Top students from Canada compete

Four of Canada's brightest high school students are travelling to Poland to represent the country in an international computer science competition this week.

The Canadian team members, all from Ontario, are:

• Aidin Kashigar, Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School, London.
• Simon Parent, Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational Institute, Kitchener.
• Richard Peng, Vaughan Road Academy, Toronto
• Qiyu Zhu, A.Y. Jackson Secondary School, North York

They will compete from Thursday (Aug. 18) through Aug. 25 against students from more than 70 countries in the event called the International Olympiad in Informatics, said UW mathematics graduate student Graeme Kemkes. The competition has been held annually since 1989.

Kemkes said that both Kashigar and Parent will attend UW this coming fall term. Meanwhile, Peng and Zhu will be in high school.

The students were selected based on their results at the Canadian Computing Competition Canadian Computing Competition for high school students, organized by the University of Waterloo and directed by Prof. Troy Vasiga of the School of Computer Science.

The Canadian team is sponsored by Sun Microsystems of Canada.

Here are a few fun ideas

Looking for something fun to do before the Labour Day weekend comes to a close? If so, then check out these ideas courtesy of the University of Waterloo Recreation Committee.

Visit the committee's website for information on the following discount/attraction tickets:

Centreville (Toronto) Island, CN Tower, Cullen Gardens, East Park Golf (includes Wally World), Marineland, Ontario Place (includes ground admission to the CNE), Wasaga Waterworld and Wild Water Kingdom.

The committee, which aims to enrich the quality of life of UW employees, advises you to move fast to reserve tickets for the attractions. The deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Tickets to Storybook Gardens are also available. Tickets can be ordered through Cheryl (cpflug@watserv1) or UWRC@admmail.

The committee seeks to enhance the quality of life on campus by providing opportunities that will encourage participation from all UW employees, as well as to plan events and activities year round for the benefit of employees.

Agency looks for special services workers

The local Extend-A-Family agency is looking for "special services at home workers" to lend a helping hand to people facing developmental or physical disability challenges.

Trenny Canning, Associate University Secretary in the University of Waterloo's Secretariat, said the service available throughout Waterloo Region is invaluable to the many individuals being assisted. She added that the part-time positions may especially interest students in Psychology and Social Work.

The non-profit organization offers a goal-oriented, individualized program called Special Services at Home. Support is provided by a worker for a child or adult with a developmental and/or physical disability.

The workers help the individuals achieve goals such as developing daily living skills, broadening communication skills, participating in community activities, increasing independence with personal care and hygiene, improving fine and gross motor skills, and increasing positive behaviours.

People with previous experience in personal care and assisting individuals with disabilities are especially welcome. A valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle is preferred.

The benefits to being a special services home worker include an opportunity to build new friendships, an opportunity to make a positive difference in someone's life, gaining professional training (for example, First Aid/CPR) and earning extra money ($10 an hour).

Submit all cover letters and resumes to: David Lobe, Recruitment Coordinator, Extend-A-Family, 74 Queen St. N, Kitchener, ON N2H 2H3; Fax: (519) 741-0392; Telephone: (519) 741-0190, ext. 38; Email: dlobe@eafwr.on.ca

C&PA