MIST (not the print version)
While most students relaxed during March break, 32 students from MGCI’s Muslim Student Association participated in Muslim Inter-Scholastic Tournament (MIST).
High school students compete in many smaller competitions, including basketball, debate, and short film. The main goal behind MIST is to develop and promote leadership, communication, and other creative skills in high school students while achieving a deeper understanding of Islam and Muslims. MIST occurs in many cities across the globe, including many American cities. However, Toronto is the only Canadian city to host MIST. The 2015 Toronto MIST competition was held at the University of Toronto St. George Campus from 14 March to 15 March, and the award ceremony on the 16th.
MGCI did well as a team. Both the girls and boys basketball teams were awarded as the most disciplined, girls soccer, girls Nasheed/Rap, Research in Action, Business Venture, a Knowledge Test student all placed 3rd, and the MVP in girls soccer was from MGCI. Additionally, participants from the Math Olympics, photography, 2D Islamic art, short film, and boy’s basketball all scored well enough to move on to the finals. Other categories MGCI participated in included Improv, Debate, Scholastic (MIST) Bowl, Poetry: Spoken Word, Short Fiction, and Quran Recitation.
Each category had different methods of preparation for the competition. Some categories were team, while others were individual. Photography participants shot photos, short film students made a short film. Sport teams like boys and girls soccer and basketball teams practiced in the MGCI or Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre gyms while Math and knowledge category students studied off a packages and books given to them. The students was supported and coached by Mansour Ghazi and Ms. Ali, who were praised by participants for their dedication.
One challenge that students faced was the registration cost. Since the cost of participating in MIST is actually quite high ($53), the Muslim Student Association raised money by selling pizza on unhealthy food day, and spoke to various organizations about sponsoring students. They successfully were able to reimburse every participant about half the amount they paid.
Overall, MIST contestants tremendously enjoyed their experience. Displaying talent while having fun was one key part of MIST that many people enjoyed. One participant, Khadija Fatima, also liked the fact that many Muslim communities, not only from Toronto, but also from Ajax, Waterloo, Kitchener, and Pickering, came to MIST. Another participant, Mustafa Bandukwala, said MIST was “honestly an amazing experience” and that “the people there were extremely supportive”. Both also admit that they are suffering from PMD (Post MIST Depression), a condition caused by having so much fun at MIST that they can’t believe it’s over.
