JUNE AT KING GEORGE
Student council elections, drama class news, and a motivational basketball hoop

by Henry MacDougall and Archie Moses
(click images to enlarge)

STUDENT COUMNCIL ELECTIONS & POLICY CONCERNS

Although June is the last month of the school year, it's also a month of new beginnings. One of these is the yearly student council election, where students can apply for various roles within the council, including president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and more. Last year, the student council had an unexpected and last-minute shift in their policy regarding student eligibility for presidential candidacy.

This change in policy introduced a new condition, asking that all candidates have at least one year of student council membership under their belt prior to applying for senior positions. This policy change came with noticeable consequences: where in some years, students were given more than five options for president on the ballot, last year there was no presidential option, since the previous co-presidents had no opposition and were thus automatically given a second term. This is very likely a result of this policy change.

I spoke to student council co-presidents Emily Ehsai and Kateryna Naumenko. Both are Grade 12 students and nearing the end of their second presidential term.

They told me that despite lack of new candidates last year, they didn’t have any “super large concerns” about this year's election, citing more junior candidates present in the group.

When asked about the shift in policy, their response was that the change "Wasn’t [their] decision.” instead, it was on the student council’s teacher sponsors, Mr. Yee and Ms. Lam, who are both math teachers at KG. According to current co-presidents Emily and Kate, the change was ultimately enacted so teacher sponsors could avoid the challenges that come with training new members without experience in important roles . “[Ms. Lam and Mr. Yee] weren’t willing to sponsor [the student council] if they had to take on more responsibilities with someone who is still learning.”

However, there are unsettling claims of bias and unjust practice coming from inside the student council.

I spoke with a member of the student council who doesn’t agree with this change. They stated that the results of last year’s election were a “calculated result” of the policy change. The member also mentioned that teacher sponsors and school administrators alike were influenced by wariness about possible candidates and bias towards the already-serving co-presidents, reportedly having been in “close contact” with them.

Overall, this anonymous interviewee wishes that the race would’ve stayed open to any willing candidates, as it’s “in the spirit” of the student council, as a group meant to represent and serve the student body of King George.

After this, I spoke with Myra Vadhera, a Grade 12 student who told me that the high number of candidates in previous years was “a reason for everyone’s nomination to go through, because there needs to be some sort of competition to be the best candidate”. Otherwise, candidates may not feel obligated to make good promises and be the best leader possible.

I reached out to the student council’s teacher sponsors for a comment. Ms. Lam respectfully declined, but Mr. Yee noted that the rule excluding non-members had always been present, just not enforced until late last year. Mr. Yee confirmed that the policy was enacted to ensure that candidates had enough experience to fulfil their duties independently and without constant guidance from the student council’s teacher sponsors. However, Mr. Yee acknowledged that enforcing the policy so late in the year, was a “mistake”, as students who would’ve liked to apply were not aware up until it was too late.

In closing, hopefully the student council can grow from this situation and continue to fully represent KG’s student body.

DRAMA RECAP
London Trip and School Play

Following a successful school play at the end of April and a trip to London England for some students in the drama program, I reached out to Ms. Init with some questions to recap the year. Here they are with her responses:

**KG Drama students with Big Ben during their trip to London this March break.** *(Ms. Init photo)*

HM: How was the London trip?

Ms. Init: London went really well! We did tours at the Globe Theatre and Theatre Royal Drury Lane and our workshops were related to all the shows we saw: The Tempest, My Neighbour Totoro, The Devil Wears Prada, and SIX and Hadestown. The sightseeing was very fun also.

HM: What was your favourite part of the play this year?

Ms. Init: My favourite part of the play? There are many things: The play itself, I think when Shiela the Walrus saves the day. As for the production, the actors were so brave to take on these bizarre characters and the production students went above and beyond to design and create the one-of-a-kind costumes, set pieces and props. In general, I’m proud of how the students took ownership of this project.

HM: What would you say is something that sets KG apart from other schools/programs in terms of theatre, drama, and the arts?

Ms. Init: Something that sets KG apart from other schools/programs in terms of theatre, drama, and the arts? I don’t know if this differs from other schools, but we get creative with the limited space and resources that we have. Lastly, something I feel that stands out is the incredible support from the KG community. The number of staff members who help with the production and show up to see the show is uplifting. We did 4 nights of mostly sold-out shows. While I am the only drama teacher at this school, I don’t feel alone when it comes to running this program.

Thanks so much to Ms. Init for answering my questions, and congrats on a great play and a fun trip to London!

KG ROCKS VII

KG Rocks, our school’s yearly concert fundraiser is happening on Wednesday, June 10 and 11. Tickets are $5 for students and $15 for adults. All proceeds will go towards the KG music program.

This June marks the seventh KG Rocks, with this year’s performance including a record-high number of bands spread across two unique nights of performances.

Tickets will be available at the door, make sure to show up and support our local musicians! Pro tip, bring ear plugs.

GRAD 2026

This year’s graduation is coming up! The dinner and dance is set for June 5 at 7 p.m. at the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront. Students are invited to show up between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m..

The official grad ceremony will take place on June 16 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Vancouver Playhouse.

Congratulations to all grads of 2026, and good luck!

ALMOST TIME FOR ME TO GO

After nearly four years of writing monthly columns, it’s now time for me to graduate from high school, as well as my position as a student journalist at The West End Journal. I’ve been super grateful for the opportunity given to me over this time, and I’m glad I spent it sharing stories and highlighting what’s important and happening in the King George community.

I will be writing my final article next month, going half-and-half with the next Dragon’s Pen columnist, Archie Moses, who is great and I’m sure will write some excellent stories.

**archie moses, the newest member of the west end journal team.**

WELCOMING ARCHIE MOSES
Editor’s Note / Kevin Dale McKeown

As noted above, Henry MacDougall will be leaving The West End Journal team at the end of this school year. We have enjoyed working with Henryt watching him grow into his role as a journalist, and hope that the skills he developed over the past four years will serve him well on his chosen path.

Taking on the Dragon’s Pen as Henry moves on will be Archie Moses. Born and raised in Yaletown, Archie has lived in Vancouver all his life.

Among his favourite passtimes he counts taking photos, playing chess, and reading.

He loves speaking French, playing soccer, and his West End neighbourhood and relaxes by playing games with his older brother.

Archie tells us that he is excited to bring his voice and share insights into KG through The West End Journal and have a load of fun while he's at it.

He will share share the July issue of The Dragon’s Pen with Henry, and thereafter be the student voice of our community high school. Welcome to the team Archie?

Here is his first contribution …

A MOTIVATIONAL BASKETBALL HOOP

by Archie Moses

Students in Math 9 have been uninspired to finish their exercises in class, with many having to complete classwork at home. Students also feel unmotivated to go above and beyond, finishing extra questions. Seeing this issue, the class has now implemented a unique way to regain ambition and drive - a miniature basketball hoop!

**KG student Charlie Acknin showing his excitement for the new basketball hoop, and how he believes that “The hoop is lit.”**

After completing their homework and correcting it, students can go shoot a couple of baskets before sitting down again. More questions answered, more baskets shot. This boosts overall morale and helps students stay on track and improve. KG student Aiden James personally believes that “It encourages me to do my work,” and that “focus comes easier now.”

According to the University of Waterloo, Centre for Teaching Excellence, integrating short movement breaks into your lessons or class time can lead to better retention and understanding of classroom material. This is especially important because this hoop does just that. It seems to support the idea that students retain more understanding of material with micro-breaks. It also helps students focus more during class time and most importantly, it lets them have fun and brings smiles onto their faces.