The U Announces Statue Honouring Father Stan

On Thursday, March 26th, StFX sent out an e-mail regarding a new bust of Father Stan, which is to be put on campus. Reverend Father Stan MacDonald passed away on May 11th, 2025, at the age of 92.  Father Stan was an Xaverian, an athlete, playing hockey, and a member of StFX’s last varsity rugby team. He graduated from StFX in 1954, was ordained in 1959, and served parishes throughout Cape Breton until retiring in 1998. 10 years later, he returned to StFX as the “Priest-in-Residence,” and he would remain as a community figure on campus until his death last year. He was especially present at sporting events and to have this memorialized, the bust will have an “interactive element” where students can “fist bump the X-Ring,”, “just as he did so often around campus and before games.” To learn more about the bust, I reached out to Alessandro D’Aquino, Executive Vice-President of StFX’s Student Union to ask about the statue, the legacy that Father Stan left behind, and the funding of the statue. 

Harrison Stewart: In regard to funding, the email that was sent yesterday, the school is looking to crowdfund the bust. 

Alessandro D’Aquino: Yes. So basically, we set up a donation page, and we are trying to collaborate with the students, with the broader StFX community and alumni, to try to raise this money for the statue. 

HS: Is the university putting any money up front? 

AD: No. There are no amounts as of now from the university. Everything will be raised. 

HS: None of it will be charged as a fee to students or anything. It’ll be all donations? 

AD: Yes, all donations, I’ve had a few students asking if it was a mandatory fee, and my answer was no it's not a mandatory fee. We are doing this because Father Stan had such an impact on the broader community, people are free to decide if they want to donate or not. 

HS: What’s the total amount needed for the bust? 

AD: As of now, the statue could cost around $27,000, but if we raise more, that money will be donated to the bursary that was created by Father Stan.  

HS: What do you think the statue is going to do for his legacy? 

AD: When I came up with this idea, it was I think weeks after he passed away, it was June, I think. I brought this to the team, and in my opinion, it shouldn’t be just a statue, because we know that we have many statues on campus, but when students walk by, it’s like, “who is this person? I don’t know.” And sometimes, there are not even, any descriptions so you don’t even know. You cannot understand. So, I feel like what can make the difference for us is really, like, trying to keep alive the tradition that he has. Like the fist bump, the interactive statue, and we put it like, outside Saputo, which could be potentially the spot, people will be able to fist bump it before the game. And even, like, the first-year students or new people coming to campus can see other students or people in the community going over to the statue and fist bumping it, they would get curious, go in there, and try to understand more about the statue. So, we will have a plaque explaining who Father Stan was, a supporter of the students, supporter of the games; and people will get an image of who he was. And also, a particular thing that we want to put in the statue is like, the material. It’s bronze, and the more you fist bump it the more it’s going to get like shiny. So people are going understand the significance of it. 

HS: And so you think that that will sort of keep his legacy going, the fist bump, along with the plaque that says some information about him?  

AD: Yes, the big smile, the fist bump and the “Go X Go” how he would do in the games. All of these things will keep him alive, you know?  Even if there are first year students who never met him, they are hearing about him a lot, and they are understanding how much impact he had on the community. In three or five years, when new students will see the statue and hear his story, they will understand too and I'm sure they will fist bump it! I think that's the best way to keep him alive! 

H: And you said outside Saputo is the supposed location? 

A: Yes, potentially. That would be our goal, because we were thinking about a location, and then we were not too sure, but I remember like doing this to recognize his support to the athletes of the games, and it was like… definitely then outside Saputo could be a good spot because of the basketball games, people walking to a hockey game, or like even when you go to the football game. For these reasons we thought that was a good spot. 

At this point, I asked Mr. D’Aquino about the statues religious value, as Stan was the “Priest-In-Residence” as well. 

HS: There’s nothing that examines his legacy through the religious aspect of the statue? It’s completely secularized. 

AD: Yes, exactly. So, what we want to explain to the broader community that our goal is to celebrate and do this in honour of Father Stan as the person that he was. Just like, supporting students, smiling to everyone, be always positive and full of energy, not as like a church person. It's important to explain this and avoid confusion, the main goal is to celebrate him as one of the biggest supporter on campus. 

HS: That wasn’t who we saw at the football games, hockey games.  

AD: Yeah. Obviously like, if you asked students who graduated 20 years ago, they would say “I remember Father Stan as the priest who was on campus.” If you asked the students who were here for the last 10 years I think, they would say like “Father Stan was the person who was at the game and was saying ‘Go X Go’” So like, many people did not know he was a priest honestly. So that’s what we are trying to do, like just for the impact that he had and supporting students and the game, and like, honestly, even the first video of Father Stan when he says “Go X Go” at a football game, the best fan in the world, that was my first video I took at StFX and Father Stan. 

HS: Oh, really?  

AD: Yeah. I didn’t know him, I just took the video because like, that’s awesome. There is someone like… this elderly gentleman just like, cheering for students at the game! It’s awesome. Like something I’ve never seen before. And they have the X ring. And it’s like… I love this community. And so like, since that moment, I’ve been like this community is very unified and everyone cares about each other. So, I think that that has a very important meaning for our community. 

Because the statue is in a secularized location, I reached out to Dr. Ken Penner—head of StFX’s Religious Studies—for comment about his thoughts on the legacy of a former religious figure being secularized. In a blog post, Penner states 

“Traditional religious gatherings no longer are the primary locus where community cohesion happens, especially among Canadian university students […] Instead, the athletic stadium, the hockey arena, and the gymnasium take over that function as the modern forges of collective identity. […] Father Stan understood the intense sociology and psychology of these spaces. He recognized that to pastor effectively to the modern university student, he had to enter their sanctuaries. So he became a permanent fixture in the crowd for all varsity sports over a span of fifteen years, providing unwavering support for both the X-Men and X-Women teams, whether football, soccer, rugby, hockey, basketball, or cross country. 

With this context in mind, let’s circle back to the question: Does the placement of a bust of a Catholic priest in a multi-million-dollar sports complex constitute a “secularization” of his legacy? By monumentalizing him primarily as a “Super Fan” in an athletic centre rather than as a priest in a chapel or a library, is the university community stripping away the specific theological and sacramental realities of his lifelong vocation? 

Well, from a strict traditionalist or classical Weberian perspective, an argument can be made that placing the bust in the Saputo Centre secularizes and dilutes Father Stan’s legacy. He was, after all, fundamentally and permanently an ordained priest who served as a spiritual shepherd for nearly forty years in conventional parish settings across Nova Scotia. 

But a post-secular sociological perspective suggests the exact opposite. The placement of a Catholic priest’s monument in a secular sports complex isn’t the dilution or erasure of his religious vocation, as classic secularization theory would have it; rather, it is the most authentic reflection of his incarnational ministry. Father Stan deliberately chose to execute his post-retirement ministry in the secular spaces of the campus. He didn’t wait passively in the chapel for students to seek him out; he proactively went to the hockey arenas, the running trails, the dining halls, and the coffee shops. The concept of incarnation (present in multiple religions) dictates that the divine enters into the messy, physical reality of the human world. Father Stan’s ministry was nothing if not incarnational. He was indeed the “Super Fan,” using the universal language of collegiate sports to bridge generational, cultural, and ideological divides, offering guidance, joy, and spiritual steadying to thousands of students regardless of their personal religious affiliations. 

Viewed this way, the Saputo Centre is the very site of his most impactful work; it’s not a profane space that degrades his memory. To place his memorial in a quiet, purely religious space—a space he frequented but which did not define his public persona over the last two decades—would be an exercise in historical revisionism. Instead, the placement of the bust in the Saputo Centre accurately acknowledges that in the modern, pluralistic university, the sacred is encountered more often in the bleachers, the locker rooms, and the shared pursuit of excellence. “ 

Father Stan’s legacy is being preserved as just as he created it, as someone who cared deeply about this campus, its student body, and this statue will help keep his legacy alive for years to come.  

Special thanks to Dr. Ken Penner, whose comments were used for biographical information about Father Stan as well. Quotations and other information taken from StFX email about information about the Father Stan Bust, and his obituary. 

Dr. Penner’s thoughts on secularism and the Father Stan bust: https://kmpenner.hcommons.org/2026/03/28/secularization-and-memorialization-in-the-father-stan-bust-project/  

Father Stan’s obituary: https://macisaacs.ca/tribute/details/797/Fr-Stan-MacDonald/obituary.html  

To donate to the statue: https://secureca.imodules.com/s/650/lg21/form.aspx?sid=650&gid=1&pgid=4138&cid=7706  

Students Rally at MLA Office Over Budget Cuts: “We Are Paying Attention”

On Wednesday, March 18th, students, faculty, and community members walked from the campus library, to outside MLA Michelle Thompson’s office in a student protest. The protest was against recent austerity measures introduced by Conservative Premier Tim Houston, that included severe post-secondary budget cuts.

The protest came in response to proposed cuts to university programs across Nova Scotia. Cuts that, while partially reversed following public backlash, exposed a deeper and ongoing issue: chronic underfunding in post-secondary education. For many students already struggling with rising tuition, housing insecurity, and increasing living costs, these decisions felt like yet another blow in an already uphill battle.

During the rally, Psychology Professor Dr. Erica Koch reminded attendees what is truly at stake. “When you are investing in education, you are investing in students,” she said. “You are building people who are political thinkers, who are passionate, who are creative, and who have empathy for others.”

Student Union President Jacob Cruchet also addressed the crowd, highlighting the human impact behind policy decisions, reminding attendees: “Behind every budget is a program. And behind every program is a classroom. And behind every classroom is a student with a dream that didn’t exist a few years ago.”

The rally concluded with a call to action that resonated deeply. “History has shown us time and time again that change doesn’t come from silence,” Cruchet said. “It comes from voices—voices in classrooms, voices in communities, voices standing together here on public sidewalks.”

He emphasized that the demonstration was not rooted in anger alone, but in awareness and accountability. “It’s about students saying to their elected representatives: we are paying attention. We care about the future of post-secondary education in this province. We believe that universities matter. We believe that graduate students matter. We believe that the arts matter.”

Student should be angry. They should be angry that, in a time when affordability is already a major barrier, funding for their education is treated as expendable. They should question why institutions meant to foster learning and growth are increasingly forced to operate like businesses, prioritizing cost-cutting over student experience.

Both Premier Houston and MLA Thompson are themselves beneficiaries of Nova Scotia’s public education system. Students are now asking: why is that same system no longer being protected for the next generation?

Coach K Classic: From Class Project to Community Impact

The third annual Coach K Classic basketball game was successfully hosted by fourth-year Sports Marketing students: Courtney Gottselig, Blake Cooper, Travis Michaluk, Cole McLeman, Josh Drysdale, Thompson Petten-Shand, and Meghan Cole, in collaboration with StFX Athletics and the local community. This exciting event featured a matchup between alumni and current players from both the men’s and women’s teams.

The Coach K Classic brings together StFX alumni and current basketball players for a competitive and engaging showdown, all while raising funds for Antigonish Minor Basketball. The event has a meaningful impact on the community by helping ensure young athletes have the opportunity to participate in basketball regardless of financial barriers. Funds raised go toward purchasing equipment, providing registration support, and expanding access to practices and programming for local youth.

“To me, the Coach K Classic became something much bigger than a class project. It was an opportunity to be part of something meaningful and to give back to a community that has given so much. Seeing past and current StFX athletes, students, and community members come together to give back and enjoy the energy of the game was incredibly special. It reminded me how powerful sport can be in bringing people together and fostering a sense of community. I’m really proud of what we accomplished, and I hope next year’s class continues to build on it and make it even bigger and better.”

- Meghan Cole (event coordinator)

With generous community support, several raffle prizes were made available thanks to sponsors including Oak Manor, Cameron Jewellery, Starbucks, The Trap, Paw Pad Retreat, StFX athletics, Micro Hotel, and Kenny’s Pizza. The event also featured a halftime show with Antigonish Minor Basketball’s U12 teams, highlighting the young athletes who benefit directly from this initiative.

On the court, the current X-Men and X-Women players battled hard against the alumni in a close and exciting game, finishing with a final score of 95-92.

“This is my third year playing in the Coach K Classic game and it is more than just a simple basketball game for me. It’s about showing the spirit of the game and the community behind it, by bringing together the men and women, both past and present. I had such a great time laughing, competing, and connecting while being apart of something truly special that goes beyond the game itself” - Kristine Cooper (current X-Women basketball player).

The objective of this class project is to plan and market an event that raises funds for charity. Originally created a few years ago, the Coach K Classic continues to grow as students

carry on the tradition and build on its success. This year’s event raised an incredible $4,500, the highest total in the past three years, highlighting its ongoing impact and success within the community.

On Pucks For Purpose: The Subtle Sexism Behind The Cheers and The Charity

If you’re an X student, you’ve seen the posters, the Instagram posts, and the anticipatory countdowns to game day. Pucks for Purpose, or P4P, is a milestone event here at X. For weeks prior to the event students sport laptops coated in Business or ArtSci stickers, and everyone cheers on their respective program. I remember looking out my window when I was living in Governor’s Hall second year to see the line for the P4P men’s game going all the way down to the Powers parking lot. I’ve never seen so many students come together in my time at STFX. Pucks for Purpose creates community, and this year they raised $200,000 for Special Olympics and The Canadian Cancer Society. They’re a great organization with many positives, and I couldn’t see anything wrong with this event bringing students together through sport for a good cause.  

That was, until two weeks ago. I was in a conversation with a hockey player for the women’s team who lightheartedly mentioned that her team had only had three practices and wished she could feel more ready for game day. I asked her how often the men’s team practiced. She said she wasn’t certain, but she was pretty sure the men practiced more. She mentioned this potentially occurring due to a sponsorship for ice time exclusively for the men.  

In an email Pucks for Purpose claimed that this allegation of unequal practice time was false with three practices total for all four teams, men and women. However, they also mentioned that if teams or players elect to hold additional sessions that are not booked by Pucks, that is their own choice.

Furthermore, when buying my tickets, I noticed something: the women’s game was on a Wednesday night, the 18th of March, while the men’s game was on the Friday the 20th. We all know which day of the week has more parties. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the women’s game is on the Wednesday. It seems strange to not put both games on the weekend, such as a Friday and a Saturday. To quote a female player, “We get the Wing Night, they get the SuperSub.”

Perhaps there’s a logistical reason unbeknownst to me, but it still feels off-putting. P4P themselves claims that scheduling is challenging as X-Hockey takes priority. They also mention that with the structure of the games happening on Wednesday and Friday being a large success in the previous year, they decided to continue this set up for year two. However, as the Men’s game was on the Friday last year, shouldn’t the women have it on the Friday this year? Something else worth noting is the men’s game having three 18-minute periods, with the women’s game having three 15-minute periods. These kinds of discrepancies raise questions about the equity of P4P’s structural planning. 

All of this aside, the thing that made me actually sit down and write this article was the fundraising incentives I learned about recently. If you don’t know, P4P players on all teams get incentives for how much they fundraise to motivate them in weekly emails. For example, in one email regarding fundraising updates, players were told that the first few to reach $250 by a certain date get a $50 Sobeys gift card. As time approaches closer to game day, these prizes or incentives become higher in value, with a higher fundraising goal to obtain to receive said prizes. Pretty straightforward, right?  

However, as time went on, the prizes started becoming gendered. Coming as a surprise to players, instead of gender-neutral prizes that benefit everyone like a Sobeys gift card, P4P began to implement what they call team-based incentives. One example was the men’s team receiving a PS5 and the women’s team receiving five $100 gift cards, to Artizia, Lululemon, Dynamite, Sephora & Starbucks. 

Furthermore, take a look at an excerpt from a real email one of the players received:  

“Race to $400 by Saturday the 14th 

Men's Team (Players + BAs) 

•   Prize: 4 passes to Nish Golf Course 
  ($250 value) 

•   How to win: First person on the men's side to reach $400 total raised wins 

Women's Team (Players + BAs) 

•   Prize: $250 credit Laser Treatment to The Skin Clinic Antigonish 

•   How to win: First person on the women's side to reach $400 total raised win” 

In short, women’s team players who raise the same amount of money as the men get value for laser hair removal. Men? They get four passes to the golf course.  

I’d imagine most women, myself included, could think of many other ways that they’d rather spend that money than an invasive, painful procedure. The blatant sexism here aside, let’s consider some other equity issues. A day at the golf course is accessible and fun to almost anyone, especially a female athlete playing for P4P. A lot of women though, may choose not to remove their hair for any kind of personal reason. That being said, for those that do choose to shave, wax, or whatever they so please, laser hair removal isn’t even possible for a large subset of women due to their hair being too light for it to work on them. More notably, when looking at the pricing on the Skin Clinic website, a full Brazilian laser hair removal treatment is $200. So, a woman would get one hair treatment (it takes 6-10 for effectiveness) whereas a man would get four days at the course.  

Another example of how the women’s team are treated differently: the Top Male fundraiser on a given week won a brand-new Ultralight Srixon Golf Stand Bag. The Top Female fundraiser? She won a $100 Wilfred & Parker Boutique credit and a $25 Tall & Small Gift Card. 

First of all, a quick google search tells me that this golf bag values at around $200-300 which does not match the $125 total credit the woman received. Additionally, I love Wilfred and Parker but $100 there gets you maybe 2-3 shirts. In defense of Pucks for Purpose, their email claims that they are “open to feedback from players regarding these prizes and take note of the concern around gender-stereotyping.” This article looks to provide said feedback. 

By the same token, with respect to her teammates and planning committee who also are eligible to receive fundraising incentives, the female athlete I interviewed is choosing not to reveal any identifying information. Despite this, her general sentiment was that other players feel similarly to her; frustrated and disappointed. As said in her own words, “Especially in today’s world, with the PWHL and how far women’s hockey has come in the last three years, the sexist undertones present within P4P is a reminder that there are still changes to be made.” 

All of this being said, I think the work that P4P is doing is fantastic. The money they raise, and the community building and memories they create for students and beyond is incredible. This is also nothing against the players, women or men. If anything, this article’s intention is to advocate for them. I also recognize the sheer amount of work and planning that P4P organizers put into this and this article is not to shame them, but rather to help them to understand some of the harms associated with their choices. As P4P is only in its second year, it is important to give them grace, especially as they replied to our email with respect, kindness, and genuine openness to feedback.

Overall, it seems to me female players for P4P are treated very differently than the men’s team, and this must change. They are subject to blatant sexism and discrimination in the form of differences in stereotypical fundraising incentives, potentially less practice and game time, and having their game on a weekday which hinders the overall experience of said game compared to the men. I hope that moving forwards, Pucks For Purpose will do better to work towards a more equitable system.  

Expect the Unexpected: Why You Should see the Misfits Musical Cabaret

Theatre Antigonish has done it again, presenting their new show Misfits Musical Cabaret on April 1st & 2nd at the Bauer Theatre. This show means more than just a great experience, as with every ticket purchased profits go towards saving the Center Point for the Arts in Antigonish. So, what will you experience with your ticket? Well, on Wednesday and Thursday audiences will experience a production that combines all your favorite musicals, from Grease, to Dear Evan Hansen, to Matilda. With their tag line ‘where ‘wrong’ for the role feels so right’, they have casted every act with the opposite of what you would expect. With absolutely zero traditional casting, the show is everything you love about musicals, yet a new production you haven’t seen anywhere else. 

But this show comes at a time when the Bauer Theatre, a landmark of Antigonish as the centre for the creative arts, is in need of help. Their ‘Bridge the Bauer / Build the Future’ campaign is in full swing, as they work hard to reach their goal of $500,000 to restore the Theatre as a Fire Marshal order threatens its life. Already, they have made it to 85% of their goal, pulling every string, and with the help of the return of spring concerts, the goal is within reach.  

It will take the participation of students and the community to help the theatre stay as a focal point for the artistic youth. Without this donation, the Bauer will no longer be able to host public performances. And with that loss is the loss of a place for the families of Antigonish to see the arts, for the youth to express themselves, and to continue being place for a welcoming community for all.  

The Bauer Theatre turned 50 last year, and with this new show, it now more important than ever to go out and support the arts. With budget cuts for the arts in Nova Scotia, now is the time to experience a great show and support local artists who bring life into this community. 

If the threat of the Bauer Theatre closing was not motivation enough, I interviewed one of the performers from the Misfits Musical Cabaret, Parker Anstey, who will be performing a piece from Dear Evan Hansen in the show. A second year StFX student herself, Parker represents arts majors in StFX and the importance of the arts off campus. When I asked about what audiences can expect, she gave me the run down: “The concept is a musical where everyone is in roles they would not normally be in, whether than is an adult playing a child, a man playing a woman and more.” I then asked what her favourite aspect of the show was: “I love that there is a lot of comedy to be found within it. But as well, there is a lot of honesty, and that what makes the show great in my opinion.” 

I wanted to get Parker’s opinion on what it means to be in a production at this time in the art world, and what the show means to her and other actors in the musical. “It has been such a great experience so far. Everyone has been so welcoming, and you know it just feels like one big happy family. And it’s so important to have things like this [musicals and productions] because it gives an opportunity for people to be together and make art.”   

If you want to support the arts, support the community of Antigonish, or are even just looking for something fun to do on a Wednesday or Thursday night, then on April 1st & 2nd come see Parker and more at the Bauer Theatre right on campus. There you will experience a show that is unique, fun, and will do more than just give you a story to tell your friends but will be your contribution to keeping the arts in Antigonish alive.

Athlete Feature: Kendra McDonell

Kendra McDonell, a sixth-year student-athlete with the X-Women rugby team, is set to graduate from StFX University for a second time this May, earning her Bachelor of Education. McDonell first came to StFX in September of 2020 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in history with a minor in English. After completing her first degree, McDonell was accepted into the university’s education program, bringing her one step closer to her goal of becoming a teacher. “I loved it here, so [I] kind of kept going,” she said. “We do have one of the best education programs here. We have a lot of practicum time compared to other schools, which realistically is the most beneficial part, I find, of the program”. Throughout her time at X, McDonell has earned recognition both on and off the field. She is a four-time Academic All-Canadian and two-time AUS All-Star, who has been honoured by the alumni association for her leadership and contributions to the X-Women rugby team, and previously received the Barry O’Leary and Chadwick Hayes Athletic scholarships from her high school.

Beyond the university, McDonell has become a strong advocate for grassroots sport. In Antigonish, she volunteers alongside former X-Women rugby player Sarah McCarron at Dr. John Hugh Gillis High School, helping to grow the game locally. She also volunteers her time in her hometown of Ottawa, Ontario, where she serves as head coach of the U12 team and youth director with the Ottawa Irish Rugby Club, overseeing scheduling and leading both the U12 and U14 programs. In addition to this, McDonell coaches her local high school program, helping to ensure continued opportunities for students to get involved in rugby. After her time at StFX, McDonell plans to begin her teaching career abroad in Australia, before returning to Canada to complete a Masters of Education.

We had a chance to sit down with Kendra and hear first-hand about her experiences as a student-athlete at StFX, and why she chose the path she did:

The Xaverian Weekly: What made you choose X?

McDonell: “Definitely a lot of family connections… but I also think, I came and toured, my grade 12 year and it was the first year that a women’s sports team in North America ever had the prime-time homecoming game and that was just such a cool experience – to see how much they were working, and pushing equality for women’s sport was awesome. And then I also think the small class sizes were definitely a big draw.”

The Weekly: How has it been having your two younger sisters come and play at X with you?

McDonell: “It’s been the best thing possible... when Macy and Ainsley were deciding I hoped so much that they would come here, because it’s so special and it’s so hard to explain to someone that’s not

here, and I knew that I could never do X and X rugby justice… getting to play with them has just been amazing, getting to share all these opportunities, the up and the down, and all the awesome things that come with it has been amazing.”

The Weekly: How do you see your role as an athlete within your community?

McDonell: “I think just always staying involved. The one thing with X athletics that has been really nice is the random little opportunities you get to help out. Whether it was like in my third year when there was a big storm [Hurricane Fiona] and we made sandwiches for the community, or the random events for literacy week, where athletes go and read to students. There’s just so many opportunities to help and they’re very easy to get into. It’s great to keep giving back to the community.”

The Weekly: If you could give advice to younger athletes or students following in your footsteps, what would you say?

McDonell: “I think do everything you can because it really flies by, and as much as it might seem tiring, it’s always going to be the best experiences you have. And just put yourself out there.”

As she turns the page on her time at StFX, McDonell leaves behind a legacy defined by leadership, community, and a dedication to the sport of rugby. Her passion and contributions to future generations are proof that the student-athlete experience is about far more than sport itself. Rather, it is about the community that is created through sport and the lasting impact that it can have on the lives of those around us.

Keeping Antigonish Green After St Patrick's Day

Following the St. Patrick’s day festivities, Cleanup Canada hosted a Post-Pats Cleanup. The event provided students an opportunity to help their community.  Cleanup Canada collaborated with ALPACA (the Antigonish League of People Advocating for Climate Action) and the Town of Antigonish donated trash bags and gloves. Despite the snowfall, students were able to get outdoors and pick up over 16 bags of trash and refundables left behind following St. Patrick’s day parties. 

StFX St. Patrick’s day parties are known for gathering large groups of students from StFX and other maritime universities. These events, however, usually leave behind large amounts of garbage — whether that be food wrappers or beverage containers. The cleanup event is trying to minimize litter from remaining on the Town’s streets and instead put it towards supporting the campus community.   

Cleanup Canada, founded by Cameron Preyra — a third-year Public Policy and Governance student — started as a personal project. He created an Instagram page to inspire others to “spend their free time picking up litter,” says Cameron.  Since then, however, the initiative has grown. Previously Cleanup Canada held a Post-HoCo, Post-Halloweekend and a Post-St. Patrick’s day cleanup. The Instagram page also provides a space for those to share progress of their own community cleanups. 

Following the 2025 Homecoming, the Xaverian Leaders’s and Frank McKenna Center’s hosted a cleanup, and in just two hours collected 173lbs of garbage. Cameron participated in this event and believes the Post-Pats Cleanup had the same goal in mind, “to cleanup and do right by our community.” 

In addition to the cleanup event, a bottle drive will be taking place Monday, Mach 16th at 4:00PM. The refundables collected from both the Post-Pats cleanup and bottle drive will be returned to a recycling depot. The money collected will go to supporting the StFX Philosophy Society.  

If students have refundables they would like to contribute to Cleanup Canada, they can message the Instagram page, and a volunteer will pick them up. Below is a link to the Cleanup Canada Instagram page, where you can get information, participate in future cleanups, and schedule a pickup for St. Patrick’s Day refundables.  

Link to Cleanup Canada: https://www.instagram.com/cleanup.canada/ 

Symbol of Absence and a Call to Reflect: Red Dress Week and International Women’s Day at StFX

In recent weeks, students may have took notice of the numerous red dresses hung around campus in recognition of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) in Canada. On Sunday March 1st, the StFX Indigenous Student Society hosted day one of Red Dress Week, which consisted of a smudging ceremony of the dresses administered by Elder Kerry Prosper in the StFX Kiknu Student Centre.

In an interview with 3rd year student, Co-President of the WMGS society, and Indigenous Student Peer Mentor, Maria Young, she spoke about the purpose of Red Dress Week, the symbolic power the dresses hold, and detailed some other events that took place.

“The purpose of red dress week is to bring attention to the current epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and 2 spirit people. Due to ongoing colonial violence, indigenous women and girls face the highest risk of experiencing violent victimization in their lifetime.” She continues, providing statistics regarding this violence. “63% of indigenous women over the age of 15 have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. So, we have red dress week here at StFX to create space in our community for education, grieving, and healing.”

Maria also explained the symbolism of the red dresses. “The red dress itself became a symbol of the MMIW movement through the Red Dress Project, where dresses are hung in public spaces to symbolize the MMIW and serve as a reminder of their absence.”

“The week started off with smudging of the red dresses, with Elder Kerry Prosper. Then we hung the dresses after the smudging. We also held another ceremony in Bloomfield, where the indigenous society shared teachings about smudging.” says Maria.

She also discussed a ribbon skirt making event which took place, and the significance of it. “There was also ribbon skirt making in Kiknu, in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Indigenous Women’s Association. The ribbon skirts are a traditional attire that represent resilience and Indigenous identity.”

Maria discussed the annual Red Dress Panel, as well as a healing circle. “This year our speakers were Tyra Denny, Marie Sack, Annie Daisley, and StFX student Shy Denny. They all shared some really impactful insights and personal stories related to MMIW. At the end of the week on Friday, we had a healing circle with the Indigenous therapist on campus, Andrea Currie.”

When asked about the turnout for these events, and the overall response from the campus community, Maria said, “I think the turnout was good. It’s always wonderful to have so many students interested in indigenous events and engage in these really great learning opportunities. But as always, there can be better attendance and more engagement from students.”

For many events at StFX, there tend to be issues in getting people to attend that aren’t previously educated on the topic at hand. Maria gave her opinion on this, explaining “That may be partially true, and there are a lot of people there to learn, but I think coming to these events can be a little intimidating for some students. Especially if they may not know much about Indigenous culture and MMIW. I guess I want to encourage those students to show up anyway. These events are here for them and so no matter what your background is or how much you know, the purpose is to help educate you.”

In regard to promoting Red Dress Week, and events like it to a broader audience, Maria states, “A part of that learning process is going beyond reading about the issues and actually engaging with indigenous people and listening to our stories. Making those connections is a really important part of allyship, so I think one way to combat that is to continue to build community. Another part of that is that the StFX, administration can do a lot better in supporting and promoting these events. Working towards reconciliation has to come from both ways. It can’t only be indigenous students and faculty putting in the work. It has to be relational.”

If any member of the StFX, community didn’t get to attend these events, Maria offered insight in ways to support MMIW.

“Make efforts to learn about and raise awareness of the subject outside of Red Dress Week. So, talk to Indigenous people, go to events, get engaged, and like I said, just learn. MMIW is a much more deeply seeded issue than women going missing. It’s perpetuated by decades of settler colonialism and systemic racism. It’s embedded into our education system, healthcare system, the justice system, the RCMP, governments policies.”, says Maria.

She expands further on this issue, stating that, “We’re not just being killed by people, we’re being killed at the hands of violent colonial systems, and many of these systems were set up with the intention of harming indigenous populations. This is something that governments and institutions often ignore. So, in my mind, showing support for MMIW might look like broadening your understanding of why this violence occurs, and learning how to advocate for the decolonization of the institutions that you participate in. A good place to start, I recommend at MMIWG Final Report, and the 231 calls for justice in that report, of which only 2 have been completed to date. That’s a really great resource for students to look into.”

On Sunday, March 8th, International Women’s Day was celebrated, with the StFX community recognizing the day through various events, such as Ladies and Leaves hosted by Visible at X. According to their Instagram page, the campus community was invited to ‘Pot a plant. Paint your

pot. Take it home with you’, with the goal to, ‘Plant something beautiful, grow something powerful.”

The Women in Business Summit also took place, which hosted the In Full Bloom: The Leader Within conference, consisting of a wide lineup of speakers, providing a space for connection and recognition of achievements by women in leadership. The women in business Instagram described the two-day event as focusing ‘self-discovery, confidence, and the growth that happens when leadership is nurtured from within.’

With International Women’s Day closing off Red Dress Week, Maria discussed some events hosted by the WMGS society, stating, “I would consider a lot of the Red Dress Week stuff to be part of the women’s day activities. In collaboration with the women and gender studies faculty, the society and Indigenous office held a screening of “Rising through the Fray”, which is a documentary about an all-Indigenous roller derby team, and the films’ director, Courtney Montour, actually visited StFX and did a Q&A after the screening. The WMGS society is also collaborating with the library later this month, for a zine event related to International Women’s Day.”

When asked about how Maria sees both Red Dress Week and International Women’s Day intersecting, she said “They intersect in every way. I cannot celebrate International Women’s Day without thinking of the Indigenous women who are not here to celebrate the occasion with us.”

In response to what Red Dress Week and International Women’s Day means to her personally, Maria stated, “This week means a lot to me personally as an indigenous woman, because this goes beyond just statistics, this is real, it’s our lived experience and will continue to impact us outside of this week. I don’t know any indigenous people whose lives haven’t been impacted by colonial violence, and that’s unfortunate. What I want students to take away from this is change needs to happen, and they need to be a part of that change.”

The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can be found here : https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/.

Making History: Success on the Track

The StFX Track team has been an absolute powerhouse this season, making history while competing throughout the AUS Track & Field conference and on the national stage. The X-Men and X-Women have proven their strength by breaking multiple records and delivering outstanding performances throughout the year.  

At the conference level, the AUS Track & Field 2026 Championship showcased the athletes’ grit, dedication, and speed for StFX. Early in the season, the X-Women 4x800 relay team, consisting of Caroline Ash, Hannah McIntrye, Poppy Moon, and Caden Lee, set a new STFX record of 8:56.67, punching their ticket to the U Sports National Championship in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  

At the AUS Championship, several standout performances were delivered by STFX athletes. Caroline Ash won first place in the women’s 1000-metre race, setting a new AUS Championship record with a time of 2:47.19. Eileen Benoit claimed gold in the women’s 3000 metres, finishing in 9:34.75. Benoit’s teammate, Sarah Watson, followed closely behind after the two pushed each other throughout the race, finishing just seconds later with a time of 9:47.74.  

Success went beyond individual performances as the women’s 4x800 metre relay team captured gold with Ferron Wallace, Eden Hildebrand, Caroline Ash, and Poppy Moon representing the Blue and White. Caden Lee also set an AUS Championship record in the 1500 metres, finishing with a time of 4:27.39, while Benoit secured second place in the same event with a close time of 4:27.82.  

Success and accomplishments were not only measured by the stopwatch for the X-Women, but also by the athletic excellence of first-year Ferron Wallace. Wallace competed in two AUS Championships during the same weekend, Track & Field and Basketball, demonstrating remarkable versatility and commitment.  

On the men’s side, Luke MacDonald delivered an excellent performance, earning second place in the men’s 3000 metres with a time of 8:33.43. The X-Men 4x800 metre relay team also captured silver, with Liam McCullagh, Landyn Cooke-Bithrey, Luke MacDonald, and Liam Patterson representing StFX with pride. In the men’s 1000 metres, Liam McCullagh ran a strong race but finished just shy of bronze, placing fourth with a time of 2:32.35. 

On March 6th and 7th, five impressive X-Women track athletes took their starting positions in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to compete at the U Sports National Championship. Benoit claimed the bronze medal in the 3000-metre race, while Ash earned the bronze medal in the 1500-metre, becoming the second and third StFX track athletes to medal on the National stage. The 4x800-metre relay team also had a strong performance, finishing in eighth place.  

Early in the season, on January 15th, Caroline Ash was named to Team Canada for the FISU World University Cross Country Championships in Italy. Ash was also named as Female Track Athlete of the Year, while Gina MacInnis was awarded Women’s Volunteer Coach of the Year. Ash will compete in Cassino, Italy from March 14 - 15th, where she will represent not only Antigonish, but Canada as well.  

K*STAR CLOSET: More Than a Boutique

In Antigonish, local businesses are at the center of the shopping experience, and K*STAR CLOSET is an outstanding example. This boutique, which I’ve frequented myself, offers many elegant options for women’s fashion. I recently had the pleasure to speak with Korey, the owner behind it all, about the store and what makes it a great place to stop by.

Korey’s core mission for K*STAR was clear: to offer thoughtfully crafted clothing. She noted the challenge in finding ethically produced products and explained how her store featured many brands with high bars for quality material. It is community-driven, supporting small and independent businesses.

“It’s based on our relationships with suppliers and with our customers.”

Korey's extensive network of vendor relationships has been cultivated for over 25 years in the fashion industry across Toronto and beyond before she established her own store in Antigonish. She places a high priority on fostering trust and ensuring fair practices.

“Fair wage, fair trade. Looking towards family-run [suppliers], smaller companies.”

Shopping at K*STAR is more than the products, the whole experience is a significant part of what makes it special. Korey is clearly dedicated to creating a welcoming atmosphere for every customer who walks through the door. As a customer myself, I experienced firsthand Korey’s understanding of her store and taking in a keen sense of my style to ensure I left with something I loved. Her thoughtful approach was immediately apparent and set the store apart.

“Because in a way, I’m a personal shopper. Shopping specifically for my customers.”

Among Korey’s collection, the jeans hold a special place. She finds immense satisfaction in empowering women through her clothes, making them feel both confident and at ease.

“I love when women try on a pair of jeans and they look amazing. And they feel amazing. It’s so much fun! It has to be the best part of the job.”

Inside K*STAR, it is more than clothing, it is also a part of Korey’s creative outlet. Beyond clothes, other lifestyle items are found present in the store. Many of Korey’s own paintings cover the walls with pieces that talk to each other. Korey explains that her flower painting has helped her to develop an intimate relationship with the beauty of the mundane. Each flower has its own story to tell as they pop from the canvas and take their own respective shapes.

“It’s about the colors and putting them together. A way to express myself. Everything relates to one another. Everything is inspired by one another.”

The story behind K*STAR reveals that it’s more than a boutique, rather, it is a space for comfort and building a genuine connection with the community. As the store continues to evolve, customers can look forward to exciting new styles and a shopping experience more special than the last.

31 Malcolm Ct. @kstarcloset IG.

Tim Houston Cuts the Arts and Community Budget: Nova Scotia Speaks Out.

On Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, students and townsfolk alike met outside of MLA Michelle Thompson’s office on Main Street to rally against Tim Houston’s recent budget slashes to the arts and cultural preservation in Nova Scotia. This was just one protest of many happening across Nova Scotia.

As someone who is on the final stretch of his history degree here at StFX, writing a thesis on the industrial history of Cape Breton Island and Nova Scotia, I am deeply disturbed by the so-called “Red Tory” philosophy of Premier Houston’s cuts to art and culture budgets.

I was happy to see a sizable crowd at the rally last Wednesday to protest these erroneous cuts. Many of my fellow students took time out of their busy schedules to join local artists, academics, and regular folk in sending a clear message that I think is best summarized by the protest phrase shown on a number of signs:

Houston, we have a problem: It’s you.

Throughout the event, there were several speakers, one of which was Dr. Melissa Kuipers, a professor here at StFX who emphasized the massive role that the arts play in Antigonish. It is true that both within our university community and across the town of Antigonish that artistic pursuits such as music, poetry, and the visual arts have played a substantial role in this community. Anyone who has taken a quick Friday night trip to Candid Brewery or dropped by the StFX music department’s jazz ensemble shows are cognizant of how important musicians are to this community. We are also home to writers and poets, many of whom are featured in the regular releases of the Antigonish review. The town has seen developments in arts and community decline in certain sectors prior to Houston’s cuts already: since the Casket shut down, the Xaverian Weekly is now the only local paper. Thankfully, Antigonish is still home to two radio stations, 98.9 XFM and 93.3 CFXU The Fox. My hope is that these stations can continue to be maintained in the future.

Of course, there is the cultural value of art itself: Andrea Boyd, the Artistic Director for Theatre Antigonish, asked us to imagine a world without art. To my mind, this recalls the imagery that George Orwell so harrowingly depicted in his famous novel 1984, or perhaps the depressing world presented by Margaret Atwood in The Handmaid’s Tale. Regardless, the idea of a world without art is sickening. Boyd also noted that the arts bring a lot of money into our province. CBC News reported that the arts bring in a GDP of 2.6 billion to Nova Scotia, also providing 22,000 jobs. These are not insubstantial figures.

Dr. Barry MacKenzie, Canadian historian, curator for the Antigonish Heritage Museum and part-time professor at StFX, explained how the budget cuts are devastating and harm the cultural upkeep for all demographics in Nova Scotia. We reached out to him for a statement, and he provided the following:

“As a historian and the curator of the Antigonish Heritage Museum, I was disappointed to learn of the cuts to arts, heritage, and culture in the recent provincial budget. While the Antigonish Heritage Museum is one of the luckier community museums in the province (we have stable funding from the Town and County of Antigonish as well as a grant from the province), I am genuinely concerned for the precedent that it could set for the future. Our economy has embraced heritage tourism with gusto for more than a century, and I do worry how much momentum many heritage organizations will lose during these austere times.”

Dr. MacKenzie makes an excellent point around the uncertain precedent this sets. Defunding arts and culture draws a frightening correlation to the anti-intellectual movement currently occurring in the United States.

These cuts risk jobs across the province, especially student grants at museums and similar venues of culture. Many of the places facing cuts are upheld by volunteer work as well, work that these cuts are adamant to destroy. Community sports events are also at risk.

We are not without hope. While Houston remains adamant in his rampage against arts and culture, protest have been happening all over the province. The rally in Antigonish brought in a few hundred participants, while the one in Halifax reportedly saw over 2000 show up to make it clear to the premier that defunding the arts is not the way.

I beg this of anyone who reads this article: If you’re Nova Scotian, write to, email, or call your MLA and tell them about the harm Premier Houston is causing to the province. If you’re a student from beyond the shores of Nova Scotia, get in touch with Antigonish MLA Michelle Thompson’s office. We need to make it clear to the Premier that we will not stand for erroneous cuts in the face of Houston’s economic mismanagement. The provincial debt, in fact, is $10,000,000 higher since he took office in 2021. Arts and culture should not have to suffer because of the Progressive Conservative Party’s failures.

You Can't Spell Improve Without Improv

While Justin Gregg is an animal psychology professor, his true passion comes from something outside of the world of academia. It is this passion that in turn hones his skills for teaching and overall makes him a better professor. He started improv on a whim after moving to Antigonish ten years ago. Yet what he discovered was a psychological resilience he developed through pushing his mental limits and self-consciousness.  

Although improv can be “terrible and not particularly funny”, Gregg claims it’s this very unpredictability that creates more depth than just simple comedy. While you may discard improv as a skill, it is a harmless opportunity to free you from your inhibitions.  

Gregg finds improv is especially capable of improving both social and business skills. Issues like loneliness and social anxiety that prevent you from meeting people could be eradicated by the opportunity to pretend to be someone else. After an exciting conversation, it appears that it’s a common misconception that it takes a great extrovert to perform in front of people. But it just might be social anxieties that make a superb improvisor. 

 The list of core skills applicable through improv goes on and on. Whether it’s saying “yes, and” to new ideas, feeling freedom through failure, or being honest about not knowing things, it is almost impossible to gain nothing from trying improv. Professor Gregg explains that humans like to keep life predictable; they avoid change. The natural pressure that comes with improv forces participants to be unafraid of failure. It’s common to try something and be humiliated if it doesn’t work. But, after a while, your brain stops noticing your failures and instead starts thinking of ways to carry on. 

As a professor, Gregg says improv “makes me braver.” He explains that most professors are actually introverts. But what he discovered is that teaching itself is a form of improvisation. “You are a version of yourself when teaching and doing improv, both performing for a crowd” he explains. 

Gregg explains that his improv group of seven or so struggles to find a routine place where they can practice. Even without a dedicated meeting spot, this group maintains their commitment to their craft. Hopefully, an influx of students trying out improv for self-betterment can transform improv into a prominent art form within the Antigonish community.  

Whether it’s “yes, and” or a game where you can only speak languages limited to five words, improv works with your cognitive flexibility. Being impervious to embarrassment is an asset to making connections and being social. Gregg explains that as a professor, he loves when students shamelessly ask questions. From experiencing social anxiety himself to watching his students experience it, it strengthens his stance: improv can change your life. 

My Beef with the Mulroney Bathrooms

Last week I was going to class at Mulroney Hall when, in the throes of flu season, I had to blow my nose. Because there’s only hand dryers in Mulroney washrooms I had to use toilet paper as Kleenex, but before I could do that I had to wait for a stall to open. As I was washing my hands I noticed another guy waiting to blow his nose too. Can’t there be a better way? I thought. This is pretty gross.

You may have heard that hand dryers are not more sanitary than paper towels, in fact, there seems to be a consensus that they are worse in regard to cleanliness. Air based hand-dryers cover the user’s hands with anything that could be in the surrounding air. Thousands of students on campus spreading germs and viruses makes sanitation crucially important for university health. Particles which should only be found in the bathroom can instead be found on the hands of students, increasing the risk of disease and illness.

It is unfortunate that in one of our campus’ nicest buildings people cannot blow their nose, clean a spill, or wipe off a space, unless they are bringing their own supplies. Every other bathroom on campus is stocked with paper-towels with some even having Kleenex. James Bruce Brown, Annex, and MSB, some of the school’s oldest buildings have clean, reliable and stocked washrooms. It is weird that it’s some of the newest buildings who lack paper-towels. It is embarrassing to rush into the stall after someone. I just want to blow my nose without waiting for someone to leave the stall. It is also inconvenient to have to choose between unsanitary air-dryers and going to class with wet hands. I know that this is not an issue which bothers every student but it is a needless inconvenience and the Mulroney experience would be better without it.

I do not want to give the impression that bathrooms are a students biggest concern. Tuition is too high, we are facing funding cuts from Premier Tim Houston (see the News Section for further information), and entire faculties are struggling from hiring shortages. This new complaint is not meant to distract you from larger concerns. This is a small problem; that’s part of the reason I’m complaining. A box of Kleenex or a role of hand towels in the Mulroney washroom would solve this micro-problem. I do not want you to be angrier about wet hands than about your tuition, the price of text-books or any other major issues. I just want to note that if you’re in Mulroney and you knock a water bottle over, the nearest paper towel could be a bit too far away.

Motionball StFX: Uniting in the Spirit of Sport

St. Francis Xavier University students and Special Olympics athletes came together on March 8th for the annual Motionball Marathon of Sport, raising a record-breaking $40,000 in support of Special Olympics Canada. Motionball is a national non-profit that promotes leadership and inclusive social and sporting events in support of Special Olympics Canada, creating opportunities for Canadians of all ages living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Motionball Marathon of Sport brings together students and local Special Olympics athletes for a day of teamwork, friendship, and sport.

Participants kicked off the day with a warm-up led by the StFX dance team before moving into organized games. The event concluded with a sponsored lunch from Kenny’s Pizza, followed by special recognitions and closing remarks.

This year marked the fifth Motionball Marathon of Sport held at StFX. Once again, student volunteers and participants broke the national fundraising record for a single Marathon of Sport event. The $40,000 raised contributes to the over $22 million that has been donated by motionball to the Special Olympics Canada Foundation since the organization’s inception in 2002. Special recognition was given to Sophie Brimacombe, Hannah Groves, and Brendan Ingle, who were recognized as the top three fundraisers for this year’s event, with Brimacombe raising a total of $2,025.

Participants Katie Wilson and Valerie von Mueldorfer shared the importance of this event and what it means for them to be a part of the cause. “Marathon of Sport is one of my favourite days of the year”, said Wilson. “I love meeting new athletes and coming together for a great cause with my friends!” Von Mueldorfer emphasized the importance of the fundraising component of the event, “Marathon of Sport is a great way to fundraise for Motionball and Special Olympics! Yes it is a great day and so much fun, but it’s important to remember that a big part is raising money so there can be bigger and better events all over the country!”

The Motionball Marathon of Sport is expected to return to StFX next spring. For updates and more information, follow Motionball StFX on Instagram @motionballstfx.

Changing the Conversation Around Men’s Mental Health Beyond the Game

At StFX, football players are often recognized for what they do on the field. What isn’t always visible is what happens off the field: the pressure to perform, the weight of expectations, and the personal struggles that do not pause for game day.

For fifth-year football player Nathan Cayouette, men’s mental health advocacy grew out of his own experience navigating those pressures. “What inspired me was, in my second year, I was going through mental health struggles,” Cayouette explained. “Being a student athlete, just learning about that experience, and then talking to other athletes and other people around me, I realized they were struggling too. But looking online, looking elsewhere, there weren’t really conversations about it.”

Instead of waiting for someone else to start it, Cayouette decided he would. “I decided that if I could be a voice for mental health, for advocating for men’s mental health and student athlete mental health, then I was willing to do it. I wanted to do it.”

His second year at StFX was marked by more than the usual pressures of balancing academics and athletics. “Kind of everything hit me at once,” he said. “And I tried to do it alone. I just kept everything in. But in reality, it just hurts you more.”

At a heavily football-centred school like StFX, athletes often operate in a very public space. It is a tight-knit campus community, where everyone is interconnected. “For my experience, it feels like when I’m walking around, I get evaluated,” he said. “My whole life, I’ve been in high-performance sports. I have to make sure I’m up to standards, representing the school, being the best person I can be, on the field and off the field.” Layered on top of that pressure is a broader social expectation and stigma placed on men. “Society shows us that if you speak up about mental health struggles, you’re weak,” he said. “There’s this perception that men have to be tough, strong 24/7. They can’t show any weakness. But if you try to be strong nonstop all the time, it’s going to hurt you eventually.”

Through advocacy and awareness, Cayouette looks to change that narrative. “It’s okay to not be okay,” he said. “If you’re feeling sad, you don’t have to hide it. You can talk to someone about it. You can show it. If someone judges you for that, that’s on them, not you.”

Looking on his past five years at StFX, Cayouette reflects on how he balanced being a student-athlete with a busy schedule and high expectations. “When I was in my early years, I had older guys I could go up to and talk about life,” he said. “Now I feel like I’m in the position where I’m the older guy. If anyone’s ever struggling, I can help them go through it.”

For first-year students and student athletes stepping onto campus for the first time, his advice is to not keep these struggles in. “If you feel anxious or sad about something, be vocal about it. Being vulnerable is scary, but if you can show vulnerability to someone, it’s going to be way better for your mental health.”

In talking about his future, Cayouette hopes to launch a podcast to create space for people of all ages and backgrounds to share their mental health stories. “Ever since I started talking about mental health, I’ve had conversations with 13-year-old boys and with 40-year-olds,” he said. “It’s not just athletes. It’s not just males. Everyone struggles.”

Frosted with History: Revive or Reinvent the Winter Ball?

Over 15 years later, the “Winter Ball”, once a staple in StFX’s event calendar, was brought back to students. On Friday, Feb 27th, 2026, the Golden X Inn featured a red carpet lined entrance, white and blue balloons on the walls, and crisp white tablecloths over the booths. When it comes to events, StFX Students’ Union is not new to planning something extravagant. This was shown with the events entertainment, featuring None the Wiser in their first appearance at the Inn. A crowd favourite, they played everything from Footloose to Mr. Brightside and kept the spirit of the crowd up.  

It seems once again the trends are repeating themselves. Recent theme nights at the Inn  have featured events such as “2016 Re-Wind” and now the return of the “Winter Ball”. I attended the event on Friday, looking to see if it was a tradition that should permanently come back. Here’s the recap.  

As promised, the event was as semi-formal winter wonderland. The decorations were sparkly, candles lined tables and everyone was in collared shirts and dresses. Tickets were available at the door, prices scaled back to nostalgic 2000s levels at 10 dollars a pop. Yet there was no line out of the door, unusual for larger events such as this one. If you have ever seen None the Wiser at their monthly appearance at Candid, the place is jammed with people. Despite the lack of a crowd, the event was fun, people sang along to the band (who played amazing) and overall, it was a good excuse to wear your best and dance your heart out. 

But the lower turn-out begs the question: are students looking for the past to be relived? Or are students looking to make new events and traditions, instead of bringing back the old? One can walk around StFX and quickly understand that heritage and tradition is a key part of our school pride. It’s obvious from the buildings, the memorials- it’s everywhere you look. Yet so often it can feel like the events around campus are trying to relive to ‘glory days’. The Winter Ball, which was a great idea, is bringing back something that most students today didn’t even know existed. I believe that for a better turn out, it either takes some significant marketing to get the word out about the event, or, alternately, students are looking to make their own traditions and follow along with more current trends of today. When students go out in Antigonish, they are looking for where everyone else is, and that has to be where things are new; exciting. The question for the Inn is – what draws people? And I believe the answer is events that bring new life to the student body. 

The Winter Ball at the Golden X Inn was everything it said it would be- amazing band, great decorations and a dress code that impresses. But as nostalgia seems to be taking over most aspects of the media right now, it seems the Inn is following. But instead of looking backward, I’m excited for the Inn to take a new step forards- towards events that bring back the past in a way that is fitting for the present. 

Interview with a StFX Nursing Graduate

Interview with a 2025 StFX Nursing Grad 

To start with, what made you want to apply to the nursing program at StFX? 

I was debating picking between Dalhousie or StFX, but I heard StFX had a more hands-on program; it was more clinically oriented... I liked that it was in a small town. I always liked Wolfville and I wanted to go somewhere similar, I actually wanted to go to Acadia but they didn’t have a nursing program.  

What was the program like? What did you expect, not expect? 

It was very challenging, I had to do a lot of bookwork and writing papers. In general, the first year was solely focused on typical Bachelor of Science stuff, I was expecting to do more nursing stuff first year and I didn’t have a single nursing course... Once you start second year it’s crazy how much they give you- it's not an easy way that they put you into it. You’re doing your head-to-toe assessment within your first month. Everything is just very fast paced when you start second year... Third and fourth years are also really stressful but it’s easier to manage.  

The types of courses they focused on I didn’t really like. Our 308, 208 courses, we’re kind of useless. A lot of the theory courses were not as important , I wish we did more clinical case studies than the theory ones.  

Now that you’re working as a Registered Nurse, what that you learned at StFX have you been able to apply most directly to your employment? 

I find what helped me the most would be when I was doing my labs they would do pass or fail assessments. At Dal, they show you how to do a technique or a skill and then they let you do it as many times until you get it right, but StFX only gives two chances to pass it, and you only have 40 minutes while they record you. I remember I hated it second year I was like, ‘Why do we have to do this and then Dal they don’t have to do any pass or fail assessments?’’ but it actually makes you learn it so much better because you’re not just memorizing it it’s instilled in your brain... you don’t have to do a full head to toe on every patient but if they have a chest tube you know how to  a lung assessment or if they have GI issue you know exactly how to do that assessment. Where at Dal I heard they only have to do it for like a week, we did a whole term of just head to toe assessment, which was a lot. But it was good.  

I also liked how our groups were very small. When we were doing our classroom work, it was a lot easier to talk to the profs. It was more 1 on 1 vs a whole lecture. If you didn’t understand something, they would stop and explain it. We couldn’t do that if we had 150 people in a room.  

What have you had to learn on the job? 

A lot of documentation, I think that’s the biggest thing. Any time a nurse switches hospitals, even if you’ve been there 20 years, you still need to orientate to that hospital. It’s different at every spot... [StFX] taught us a little bit of documentation, generalized, but it’s a really big thing in nursing, being able to chart.  

Has working directly in Nova Scotia’s health care system changed how you view or understand it? 

Yeah, I would say Nova Scotia is a little more chaotic when it comes to the healthcare system, we don't have very good policies and rules on things. In some places in the States they have rule that limits nurse’s to 4 patients, you’re not allowed more. Whereas here they don’t have that in the system, you can have 8 or 9 patients and lose your license for these reasons. If i have a bunch of patients and i need to do something for all of them all at the same time, the system doesn’t care, their like you didn’t do it, it could be neglect.  

Follow up: Is staff to patient ratios an issue at work? 

I think it’s biggestt issue in our healthcare system right now, staffing. Because we aren't able to do our care to the best of our abilities. Just the other day I only had 3 patients because I was charge nurse, and it was so easy to do my full assessment on each one, really look into their chart, what behind the scenes is going on, what could happen the next day, whereas if i have 7 patients I can’t check on them as often as I’d want to, I can’t go through their chart as much... [over-burdening nurses] could lead to neglect and potential risks for the patient... . If one person calls in sick it can screw up the whole floor. My unit has a full staff maybe 1 in every 5 times I’m there.  

What advice would you give current and future StFX nursing students?  

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A lot of times where I’ve seen people fail is they get confident or think it’s stupid that they’re asking a question. If you don’t ask the question, you’ll never know. Also, you got to find the happy medium between doing your work and taking a break for yourself and relaxing.  

Pucks for Purpose: More Than a Game

For its third year, small-town institution St. Francis Xavier University aims to have another successful season fueled by passion, drive, and commitment to giving back through a student-led non-profit. The Pucks for Purpose Classic is back, and bigger than ever. A rivalry hockey game between Business and Art & Science students will take place at the Keating Centre, with both teams competing in front of what is expected to be a sold-out crowd.

“Pucks for Purpose is about more than just a game. It unites our tight-knit community in support of our two incredible charities. At X, we love to have a good time, but we’re also all about supporting those around us. My favourite part about P4P is how it does exactly that. We’re able to come together, have a ton of fun, and make a huge impact within our community. For me, Pucks for Purpose has been the highlight of my time at X. I absolutely love how passionate each and every one involved is about the cause and the impact we’re creating together. Looking ahead to March, we’re super excited to once again pack the Keating Centre in a clash of the faculties, and see which side comes out on top”. - Kaleb Boats

Over the past two years, Pucks for Purpose (P4P) has raised more than $185,000 for two meaningful charities: the Canadian Cancer Society and Motionball for Special Olympics. In its first year in 2024, the event raised $55,000, bringing together the community, campus life and valued partners for a meaningful cause. The following year, the executive team set out with a clear mission, bigger and better. In 2025, St. Francis Xavier University became the first Canadian university to introduce a women’s charity hockey game. P4P more than doubled its initial total, raising an impressive $130,000.

“Being a player on Women’s Business has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my athletic career and my time at StFX. Not only does the women’s game do wonders for the female athletes that step on the ice to an arena full of their classmates cheering them on, but it also shows young girls in the community that women’s sports are something to be celebrated. I decided to join the women’s business team because I’ve seen firsthand the impact sports can make in making someone feel welcomed and a part of a community, and Pucks for Purpose has done exactly that”. - Kate Parker

The teams have already begun practicing and preparing for a game you won’t want to miss. The full roster for the women’s and men’s teams from both Business and Art-Sci have been selected to represent their faculties. The women will lace up their skates on March 18th, with the men following on March 20th.

The Men’s Business and Women’s Art-Science teams look to defend their championship titles from last year, while their opponents aim to dethrone the 2025 champions in an event that has already sold over 2,000 tickets.

Third Spaces on Campus: Snow Day Special

University campuses are communities within communities, the spaces within them serving a variety of purposes. Spaces to work, study, live, learn, socialize, and more. When you live on campus, it can feel like your entire world exists within the bounds of the university. When you live off campus, it can feel like you spend more time at school than you do at home. What happens when those spaces are unexpectedly closed?  

 Winter in the Maritimes can be difficult. The short days play with emotions, the cold weather can make anyone miserable, and the snow is a nightmare to trek through. Going to school here comes with the expectation that there will be missed classes because of the weather. Although typically having the email that the university will be closed is the highlight of anyone’s day, it also has its drawbacks. With the winter weather and the additional school closure, students are stuck at home. For those living on campus, this means stuck in their residence buildings. Stuck with their roommates or remaining in isolation. For certain residence buildings, this leads to a higher rate of damages and drinking. For others, it can mean students who are already struggling with their mental health spend more time inside and alone. Some are frustrated that they don’t have anywhere to study.  

As the only spaces that remain open during a complete university closure are Morrison Hall and Starbucks, students are limited when it comes to a space outside of their residence building. This can also put a strain on those working in residence and those living off campus. Working and living in residence can be difficult – especially with multiple snow days – as the students you’re looking after may need someone to talk to more than usual or may be busier and louder. Community Advisor and X-Patrol Lead Mia Reich explained that “it can be hard as a CA to relax and get any work done [on snow days] when I’m stuck in residence. It feels like I’m constantly working, and although I love my residents so much, it can start to feel like I can’t take a break or focus on anything else when I’m in the building.”  

Students living off campus can also find it hard to focus. It can be just as frustrating to have a campus closure when you have a strong divide between “home” and “school”. Students who aren’t used to working from home, who have loud roommates, who can only focus under specific circumstances, who also deal with the struggles isolation brings also have a hard time when the university is fully closed.  

StFX is never truly closed. There are still people working who have to be physically on campus during the snow days. Safety and Security is one of them. As long as there are two members of Security who can make it to campus, Security is working. If Security is working, then, why can’t StFX have a couple of their academic buildings open? Students would have a third space to study – and yes, socialize – that is outside of residence. This would reduce the strain and additional expectations placed on CA’s on snow days and would help many students tremendously.  

Most students just want a space to get out of their house, mainly to get some work and studying done. Additionally, how is having the main spaces of certain academic buildings open different than a regular school day? Keep the classrooms locked, and students can work in the main areas and hallways, like those in Mulroney Hall or the Nasso Family Science Centre. Students should be able to access these spaces when the university is closed. Mia, who works in MacIsaac Hall, believes that most students would benefit from more spaces being open: “When we have snow days, most of the kids see that as an excuse to get drunk and drink. But a lot of the other students would rather take that opportunity to study. And because we have all of these students who decide to use it as a day to party, those students who do just want to study don't really have a place to go. Because it’s loud, it's obnoxious. You know, it's MacIsaac. So having another space for them would be really, really good.” 

EverWind: Fueling Nova Scotia’s Clean Energy Debate

It isn’t news that the global transition away from fossil fuels is becoming a topic of increasing urgency. The Canadian government has supported various industries that produce renewable energy over recent years including green hydrogen and ammonia, which can be produced using renewable energy to create a carbon-free fuel. Yet as good as it sounds, the process is far from black and white in terms of economic and environmental benefits. As a recent event at StFX helped demonstrate, one company’s vision is the topic  of an ongoing debate. 

EverWind Fuels is an American-owned company that is developing wind farms across Nova Scotia to power a facility in Point Tupper, Richmond County, which will produce green ammonium to export to Germany. Germany is currently investing heavily in green hydrogen and ammonia and has established a partnership with Canada to support major exports from Atlantic Canada. The project is currently in Phase 1 of 2, including construction of four windfarms and the ammonia facility, with operations aimed to begin in 2028.  

On January 22, the StFX German Society hosted a presentation on campus where executives from EverWind were invited to present the project to students and members of the community. The event was organized by Allie Fennell and Lucy Henkel, co-presidents of StFX’s Germany Society, with the aim of giving students an opportunity to engage with a project of both local and international significance. Yet Marlis Lade, StFX’s German program coordinator, received numerous complaints about the event beforehand, regarding the consequences of EverWind’s projects for Nova Scotians and the province’s natural spaces. Fennell and Henkel recognized the importance of involving these voices, and pushed for the inclusion of a Q&A period at the end of the evening, asking students in German course labs to submit questions beforehand. 

Green Nova Scotia First (GNSF) is one local group that has been voicing opposition to EverWind’s projects, urging the province to focus on a complete transition to renewable energy before considering export to other countries. Jason Hurst, a member of GNSF who attended the event, explained the group's primary grievances with the project. One of their principal concerns is that energy is lost during the process of converting wind energy into ammonia and shipping it overseas. They argue that this energy could be used more efficiently to power, and thus directly benefit, communities in Nova Scotia. 

Jeff Bonazza, Director of Permitting at EverWind and a 2010 StFX biology graduate, presented at the StFX event. “Even though there are some efficiencies, which we would acknowledge,” he said, “it’s replacing ammonia that is currently being generated by the use of fossil fuels, so we see it as still having a net benefit.” He went on to explain that the Phase 1 projects, which are connected to the provincial grid, can still be used to provide energy to Nova Scotians: “At periods of high [energy] demand, we can curtail production of green hydrogen/ammonia and it can go to users from the grid.” As Claire Parsons, EverWind’s Director of Communications, described, the wind generation will “strengthen the grid, improve reliability, and create flexibility that does not exist today.” 

However, GNSF remains critical of the amount of energy this project would actually provide  Nova Scotians. “[EverWind has] bought three projects that were destined for the grid and they’ll be using those for Phase 1,” said Jason, “but what’s really most concerning is their Phase 2 projects, which are entirely located in Guysborough… [They’re] not going to be tied to the grid at all.” The Phase 2 projects will be directly connected to the Point Tupper ammonia production facility via an independent transmission line, meaning that energy produced from these farms will not directly benefit Nova Scotians. 

 In terms of economic stimulus, Hurst recognized that Everwind’s projects will bring jobs to communities in Nova Scotia, but has also stated that “that benefit doesn’t offset the net negatives.” Bonazza, however, spoke to benefits aside from employment opportunities: “for municipalities… in proximity to the wind projects, there are community vibrancy funds, proximity payments, bursaries…and ultimately big investment dollars that are spent in rural Nova Scotia.” EverWind will additionally be carrying out wind farm development in partnership with several Mi’kmaq communities, including Memertou First Nation, which owns 51% of the wind farm project in Upper Afton. 

GNSF is additionally concerned with the environmental impacts of wind farm development. While one wind farm might have a minimal ecological footprint, the cumulative effect of over half a dozen spread across the province could have an unforeseen toll on wildlife corridors, recreational land use, and biodiversity, especially as these windfarms will be larger and more dense than others previously established in the province. “Obviously,” said Hurst, “the more dense that turbine project is, the worse it is for the environment.” 

In terms of the environmental impact of establishing wind farms, Bonazza explained that “there is a lot that goes into the siting to reduce environmental impact,” including measures to abide by the province's wetland policy and environmental assessment process. GNSF, however, still has qualms. “It’s very corporate-friendly, and it’s very one-sided,” Hurst said of the environmental assessment process. While companies can take years to conduct research and compile the necessary documents, once submitted to the Nova Scotia government there is only a short window of time before projects can be rejected or approved, which GNSF is concerned can lead to rushed decision-making. Despite this, the Point Tupper project is, as Parsons stated, in compliance with the EU’s standards for renewable fuels, "reinforcing EverWind’s commitment to delivering green fuels that align with modern international standards.” 

Ultimately, the Point Tupper project has ignited heated debates around the province, revealing an underlying complexity to what upon first glance may appear to be an unimpeachable business venture. As Parson stated, EverWind is confident that Nova Scotia “can reduce emissions at home while also building a new clean export industry that helps displace fossil fuels globally,” but many groups remain strongly opposed. While both EverWind and groups like Green Nova Scotia First may ultimately support a clean energy transition, conversations about what that transition should look like and who will benefit are continuing to unfold. Evidently, events like the panel hosted at StFX are valuable opportunities for disagreeing parties to engage with one another, and ongoing dialogue will be essential to ensure that all voices continue to be fairly represented.  “I think the controversy made the event more important,” Fennell noted. “It’s really good to see the community really critically thinking and engaging with it.”