The aces of info | The dream of Raphaëlle, the student protector and the Zelda madness

Every Sunday, The Press broadcasts the content of Les As de l’info, a youth digital platform entirely devoted to daily news.

Raphaëlle never gave up on her dream

Raphaëlle Tousignant is passionate about sports. But at the age of 10, she was struck by cancer which left her disabled. Her dream of becoming a great athlete is rocking. Who would have thought that, despite this, she would participate in the World Championship of her favorite sport? Even more incredible: she will be the only girl on her team! We tell you his story worthy of a film.

Sport at heart

Raphaëlle is a 20-year-old young woman from Terrebonne who has always liked to move. When she was young, she practiced different sports such as soccer and dance. But when she was 8 years old, her father introduced her to ringette, an activity that she immediately fell in love with.

One day, while she was playing ringette, Raphaëlle had a bad fall and hurt her hip. At first, she thought she was going to get better. She was far from suspecting that this accident was going to turn her whole life upside down…

The moment that changed everything

A few months after her fall, Raphaëlle continued to have pain. She went to see a doctor, who told her very bad news: she had cancer. And to preserve her health, she had to have her right leg amputated.

“I cried when I found out I was going to have an amputation. It wasn’t because I wasn’t going to walk anymore, because there are options for that, but really because I was afraid of not being able to do sports anymore, ”says Raphaëlle in an interview with the newspaper. The Press.

However, that all changed when his dad introduced him to para hockey. This sport is very similar to hockey, but has been adapted for people with leg disabilities. Players move around with a sledge to which two skate blades are attached.

A champion is born

Once cured, Raphaëlle tried para hockey. It was love at first sight!

The young girl progressed quickly, so much so that at 14, she joined the Canadian women’s senior team. Then, at age 16, she represented Quebec at the Men’s National Championships.

And yes, you read that right! The Canadian Women’s Para Hockey Team does not compete internationally. But Raphaëlle is so talented that she was taken on the men’s team.

And his rise does not stop there. Recently, Raphaëlle learned that she will be representing Canada at the Men’s World Para Hockey Championship. This will be the first time in history that a Canadian has participated in this competition.

“I was a bit in shock,” she admits. Still to this day, I realize it, but not completely. It feels like I’ve wanted this so badly for years and even if it happens, it looks like I’m just going to believe it when I get there. »

His next goal? Participate in the Paralympic Games. The problem is that there is not yet a women’s para hockey component at the Paralympic Games. Raphaëlle therefore hopes that she will be able to make things happen so that other sportswomen like her can practice their favorite sport on the most prestigious stage in the world.

According to an article by Justin Vézina, The Press

Its mission: to protect all students

At school, disturbing events can happen. For example, a teacher who yells in class or a child who bullies. How to report these situations? From the next school year, there will be a simple way to file a complaint. The person responsible for this new service is called the national student protector. We spoke to him.

To begin, can you introduce yourself?

Of course ! My name is Jean-François Bernier and I am a lawyer. For years, I have defended the rights of citizens, as the national protector of citizens. When I was offered the position of National Student Advocate, I said yes right away! I am very motivated.

Why do you think you are the right person for this role?

What is most important to me is the well-being of all children and adolescents, regardless of their differences. I knew a lot of different places and people when I was young. My mother was a single parent and we moved often. I went to five different secondary schools in five regions.

What exactly does a National Student Ombudsman do?

This is a new position created by the Government of Quebec. There is me, who is the national protector, and 17 regional protectors, who will be distributed throughout the province. They will go to schools, talk to student committees, parents, etc. Our goal is for all students to feel good and safe at school. Concretely, I will ensure that the system for handling student complaints is simple and fast.

If I want to report a problematic situation, how will it work?

Starting August 28, you will be able to call or text a phone number. At the start of the school year, this number will be displayed on posters in schools and there will be announcements on social networks. During the day, there will be someone who will answer, talk to you and help you. We are also looking at the possibility of an organization responding in the evening.

What kind of complaint can I make?

No matter what situation you are in, you can always call us. If you are a victim of sexual violence, my team will take care of your file as a matter of urgency.

And if it’s not sexual violence, what are you going to do?

We can tell you what to do. Let’s say you call to say, “My schoolyard isn’t safe” or “Someone isn’t nice to me.” As a first step, you will be asked to try to resolve the situation with the person concerned and another adult. For example, talking to your teacher and his boss, the principal. In the second step, we will direct you to the complaints officer of the school service centre. If the situation still isn’t resolved, you need to call us back, and we’ll help you directly.

If I file a complaint, will my parents automatically be informed?

If you are under 14, the law obliges us to inform your parents. However, if you’re over 14, you’ll be encouraged to talk to them, but you won’t be forced to.

Will your service really improve the lives of students?

Yes ! Because it will be the same complaints process in all primary and secondary schools. Both in public and private schools, also in adult schools and vocational training schools. I will make sure that all students are treated fairly.

Zelda madness is back

The world has been thinking, eating and sleeping Zelda since the franchise’s latest video game was released on May 12. Guess what ? In this new part entitled Tears of Kingdom, Princess Zelda is missing again! A great adventure awaits our dear Link, to the delight of fans.

10 million copies in just three days!

Fans waited impatiently Tears of Kingdom. Gamers all over the world formed long queues outside stores to try and get their hands on a prized copy. Others waited long hours in front of their Switch console, until the download was complete.

In just three days, the game sold over 10 million copies. It becomes the fastest selling game in the history of the Zelda saga. This is a new record for Nintendo. It is even estimated that the game could bring in over $1 billion in revenue.

Why is this game so popular?

The story of Zelda and the adventures of Link began over 35 years ago. Since the very first game, in 1986, a love story has been born between the players and this elf armed with a sword and a shield.

There is therefore a small nostalgic side which explains the success of the game. Among the players, there are of course young people, but there are also many thirty-year-olds who grew up with the game and who were impatient to find the universe of Zelda.

It must also be said that Nintendo used strategy to raise interest around its new game. Before the launch, the company maintained the mystery, and it was only gradually that elements began to appear. unveiled. It made sure fans really didn’t know what to expect!

Tears of Kingdom is also the sequel to Breath of the Wildthe previous installment released in 2017. This is the first time in the history of Zelda that there is a link between two games and that really appeals to players.

Since its release on May 12, Tears of Kingdom seems to tick all the boxes hoped for by video game buffs. Did Nintendo release the game of the year 2023? The future will tell !