Berliant
Allison Lorbetskie
Stella Humeniuk
Robin Daniels
Sawyer McDonald
Rayna Marcantonio
Noah Tourangeau
Grace Dingwall
Felix Delage
Ian Yang
Jenna Zaitlin
Lily Cooper
Eloise Olivier
Ella Smith
Henry Fine
Emily Nicol
Jasmine Burrill
Enida Bala
Charlotte Rempel
Charlotte Anderson
Jana Alnakeeb
Estella Grondin
Amiyah Whissell
Tabisa Watanabe
Arielle Viner Lemelin
Audrey McCullough
Bao Trinh
William Jiang
Amelia Chardon ...

The Night Circus — A Review
Natasha Mazerolle

February, 2018. My friend hands me a pair of books as a birthday present. One of these books, a tricoloured novel of black, white, and red, has one of the most simplistically beautiful covers I've ever seen. The title, written in a simple, legible font, reads "The Night Circus." A vague and interesting title, I curiously flip to the back to find out more. A duel between magicians?
"Huh, it sounds a lot like a mix between Caraval and..." I say.
"No, no," one of my other friends says, smiling. "This book actually inspired Caraval."
The Night Circus is the 2015 debut novel ...

The Art of Transmutation (a short story)
Grade 12 Student

Garrick willed himself to breathe slowly as he watched his opponent’s arms and legs expand. Across from him in the sand, Fenra’s olive skin rippled, popped, and tightened around her swollen muscles. Maintaining fierce eye-contact, she cracked her neck, her shoulders, and finally her knuckles, adjusting to the extra weight of her new flesh.
Garrick remained still, half-crouched, tempering his mind for the coming battle. Silently, he analyzed the combat instructor’s rules for the duel: Last one on the rock wins. He and Fenra were on opposite sides of a flat-topped column of stone, about twenty meters in diameter. Underneath his ...

May Writing Prompts
Knightwatch Editors

The Nepean Playlist has returned! Our third and final volume will feature upbeat songs to put us in the right mood for summer. You can contribute your favourite songs using this form: https://forms.gle/SgBnehCM9846i7zK8
May is Asian Heritage Month. Celebrate this month by writing a review of a book by an Asian author, a movie by an Asian director, or an album by an Asian artist.
On May 3rd we celebrate our teachers for National Teacher Appreciation Day! Write about a teacher who had a positive impact on your life.
May 8th is Mother’s Day! Tell us about your mom or another important motherly ...

How Musicians Enact Change With Song—From a Civil Rights Activist to NHS Musician Sarah Hume
Ella Zubec

Last week, I had the opportunity to talk to a classmate and friend of mine: Sarah Hume. Sarah is a grade nine musician, and she was one of the performers at our Black History Month Assembly. We spoke about her musical journey, and what led her to be the person she is today.
Earlier this year, she covered “Don’t Make Me Wait”, by Hunnah, an Ethiopian singer from Toronto, by singing and playing the piano. Her performance was showcased in our Black History Month assembly. You can watch the video on Nepean’s Diverse Student Union’s Instagram, here. Hunnah is a ...

There is no ‘Planet B’; How the Nepean Environment Club contributes to a greener Earth
Olivia Milley

April is Earth Month, so I took the opportunity to speak with Emily Drummond and Timmy Lewis, two senior members of the Nepean Environment Club. They were excited to tell me about their club’s eco-initiatives and how community members can have a positive impact on the environment in their daily lives.
Drummond has been involved in the club since her first year of high school, and has taken on more of a leadership role these past two years. Lewis, also a grade 12 student, joined the group through his Resource Management class and has since been an active member.
The ...

Windows
Natasha Mazerolle

The asphalt street glimmers orange
from the dew left
The parallel houses
of muted-colour clapboards and red brick walls
hatted by black shingle
Through one square paned window
I see graduation pictures
of a person who no longer lives there
Turn to the right, another window
A fireplace,
Cards flocked across its mantle
like birds on a wire
Another window, just up ahead
A couch, sunken and grooved
Years worth of history
within its cushions
Once more, a window there
The curtains are drawn
The lights are dark
The family has gone to sleep
Good night ...

What Ramadan Means to Me
Grade 12 Student

April 2 marks the start of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. Ramadan officially begins when the month of Shaban, the eighth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, ends. As the Islamic calendar is based around the lunar cycle, Ramadan rotates by approximately ten days each year. Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, worship, as well as the most known action — fasting from sunrise to sunset.
During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to take more time out to read the Qur’an (a religious text, much like ...

Textured Fingers (Second Collection)
Multiple Artists

Lily Cooper
Amelia Chandron
Amiyah Whissell
Arielle Viner
Audrey McCulough
Ava Lawlor
Devyn Miller
Estella Grondin
Henry Fine
Jenna Zaitlin
Kate Young
Miina Wallner
Rachel Berliant
Rayna Marcantonio
Stella Humeniuk
Tabisa Watanabe
William Jiang ...

Where The Ravens Went (Part 1)
Natasha Mazerolle

Shiloh was five when the dark birds disappeared. They remembered looking out through the squared window of their bedroom every night they could, watching against the darkness of the sky for the flapping of the birds’ wings. They fell asleep every evening to the sound of their calls and songs, and woke every morning to their farewell. It was a routine, with the dark birds the night was brought, and with the light birds the morning was ushered in.
To say it was a shock when the fall of night ceased to continue is an understatement.
The denial came first of course, ...

The Hydroponic Tower
Younesse Krama

On April 6th, a wonderful collaboration occurred between the Environmental Sciences class, the Youth In Action Club, and the Leadership class at Nepean High School. The Environmental Science Class and Environmental Club grew over 95 veggie plants, mainly consisting of lettuce. From this number, 45 were donated to the Britannia Wood Food Pantry, with the help of Youth In Action. The Leadership class coordinated the sale of the remaining lettuce to students/staff at Nepean High School and over $135 was raised. This money was both given to the Britannia Wood Food Pantry and used to maintain the hydroponic tower system. ...

Television Review: Middleditch and Schwartz
Grade 12 Student

Middleditch and Schwarts is a Netflix comedy special with three episodes, each about forty-five minutes long. I’m not quite sure if that counts as a TV show, but who cares: it’s truly top-quality entertainment.
The show is performed by two outstanding comedians, Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz. What makes it different from other comedy specials is that the entire show is improvised, meaning the two actors have not planned anything beforehand. Nothing is scripted, so everything they say is made up on the spot.
At the beginning of each episode, Thomas and Ben ask the audience for an important event that has ...

Honouring Black Canadians (Collection)
Multiple Artists

Honouring Tracy Moore
By Audrey McCullough
Honouring Lincoln M. Alexander
By Brayden Saxe
Lillian Allen Asserts Her Vision and Creates Beauty in the World
By Jenna Zaitlin
Honouring Oscar Peterson
By Jack Mandel
A Tribute to John Ware
By Jasmine Burrill
Celebrating Salome Bey
By Grace Nicol
Honouring Anson Carter
By Emily Nicol
Honouring Chika Stacy
By Jana Alnakeeb
Celebrating Eleanor Collins: "Give It All You Got"
By Jaida Lawson
Celebration of Artist Joan Butterfield
By Rayna Marcantonio ...

Three Valued Objects (Collection)
Multiple Artists

Jenna Zaitlin
Bao Trinh
Callum Lynch
Ella Smith
Gabby Hatoum
Tess Robillard
Robin Daniels
Noah Tourangeau
Kate Young
Grace Dingwall ...

Town Hall Editorial
Serena Manouchehri

This month, the Nepean Student Council (StudCo) decided to host a town hall in the auditorium so that students could voice their different opinions and thoughts about events that are coming up. This meeting allowed the StudCo to be more transparent with the student community about the changes that would take place. The plan is for the town hall to happen once a month. Students can follow the StudCo Instagram page to see when these meetings will occur. It is highly recommended for individuals to attend these town halls to participate and stay informed about school events.
Due to COVID-19, ...

Muslim Student Association Cultural Event
Serena Manouchehri

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) was formed many years ago, but it wasn't well known to most of the student body. However, when Ms. Ibrahim came to the school this year, she made it her mission to make the club more well known and take on initiatives to celebrate Islam as well as discover false misconceptions of Islam. She wanted a space where students could go to learn more about Islam and have a safe place at school to practice their religion.
The club's purpose is to organize events within the school to present students with a learning opportunity about ...

Serena Manouchehri’s Student Film
Nina Beck

Nepean is host to so many talented young artists. One of these students is Serena Manouchehri, a Grade 11 student who recently finished writing and directing her debut short film.
The film, “The Movie Theatre” is, as Serena puts it, about four teenagers who go into a movie theatre and after falling asleep, their worst fears come to life on screen.
Serena was inspired in the midst of COVID-19 to write a script involving memories and self reflection. Those concepts spent a long time going through various drafts and eventually evolving into what became the movie.
Once finished the ...

Fatebroken Skies
Charlotte Rempel

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
Lucia stirred.
Her scars and scratches stung, she was alive.
No~
no
This isn’t in the prophecy.~
She jolted awake.
Ah!
A sharp pain spun through her head.
“Be careful, Vexar didn’t exactly take it easy on you”
That voice, Lucia remembered,
She saved me, I had been slipping into unconsciousness, that was supposed to be the end.
The sun must set by the hand of the shade.
Lucia couldn’t understand why her Nemesis would want any different.
The night queen sat peacefully on a rock slightly above where Lucia lay, raven hair blowing in the cool autumn breeze.
“Did you ...

Knights Graduation
Nate Berglas

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
The hinges of the steel door shattered, as a metal-clad boot sailed through the main entrance to the throne room. The doors crashed to the floor, making an earth-shattering reverberation throughout the entire stone citadel. The knight, fitted in shining, polished steel armour, strode into the throne room of the dark gothic stronghold.
“Cult leader of this stygian citadel, I have come to avenge my brethren!” The knight declared in triumph. He waited for a reply, and as the dust settled to the ground, the silhouette of the man ...

Coming Home
Anonymous

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
I'm finally going back to the house. The house where things I'll never be able to explain happened. Things I chalked up to my imagination. I walk up the driveway, my parents left me the key to the house in their will. I had texted my sisters and asked if they also got keys, but they didn’t respond. I wanted to invite them to come with me, help clean up mom and dad’s stuff. I knew no one would willingly go back there anyway. No one but me, I ...

Rot ROT ROT rot
Anonymous

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
I was caught in an embrace. I didn't want it this way. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I had to get back to the others. They were waiting for me. Away from the thicket in a secluded spot; I had stopped to adjust my pack. As I struggled to break free, I fell down again, but this time fell further than I could have imagined; In fragments of a second I crumpled to the ground. I lay on the dirt wondering where you were to have left ...

My Dream Home
Charlotte W.

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
The noise.
As soon as I walk through the front entrance of my house.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Skylights that leak water into the hardwood floors, turning my living room into a pool. It didn’t matter how many times we replaced them, changed the roof shingles, or patched the ceiling, the leakage continued.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
It all started when everything began falling apart. It was like an earthquake had rushed right through our house, causing havoc as it went. The cabinets in the bathroom all began to come off of ...

Sunburned
Lily Cooper

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
Hectic and disorganized. Crawling with panicking and unnerved tourists. The airport should be an annoyingly coordinated place. But it is the very opposite. As I stood in front of and looked up to the flight information board, I wipe the increasing amount of sweat off my upper lip and I collect myself. Inhale deeply, exhale deeply. I look for my flight on the screen. It is across the airport. And leaves in 20 minutes. It’s okay, we can do this. After a messy combination of nervous speed ...

XOXO - a speck of dust in the universe
Anonymous

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
Dear Diary,
Maybe the world was falling apart. Or maybe it was just my world that was falling apart. No, no I’m pretty sure it's falling apart for everyone else too. Everyone else still acts like they're world is perfect. Maybe they’re lying, smiling when they want to cry, applying makeup on their tear stained face, washing away the pain with a new shopping spree, posting a new perfectly staged photo to rebuttal every bad comment they got. Or maybe they aren’t falling apart. Maybe it is just me. My ...

Forever Together
Rylee M.

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
It has now been a few months since I died, and as I watch her smile, I can't help but notice how much she has changed. The last time she had smiled, we had been in the hospital, my condition only continuing to worsen. Lacking her usual sincerity and happiness, the faint grin had felt hollow, no more than a facade. An air of hesitancy seemed to envelop us as we sat in silence. Fleeting expressions of sorrow and despair washed over her features, pooling especially in her cerulean ...

A Lovely, Little Ghost Hunt
Natasha Mazerolle

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
The rigid trees had a silver glow cast on them by the moon, resembling white, temple columns of civilizations long past.
The wind blew through them, bringing the night’s chill on to the skin of the four teenagers trudging through the undergrowth. The blond boy who walked at the front of the group kept his flashlight trained ahead of him as he shivered.
“Are you sure the park ranger said that the legend really took place this far into the forest?” Alec asked, stepping over a scraggly root protruding ...

Name Page (Collection)
Multiple Artists

Charlotte Remple
Henry Fine
Kaia McLennan ...

Chimping
Anonymous

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
I desperately labored to capture every moment, to preserve ephemeral blips in the eternity of time. Beep, click, snap. Beep, click, snap. My camera whirred in protest as it struggled to document everything my 7 year-old brain found remotely interesting. "Let's get a move on," my father groaned as I methodically documented the eighty-seventh cracked seashell – the scattered debris would have to wait. It was time for the main attractions. As we rushed from record store to garden, beach to restaurant, the scalding Jamaican sun relentlessly beat down, ...

feelings are meant for the week
Anonymous

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
Another scream ripped through my raw throat as I continued to try and rip apart the chains holding me ,hoping that this time they would break. unsurprisingly they didn’t. My sobs bounced off the steel walls. The doors slammed open as sirens started to go off and people started to flood into my little confined room.A year ago I would have begged them to have a heart to have compassion, but I soon realized that it was a useless feat. Because monsters had no hearts. They were soulless. ...

Soaring down the mountain!
Caroline Adams

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
“Stop, I can't do this. Is there another way down?” I ask frantically
I am boiling, face as hot as the saharan desert even though it's cold, -15.
My breathing quickens, my heart races and my vision goes blurry. “I shouldn't have done this, I shouldn't have done this, I shouldn't have done this” I repeat in my head. “Let's go, '' my best friend said eagerly. I knew I should have just stayed in the car.
What to do now? I'm at the top of a monster of a hill with ...

Unpacking
Eric Springgay-Daubeny

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
In the hours immediately after I land, everything feels out of focus. Around me are things I remember. Untrimmed bushes and rusting travel-trailers, chipped paint coloring the asphalt beneath. Sleepy August beams filter through mesh windows, creating a fine grid of golden haze on the floorboards. The rooms are empty and the walls are bare. Holes in the drywall indicate where paintings once hung and water stains show the remnants of torrential rainstorms. I walk the late-summer pavement with bare feet, searing callouses into my skin. Places, for years ...

The Call Of The Void
Yannick Layton

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
A slight breeze whispered through the roads of west Utah, a mild day but not unusual for late August. Another uneventful day on the road darkened from a day of drizzle. The setting sun over the horizon reflects a soft orange through the thin meniscus of water coating the road. Driving along the canyon's edge was a monthly trip coming home from Arizona. Last month it was Wyoming and the month before Washington. It’s much easier driving into Wendover than leaving. Navigating the mountains and canyons with an empty ...

A tale of war
Ryan W.

This story was a submission to our March 2022 Short Story Contest.
The air was filled with sulfur and the smells stung your nose. I had always wanted to see Sturmwalle’s golden seas, their beautiful waves of wheat like a rolling ocean and clouds towering like giants in a line. Alas I bid farewell to the beautiful land and walk home over reddened black dirt, with my rifle and the spirits of my comrades.
One day I will come back to this fair land to see this land in peace, I will see the prairie roses as red dots on a ...

A Fallen Droplet, A Kind Girl
Natasha Mazerolle

A drop of light fell from the sky
and landed in a puddle,
its ripple no larger than an eye.
How did within this puddle,
the drop come to lie?
T’was a mere result
of the sun’s mournful cry;
for the moon, her friend,
left her alone up high.
That’s how the drop fell,
that is why.
Then came a young girl
with hair that smelt of fire
who brought a small cup
and marched without tire.
With a fell swoop, she plucked the drop
And lifted the light higher.
“You are the brightest shine, by far,”
Said the girl, with her eyes to the sky.
“Welcome home, my favourite star.” ...

Short Story Contest Winners!
Knightwatch Editors

Our March 2022 Short Story Contest has come to a close, and after much deliberation from our panel of seven student judges, the winners have been decided. We received 24 submissions that covered an incredible range of topics: fantastic adventures, dystopian futures, suspenseful mysteries, and even real-world drama. Without further ado, here are the winning stories!
First place: To Know Somebody by Jennifer Ridley
This poetic and heartfelt story flows from one sentence to another while gradually revealing details about its two central characters. It is deeply emotional, and uses many creative literary devices to envelope the reader in its romantic labyrinth.
Second ...

Darling and his Devil
Karina Groza

This story is the third place winner of the March 2022 Short Story Contest.
His boots thunder on the pavement of the courtyard, kicking up small bits of gravel as he races towards the doors of the museum. A glimpse of a shadowy figure dancing across the rooftop makes him run harder, each breath tearing at his throat.
The doorknob is slippery with rain and he can feel the heavy weight of the waterlogged coat on his shoulders. He taps at his pockets frantically only to watch the wood creak open on its hinges, leading the way into the building. He pushes ...

Bill Q59
Anneke Goodwin

This story is the second place winner of the March 2022 Short Story Contest.
One might say I was fairly nervous. This was my first date after all. And my first time breaking the law.

It was past curfew, so I walked through the back alleys until I hit the industrial part of town. Rumor has it this space used to be fairly trendy back in the day, but now people would describe it as more "mechanical". I walk in the shadows of a wide walkway, metal domes with painted red numbers on them lining the edges. I counted ...

To Know Somebody
Jennifer Ridley

This story is the first place winner of the March 2022 Short Story Contest.
I knew a girl.
I’d only met her three times, but should it be by time that knowledge is truly judged? I would insist that it should not. To know somebody is to embrace every linked star in their soul, not to count every linear minute.
The very first time I saw her was so long ago that bringing forth the memory has a semblance to staring into a muddy puddle. I was at an art camp, she was too. The two camps had merged for one day ...

The Great Obsolescence of Planet Earth
Claudia T.

This story is an honourable mention in the March 2022 Short Story Contest.
In the first beginning, the Moons and Stars were asleep.
It had always been that way, they never woke, they just existed.
In a much later beginning, it started with one man. There are four things you should know about this man:
1. He was very clever, from an academic standpoint.
2. From any other standpoint, he was also very foolish.
3. He was an inventor, an explorer of science, a man of experiments, although they
...

The Sky Fallen Glow
Natasha Mazerolle

A drop of light fell from the sky
and landed in a puddle,
its ripple no larger than an eye.
How did within this puddle,
the drop come to lie?
T’was a mere result
of the sun’s mournful cry;
for the moon, her friend,
left her alone up high.
That’s how the drop fell,
that is why.
Then came a young girl
with hair that smelt of fire
who brought a small cup
and marched without tire.
With a fell swoop, she plucked the drop
And lifted the light higher.
“You are the brightest shine, by far,”
Said the girl, with her eyes to the sky.
“Welcome home, my favourite star.” ...

I’m a Baker
Ash M.

This story is an honourable mention in the March 2022 Short Story Contest.
I am a baker, not a murderer. As I sit in the nearly empty room, I tap my fingers on the table that sits in front of me. The taps of my fingers are aligned with the ticking of the clock. My right hand is in a set of cuffs, attached to the leg of the chair I sit on. They’re probably searching my apartment now. I don’t know why that scares me, there’s nothing there for them. My leg is jumping. Stop. You look anxious. The ...

April Writing Prompts
Knightwatch Editors

The pandemic gave us lots of time to watch TV shows. Write us a review of your favourite binge-worthy show, or one that you could watch over and over again.
April is National Poetry Month! Write us a poem of any kind.
Earth Day is April 22nd. How do you contribute to a greener Earth and what advice can you offer others? Do you think enough action is being taken to fight climate change?
There are several religious holidays this month including Passover, Ramadan and Easter. Do you and your family have special traditions to celebrate?
Happy April Fool’s Day! What is ...

Feminism from Childhood to Adulthood
Olivia Milley

Growing up, I constantly heard the term “Girl Power”. I was fueled by the idea that I, as a girl, could accomplish anything I wanted. A naive but determined child, I was hopeful for my future and armed with my pink flowery notebook and inspirational quotes from women like Michelle Obama and Taylor Swift. It was only later that I learned why I received so much encouragement: an attempt to remedy the poisons of sexism and misogyny that have consistently polluted our society.
From scientific discoveries, to politics, and everything in between, women have been historically underrepresented in achievements of all ...

How the Women in STEM Club Promotes Inclusivity in Science
Khalid Filali

Maggie Vandenberg is a Grade 12 student at Nepean High School and a founding member of the Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (WiSTEM) club. She is passionate about math and sciences and plans to earn a degree in biomedical engineering after high school.
Maggie was inspired to pursue STEM in university by her older sister, who is currently studying to become an engineer. Maggie’s sister gave her amazing advice and shared her own experiences as a woman in a male-dominated engineering program.
When asked why she started the WiSTEM club, Maggie said, “I noticed that there was an opportunity to ...

Bake Sale For Ukraine
Nina Beck

On Wednesday the 9th of March, Nepean students hosted a bake sale on Princeton Avenue in order to raise funds to support the people of Ukraine as the Ukraine-Russia conflict continues to escalate. In only a few days of preparation, these students pulled off an incredibly successful bake sale, raising $1273 in one hour. The money raised will be a split donation towards The Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders.
I went to the bake sale on Wednesday as both a patron and observer of this event. Despite how quickly the whole event had come up, the word had really spread ...

Mental Health Week at NHS, and What YIA Has Planned Next!
Ella Zubec

In October 2019, Younesse Krama found himself at Nepean’s annual club fair. Because he moved here from Calgary, he had a clean slate, knowing nobody from Ottawa. After being pulled to the Youth in Action by the promise of We Day, Younesse found a community within the club of like-minded people.
Fast-forward a few years, Younesse is now in Grade 12 and is one of the co-leaders of the YIA club, along with Sara Thiessen and Ellie Towaij. These are the same three people who led the organisation and execution of Nepean High School’s Mental Health Week.
Through bi-weekly meetings, YIA ...

Interview with the Intersectional Feminist Alliance
Nina Beck

Nepean offers many amazing clubs sudents can partake in, one of which is the Intersectional Feminist Alliance (IFA). In case you’re not familiar, intersectional feminism is a movement that recognizes the different aspects of one’s identity such as race, class, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality and uses that to address feminist issues.
I spoke with three Grade 12 members of the IFA: Kate O’Donnell, Hillary Wright, and Faye McBride (pictured above, left to right). As they put it, the IFA works to create a space at Nepean where students can feel safe to discuss feminist issues in their own lives as well ...

Call for Student Poetry!
Nepean Staff

CALLING ALL YOUNG POETS. Happy World Poetry Day! Starting today, Prologue Performing Arts is taking submissions for their digital Student Poetry Publication, which is set to launch at the end of April to conclude National Poetry Month. We have received lots of good poetry from the student body so this is a great opportunity for you to show off your work. To submit, visit the website below.
https://www.prologue.org/call-for-student-poetry-submissions/ ...

Earth Week Announcement from the Environment Club!
Michael Jones

My name is Michael Jones, a member of the environment club, and I wanted to let you guys know about Earth Week. Our club has some fun initiatives and activities planned for the week all focused around the theme “waste”, culminating with a community cleanup on Friday, April 22nd, which is Earth Day! There will be big prizes to be won by individuals and classes, so to keep up to date follow @_environmentclub on Instagram! ...

Empty Activism (a poem)
Tess Burnett

You wear the shirt.
But do you know?
Know What it means?
Know Where it’s from?
Know who suffers?
The equivalent of niceties.
You do what's expected so you aren't judged. Fit in.
Blend in.
Be one with the herd.
But do nothing for those who aren't you. Empty actions.
Empty words.
Empty activism.
You wear the shirt, you share a post. What is it for?
For popularity?
For your gain?
For you?
It isn't for you.
It’s for others.
You wear the shirt, you share a post, you say #Let’sTalk That's fine, but what about the rest of the year?
What about those who plaster on a smile every day? What about those who can't anymore?
What about those ...

Who am I? (a poem)
Arielle Viner-Lemelin

I never thought my name would be so important
I never thought something as simple as a name
Could make me question where I came from
I never believed that Arielle could so freaking hard to pronounce that i would have to shorten it to Arie
Now that is all I am known as
Not Arielle
Not שושנה אילנה
My name is my source of pride
It is
French
English
Hebrew
Even Italian
(I’m not Italian)
In jewish Ashkenazi tradition
you name your kid after someone
who’s dead
But in christain tradition you name your kid some name like
Paul
Mary
Peter
Something old
Nothing new
Um no offense
I want to be
Me
Not
The II
Or ...

Hey NHS! What Do You Think About the New Semester?
Ella Zubec

Almost two months into the second semester, students at NHS have had plenty of time to adapt to this new system. Instead of the alternated semestered system that OCDSB was previously using, students have returned to four classes a day which is the way high school ran before the pandemic. But is it a change that NHS students agree with?
“I think it’s more stressful,” said Julianne, our grade nine representative. She noted the increase in workload, which coincided with the decrease in class time to work on assignments. “A lot of my friends have had to quit sports after school.”
For ...

Musical Submissions
Jacob Nusbaum

Two original songs. Listen to them below!
It’s he who’s in control
FNAF SB ...

Society (a poem)
Amaya

They’re tall and you’re small, she is a she and he is a he
They are them and there's no in between.
She can wear whatever he can wear and he can wear what
She can. They are able to wear whatever they can wear.
A dark face doesn’t mean you’re a disgrace
you’re just as beautiful as the rest of the race
POC are as important as people
Who discipline their place, Their culture and their face.
What I have down there, isn’t for the rest of the world to share
But to know who I identify with love and care.
To ...

Help (a poem)
Arielle Viner-Lemelin

Help
Physical
Mental
Voices
Anger
Hate
Hurt
Harsh
Heavy
Hollow
Hypocrite.
Author’s note: This poem can be read top to bottom and bottom to top. ...

Short Story Contest $$$
Knightwatch Editors

This month we will be running a short story contest for Nepean students, with prizes! Your work of original fiction (one entry per person) must be between 600 and 1000 words, but it can be on whatever topic you would like. There will be gift cards for the top three entries, with values of $75, $50, and $25 (from the winners’ choice of Starbucks, Indigo, Michael’s, GameStop, or Staples). Of course, we expect everyone to be mindful of harmful language and messages in their writing.
The stories will be blindly judged by the students of the Nepean Knightwatch team, using the ...

March Writing Prompts
Knightwatch Editors

Here are a few suggestions to get your ideas flowing this month:
How is the second semester going? Do you prefer having 4 classes each day, or was just 2 better?
March 8 is International Women’s Day! Share a piece of writing or artwork about feminism, or tell us about a strong woman who has inspired you.
March 20 is the Spring Equinox, which marks the official start of a new season. Are you excited for the end of winter, or hoping for even more snow?
March is Francophonie month. Feel free to submit something you wrote during French class or write us a ...

Interview with Nepean’s Black History Month Organizers
Hugh Kelly and Olivia Milley

This month we were fortunate to interview Heaven-Lee Emond and Gloria Rwentambo, two executives of Nepean’s Diverse Student Union (DSU), who are currently co-organizing our school’s Black History Month events. In response to our questions, they emphasized students’ enthusiasm to celebrate this month, but also the need for more open conversations about racial issues in education.
Heaven-Lee and Gloria have both been members of the DSU for multiple years, and are now excited to be leading the club’s initiatives for Black History Month. Gloria says she enjoys being a representative for Black students in the school, and looks forward to bringing ...

Book Review: all about love: New Visions
Nina Beck

In an ever persistent quest to diversify my book shelf, acclaimed author, feminist, and social activist bell hooks has been on my to-be-read list for some time now. Gloria Jean Watkins, known by her pen name ‘bell hooks,’ was a Black american author known for her works regarding love, race, class, gender, art, history, sexuality, mass media, and feminism. She passed away in December 2021 at the age of sixty-nine, having written around forty books in her lifetime.
I recently picked up one of these books, all about love. The first thing that I noticed was the sheer lack of capital ...

Racism in AI: A Systemic Issue?
Grade 12 Student

When many people think of artificial intelligence (AI), they think of robots or self-driving cars. AI often elicits a sense of amazement, of wonder, of possibility for the future. But just as AI offers advancements, there are also potential consequences — machines are prone to bias, including racism. As Black History Month comes to an end, it’s important to recognize the racial issues in our tech-fueled world, where AI algorithms are present from security cameras to sending a text to your friend. Any bias in these algorithms can result in massive, systemic issues that disproportionately affect Black individuals.
These machines learn ...

OCDSB Black Excellence Day at Nepean High School
Ella Zubec

Wanda Robson holds a ten dollar Canadian bill picturing Viola Desmond, her sister.
“It’s really important that we show that we support [Black people], and that they’re in a safe environment.” — Amaya, a Nepean High School student.
On February 3rd, students and staff across the OCDSB school board wore black to support Black excellence in all areas of life, despite intentional inequalities that have been present for them. This day was chosen because it is the day the province of Nova Scotia repaid the fine and court costs associated with Viola Desmond’s 1946 court case.
The evening of November 8, 1946, Viola ...

Rosemary Brown
Kate Bodden

Rosemary Brown went to McGill University as well as UBC where she faced both sexism and racism. She became an advocate for women and people of colour, and was a part of many activist groups. Rosemary Brown became the first black woman to sit in the legislative assembly of British Columbia and she ran for leadership of NDP with the slogan “Brown is Beautiful” (hence the repetition in the background). These are only a few of her many accomplishments. I painted her into the classic Canadian artwork “Under the Shadow of the Tent” by Helen McNicoll (1914). ...

NHS Presents Our Favourite Black Authors
Multiple authors


This is a collection of books written by Black authors, each one recommended by a Nepean student or staff member. The slideshow was assembled by our librarian, Ms. MacKechnie, who has been posting one of these recommendations on her Instagram page each day for the month of February. Many of the books are available now in the Nepean library. ...

Book Review: Born a Crime
Kate Y.

DRIVE LINK
Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime is a must read for many reasons. His narration showcases his unique perspective of a childhood influenced by Apartheid and a much broader view of the many different cultures and societies of South Africa. Trevor shares his story, one that was never easy to live, with his own kind of humour. This is part of what makes this book appealing for many readers. Because, though he addresses many serious issues, such as the racism and violence that he witnessed and experienced from a young age, he doesn’t dwell on these things in anger or ...

Book Review: Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina
Hannah McIntosh

DRIVE LINK
Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina by Michaela DePrince is a must-read because Michaela Deprince is very admirable and relatable. It will make you want to cry both tears of sadness and tears of joy and the memoir can serve as a window and a mirror. Michaela Deprince is very admirable and relatable at the same time. Michaela went through so much when she was living in Sierra Leone, but her experiences in the United States are relatable to many people. She is inspiring because of how hard she worked and how resilient she is. This book ...

Book Review: When You Were Everything
Ava Bennett

The novel When You Were Everything by Black American author Ashley Woodfolk is a must-read as it perfectly encapsulates the grueling reality of losing a friend. Friendship breakups can be just as, if not more heartbreaking than one in a romantic relationship. Cleo is left in shambles after she and her best friend Layla decide to no longer be friends and you really feel it with her. Ashley Woodfolk does a great job at portraying the raw emotions that you feel can’t be put into words while experiencing this. You’ll find yourself wanting to laugh, cry and yell, putting yourself ...

Tau Lewis
Cadence Rowsell

I placed Tau Lewis in the artwork called "Immigrants" by the artist Prudence Heward to honour Lewis's creative and caring qualities. She is an artist who uses recycled materials. The pattern in the background is supposed to imitate one of her own pieces of artwork in which she uses parts of old jeans. ...

Jully Black
Audrey Waller

Jully Black was heroic and strong. Her family went through some really tough times and she persevered. She advocates for many people who are marginalized and co-founded Empowered in My Skin which empowers young women. I chose to pattern the background with gladiolus because the flower represents heroism. It also comes from the latin word for sword so it also represents strength and pride. ...

The Influence of Music on the Anti-Apartheid Movement
Vanya M.

Introduction
“The power of music rests in its ability to reach inside and touch the places where the deepest cuts lie. Like a benevolent god, a good song will never let you down.” When Tiffanie DeBartolo stated this in her book, How To Kill A Rock Star, she did it through a fictional musician who uses music to express his pain. While she wrote it for a fictional character, it touched the hearts of countless readers who resonated with the truth it holds. Music, at its core, expresses and evokes emotion. It has the power to make a person feel pain, ...

Eugenia Duodu
Nina Philips

...

Phylicia George
Sydney Wright

...

Book Review: The Field Guide to the North American Teenager
Kyle L.

​The ​​Field Guide to the North American Teenager is a great book that teaches you about first impressions. It is written by Ben Philippe, a Black French Canadian just like Norris Kaplan, the main character. This book is a must-read because Norris is very admirable. He may start out in this new city with no one he knows, but he develops an understanding for the city and its people. Most people in the world take a first impression and stick with it for their life, but Norris gave Austin, Texas a second chance. This makes him admirable, and a role ...

Violet King
Elsie Hawkes

I chose to honor Violet King because she was a brave and honest person and the first black female Canadian lawyer. In my art, she is wearing a dress with some flowers native to Canada such as purple periwinkle and blue flag iris. The pattern in the background is made up of gavel because she is a lawyer and crowns because her last name is King. I chose to put her in Alex Colville's "To Prince Edward Island" because it is an iconic Canadian artwork and it focuses on the person in the painting so the focus is on Violet ...

Rosemary Brown
Maggie Bowden

...

Kimora Amour
Donisha Saint-Germain

...

Book Review: Call Us What We Carry
Ella Zubec

In December of 2021, the United States’s first ever National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, released her poetry collection titled Call Us What We Carry. The book includes personal reflections on how she weathered COVID-19, like the poem “School’s Out,” which puts a powerful spin on losing your graduation, or “Coda in Code” which gives readers a feel for what it is like to try and comprehend the world with an auditory processing disorder. Additionally, she described the pandemic’s impact on marginalized communities across the globe. Ms. Gorman does a great job of touching on so many key impacts of ...

Jully Black
Sarah Clarke

...

Angela James
Mavis Evans

...

Book Review: The Vanishing Half
Serena Manouchehri

Here is a short summary of the novel, quoted from the author, Brit Bennett:
“The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern Black community and running away at age sixteen, it's not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it's everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Many years later, one sister lives with her Black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by ...

Toya Alexis
Rebecca Francis

...

February Writing Prompts
Knightwatch Editors

For the February issue of Knightwatch we will be focusing on submissions related to Black History Month. We would like to highlight important stories and perspectives and stand in solidarity with Black students at Nepean High School as well as promote Black excellence.

We encourage you to make creations that center around Black History Month, such as:​
(We will still accept submissions about other subjects, but they will be saved to publish in March.) ...

Our return to classrooms: What’s different this time?
Nicholas Ficara

Across Ontario, classes are returning to an in person learning model after completing two weeks of online school. Throughout the week, I spoke with Nepean High School students to better understand their opinions and to get an understanding of how they are coping with this latest shift. After interviewing these students, the consensus was clear: we were not ready to shift to in-person learning. Many kids were eager to share their thoughts on this divisive issue, and they had decisive opinions.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, students have switched between online classes and in person classes several times. So what’s ...

The Nepean Playlist Vol. 2 (Sad Songs Edition)
Hugh Kelly and Kevin Pham

Here is the playlist on Spotify!
We’re back! In November, we asked students to send us their three favourite songs of any kind, which were combined into this incredible playlist. This time, we challenged them to pick their favourite sad songs, so that the playlist would have one coherent theme.
Altogether, the mixtape is over four hours long, with sixty-four tracks by fifty-five artists. Once you are mentally prepared for some strong emotions, you can listen to the playlist on Spotify using the link at the top of this article.
We used an online playlist analyzer to sort the songs by their “happiness ...

Twelve Imitations of Famous Artworks
Multiple Artists

To have a little fun, Ms. Amenta asked her students to replicate a famous piece of artwork within a short period of time with items from around the house. These are a few of the many creative and fun results.
Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, Nina Phillips
Palmer's Tea and Tunnocks, Donisha Saint-Germain
Matisse's Face, Hilary Linkletter
Andy Warhol's Banana 10, Farshad Noor
Magritte's Son of Man, Aiden Carnegie
Mondrian's Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow, Maddy Cermak
DaVinci's Lady with an Ermine, Rebecca Francis
Banksy's Girl with Balloon, Mavis Evans
Emm's Fox Terrier, Mia Spadaccini
Artwork for a Colour Psychology book cover, Asha Brennen
Evan Zikovitz
Millais' Ophelia ...

Book Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Nina Beck

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, published in 2017 is a fan favourite of BookTok. A historical fiction of Old Hollywood in the style of a tell-all biography about the life of movie star Evelyn Hugo, it was written by a previously unknown journalist and is bound to grasp people's attention, myself included.
I’m not always one for romance novels but this one held onto me for all 400 pages. Jenkins Reid’s writing style struck me as unique. Using alternating first person point of views between Evelyn Hugo and her biographer, Evelyn’s life story unfolds divided by ...

Experiences of a Hockey Player
Anonymous

Before starting the new season of hockey I was worried. I was worried I wouldn't be strong enough, fast enough or big enough. Three months in, I’ve learned a lot. I know I’m physically strong enough and I don’t know why I was so scared. So far it’s been an amazing season, but the three girls, myself included, have experienced moments that showed us that co-ed hockey (“boys hockey”) isn’t fully adjusted to the concept of girls in hockey. It feels like we will never be seen as hockey players, always as girl-hockey players.
Walking into rinks before games, I’m ...

Textured Fingers (Collection)
Multiple Artists

Here are five artist’s versions of a sketchbook assignment from Ms Amenta’s grade 9 class. They were asked to draw a human hand with five unique textures, one on each finger, and the results are both beautiful and chilling.
Maggie Bowden
Lila Pare Lutfi
Mavis Evans
Rebecca Francis
Aspen Horgan ...

Anti-Asian Discrimination, COVID-19, and the Non-Profit Organization ‘Dear Asian Youth Ottawa’
Ella Zubec

2020 was a hard year for people all around the globe. When the world familiarized itself with COVID-19, it came with a significant rise in anti-Asian sentiment. Before we knew it, everyone with black hair and almond eyes was burdened with the blame of a whole pandemic. It was entirely not their fault, but what began in a place of pain, eventually blossomed into a community as a group of Asian youth in Ottawa came together to bring awareness to the racism prevalent in the world, and share with us their culture. They call it, “Dear Asian Youth Ottawa”.
DAYO (@dearasianyouth.ott ...

Untitled Poem
Natasha Mazerolle

Two cradles, alike in size and shape
Made just before it was too late
One wooden, built of a solemn stump alone
The other made of hard, cold stone
The cradles unbearable and stiff,
The children may sleep only if
Those who love them give
Love and say they’ll try their best to help them live
For the early years bring bruises that threaten to never heal
But something soft and supporting brings a kinder feel ...

Red Mushrooms
Elsie Hawkes

...

Overlapped
Caiden Bink

Colourful artwork ...

Pepperoni Pizza
Helen Resmer

...

The Lily Pond
Cadence Rowsell

...

Bull Kelp
Audrey Waller

...

Celtic Tree of Life
Natasha Mazerolle

Tree of life knot made with acrylic paint, on 9 x 12 inch acrylic paper ...

Stuck in Bubbles
Kate Bodden

Colourful artwork ...

The Nocturnal Sojourn
Natasha Mazerolle

At dusk I hear the tinkling of bells
The start of a fairy brigade
Joyously marching from the dells
The company’s hair all in braid
Their cheeks like roses in bloom
Their finery of grand emeralds and jade
The clearing, their will’o wisps illume
And then the dance starts
And so expels my gloom
Their actions fast, their movement like darts
Their banter merry and full of cheer
How easy, I think, it must be for them to steal hearts
When the sun rises, my visitors disappear
Oh, how I cannot wait for their visit next year ...

January Writing Prompts
Knightwatch Editors

The Nepean Playlist is back! Use this link to send us your three favourite sad songs, so we can compile them into the ultimate melancholy playlist. https://forms.gle/KeN6hY8eeBgAB3Hy6
Write us a book review! It’s lovely to have a good book to read by the fire in the wintertime.
January can be a difficult time — tell us your best tips for self-care and wellness, to get through these dark days.
Did you travel during the winter break? How was it? Did pandemic restrictions impact your experience? ...

Book Review: The Sun is Also a Star
Rachel Brennan


The Sun is Also a Star by Jamaican-American author Nicola Yoon is amazing, suspenseful, engaging, and it really makes you think. I believe that one major reason you should read this book is because of the writing style. Nicola Yoon has written this book so well. She uses expressive language, powerful imagery and describes everything so well. Even though the novel covers the events of only a single day, I never got bored reading it. In fact, I couldn’t put it down. Another reason this book is a must-read is because the characters are teenagers, so they are so relatable. ...

Book Review: Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline
Kailash R.

DRIVE LINK
What do you get when you combine a thrilling plot, action, Métis culture, and a bit of romance? You get Métis author Cherie Dimaline’s Empire of Wild. This book is a must read for everyone. With a vast variety of topics and themes, not only is it perfect for everybody, it is an inspirational story which might just open your mind. Not only that but, it has incredible complexity in the characters. Most characters of importance are well rounded and each one introduces both admirable, and not so admirable qualities which further allows a person to feel like they ...

And the winner is...
Multiple students

Grade 9 English students participated in a fierce, but friendly Battle of the Books competition. Each student read a book of their choice by a diverse author and created a video book trailer and a pitch to convince their audience that their book is a must-read.
The competition lasted a full week in December, with a different group of students promoting their books each day. In addition to their trailer and pitch, panelists shared information about their book’s characters, conflict, theme, and an important quotation. At the end of each round, everyone voted for the book they most wanted to ...

Theatre
Kate Bodden

...

Golf
Helen Resmer

...

Turbulence
Sophie Blechinger

...

The Red Booth
Tiffany Uzamere

...

Crooked House in the Woods
Elsie Hawkes

...

Enter The Winter-Laden Forest
Natasha Mazerolle

Come away to a realm of silence
Where your breath flies away like a ghostly bird
The trees stand still
The towering observers
The kings of the hill
The ground covered in a white river
Knee-deep and frigid
Enough to make you shiver
A pale blanket that coats every surface
All in preserved posture so rigid
Silence stretches on
For sound is stolen
And ensnared within the dainty dancers
Who twirl in their graceful descent
But in spite, shrill somber birdsong rings out
From no particular origin and to no end,
The notes echo relentlessly throughout ...

Lukka
Audrey Waller

...

Techies Take Note!
Adriana Cule

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Nepean? Behind the curtains of the school productions, before assemblies, during fun events like Coffee House and talent shows? The answer to that is NTEK: a group of students, led by the amazing Mr. Carter. With weekly meetings at lunch to expand learning about microphones, basic sound systems, and lighting, NTEK is a very hands-on class. It lasts year long since it doesn’t take up any class time and even earns you a credit. The inclusive atmosphere allows for students of any grade level to come together and learn ...

To Ignite A Rose Petal
Natasha Mazerolle

Rose petals don’t burn
They may blacken
Or shrivel in a bonfire’s flame
But lighting a match to a dried petal
Does little to maim
What can you learn from a corolla so small?
Whose frailness may cause it to crumble in a pinch
A symbol of love and purity,
An icon of romance
Will not be destroyed in a cinch
Light a match to a dried rose petal
It will light but will not burn
When ground it may become soot
But incineration be not a concern ...

Focus on the Mushrooms
Steven DeMaio

...

Banana Nog Recipe
Grade 12 Student

It’s that time of the year again when us students at Nepean count down the days to the holidays and winter break. A time of great food, reflection, and best of all, no school! One thing that always keeps me in the festive spirit during the holidays is banana nog: a twist on the traditional eggnog. It’s really easy to make, and the result is an amazing drink spiced with nutmeg and allspice.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this banana nog:
5 cups whole milk or oat milk
1/4 cup icing sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of freshly ...

Howl's Cottage
Cicely Anthonisen

...

Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole Recipe
Olivia Milley

McCormick. (n.d.). Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Yummly. [image]. Retrieved from https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Broccoli-Cauliflower-Casserole-2263038.
My favourite holiday recipe has undoubtedly always been this dish. Although many people don’t like casseroles, this side dish is great with stuffing and potatoes, and is the perfect combination of cheese and vegetables. This recipe is super simple and always has people asking for seconds. Enjoy!
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings but can easily be doubled to make more.
Vegetable Ingredients:
1 head of steamed broccoli
1 head of steamed cauliflower
Sauce Ingredients:
2 tbsp of butter or margarine
1 tbsp of flour
1 cup of milk
½ block of ...

Meet Julianne and Rachel, Our Grade Nine Representatives!
Ella Zubec

The student council has a big influence on our school community, and that responsibility lies in the hands of those involved: our student council and committee members, and our grade representatives and co-presidents. With already three of the ten months in our school year passed, the elections have come and gone for each of the positions, and we have had the chance to participate in a spirit week leading up to Halloween. With all the action happening behind the scenes, Knightwatch thought it would be best for the school to get to know some of the people running the show. ...

Book Review: Fake I.D. by Lamar Giles
Rami Badran

Here is my project!

Lamar Giles is an African-American who started writing books at the age of 14. He wrote a book called Fake I.D. which is a murder mystery adventure that takes place in a small town called Stepton. This book draws your attention and takes you deep in a scary and adventurous murder mystery. This book has a mafia behind this crime and sadly Nick’s dad was a part of his friends murder. Devastating. Nick spends his days searching and risking his life to find the criminals that killed his friend. Talking about friends, he couldn't trust anybody after ...

AIDS Awareness For NHS
Nina Beck

December 1st is World AIDS day. Since 1988, this day has been designated to commemorate the lives lost from HIV/AIDS, and spread awareness about the AIDS pandemic. As of 2020, the virus has killed an estimated 36.3 million people worldwide, and an estimated 37.7 million people are living with HIV today. While in large parts of the world, access to antiretroviral treatment has significantly decreased the mortality rate of the epidemic, lots of developing countries still have very high rates of infection and death because of inaccessibility to proper sexual education, resources about the virus, and lack of proper medical ...

Fancy Dessert Recipes Collection
Jennifer G., and Nola S.

This month Ms. Hamer’s Grade 10 English Class has shared two fancy dessert recipes with us. These would be excellent to try out over the holiday break!
Black Forest Cake by Jennifer G. ...

Spongebob
Khanh Nguyen

I made an acrylic painting of Spongebob making Krabby Patties for Santa 4 Seniors.
Santa 4 Seniors is a campaign by the Good Companions Organization where they send gift baskets to seniors who will be spending Christmas alone. ...

Film Review: Ghostbusters (1984)
Brianna

Peter Venkman, Ray Stanz and Egon Spegler work at Columbia University as parapsychologists who didn’t have enough funding from the university for conducting their experiments. They set up shop as a ghost removal service in New York City where terrified customers call on their service. A dead Gozer Worshiper erected a downtown apartment building which could potentially end all humanity by bringing to life the Hittite god Gozer. They stumble upon another dimension that has evil intentions and the mayor needs their help to save the city.
The film is rated PG incorporating the adventure, fantasy and comedy genre and it ...

Film Review: Venom: Let There Be Carnage
William Haslett

If it’s a rainy day or you’re just looking for something to do, you’re probably going to go see a movie. I would too as it’s a great way to spend a miserable day or a brisk evening. The theatres always have a wide variety of movies, some good, some bad. Few are bad; however, those that are, are made very obvious. One of which is Sony’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage. This movie was a complete and utter waste of my and my family's time. Not one of us enjoyed it.
...

December Writing Prompts
Knightwatch Editors

Share your favourite holiday recipe with us! It can be one your family makes every year for special occasions or just something you enjoy eating.
Tell us about your holiday and winter break traditions!
What winter activities do you enjoy? Skiing, sledding, skating, etc. Did you try anything new last winter that you enjoyed?
Everyone loves good recommendations! Write us a review of a movie.
Happy Holidays Nepean :) ...

A Christmas Alphabet
Lucy Turk

A is for Angels,
Popular Christmas characters,
With sparkling wings and glowing gowns.
They always lift frowns.
B is for Blizzards,
Blustery winter disasters
And school cancellations
Though they do create fun winter exploration.
C is for Christmas trees,
Tall and bright
The center of attention
Covered in snow, glittery and white.
D is for December,
the month full of first snowfalls,
and the evening darkness being the strongest.
The holiday feeling
everyone has needed since August.
E is for Eggnog,
a classic holiday drink.
Everyone pours themselves a glass
before sliding on the rink.
F is for the First Frost,
A wave of cheer flows through you
you see the fresh flurries on the ground.
Then all the neighbourhood kids get out
and decide ...

De-streamed Math Classes — One Teacher’s First Impressions
Hugh Kelly

Starting this school year, all grade 9 math classes in Ontario are being offered in only one stream. In previous years, students chose one of three streams (academic, applied, or essential) which had different curriculum expectations and assessment methods. Generally, students taking academic math in grades 9 and 10 then took “university” level math in grades 11 and 12, while applied students moved to “college” level math. Most subjects (English, French, sciences, and geography) are streamed in all grades, while some are not streamed at all, such as the arts, physical education, and Spanish.
The Government of Ontario is de-streaming grade ...

A Writer’s World
Arielle VL

A Writer's world is never what it seems
People always believe
That in
a writer’s world
Fiction
Becomes
Reality
But that’s not always
True
In a writer's world
Horror
Becomes
Reality
too
Sure the library in your closet might not have any books on
It
But that doesn't mean that there are none.
The writer's world is a blank page
When an idea sparks to life
It catches
Flame
But if this
Spark is a
Drop
Of
...

My Voice
Arielle VL

I’m suffocating in all the restrictions
Six feet apart huh? Well how about six under with a triple layer mask on
The ground over top pulling
never pushing you out
You scream and scream but no one can hear you
because you're
six
feet
under
You don’t know who put you there
All you heard was someone eating a bat, or was it a fish? mushroom?
Who the hell knows
Not i
You're stuck there going nowhere but down
You're in the ocean but you don’t know which way is up
And you still have ...

S&G Fries and Burgers Review
Khalid Filali

If you’ve ever gone out for lunch during school, you’ve probably passed by S&G Fries and Burgers, the shack right beside the Produce Depot. For the past three years I’ve been at Nepean High School and I always passed by, but I never bought anything. I recently decided to take a chance and try out what is so highly regarded by students at Nepean.
S&G Fries has the typical “shack menu”: fries, poutine, burgers, hot dogs, and chicken fingers, along with egg rolls from the Golden Bowl. I chose to get a small poutine.
I received my order very quickly, and ...

Emma Stone
Cadence Rowsell

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Emma Watson
Helen Resmer

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Aurora
Audrey Waller

...

Untitled Watercolour
Cadence Rowsell

...

Untitled Drawing
Lila Pare Lutfi

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Untitled Drawing
Aiden Carnegie

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Untitled Drawing
Cicely Anthonisen

...

Untitled Drawing
Anastasia Iagoferova

...

Hilary
Hilary Linkletter

...

Untitled Drawing
Sophie Chase

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Untitled Drawing
Mavis Evans

...

Lisa from BLACKPINK
Sophie Blechinger

...

Untitled Drawing
Rebecca Francis

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Untitled Watercolour
Lauren Summerbell

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Untitled Drawing
Sarah Clarke

...

Transgender Day of Remembrance at Nepean
Natasha Mazerolle

As long as there has been a concept of gender, transgender people have existed. The existence of people who catwalked the blurry lines of gender has been shown through history and various cultures. In the pre-colonial Incan civilization, they had a dual gendered jaguar deity known as Chuqui Chinchay who had shamans known as quariwarmi (“men-women”), a mixed gender role. In Madagascar, the Sakalava people recognized a third gender known as Sekrata, boys in the community who exhibited traditionally feminine features or personalities who were raised by their parents as girls; they were even believed to have special souls that ...

Maggie Bowden
Maggie Bowden

...

Untitled
Sydney Wright

...

Untitled Drawing
Kate Bodden

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Untitled Drawing
Sophie Blechinger

...

Untitled Drawing
Anastasia Iagoferova

...

The Benefits of Buying Local Food
Grade 12 Environment Class

Here is a video our class made!
https://vimeo.com/647432510
Hi everyone! We are the students of CGR4M; the environment resource management class, and we are so excited to give you all some tips and motivation on how to save our beautiful planet on which we all rely.
First off, did you know that changing your eating habits and consuming locally sourced food, can actually have huge positive impacts on our environment? By doing so and choosing to eat locally sourced food, you are not only supporting your local community but also simultaneously reducing your food miles!
Now, while food miles and air miles certainly ...

The Fate of King Evander
Natasha Mazerolle

The Oracle wasn’t vague with her words.
King Evander, the kind and justly sovereign, was foretold to be slain by his own descendant.
The prediction shook him. Nothing else took up the space in his mind as he left the Oracle’s villa. Or when he rode back on his steed. Or when he returned to his castle. Not even when he sat down to eat dinner.
When he laid down to sleep, his thoughts poked at him like pins with the ponderings of when the last time may be that he lays before he never awakens. His dreams were pervaded with images of ...

The We Remember Learning Walk
Ella Zubec

Did you notice the person who stood behind the school beside the array of posters, pictures, and infographics pinned up against the fence? Did you wonder who that person was? Or what he was standing by? For two weeks leading up to Remembrance Day, there was an exhibit set up outside Nepean High School. Kalan Saunder, an army cadet who attends Nepean, and our librarian, Ms. Mackechnie organized the “We Remember Learning Walk”.
Spring of 2020, Ms. Mackechnie learned about the idea of a learning walk from another teacher-librarian in Toronto, who took apart story books and pinned them ...

The Nepean Playlist Vol. 1
Hugh Kelly and Kevin Pham

Here is the playlist on Spotify!
It’s currently November, a somewhat dreary time of the year. We at Knightwatch wanted to give people a little bit of excitement, and get them involved in something fun and unique. So we asked students a simple question: What are your three favorite songs right now?
We got a stupendous response: one-hundred and twenty five songs, which combine to make one incredible eight hour playlist. You can listen to it right now on Spotify, using the link at the top of this article.
The most remarkable thing about this collection is the sheer variety of genres, styles, ...

Sushi Kan Review
Olivia Milley

Rated 9.0 on Skip the Dishes, Sushi Kan boasts a plentiful menu of over a hundred and fifty different options. On top of sushi, they also serve other Japanese and Korean dishes, so if you’re not a fan of raw fish, there are many other items that will surely appeal to you, from soups, to tempura (deep fried meat, fish or vegetables), to noodles, and a variety of other foods. My personal favourites to order include salmon and avocado rolls, edamame soybeans, calamari, miso soup, and salmon sashimi. When I eat at the restaurant I always order the mango ice ...

The Shot
Grade 9 Student

“Today’s pain is worth tomorrow’s glory.”
I thought to myself, walking back onto the pitch. Anticipation, adrenaline, nerves, and tingling sensations crowding my thoughts. I began jumping up and down clearing my mind, my cleats coasting against the smooth touch of the freshly tended to turf field.
The dulcet whistle sang like the howl of a wolf calling his pack. Freedom. The second half was on. Quickly I turned to my wingback,
“Cover the long ball,”
He nodded; falling back into a defensive position.
I ran up the field taking a moment to observe the crowds on the sidelines pulsating like they were semi-sentient animals. ...

The Church Without A Clock
Natasha Mazerolle

The halls are silent, an absence of mechanical ticks
The sunlight from the windows bears no meaning
Eons pass, or was it just five seconds?
The House of God, where time does not exist
The walls are bare, so much space unused
Why are there so many crosses?
And not a single clock?
No bell tower rings from above.
O Temple of pale walls, do your bells ring strong?
Do your visitors treat them as absolute?
Do they even mean anything when you cannot see the sky?
Is the birds’ morning song indistinguishable from their evening finale?
Do the faithful believers know how long their sermon has been gone when they step ...

Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
Club

Club Description: This year, with an overwhelming wave of attendance, we’ve had to branch out quite a bit. Once a week, we all meet as a group. The other day, we break out into different rooms, with topics such as activism, event planning, chilling, and more. There is a space for everyone.
Meeting Time: We meet Tuesdays and Thursdays. 2SLGBTQ+ and allies, all welcome. Locations shift frequently because of COVID accommodations, so joining the classroom is extremely helpful for attendees.
Google Classroom Code: ajymc7l
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nepeanhs_gsa/ ...

Greek Tragedy Play
Grade 12 Student

[Jamal’s heroic flaw is that he gets jealous very easily]
PROLOGUE:
T’Challa: Damn, man you did it. You became class president.
Jamal: Yeah T’Challa. What’d you expect?
Jamal leaves stage
Tyrone enters
T’Challa: Yoo Tyrone. What's up man.
Tyrone: Ohh you know. The usually. Admiring Jamal.
T’Challa: Yeah I hear you. He is super dope. He got a fly honey, he quarterback on the football team, School President, most popular kid in school. He got it all man.
Tyrone: Yeah but he gets a little jealous sometimes.
PARADOS:
Jamal is a nice dude,
Quarterback of the football team,
School president,
Honour roll student,
Everyone likes him,
That’s for sure,
Everyone want to be like him,
That’s for sure,
But ...

Corvus Et Corpus
Natasha Mazerolle

It was a cold day
I stepped off my porch
and into the woods
walking through the foliage
step
by step
by step
I saw a black crow
next to a dead songbird
ripping out its feathers
one
by one
by one
Nothing awaited me
so I sat and watched
as it ripped out feathers
another one
by another one
by another one
The crow finally looked at me
Its eyes appeared older than eternity
I nodded in understanding
As time passed by us like the breeze
Tick
tick
tick
The crow grabbed its meal
and flew away, leaving nothing but feathers
It left me alone
Probably returning to its home
and so I walked back to mine
Step
by step
by step ...

Environment Club
Club

Club Description: We are a student lead club with a goal of creating a community of people who care about the environment. If you have any climate anxiety or would like to continue or start doing your part, we are the place for you. We are a welcoming group that does and have done lots of initiatives. We run the compost program, take care of the gardens in the front of the school, run community clean up initiatives, and so much more. We have many plans for this year but number one is always having fun, creating a stress free ...

The Importance Of Being Oscar Wilde
Sejal Joneja

Image credits: Pleming, C. (2014). Classicist’s tour highlights importance of Oxford for Oscar Wilde. [photograph]. Oxford News Blog.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/arts-blog/classicist%E2%80%99s-tour-highlights-importance-oxford-oscar-wilde.
When one talks about English literature and poetry, the name Oscar Wilde doesn’t tend to come up. More often, we hear the names of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen, and while I respect and love Macbeth and Pride and Prejudice, there are some things they don’t offer that Wilde does.
Oscar Wilde was an impressive Irish playwright and poet who lived in London in the 1880’s. He is best known for his story The Picture of Dorian Gray, a novel ...

Muslim Student Association
Club

Club Description: MSA provides a safe and positive environment for Muslim students to comfortably express their identity, beliefs, and cultures. MSA runs the weekly Friday prayers for interested students. MSA also organizes various fundraising events to build a sense of community among students and to help local charities.
Meeting Time: Meetings are alternate Tuesdays, during lunch and starting at 11:45 in the Drama room (3308). Anyone is welcome!
Google Classroom Code: hf42qho
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msa_nepean/ ...

Suya Joint (African Grill) Review
Jennifer G

I’ve eaten at an African grill and I have to say it is severely underrated. Whenever I go, I usually treat myself to their beef Suya, a dish that can be ordered spicy if you’d like. Now what is Suya? It originated in Nigeria and is a popular street food which is typically pieces of thinly sliced meat with seasonings. There are different types of Suya sold from beef to chicken to goat. Although all the flavours are different they all are extremely delicious. My first experience there, I was in awe. The food was so delicious that when I ...

Diverse Student Union (DSU)
Club

Club Description: Our mission statement: DSU's goal is to disrupt racism, to support cultural diversity, and to develop advocates for equity and social justice. We seek to dismantle mental and physical segregation and create an environment of unity and understanding. Above all, we aim to provide a safe and open space for members to share their thoughts and experiences.
The Diverse Student Union was established as the Black History Month Club, in which members would work together to organize the Black History Month Assembly. While we now go by a different name and do many other things, including topical discussions and ...

Accessibility Issues in Canada
Mave Ferri-Pratt

In 2017, a survey on disabilities in Canada found that 22% of Canadians above the age of 15 are disabled. One would think that the Canadian Government would have a more regulated and convenient accessibility policy, yet 73% of disabled Canadians have faced major barriers when trying to use both federal and municipal organizations and businesses across Canada. Additionally, 4.1% of Ontarians (127,240 people) use a mobility aid. This shows that accessibility is a current issue in Canada. Take our school for example: we have no elevator, and all entrances have a staircase either on the outside or inside of ...

Bowman's Crispy Chicken Sandwich — Review Finger, Feedback, Report Back
Nola

Rated 5 stars
I have been to Bowman’s restaurant four times in the past year and a half. Every time, I order the same thing: the crispy chicken sandwich. Each time, I find myself craving it more and more. Words cannot describe the majesty of this sandwich. It’s like taking a bite out of the cosmos, as if with every swallow, infinite power flashes before your eyes. If anyone ever asks what is the meaning of the universe, there is only one answer: the crispy chicken sandwich. If you have not tasted it, you have not lived. If you have not ...

Intersectional Feminist Alliance
Club

Club Description: We started the club two years ago after hearing stories of gender-based discrimination at Nepean. Our goal is to create a safe space for all students, and dismantle any patriarchal systems of oppression through education and action. At each meeting, we’ll have discussions focused on a variety of gender equality issues, and discuss actions/initiatives we can do to try to solve these problems in our community!
Meeting Time: Everyone is welcome! We are starting meetings November 15th, and are holding meetings every second Monday.
Google Classroom Code: 7t6ogb2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareifa/ ...

Cookie Recipes Collection
Liam P., and Sarah S.

Here are two more recipes from Ms. Hamer’s Grade 10 English Class. These are cookie recipes, perfect for making as an after school snack!
Chocolate Chip Cookies by Liam P.
Snickerdoodle Cookies by Sarah S. ...

One of Us is Lying Book Review
Julia

Image credits: (2017). One Of Us Is Lying. [cover art]. Delacorte Press/Random House.
Karen McManus's One of Us is Lying is an engaging murder mystery novel about a murder in a high school where four students are the main suspects. This is her debut novel which was published on May 30th, 2017. Each chapter focuses on a character's point of view and is told from their perspective.
It all starts on a Monday afternoon when five senior students, Simon Kelleher, Bronwyn Rojas, Nate Macauley, Cooper Clay, and Addy Prentiss, arrive in the science lab for detention. Simon goes to ...

November (A Poem)
Grade 9 Student

What is November?
To me
November is…
The soft taste of hard-earned chocolate melting on your tongue
When we leave the ghosts behind, and welcome the winter holidays that have just begun
When the air loses it’s love
Forcing you to find warmth on your own so you pile coats and toques and gloves
When the moon rises before you’re finished with the sun
With Winter Solstice in a month
When reds and oranges and yellows have fallen from the trees
And their barren branches loom with the ground covered in dead debris
When the first snowflake flutters down from the sky
And you smile in awe at your younger brother ...

Message to Indigenous Artists!
Ms. Samuels

Kwe, she:kon, waciye, aanii, boozhoo, aingai
The NHS community would like to showcase the amazing Indigenous artists at the school! Moving forward we will have a spot to highlight any art an Indigenous student creates in Knightwatch, the student newspaper. This can be done as a special piece once in a while or on a more regular basis. Artists are welcome to submit a clear photo of their creations, as well as a brief explanation of the piece and their name as they would like it displayed with the submission (you may choose to remain anonymous and/or not to ...

Key Club
Club

Club Description: Key Club is centered around leading volunteering projects for the community. Every week, club members will collect volunteer hours in meetings. We provide high school students with opportunities, so you can get your 40 hours of volunteer hours easily and steadily. You can expect projects such as making cards for isolated seniors, writing letters to soldiers on Remembrance day and creative project collaborations with organizations such as the Good Companions, Kiwanis, and local family centres. To adapt to this year's standards, we are holding our meetings online. This way, members can earn their volunteer hours while feeling safe ...

Nepean Reads Book Club
Club

Club Description: We meet once a month in a virtual meeting. Each month students and staff read a book based on one of the four themes. See Google Classroom with the list of the themes of this month.
Meeting Time: Last Wednesday of every month at 3:45pm, we meet virtually and we have open meetings. See Ms. MacKechnie in the library for more information!
Google Classroom: dpvtwk4 ...

November Writing Prompts tilt shift photography of maple leaves
Knightwatch Editors

Music - what are your three favourite songs right now? We will add them to our Nepean playlist! (sorry, the playlist is done:( ) 🎵
We love food! Write a review of a local restaurant, coffee shop, or fast-food joint. 🌭
Write a poem about the changing seasons - how does the world feel when fall turns into winter? 🍁
Is Remembrance Day important to you? How do you feel it should be commemorated in schools? ...

Youth in Action
Club

Club Description: Our club is a space where young people can be a part of community initiatives that they themselves can start. Our goal is to allow youth to develop the experience in starting student-led initiatives to help their communities whether it is with the club or by themselves. Although we have some set projects for the future, we expect to do smaller initiatives throughout the year when they arise. Projects such as bottle drives, thank you notes to garbage collectors, cards for seniors, donations, and other projects are all within our scope to tackle, and we promote our ...

NHS WISTEM (women in science, technology, engineering, and math)
Club

Club Description: NHS WISTEM is an inclusive club to empower individuals who identify as female to pursue STEM related post secondary education and career opportunities. This is the first year NHS will have a WISTEM club, so we are excited to work alongside students to make this club as inclusive and productive as possible. The club will include female scientists of the week, where we will learn about a historical female scientist, and a present female scientist, and their impacts in the world of STEM. The club will also include guest speakers of female NHS alumni who will talk to ...

Essay (A Short Story)
Grade 9 Student

My mind was a blank slate as I touched my rough fingertips to the smooth plastic keyboard. I glanced at the missing letter. A gap in the otherwise perfect device. The letter zed. Not so common that I have to use it often; but common enough that I occasionally feel my pinky darting across the bottom half of my computer towards it.
I still had no ideas for the essay. Tryouts for the school soccer team were tonight, maybe I would find something to write about then? Yeah, I could picture it in my mind now: The ball came hurling ...

Celebrating Islamic Heritage Month at Nepean High School: An interview with Ms. Ibrahim
Olivia Milley

Despite only being in her first year of teaching at Nepean High School, Ms. Ibrahim has already had an impressive impact on our school community. She founded the Nepean Muslim Student Association (MSA) and has been instrumental in the celebration of Islamic Heritage Month. I talked to her to find out what the MSA does, more about what makes this month important, and how our school is celebrating it.
Ms. Ibrahim told me she started the Muslim Student Association as a space for Muslim students to have a chance to express their beliefs, culture, and religion in a safe and friendly ...

Transphobes Stay Off Our Turf: NHS and the Trans Rights Demonstration
Nina Beck

On October 19th 2021, Nepean High School students participated in a counter demonstration to a B.C. transphobe. Chris Elston, known as Billboard Chris on social media, was outside of Nepean, Broadview and Notre Dame. Chris has been travelling across Canada, spreading his opinions on the terrors of gender ideology and gender affirming treatments.
On Monday the 18th of October, there was outrage at Chris’s presence during the beginning and end of the school day. By Monday afternoon, there were large groups of people organizing counter demonstrations to block him from spreading his hateful messages to the young, impressionable minds attending ...

Fall Photography
Nicholas Ficara

Enjoy these images I took this fall during tech class! ...

Books I’ve Found in Nepean’s Library: Am I Blue?
Nina Beck

The Nepean High School library has a wonderful array of books available to students that a lot of people don’t really know about. The school library has a website that is accessible through the NHS website itself, in there is a link to alexandria, an online database of all the books in the nepean library. Alexandria is great, and not just because of the excellent name choice, it lets you browse books easily and find works that could be helpful for school or just for recreational reading without having to browse shelves for a long time (not that that isn’t ...

New Metal Idea Drum Set, Drums, Musical Instruments
Jacob Nusbaum

An original song.
...

The Ballad Of A Very Confusing Afternoon
Natasha Mazerolle

On a Thursday, the sun shone bright,
A cool breeze drifted through the air.
The students sat in their school,
A half hour left, they could hardly bear.
A loud screech ripped into ears
And all of the students stood.
They walked outside calmly,
They did what they should.
For autumn, it was too hot.
The day felt rather wry.
It felt worse when a cop
And a fire truck stopped by.
The students blocked the road,
A woman was trapped.
The crowd parted like a river,
Then everyone clapped.
In front of the school,
Something zany was on display.
For an old woman had hit someone’s car
And then drove away.
Finally, the event reached its end.
The students ...

Kids TV Tier List
Sebastien Davidson

All ratings are objective fact, also I haven’t seen all kids TV so cut me some slack.
S - Tier:
A - Tier:
B - Tier:
C - Tier:
D - Tier:
F - Tier: ...

Fall Recipes Collection
Brianna L., Sophie M., and Alex P.

The first assignment of Ms. Hamer’s Grade 10 English Class was to create a procedural text. Many students chose to write recipes which are perfect for making during the cozy fall season. Let us know if you try any of them!
Apple Strudel Muffins by Brianna L.
Raspberry Scones by Sophie M.
Chomeur Pudding by Alex P. ...

Focus
Sophie Milley

A collection of photos. ...

The Pernicious Prolonged Problematic Pandemic
Grade 12 Student

Remember March 2020? I'm sure you do. It was the moment the world changed as we know it.
Three days before March break: there was one thing on everyone’s mind. This new virus called Sars Cov-2, Covid-19 from Wuhan, China, was making its way through the media. There were discussions about whether or not they would extend our March break. The news was broken on Thursday, two days before the break would start. They made the decision to extend it by an extra two weeks. Which would mean we would be back on April 5th. Back to school like normal, right? ...

A Visit From The Sluagh
Natasha Mazerolle

The cold breeze was the first shocking thing that night. The Equinox had come and gone, chilling the earth and blackening the sky in the early hours of the night. The emerald leaves bled yellow and red, the most sure sign that Autumn was arriving.
There was nothing wrong with that of course, many people love the season. Several adore the liminal time of the year, how the transition has a certain vibe to it no other season can match. The feeling of knowing something sits in the air, just beyond our touch.
For the inhabitants of Oak Grove, that was only ...

Biking to the Falls
Ella Zubec

A collection of photos. ...

Untitled Haikus
Grade 10 Student

three lines say so much
freedom found within the limits
somehow less is more
the fan is too loud
soft words surrender their shape
to the rush of air
it seems so foolish
to cherish ink on paper
yet you are precious
posters fill my class
their garish colours wound my eyes
i prefer blank walls ...

Fall Photos
Noiya Katell

A collection of photos. ...

Spongebob and Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants
Khanh Nguyen

Painting, acrylic on canvas. ...

Students Reflect on Homes: A Refugee Story
Ms. Hamer’s Grade 10 English Class

Students in Ms. Hamer’s Grade 10 English class read Homes: A Refugee Story by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah and Winnie Yeung. They also listened to parts of the audiobook, narrated by Ali Momen. This book tells the true story of the al Rabeeah family’s journey from Iraq to Syria, and ultimately, to Canada, and explores the issues of childhood disrupted by war, and the strength and resilience of family in overcoming the effects of displacement.
After finishing the book, students reflected on the impact of the book, how it had deepened their understanding of the experiences of immigrants and refugees, ...

The Girls With The Same Name
Grade 9 Student

There were girls with the same name
And they ran through the rain
Their feet patted quietly
Their voices echoed loudly
With the same name, two girls ran
Under the quiet night they rant
The cool misty night
The deafening street lights
The smell of dew
I knew
For the world may suck
I can see its beauty
Rain symbolises sadness
And it's then I see clearly
When the sky screams
They can’t hear, so I speak
When the world is inside
So I am alone
I needn’t to hide
Because it’s heaven I see
When I dance in the rain
Because it’s hell I feel
When rain dances in me
Rain can be painful
When filled with bitter emotion
What we do when we’re ...

October Writing Prompts
Knightwatch Editors

How are you feeling about being back at school? What do you think of your classes so far?
Share your personal experiences of these two important days:
September 7,8 — Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
September 30 — the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Orange Shirt Day.
Halloween is coming! Tell us your favourite scary story, or write your own. 🦇🕷🍬 ...

Only a Small Motion
Grade 9 Student

A drop of water makes a ripple in the ocean
A soft breeze
And comes falling a beautiful leaf
A small motion
Isn’t it crazy
How much power we hold?
Only few words told
Yet a kind person now they see
A word
To a smile
A smile
Can mean the world
Isn’t it scary
How much power we hold?
Some things should have been left untold
Yet still a kind person they see
A word
To a frown
A frown
Can change the world
A drop of water makes a ripple in the ocean
A soft breeze
And comes falling a dead leaf
Only a small motion ...

Back to School – Nepean Students Have Mixed Feelings
Hugh Kelly

Nepean High School students have been back in classrooms for a few weeks now, with kids and teachers adjusting to yet another new system for learning. I talked to students to hear their thoughts on returning to school, the current restrictions and their experiences so far in classes. Overwhelmingly, they said things are “better than last year,” but, unfortunately, that was a low bar to pass.
We are now back to a semester model, meaning students have four courses until February, when everyone gets a new four. However, there are only two classes a day, both lasting 2.5 hours. To ...