UNBC Life
Balanced Acticity in Youth

he world in which people reside today is not facing a transition from

tradition to technology but rather multiple transitions from technology to
better technology. Be it the change from desktop computers to laptops or from
PlayStations to Xboxs, a rising concerns is that children are hardly encouraged to
play or at some cases don't find time to fit in.

Although it is argued that the Wii and Xbox controllers stretches the muscles of
kids, they cannot really be considered as a replacement to playing a game of
baseball or soccer with your friends, as the human connection is greatly missing.
Certainly, multiplayer games allow a team effort in video games, but even then, to
experience real emotions as a team is totally different.

UNBC provides a great balance with research labs to work out the mind and
the Northern Sports Center with basketball, gym and soccer courts to work out
the body. While some have health conscious reasons to visit the Sports Center
and others visit out of fear that they may get fat, something to ponder over is

to what the future generations at UNBC could be like. Whilst most of us think of
greater minds in the upcoming era, the rising fear of the rise of obesity and lack
of physical activity too needs to be taken info concern. It is important for the kids
who are the potential future candidates at UNBC to stretch their mind and body
too.

A lack of real physical activity seems to be greater with each generation, which
in turn tells people to focus both on the academic and at the same time not forget
the importance of physical fitness for the future generation. Some encouraging
signs are parents sending their kids fo summer camps, requiring children to

stretch their limbs outside, and events like the International Children's Games in

Club Spotlight:

Kelly Ware | Over the Edge

From left to right: Adam Vickers, Jeff Kormos, Chelsea Dunk,
Kelley Ware, Gerald Pinchbeck, and Morgan Wright.
All avid members of the PSSA.

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Windsor are a great opportunity for the budding sports person in an Olympic-like
competition environment with 450 medals up for grabs and with 1200 athletes
from 31 countries. It is a big enough opportunity that should never go missing from
the itinerary of the child athletes. wo dozen teens from Waterloo did not miss
out, and came in for the event.

Sharing their experience with The Record, the children said they initially were
intimidated looking at the size of other athletes, but soon came into the comfort
zone realizing all the participants were kids like them. Sport is something which
brings in unity and it is of high importance that interested kids are allowed to
participate in such events. This will open up a world they were not too sure of
bridging people from various countries and culture. Getting to break the biases
already built by the culture surrounding them can be broken easily here as kids
get to know all of them equal.

As the kids share there may be fellow sportsmen speaking other languages
and may look different, but the sport which connects them speaks volumes that
cannot be understood by others who did not embrace athletics from a young
age. Sport is something which builds character, and shows life in happiness and
sadness through victories and defeats. It is important to start exercise routines
early fo get into shape and build talent and experience for any sport.

The UNBC Political Science Student Association

ou can follow the PSSA at @UNBCPSSA on Twitter, like their Facebook page
UNBC Political Science Student Association to stay updated on their events,
or email them at unbcossa@gmail.com.

It is very rare that you get to sit down one to one with our elected
representatives and chat with them.. or so you would think. The PSSA has made it
their goal to challenge this status quo, especially among students. Last year, they
practically broke it with their annual Politicians’ Dinner, which gave members of
the community a chance to not only meet City Councilors, but to meet the various
provincial candidates as well.

“It blew my mind how many people we had there. The restaurant was packed,
and everybody was chatting and having a good time,” said club President Kelley
Ware. "| hope we can do that every year we hold this event.”

And that is not the only event the PSSA has hosted. Along with their annual
dinner, they have also hosted pub nights on campus, and sold Valentine's cards
from dictators, both of which were successful endeavors for the club.

These events have always had one important thing in mind: getting students

to know what is going on, and to pay attention to the political issues of today.
The PSSA has made it their mission to make sure you, as students, are politically
aware and active, and encourage your friends to do so as well. And they have
found that a pint of beer here and there can get people talking politics. Getting
people out to pub nights encourages political debate; especially when your
buddy says he’s a fan of Romney.

For more information on events or about getting involved, follow them on Twitter
and Facebook.