Spoke – A News Portal for Conestoga College's Journalism Program

VIDEO: Not just a game: The benefits of esports

Conestoga Esports Hub midway through the Provincial Valorant Tournament held on Sat. March 1, 2025. Photo by Emily McGirr Coaches from Ontario’s secondary schools competing in the provincial Valorant tournament last weekend are passionate about their students’ success. Since they arrived in students’ everyday lives, video games have been seen as a distraction from schoolwork, but these coaches and the esports industry itself are challenging those ideas. According to Statista, … Continued

AUDIO: Galileo Exhibit arrives in Canada for the first time at Perimeter Institute in Waterloo

History and science enthusiasts in Waterloo have a rare opportunity to engage with the groundbreaking work of Galileo Galilei at a traveling exhibit at the Perimeter Institute located at 31 Caroline St N, Waterloo. This is the first time the exhibit will be in Canada. Emily Petroff, the director of external relations at Perimeter Institute says the exhibit was originally curated by an Italian professor based in Paris and has … Continued

Are GMOs really GM-Nos?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been at the centre of global health debates for decades. While many scientists have stated that modern GMOs are a scientific breakthrough capable of solving hunger and malnutrition, many independent environmental organizations such as those found within Greenpeace argue that GMOs have not been researched thoroughly enough to understand their impact on the environment and human health. Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts, a molecular biologist … Continued

From clippers to confidence: A place to become

The sound of clippers hums softly in the air, a familiar rhythm as each haircut becomes a quiet act of self-creation. Beneath the warm glow of vintage lights, identities are shaped as gently as the hair falling to the floor, with each snip revealing more of the person beneath. In this space, it’s not just hair being cut – it’s the barriers, fears, and weight of judgment, left behind in … Continued

How skating brings Waterloo students and families together during winter isolation

As winter sets in, a season known for its isolation, Waterloo’s families and students find warmth in an unexpected place: on the rink. “I probably hadn’t skated for like 20 years,” said John, a father skating with his son at Kitchener City Hall rink. John spent his early adult years building his career, which kept him away from skating and some family activities. However, last year, his son, who is … Continued

VIDEO: Winterloo 2025 Offered a fun-filled day of games and entertainment after last year’s weather challenges

Photo by Cornelius Ejimogu/Spoke Online. Held on Jan. 25, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Winterloo, an annual cold-weather celebration in the heart of Waterloo brought people together to embrace the winter season in full force. Goreti Cardoso, a festival and event specialist at the City of Waterloo explained how the weather plays a significant role in attendance. For example, last year, the event was limited to the Waterloo Public … Continued

How Aidan Ruston, aka AJ, built a music empire in Waterloo with ‘The Kitchen KW’

Aiden John Rustin, known to many as AJ, lost himself in the rhythm of his own making. Stretching his arms toward the amplifier, a gentle smile tugged at his lips, a quiet acknowledgment of the music’s power to speak what words could not. It was around 10 p.m at The Kitchen KW studio as the scene unfolded. “The location that we’re at, they don’t let us make noise until 5:30 … Continued

From Syria to Waterloo: Ahmad’s journey of building a barbershop empire rooted in quality and integrity

The snipping of scissors and the gentle hum of clippers tell a story of resilience and ambition. Mohamad Al Ahmad, a seasoned barber with over 20 years of experience, has crafted a thriving Waterloo business known as City Style Salon and Barbershop. When Ahmad first opened his barbershop on Hemlock Street, Waterloo, in 2017, he had a simple goal: to bring his years of expertise from Syria to Canada. By … Continued

How Waterloo faces the challenges of balancing urban growth with green space preservation

As urbanization accelerates, cities worldwide face the challenges of balancing urban development with the preservation of green landscapes. The city of Waterloo, Ontario known for its growth in technology and education sectors, is no exception. In this continuous urban transformation, lifelong Waterloo resident, William McFaddin, recalled when a tree was planted every 100 feet along the streets near his home. It was during the road reconstruction when temperatures soared to 32°C … Continued

Conestoga professor recognized with Scholastic esports awards nomination

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online Chris Lamarucciola stands near the entrance of Conestoga College’s current esports hub at their John W. Tibbits campus in Waterloo, Ont., on Jan. 17, 2025. Following a successful first year teaching at Conestoga College, Chris Lamarucciola received an award nomination at the inaugural Scholastic Esports Awards, a major collegiate esports event in North America, held in Columbus, OH, from Jan. 11 to 12. The award … Continued

Un voyage dans le Vieux-Montréal

Un voyage dans le Vieux-Montréal Buildings in Old Montreal, taken on Sept. 1, 2024. Photos by Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online. It was my first time visiting Montreal and I had been enjoying the weeklong vacation with my mom and younger sister. We later were joined by a family friend from New York City that my mom has known since before I was even born. It was now Sept 1, and we … Continued

Yankee Anthony Volpe’s potential new leaf

Much has been made about New York Yankee shortstop Anthony Volpe’s struggles on offence to begin his MLB career. Since entering the league in 2023, the former top 10 prospect has been a below average 84 weight runs created plus hitter (wRC+). This metric estimates a player’s total contribution on offence to a lineup and includes factors like a hitter’s ability to get on base and hit for extra bases, … Continued

The leadership and perceptive knowledge of Scott Miller

Scott Miller in his WCDSB office, located on 51 Ardelt Ave, Kitchener. Photo by WRDSB. When Scott Miller decided he’d pursue a career in education, he did so believing it to be a good opportunity to make a difference in the lives of youths and students. Miller wanted to find ways for students to “encounter success and be successful with the belief that once you find success and once you’re … Continued

A hardwood experience with Austin Ernst-Finnie

Austin Ernst-Finnie standing in the Huron Heights Secondary School basketball gym, taken on Nov 25, 2024. Photos by Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online Despite playing basketball since he was 14 years-old, Austin Ernst-Finnie didn’t ever see himself becoming a basketball coach. “In the beginning I couldn’t shoot. But it wasn’t until I realized that I was working on shooting for seven years of my life that I could probably end up coaching, … Continued