Iç Anderson student finds living in Japan a novel experience By SANDY LYON Anderson C.V.I. Kamal Curry, an honor student of Ander- son C.V.I., is presently enjoying a Rotary Club sponsored twelve month exchange in Japan. Kamal flew to Japan last August, but preparations began months before her departure; prepara- tions which, naturally, included Japanese language lessons. Kamal is staying in the city of Kikuchi in the province of Kumamoto. The climate there is a dramatic change for Kamal. The summer is very humid and ex- periences typhoons, while the winter is very dry. Throughout her time away, Miss Curry will stay with several dif- ferent families who each will reveal an ex- citingly new and in- teresting aspect of Japanese culture. Kamal finds the school system very dif- ferent from that in Canada. She attends school every Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:25 p.m., and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Satur- days. Unlike Anderson, ail subjects are com- pulsory, and everyday the students clean the school, since there are no janitors until univer- sity. Also, there ·are school uniforms, with some schools even regulating hair style and length. The schools have strict discipline and teach morals. Unlike Anderson, there are no school dances or lunch hour activities, and all team games are on weekends. Despite this, school events such as culture festivals, athletic festivals, and campus marathons, are run every year of a student's life. Kamal is finding that sports are fabulous ways to break Ottawa Highlights By MARY-ANN HUBERS Free Press Staff w Liberal leadership aspirant John Turner, as the clear front-runner in the race, consequently also bas the most potential ground to lose. It would probably take a few major gaffes, however, for him to earn the disenchantment of his followers. Tur- ner's first one was made last week over the Manitoba French language issue. In his March 16 press conference when he announced his candidacy, and again on a Monday morning airing of the television program Canada A.M., Turner declared that the issue was a provincial matter that required, a political, not a judical solution. Reaction was swift in coming. Conservative leader Brian Mulroney was one of the first to respond. He himself had gone out on a political limb to support the Manitoba NDP government's attem- pt to extend French language services and in so doing had alienated a number of Manitoba Tories. Nothing is more unworthy, Mulroney said of Tur- ner's apparent repudiation of the Trudeau gover- nment's language policy "thà n the spectacle of people devastating their own political legacy for reasons of political greed." Turner's statements left his supporters scram- bling to reverse the political damage. Transport Minister Lloyd Axworthy, a Manitoban, was in a particularly difficult position. His support of Turner' and his earlier strong endorsement of the federal government's position that language rights are a federal responsibility were in glaring contradiction. He, among many others, pressed Turner to clarify his comments which he finally did in a prepared statement. A distinction had to be made, Turner ex- plained, between extending minority language ser- vices, which is a provincial responsibility, and protecting fundamental.language rights, which is up to both levels of government. That seemed to satisfy the Liberals and the collective sigh of relief that rose up from the Liberal caucus could have blown out the candles on Brian Mulroney's 45th birthday cake. No less than twelve cabinet iinisters have already declared their sup- port for Turner, sensing that he is the only can- didate who might possibly save them from having to languish, powerless, on the Opposition benches. They will be especially vigilant to ensure that Tur- ner doesn't commit another such faux pas. As for Mulroney, he still has the Manitoba wing of his party to deal with. And the Liberal leadership contenders, including the two latest entrants Energy Minister Jean Chretien and Indian and Nor- thern Affairs Minister John Munro, have their work cut out for them in trying to woo the starstruck Liberals away from the Turner camp. The Manitoba issue, in the meantime, will be referred by the federal government to the Supreme Court for a final judical decision. barriers. Clubs are after school every day until 6 p.m., and run ail year long. Attendance for these clubs is man- datory, even through holidays. Fred Parrott the prin- cipal of Anderson, recently received a report describing Kamal's progress at school. In keeping with the school's policy of maintaining all reports as confidential, Mr. Parrottwas able only to comment on the report card, rather than reveal it. This report was stric- tly comments from teachers, rather than percentage marks. Mr. Parrott assures that Kamal is doing very well, indicating par- ticularly good com- prehension of the Japanese language, in a level equivalent to On- tario's grade twelve program. Although the credits she achieves at school in Japan will not count for credits at An- derson, Kamal's chan- ces for a coveted school letter or scholarship will not be hindered. Kamal plans to return to An- derson in September to complete grade 13, and Mr. Parrott is looking forward for Kamal to make a slide presen- tation of her exchange visit during a fail assembly. He also suggests, that Kamal's knowledge of Japan could be very useful as a - resource for geography classes here at Ander- son. Kamal finds that the most fascinating aspect of life for her is the culture. The most im- pressive parts of Japan are the mountains and people's uniformity. Kamal describes Japan as a place of "massive togetherness" - a unity, a person's ability to fit into with heavy em- phasis on the system. She finds that the Japanese (120 million of them) are generally peaceful and hospitable people, whose favourite past time is pleasing others - singing for others and giving gifts. Along with family and friends, Kamal misses the multiculturalism that Canada offers. Also, with 120 million people living on an island which is 77 per cent mountainous, Kamal misses the elbow room she is used to in Canada. This Rotary exchange will prove to be an ex- tremely valuable ex- perience for Kamal. Despite taking an extra year to complete high school, Kamal Curry will find her life enriched as a result. It is an experience that will remain withb her, unmatched, for the rest of her life. Kamal has been corresponding with many people back at Anderson, and finds her time tightly scheduled with the numerous let- ters. Nevertheless, she appreciates and looks forward to each letter she receives, and. responds quickly. Cook-off coming CHOO Country Radio 14 is sponsoring the first annual "CHOO Chili Cook-off", to be held at Heydenshore-On-The-Lake in Whitby the weekend of May 25. Mid-day CHOO announcer Eric Anderson (above) is seen here with a gypsy friend gearing up for the three days of fun, frolic and food. The weekend's festivities are ail geared toward aiding the cause of "Canada Post for Cerebral Palsy" (CP for CP). The highlight of this popular event will be the Texas Chili Competition on Saturday, in which teams from area newspapers and radio stations will prepare chili over open fires to determine who can do it best. Sunday will feature a special event as well - the first "CHOO Canadian Chili Championship". And it all begins on Friday night when the cooks will be welcomed with the "Bean Pot Cafe". The competition, like the chili, should be hot. Students looking for Share-Life model By A. DONOVAN Denis O'Connor H.S. The spring. break is over - much to the disappointment of all! It is difficult to get back into the swing of things after nine days of freedom; however, the reality of school life can also be pleasant. DO'C certainly is back into action. Track- and-field tryouts have Report from Queen's Park By The lion. George Ashe, MPP (PC - Durham West) The Fourth Session of the 32nd Parliament opened on Tuesday, March 20 with the Speech from the Throne read by The Honourable John B. Aird, Lieutenant-Goverrior of the Province of Ontario. One of the most important issues facing us as a province is the need to help our young people get a start in today's challenging job market. For that reason, the government will be increasing its sup- port for work experience, skills training and other programs' designed to help our young people get their start in the workforce. The government announced that the Ontario Career Action Program will be expanded, and more Youth Employment Counseling Centres will be set up. As you may recall, the Career Action Program helps place young people between the ages of 16 and 24 in jobs that will give them valuable work ex- perience. The government also plans to broaden its appren- ticeship program to cover some areas of the applied sciences such as engineering. As well, all of our youlh employment programs will be brought under the direction of one Minister. The government also recognizes that there are many other individuals in our province who would benefit from the opportunity to take part in a skills already begun and, from the energy presen- ted so far, there should be some stiff com- petition ahead. The Friday just prior to March Break the staff and students said a sad farewell to our beloved Mrs. Bergman. Mrs. Bergman worked volun- tarily in our school cafeteria for the past 12 years. We wish you the best always, Mrs. Bergman. On that same Friday we had an assembly. Sister Mary Goulet, our principal, showed a series of slides on the progress being made at our new school. So far, it looks fantastie! We Throne Speech praised training or retraining program. To help those with an interest in learning new skills, the government will be supporting new skills training initiatives in the workplace and in our schools. As well, privaté industry will be encouraged to take part in skills training programs in greater numbers. There was also good news in this year's Throne Speech for our province's working women. As part of our efforts to advance the rights of women, the government will strengthen equal pay provisions, improve pregnancy and adoption leave, and take a new look at the availability and quality of child care in our province. For workers throughout our province, there were commitments made to improving the workers' compensation system, and reforming many areas of pension law. Community improvements will also play a key role in the government's plans for this session. Small communities will be helped to upgrade their police and fire stations, local water protection projects will be financed, and help will be offered to areas wishing to develop new marinas and support recreational boating. These are just some of the initiatives outlined in this year's Speech from the Throne. Contrary to the "gloom and doom" analysis from the opposition parties, this Throne Speech was a positive, and yet realistic, statement of government initiatives to be addressed during the Fourth Session of the 32nd Parliament of Ontario. Certainly with the visit of Her Majesty the Queen and His Holiness Pope John Paul II to look forward to during 1984, this will be a busy and exciting Bicentennial year in Ontario. à ,f eÀ*~ii 4¶ifr 4i ~ 4 i were also treated to a special performance by Karen Garrett. Karen is a competitive Irish dan- cer who, at 15, has achieved the honor of being number one in Canada. It was easy to see why. In April, Karen is flying to Ireland where she will be com- peting against the world's best. We all wish her the best of luck. Now that we are well into the liturgical season of Lent, the school's chaplaincy team has devised two activities to help raise funds for the Share Life program. Some mem- bers of the team have volunteered to be waiters and waitresses in the cafeteria. The will "serve" for a minimum tip *of 25 cents. The proceeds will, of course, go to Share Life. A "Mr. Share Life" is also in the works. One person from each grade (including teachers) will be nominated. A poster of the candidate will be placed in the cafeteria. Under, the poster will be a jar. The addition of silver to the candidate jar will result in point accumulations. However, for each pen- ny a point will be deduc- ted. Remember, give generously to the can- didate of your choice; it's for a good cause. PAGE 12, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1984, WHITBY FREE-PRESS