An invasion. Increased minimum wage. Women’s hockey.
These are just a few of the issues that The Aquinian worked around the clock to cover.
Editor’s note: This list is not ranked, but rather it is a reflection of the editor’s proudest work, highlighting stories that represent The Aquinian’s journalistic excellence and values.
Most relevant: Explainer: What is happening in Israel and Palestine?
Following an escalation of violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict, The Aquinian’s editor-in-chief Giuliana Grillo de Lambarri asked St. Thomas University professors Shaun Narine and Robin Vose to explain the current situation and the historical context.
The invasion of Gaza has continued throughout the year and still makes the front page in most newspapers. This article highlights the background of the conflict and how it manifests in the current invasion of Gaza.
Most read: Minimum wage increase ‘falls short,’ says N.B. Federation of Labour
Written by volunteer collaborator Jonas May, the most-read story this year is about the upcoming minimum wage increase and its shortcomings. Going from $14.75 to $15.30 per hour, Janelle LeBlanc from the Common Front for Social Justice and the Federation of Labour said this is “still not enough.”
Campus investigation pick: Who is Mednow? Pharmacist concerned about STUSU’s ‘preferred pharmacy’
News editor Oliver Pearson took a deep dive into Mednow, the St. Thomas University Student Union’s “preferred pharmacy.”
Mednow is currently undergoing a court-ordered restructuring process due to its failure to pay off a debt of $3.23 million owed to Alirey Corp, its creditor. The value of one stock of Mednow was $2.02 USD during its inception in August 2021, but as of February 23, 2024, it has decreased to $0.017 USD.
Local news pick: Temporary worker’s mental health worsens after time at N.B. fish plant
When Francisco Javier Montaño de Dios came to Canada on April 23, he had one objective — to send money back to his wife and six-year-old son in Mexico. Months later, he is stuck in New Brunswick with two other temporary workers facing an uncertain future.
The state of temporary workers like Montaño de Dios prompted a visit from a senate committee to N.B. and P.E.I., which will release a report later in March.
Top sports story: ‘Being a shooter is who I am’: Malcolm Christie’s basketball journey
Less than a month ago, Fredericton’s Malcolm Christie won Atlantic University Sport’s two highest honours on his way to leading the Dalhousie Tigers to a men’s basketball conference championship.
Peter Jewett, managing editor at The Aquinian, is a passionate basketball fan and talked to Christie about his career ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Dan’s Best photo essay: Healing art: I Am Here
Daniel Salas has been the photo editor for the past two years and is behind the amazing photos readers see when they click on an article. From such a broad portfolio, his favourite photo essay is Healing art: I Am Here.
Favourite video: Students Vs. Piss Ball: How Does Mr. Beast Affect Media Consumption?
Join video producer Ian Curran as he explores the Mr. Beast phenomenon and its impact on media. Andrea Ruehlicke will provide insights on how this format relates to previous standards of reality TV. Additionally, a group of first years will recreate Mr. Beast’s videography style and see who can touch the Piss Ball for the longest time.
Business highlight: Fredericton café brews up a warm Latin vibe
Volunteer writer Fernanda Sánchez visited the Beaverbrook Art Gallery not to see the classical and contemporary art, but to explore the coffee shop within. The Daily Espresso café is a Latinx-owned business that takes you to the streets of Colombia through the smell of delicious coffee brewing and a warm Latin vibe. The manager, Paola Laverde, shared her story with The Aquinian, discussing her move to Fredericton, the culture shock she experienced and her passion for serving good coffee with a smile on her face.
Commentary pick: Jo Koy’s “jokes” represent a larger issue
Volunteer writer Valeria Paredes wrote a commentary analyzing Jo Koy’s jokes at the Golden Globes, which sparked controversy as he mocked the record-breaking Barbie movie and Taylor Swift’s appearances in the NFL games.
“The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild- American Federation of Television and Radio Artists’ (SAG AFTRA) strikes took place and ended not long ago. Shows like the Golden Globes and their lack of planning display how little the industry makers care about the appreciation of art. This disorganization is noted when a comedian is allowed to utter sexist jokes in front of an audience of some of the most recognized female artists today,” she wrote.
Funniest Review: Five Nights at Freddy’s
“As we left the theatre playing the much-anticipated Five Nights at Freddy’s, my friend Brandon turned to me and, in a statement much more eloquent and efficient than the following paragraphs, said ‘What a great movie… for a fucking five-year-old.'”
Connor Campbell, a volunteer writer for The Aquinian, has watched and reviewed all sorts of films, from the heart-wrenching 5 Broken Cameras to the action-packed Land of Bad. But the Halloween-special review of Five Nights at Freddy’s is funny, witty and the most read out of the 15 reviews she has written in total this academic year.
Bookmarked topic: PWHL kicks off new era of female hockey
As journalists, our job is to report the facts, so we never speculate. However, seeing the success that the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is having, we know you will be reading more about them in the future.
Written by volunteer writer Leo Czank, this article is the beginning of a series of articles that highlight the impressive run of the PWHL, opening a new era in women’s hockey. On Jan. 1, the inaugural game of the PWHL took place in front of a sold-out crowd at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto. During that game, New York took on Toronto, ending in a 3-0 victory for New York.
