Stories

Caffeine Chaos: How energy drinks made my anxiety worse

December 12, 2025

Energy drinks are one of the coveted items included in any ‘university/college student starter pack.’ From Red Bull to Monster, energy drinks are the go-to for tired students. In my case, my energy drink of choice was Alani Nu.

Comparing university and college: A personal experience 

November 21, 2025

After graduating last month from the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College, I finally had the time to reflect on the past four years of my post-secondary journey. The journalism program was a four-year joint program between the two institutions, and looking back​,​ I noticed many differences.

St. Mark Lions spoil St. Joseph’s quest for NCSSAA football three-peat in double-OT thriller

November 19, 2025

There couldn’t possibly be anything better for a high school football player than winning the championship in double-overtime in their senior year. Or could there be?

Small business spotlight: Northwood Originals

November 7, 2025

Danyel Wheeldon, owner of Northwood Originals, has a better take on putting pen to paper. Instead of painting on a traditional canvas, Wheeldon is a 23-year-old full-time artist who specializes in creating paintings on wood.

Thrifting and second-hand shopping are more than just saving money

October 31, 2025

Shopping on a budget is always ideal, especially when it comes to sustainability and finding new wardrobe additions. In recent years, thrifting and second-hand shopping have become more popular activities in order to help find these goodies.  

NCXC25: No shoe, no problem for novice girls OFSAA qualifier Charlotte Blondin

October 31, 2025

If an MVP award were given out at the national capital high school cross-country running championships, without a doubt it would have to be given to Glebe’s Charlotte Blondin this year.

NCXC25: Siderius brothers will experience OFSAA together in their only shared year of high school

October 30, 2025

Graeme Siderius has been running his whole life with his family, ski club, and cross-country skiing team. This year, he finally got to experience being on the same team as his older brother, Owen.

NCXC25: National capital sends triple threat to chase OFSAA XC junior girls’ podium

October 29, 2025

The junior girls’ race produced the closest finish of the day at the national capital high school cross-country running championships on Oct. 23 at the Hornets Nest, and all three of the local medallists who finished within 5.5 seconds of one another promise to challenge for the provincial podium at the 2025 OFSAA XC Championships on Nov. 1 in Brampton.

NCXC25: Grade 9 call-up clinches city title, OFSAA berth for Immaculata junior boys

October 28, 2025

The Immaculata Saints junior boys’ cross-country running team wouldn’t be heading to OFSAA if it weren’t for their 24th-place finisher, Joshua Roseman. The Grade 9 runner competed against athletes a year older than him, and ultimately became the difference-maker in the Saints’ charge to the championship at the high school city finals on Oct. 23 at the Hornets Nest.

NCXC25: Nepean Grade 12 girls finish with 4 city championships in 4 years

October 27, 2025

Some of the faces have changed over the years, but the Nepean Knights’ Grade 12 senior girls have tasted nothing but victory at the national capital high school cross-country running championships.

NCXC25: Stray tractor can’t stop Hillcrest Hawks’ Charlie Mortimer from soaring to senior boys’ title

October 24, 2025

Nothing could stop Hillcrest’s Charlie Mortimer from claiming the national capital high school senior boys’ cross-country running title on Oct. 23 at the Hornets Nest, not even a tractor.

2025 XC Week, presented by Orienteering Ottawa

October 23, 2025

The Glebe Gryphons once again showed that they are the biggest and the best high school cross-country running program in Ottawa as they won a 15th consecutive city title on a cold, wet and slippery national capital championships on Oct. 23 at the Hornets Nest in Blackburn Hamlet.

Small business spotlight: Weft and Whorl 

October 17, 2025

The name of owner Kaitlyn Fortier’s business says it all. Weft and Whorl specializes in vintage clothing, but more specifically, “quality neutral basics,” says Fortier.

Inclusion in Sport: Basketball/life skills coach Micaëlla Riché enjoys full-circle experience at ‘special’ Sports Day The Girls’ Way

October 10, 2025

A decade ago, Micaëlla Riché never would have imagined she’d find herself speaking on a stage at TD Place. Back then, she saw herself coaching NCAA basketball for the rest of her life, having earned a full-time coaching job at age 24.

Why the Pink Tax Deals Women the Short End of the Stick

October 7, 2025

Have you ever noticed that feminine products and services are more expensive than their male counterparts? That is because of a phenomenon known as the pink tax. From hygiene products to getting a haircut, women find themselves paying more money for goods and services, simply because they’re categorized as feminine.  

Having your head on a swivel: An ugly reality of being a woman

September 23, 2025

It was a typical midsummer sunny evening as I sat peacefully on a bench, waiting for the bus. A man began walking past me but stopped and said something to me.  

Ottawa-Nepean Canadians enjoying challenge of new league, tech boosts from ONC Labs

July 18, 2025

It’s been a season of change and heightened standards for the Ottawa-Nepean Canadians, with a debut in a new league, the addition of several younger teams, and the opening of a high-tech lab run by its new club president.

BGC Thunderbolts’ brotherhood at the core of their historic back-to-back North Pole Hoops titles

July 9, 2025

The BGC Thunderbolts celebrated a groundbreaking basketball championship on June 29 in Burlington, but this was a title won thanks to many late nights in the lounge at the Ron Kolbus Clubhouse.

HSB25: From Thunderbolt in Ottawa to Thunderwolf in Thunder Bay, BGC was ‘a seed that sprouted everything’ for Lucky Lubangi

June 28, 2025

Born and raised in Ottawa, Lucky Lubangi has always been part of a loving and supportive family, whether at home, living in the Woodroffe neighbourhood, or playing basketball at BGC Ottawa.

Samardzic father-son duo earns Canada’s first silver medal at U15 World Taekwondo Championships

June 19, 2025

Ten-thousand kilometres away from their home dojang in Nepean, Radomir and Nikola Samardzic recently experienced the most memorable trip of their lives in the United Arab Emirates as the father-son duo claimed Canada’s first-ever silver medal at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.

Local water polo earns history-making firsts, players line up for Team Canada

June 17, 2025

The local Capital Wave and Ottawa Titans water polo clubs enjoyed a history-making spring and many star players are now preparing for an exciting summer with Team Ontario and Team Canada.

Home sweet home: Silvia Yu’s ever-growing love for rhythmic gymnastics enhanced by top-10 junior national debut in Ottawa

June 13, 2025

Silvia Yu of the co-host Kanata Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics Club made her debut in the junior high-performance division at the June 6-9 Canadian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships and savoured a top-10 performance made extra sweet by a home crowd at Algonquin College.

Team chemistry is biggest weapon, say Louis-Riel Rebelles after taking down reigning champs on Day 1 of home OFSAA soccer

June 5, 2025

The Louis-Riel Rebelles enjoyed a perfect start to the OFSAA ‘AA’ Boys’ Soccer Championships on Thursday at Millennium Sports Park, as the province’s top-20 medium-sized schools kicked off play on five fields at the three-day tournament.

Ottawa Internationals Soccer Scoop: U13 Girls thrive with ‘so much love and support’ at home Ottawa Ice Breaker Tournament

May 30, 2025

The goal was to take a serious team photo with fierce-looking stares, but the Ottawa Internationals under-13 girls couldn’t avoid the smiles and bursts of giggles. And in that moment, the teammates and friends showed the bigger objective they are achieving in soccer.

Ottawa Lions long sprints trio chose track, rewarded with high school records

May 29, 2025

Stephan Balson, Zachary Jeggo and Ange-Mathis Kramo all left their mark in the senior boys’ long sprints at the OFSAA east regional track and field championships – including a pair in the record books – and each of them say that it never would have happened if they hadn’t made track their primary sport.

Daniel Cova earns 3 gold at NCSSAA track & NCAA scholarship

May 23, 2025

On a cold and wet final day of the national capital high school track and field championships on Thursday at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility, it continued to rain records for athletes from the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club.

15-year-old diver Ella Lindsay springs to 5 gold medals at home provincials to launch into senior nationals

May 23, 2025

Ella Lindsay flew to the top of the podium five times at the Dive Ontario Summer Provincials and less than 12 hours later, the Nepean-Ottawa Diving Club athlete was jumping on a flight bound for Saskatoon and Diving Canada’s Summer Senior National Championships with her coach Fernando Henderson.

Quinn Beauchesne’s tough season concludes with uplifting Team Canada world U18 gold

May 9, 2025

In the end, the light at the end of the tunnel could not have shone brighter for Quinn Beauchesne during his 2024-25 hockey season.

2 tier 2 titles for hometown entries as Ottawa hosts 160 volleyball teams for 14U eastern nationals

May 6, 2025

Ottawa hosted a massively energetic Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships 14U eastern tournament from May 2-4, as 128 girls’ and 32 boys’ teams descended on Carleton University, with three hometown teams winning gold medals in various tiers.

Mavericks take Ontario silver with 18-20 third-set defeat, club places pair of 17U boys’ volleyball teams in province’s top-5

May 6, 2025

The Maverick Rangers 17-and-under boys’ volleyball team is set to head west for the May 15-17 Canadian Championships in Edmonton, with provincial silver medals in their saddlebags and solid pardners in the Maverick Marshalls.

OSU Force Academy Zone: Pro clubs come calling early in OSU’s Ligue 1 campaigns

May 2, 2025

The Québec Ligue 1 season is very young for Ottawa South United’s men’s and women’s teams, but they already celebrated a historic feat when Naomi Lofthouse substituted in for Desiree Scott in the 84th minute of Ottawa Rapid FC’s inaugural Northern Super League contest on Apr. 27 at TD Place.

Kanata revs up to host 2025 rhythmic gymnastics nationals with big home meet

April 18, 2025

Following four consecutive competition weekends, the Kanata Rhythmic Gymnastics Club will at last get to exhale for the Easter holiday and reflect on a run that included a successful Kanata Cup and the qualification of several athletes for an unexpected home national championships.

OSEG Foundation’s new Autism Moves program revives specialized sports opportunities for kids with ASD

April 11, 2025

On Sunday mornings inside the RA Centre gymnasium, the bouncing basketballs and the swish of the nets are the sounds of relief for families with young, active children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Boxing Without Barriers’ athletes live the thrill of fight night at 3rd Spring Showcase

April 8, 2025

There’s nothing that boxing promoters love more than a sold-out crowd on a Saturday night, but Chantal Deketele had the unique distinction of packing over 100 fans into the Beaver Boxing Club’s basement home without the prospect of knockouts or blood spilled.

Ottawa’s Caily Lemmex lays claim to Ontario, Quebec & Canadian snowboard cross titles

April 4, 2025

Ottawa snowboarder Caily Lemmex made the most of her final year in the under-15 division with a triple-crown of snowboard cross championships for Ontario, Quebec and Canada.

Winless in their first tournament, Eastern Ontario Force unite to earn treasured home ringette nationals appearance

April 1, 2025

The Eastern Ontario Force are a new entity on the local ringette scene, but they are quickly crafting some unforgettable moments at this week’s Canadian Ringette Championships in Ottawa.

West Ottawa makes Orléans their home for crosstown Canadian Ringette Championships

March 31, 2025

They’ve got Team Ontario jerseys and they’re from the host city, but the West Ottawa Wild are still pretending they’re visitors at the Mar. 31-Apr. 5 Canadian Ringette Championships.

Host Gee-Gees earn dream finish with third 1-goal win of nationals, capture first Canadian crown

March 25, 2025

The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees completed their Cinderella story on home ice to win the first men’s hockey national championship in program history with a 3-2 triumph over the Concordia Stingers on Sunday night in the 2025 BioSteel U Cup final.

Half a year removed from open heart surgery, Mitch Martin sends host Gee-Gees to first national men’s hockey championship final with last-minute winner in semis

March 22, 2025

The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees will play for their first-ever Canadian university men’s hockey championships Sunday thanks to Mitch Martin’s game-winning goal with 42 seconds left in the third period of their 4-3 semi-final triumph over the Toronto Metropolitan University Bold on Saturday at TD Place.

Dream on, underdogs: Host Gee-Gees take down top-ranked UNB on epic opening night of U Sports men’s hockey nationals

March 21, 2025

The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees sent home the back-to-back defending men’s hockey national-champion University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds in an electric overtime contest in the quarterfinal round of the 2025 BioSteel University Cup at TD Place.

Senior Jess Hong etches her name into Ravens record books with Carleton’s first national wrestling medal

March 17, 2025

Jess Hong made her final moment as a Raven a historic one when she won Carleton University’s first-ever medal at the U Sports wrestling championships on Mar. 1 in St. Catharines, ON.

Legacy on the minds of Team Homan on eve of world championships

March 14, 2025

On the heels of a historic performance at the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the Rachel Homan Ottawa Curling Club rink is eager to leave their mark when they represent Canada at the Mar. 15-21 LGT World Women’s Curling Championship in Uijeongbu, South Korea.

Capital Courts Academy takes down nemesis Crestwood in Ontario finals, completes first perfect OSBA season

March 14, 2025

There could not have been a better ending for Capital Courts Academy’s seniors. On Sunday at the Pan Am Sports Centre in Toronto, they completed the first perfect season in CCA history with a 72-57 Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association championship game over their top rival, Crestwood.

Ottawa Gymnastics Centre ‘like a second home’ to 65 years’ worth of gymnasts, club celebrates anniversary at home meet

March 11, 2025

The Ottawa Gymnastics Centre is officially a senior citizen. And as Canada’s oldest operating not-for-profit gymnastics club turns 65 this year, Sarah White’s story is becoming all the more common.

Gee-Gees overcome unbeaten Ravens to claim Critelli Cup in electric OUA final

March 10, 2025

The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees had experienced a home-court letdown and a Capital Hoops Classic heartbreaker, but their disappointments earlier this season against the Carleton University Ravens evaporated into euphoria in the rivals’ first-ever Critelli Cup meeting.

West Ottawa Wild win home ringette provincials in OT thriller, advance to nationals in town

March 10, 2025

It couldn’t have been a wilder or more perfect finish for the home team at the Ontario ‘AA’ Ringette Championships.

OCAA bronze medal at home a ‘bittersweet’ finish for senior Algonquin basketball ‘sisters’

March 3, 2025

It was a season full of successes, emotions and howls for the graduating seniors on the Algonquin College Wolves women’s basketball team.

Finders keepers, no losers or weepers: The UO Free Store

February 18, 2025

The Free Store, located at 100 Thomas Moore Pvt., in room 102, is exclusive to students, employees and alumni of the University of Ottawa. 

Striding through the city on Ottawa’s Rideau Canal

February 4, 2025

Skaters have been gliding on the Rideau Canal since Jan. 11, but for the first time since 2022, the full 7.8-kilometre stretch opened on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. 

Navigating Ottawa’s secondhand clothing market

January 31, 2025

With the skyrocketing popularity of thrifting and secondhand shopping, it may be confusing where to begin in the new market for rookie customers. From tips and tricks, where to shop, and comparisons of prices and quality to joining the business community, here is everything you need to know when navigating Ottawa’s secondhand clothing market.

Collaboratively written by: OttaWHAT?

January 12, 2025

The first 613flea of 2025 brought the capital’s businesses and local community together in the Aberdeen Pavillion on Jan. 11. 

November 14, 2024

Having a cat creates an adorable companion for maintaining a healthy mindset

Cooler weather called for stocking up on vintage, seasonal clothes at the Midday Picnic

October 15, 2024

Vendors returned to Algonquin College for the event’s third year after announcing monthly dates

October 13, 2024

Spooky wave-looking asperitas clouds brought thunderstorms that sent everyone home

October 4, 2024

It was raining cats at the Nepean Sportsplex

February 13, 2024

Sold-out event brings students together to sit back, relax and tap into a creative space

Midday Picnic vintage clothing sale returns to campus

January 30, 2024

Midday Picnic is a sustainable and vintage pop-up event where small businesses sell clothing and accessories. The event returned to Algonquin College on Jan. 17.