Petra Chase

An illustration of a calendar in a planner open to September 2025. A phone is resting on top of the calendar open to the photo app with the date “January 2019” written.
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A letter to first-year students, from a nearly graduated one

Peak Web November 8, 2025

By: Petra Chase, Features Editor Dear first-year students, You might have a concept of what you want your time at SFU to look like, or maybe you have no idea. Maybe you have friends by your side, or a sibling who’s shown you the ropes. Or maybe you’re completely new to the country, and know no one, in which case, my younger self probably would relate to you most. Maybe you’re lost in the Robert C. Brown Hall and you stumbled upon our newsstand, desperate for some words of encouragement (good luck). Wherever you are, I hope to impart some…

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a photo of a television set with the island from Lost on it. The words “Lost” are on the screen.
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Five subtle recession indicators you NEED to know

Peak Web June 24, 2025

By: Petra Chase, Peak Associate Recession indicators are all the rage. We took a Buzzfeed “What recession indicator are you?” quiz, and apparently, we’re Lady Gaga (ra-ra-ra-rad!). Lipstick sales, Mariah Carey going grocery shopping, and flash mobs are also on…

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photo of of halal danbauk, a Burmese take on the South Asian dish chicken biryani.
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Resisting and rebuilding, one delicious Burmese Plate at a time

Peak Web May 21, 2025

By: Petra Chase, Peak Associate Content warning: brief mention of genocide.  In Burma, April is a time for celebrating a new year. During the five-day festival called Thingyan, people pour and throw water on each other on every street, a…

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A monopoly board with the train figurine inside a tile priced $240
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Letter from the editor: We’ve rebranded

Peak Web April 1, 2025

By: Petra Chase, Editor-in-Chief Dear SFU community, It’s time to say farewell to The Peak and welcome our board game magazine. The Pawn is now your weekly source for the latest news, trends, and tips in tabletop gaming on our…

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A book lying on a wooden table with an illustrated cover. The top half depicts colourful visuals of people dancing and playing music, while the bottom half shows police and guards trapping people with shields.
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Postcards from Congo is an artful graphic history

Peak Web February 27, 2025

By: Petra Chase, Editor-in-Chief Content warning: brief mentions of slavery, child soldiers, and war. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the second largest country in Africa, yet its rich, enduring history is often overlooked. Postcards from Congo is an…

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Monday music: Twee love songs

Peak Web February 10, 2025

By: Petra Chase, Editor-in-Chief  “P.U.N.K Girl” by Heavenly Twee was originally British slang for sweet to a “nauseating” degree. Heavenly was one of the bands who emerged in the ‘80s in opposition to the “increasing harshness in the post-punk…

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A thin outline of a pair of black headphones against a black background.
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The Peak’s staff picks for album of the year

Peak Web December 3, 2024

  Never Better and Better Now by Wild Rivers  Hailey Miller, Staff Writer Toronto indie-rock trio Wild Rivers — comprised of Khalid Yassein, Devan Glover, and Andrew Oliver — released two back-to-back sister albums this year, followed by a world…

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A hand closing a microwave with a bowl inside
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What Grinds Our Gears: Microwaves

Peak Web November 15, 2024

By: Petra Chase, Editor-in-Chief There are a lot of reasons to appreciate the convenience of microwaves. But today I want to complain about the things no one ever talks about! I get that a cooling fan is loud but needed…

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A photo of the CJSF station. Multiple posters and decorations are visible.
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Eviction to Empowerment discusses lasting impact of student space campaigns at SFU

Peak Web October 15, 2024

By: Petra Chase, Editor-in-Chief On September 18, student-run non-profit Embark Sustainability hosted Eviction to Empowerment, reflecting on a not-to-be-forgotten chapter in recent history at SFU: years of organizing gave independent student societies and equity groups the space they now have…

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Three small children stacked on top of each other in an oversized trench coat.
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Message from the president: An update on the official SFU mascot shortlist

Peak Web September 26, 2024

By: Petra Chase, Editor-in-Chief Since McFogg the Dog was let go in 2018, the Board of Directors has been hard at work deciding who will replace him as SFU’s new official mascot. Finding a mascot worthy of representing our comprehensive…

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