Student Life: news

Health and Wellness week brings a bunch of mindful people with positive attitudes together to celebrate optimal health. It's such a blast to put on because really everyone who you're working with is happy in general, and having a blast sharing their passion for health!

The Fitness & Health Promotion program participated in the week as part of a Campus Service Learning initiative. My group ran a booth called "The Power of Laughter". I was so excited to man the booth because I truly believe the more you laugh, the happier you will be. It's such a simple and easy stress reliever, and with stress being the number one killer, you have every reason to laugh!

To make people laugh we had a few gimmicks. We printed out flyers with jokes on them, and tips on how people could find laughter more in their life! We also ran a competition to see who could put a condom on a banana the fastest. Once we told our participants what we wanted them to do, (and their initial shock wore off), we succeeded in making both our participants and ourselves laugh! I found this was a really great way of interrogating the topic of safe sex since it created an open and lighthearted atmosphere.

I think my favorite part about the whole experience was the photo taking. For our booth we went around school the week before and asked people to make a goofy face or a funny picture to put on our display board. It was great to share laughs with strangers, as well as encourage students to get in touch with their silly side, and remind them that there's value in that as well!

I think Health & Wellness week is important because good health is often taken for granted, even though it is so valuable - without good health what do we have? It's also a reminder that taking care of yourself shouldn't just happen when you're sick or when you're older, rather it should be incorporated in your lifestyle, at all ages and health levels.

Finally, the best thing about Health Week, and other activities like this on campus, is that it brings students together and creates understanding among them. When I get to share the value I put on laughter with complete strangers, I get to share something very important to me and make a connection with another student based on that. I honestly can't think of a better way to evoke understanding between me and my peers.

- Erika Gmeindl
First Year, Fitness & Health Promotion

Shortly after starting at Conestoga, I thought to myself, "How wonderful would it be to have your part-time job at the school?" At this point in time I mostly thought of the convenience and the amount of time I would save not commuting. In early 2010 I began applying to on campus positions in all departments. Luckily, I was interviewed and chosen by the Student Life department to work at their Info Desk.

It was at the first team training session that I realized this was not going to be like any other job. Our supervisor, Bonnie Lipton-Bos, was so welcoming and made an effort to make each of us feel comfortable from the start. My co-workers were all open and very helpful; especially the returning employees. I soon came to realize that this was what the Student Life department was all about. They focus on supporting every one of the students by whatever means possible. Each and every member of the Student Life department goes out of their way to say "Hello" and ask, "How are you doing?" Sometimes this is all it takes to brighten ones day.

Working for Student Life has helped me develop work place skills that are irreplaceable. More importantly, the position has made me feel a part of Conestoga. I truly believe that my college experience would be incomplete had I not met the people that I have met through this position.

I would strongly encourage any student considering working on campus to do so. It may be for your own reasons in the beginning, but I can assure you that you will get more out of it than you ever imagined.

Shannon Glachan
Info Desk Staff
3rd Year - Business Administration - Management

Respect Leader....the title may sound a little daunting but it is truly one of the best experiences I have had at Conestoga. The role is one that has allowed me to meet so many members of our community and develop some amazing long-lasting friendships as well as develop skills for the workplace.

I have had the pleasure to work closely with the Respect committee, planning and implementing the various events we undertake throughout the year. The events are fun, interactive and an opportunity to meet more people outside the committee. I also get to go into classrooms and present the Respect Campaign's message. Does that sound scary? Well it is a little, speaking in front of peers is not the easiest task for me but I love the message of the Campaign and being able to share that with others. You get lots of training plus shadow a few presentations before you go out on your own. I have learned a lot about many people on campus and their stories.

At orientation we are told that Conestoga is a diverse community and I have been able to see that first hand.

Getting to know people has been great but so have the skills I have been able to develop and learn. Being a Respect Leader I have had the great opportunity to work as part of a team and work individually on tasks. I have developed and learned how to be more inclusive in how I communicate. And speaking of communication, well that's a huge part of the skills I have worked on and improved upon. I have also developed amazing time management skills, which is miraculous as I was a perpetual procrastinator. What else do you learn, develop and work with? Well there is leadership, confidence, goal planning, organization, creative thinking skills and so much more.

I recommend the position to everyone! It is a great experience, you learn so much about yourself, become more conscious of the community, the people you go to school with and the hours are flexible and based on your timetable. Plus the big bonus is so much of the tasks are a lot of fun.... This is a job I would do even if it wasn't a paid position--but shh...that's our little secret.

Danielle Hughes
First Year - Respiratory Therapy
Respect Leader

Danielle with her face painted to celebrate Random Act of Kindness Day

Hello everyone,

My name is Marcia Nyaradzo Chiwawa. I am in first year in the Biotechnology program. So far, college rocks!

I got involved with the Respect Committee my first semester here. I was still new but I wanted to make sure I made Conestoga College my home very fast. I became a Respect Committee member because to me respect is very important. I have learned so many new things so far and I am still learning. Not only that, but I get to be the difference and teach others in the college community and in the outside world.

Getting involved has opened up a lot of opportunities for me and has opened doors for networking because I get to meet new people all the time. It has helped me become more confident and help others in any way I can. I look forward to doing so much more on campus and off to be the difference in my world.
If you are reading this, I hope it inspires you to take the responsibility and be a leader, be the difference, make a change. I wish you the best in all you set out to do and I hope you bring out the leader in you.

Marcia Nyaradzo Chiwawa
Respect Committee Member
Biotechnology Technician - Year 1

Paul & Marcia, Respect Student Committee Members

When I got an email from Student Life inviting me to enter a draw for the last ticket for something called "We Day," I thought I might as well enter. After all, Jesse Jackson was going to be there (I wasn't sure who he was, but I'd heard of him) and Shawn Desman. Just seeing Shawn Desman would be worth it, I thought... When I won, I'd figured it was meant to be (when was the last time I had ever won anything??). Even though I had an exam that afternoon, I could still go for the morning.

Ironically, one of the most memorable things about the event was the audience, mostly tweens, who were almost as entertaining to watch and listen to as the performers and speakers, as they performed the "We Day Dance" and sang and chanted. The energy was unreal. Someone near me said it was a good thing Justin Bieber wasn't there. I agreed. If he were, the decades-old Kitchener Memorial Auditorium might just have fallen down from all the excitement.

One woman speaker told the story of how she helped stop the outrageous act of bulldozing an ancient burial ground to build a golf course. She was Aboriginal, and an Olympian, an amazing person. Every speaker was inspiring in some way. Later I learned that none of the guests, including the music artists, had been paid. That was amazing in itself. The downside was that this tree-hugger missed Al Gore, and a child soldier, and my favourite band in the world, Stereos. I guess the planners had just decided to save the best for last. I can't wait to see the Student Life activities that are bound to develop after this inspiring event.

Elissa denHoed
Journalism Print, Year 1

First I have to say that it is my first year in Conestoga College and coming to my own Orientation day for the first time was scary and terrifying since I just moved from high school. I kept thinking that I would never belong to this college and probably end up failing. But when I started talking to the students and the teachers I began to really like the college a lot. One thing that really made me like this college was the friendly staff and students. Since I had not been able to participate in my high school events and activities, I decided to volunteer as an Orientation Leader in Conestoga.

Volunteering for Orientation was the greatest experience I have had in my first semester in Conestoga. I met a lot of new students and staff that I came to really like and glad I met. Volunteering at the Orientation gave me lots of confidence to approach new people that I didn't know and improved my social skills. I now feel a lot attached to the college and feel great about volunteering and getting involved more in the future. I recommend you all to join the different activities in the college and get involved and have fun while doing it.

Wish you all the BEST!!!

Salma Rahimi, Winter 2011 Orientation Leader
Business Admin Management, Year 1

Hi!

I'm Lia Ostrovskaia, a first year Conestoga student enrolled in the International Business Management degree program. I'm writing this to share, with those of you who are interested, some of my thoughts and experiences with Student Life to date.

My first encounter with Student Life was a mandatory Campus Service Learning event through one of my first semester courses which required participation in Celebrating Cultural Diversity Week at the college. I worked along side one class mate and three ESL students at presenting a cultural aspect at an interactive booth. This allowed for a great hands on learning experience through out. The event was very enjoyable for all participants and everyone passing by.

I knew coming into the college that I wanted to get involved as much as my free-time allowed. However, this first experience was really a great starting point. If I didn't participate with Student Life, I am not sure I would ever get around to really doing it. But after Celebrating Cultural Diversity Week, I knew I had to do more.

I signed up to be a Winter Orientation Leader. I remember how nerve wrecking my orientation was. I remember that uneasy feeling of not being aware and not knowing where to go. Volunteering as an Orientation Leader would really allow me to be there first hand to helps others in the same boat. I was really enthusiastic about all of the great things Conestoga has to offer and was determined to share that with the new students. Helping people is in my nature, and as an orientation leader I feel I did just that. Seeing that I was able to make someone's day go smoother was a wonderful feeling for me personally. Not only did Student Life give me the opportunity to volunteer for such a great cause, but it also served as a tool to meet other volunteers and students of the college. The whole experience was so interactive, and I was able to build a new bond with so many great people I may not have otherwise had the pleasure of knowing. I will definitely recommend getting involved through Student Life to anyone who is looking to make their college experience memorable and fun.... and I hope to meet you at the next Student Life event (I'll most likely be there, again)!

Sincerely,

Lia Ostrovskaia, Winter 2011 Orientation Leader
International Business Management Degree Program, Year 1

Conestoga College has a treasure to offer through the Respect Campaign and Student Life services and resources. Just as we reap the fruits of the facilities within the campus, it is indeed a wonderful feeling to 'give'. Whether, it's your time or a smile, holding the door for someone or being aware of the people and environment gives the sense of respect and belonging.

To have had the opportunity to be one of the first 5 Respect Leaders was a privilege. It is so nice to meet and know more College members and fellow colleagues. What otherwise would be a 'hello' or not even that, the chance to learn and share some experiences during the outreach booth and class presentation will be treasure to cherish as I bid farewell upon nearing completion of my Diploma Program in Early Childhood Education.

I hope many who read this will take the initiative to join the Respect Sub-Committee in Student Life and be the difference within the college and reserve a renowned spot in your resume! Good luck.

Mansura Yusuf
ECE Year 2
Respect Leader

My name is Megan Hartman and I am a first year student at Conestoga in the Human Service Foundations program.

For one of our courses we put on a fundraiser for the United Way, called "You Are The Way". This experience has helped me get involved at the school. Before I wasn't involved in anything, but since doing this it has made me interested in getting involved.

I was amazed at how many people donated, and the support we received. This has made me want to get involved because the students really do care. I also got to work with Ryan Connell, a Student Life Programmer, who made our fundraiser run so smoothly. Ryan is extremely friendly and helpful, and made this project fun, and also made us think about getting involved in other activities.

I look forward to getting more involved at Conestoga, and hope to have more good experiences.

- Megan Hartman, First Year, Human Service Foundations
United Way Campus Service Learning

Human Services Foundation Class

How well are you taking care of yourself? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating enough fruits and vegetables? Are you feeling run-down?

Join the students from the General Arts & Science-Health Options & PreHealth Services students as Conestoga celebrates Healthy Student Week! From November 29th to December 2nd, students will be hosting informative, interactive and, most importantly, FUN booth displays to get you thinking about healthy habits and ways that you can improve your student lifestyle.

Thanks to the stress of midterms, tests, assignments and group projects, we don't always take care of ourselves. Do yourself a favour and take some time to visit the displays, and absorb some of the healthy facts that your fellow students have to share!

CONTACT:
Matthew Maguire, Student Life Programmer
(519) 748-5220 ext. 2494
mmaguire@conestogac.on.ca

I got involved in student culture & Student Life last year by helping as a student panelist for Conestoga's Youth with Crown Ward Status event. This year I am a Respect Leader & Orientation Leader. I've been able to meet, greet & speak to the masses ever since!

This years orientation was HYPE & as memorable as when I first came to Conestoga last year. I remember the "not-knowing-anyone" stage. It was somewhat intimidating but I felt welcomed by the energy of the students. Now, college life has opened doors for me and I haven't looked back since.

I want to support communities that supports me. That's why I got involved in Student Life. By being a leader & a roll-model I get to help build the unique culture that Conestoga offers. I look forward to making more friends, meeting new people & helping to make everyones experience at Conestoga unique and fulfilling.

So if you see me manning the Respect booth in the hallways don't be afraid to say hello!

Jason P.
Public Relations, Year 2
Respect Leader

Good day, my name is David Parbhakar and I volunteered during the Get Involved Fair and enjoyed every minute of it. For the past five years I facilitated training seminars (in an office) and worked in office management, so my ability to interact with people is pretty much second nature. It was fun approaching students I had not met before, engaging in conversation with them and informing them of the various booths and visitors that were on campus during the Get Involved Fair. Everyone was receptive and wanted a ballot (we handed out) and, I’m sure, subsequently made their way over to at least one booth if not more during their busy day.

I truly believe the event exceeding expectations and really set-the-bar that much higher for future events to follow. I approached a diverse background of people who wanted to learn more about the fair – for example, some were new to the campus (and college life if you will) and seemed to hold back at first, however, as I explained to them the culture here at Conestoga is to encourage involvement, ensure a sense of belonging and overall to feel good about yourself and surroundings by immersing yourself in all things we have to offer, each person felt at home.

Each person I spoke to (while promoting the event) during the two-day event was very receptive (giving me a few minutes of their time), awesome and charming in their own right – it would take literally over 20 words to describe the good nature of all the students I spoke that week so for now I hope each one of you will accept receptive, awesome and charming!

The Student Life Dept is truly a collective of GREAT people; they are professional, very positive and an energetic bunch. When I first walked into Ryan Connell’s office he made me feel at home, having not attended Conestoga College for many, many years now I did not know what to expect but I was truly pleased with the inception of Student Life and their mantra for a positive environment to say the least. The Student Life team has really changed the culture at Conestoga and for the BETTER – everyone is smiling around campus, people feel accepted, on a daily basis you get a “thank you” from staff and the list goes on. I must admit Ryan and his team have really helped to mold Conestoga’s image into a very bright and positive one which reignites on a daily basis.

Moreover, I had a ton of fun with each team member I paired up with during the Get Involved Fair, each person was willing to help or seek direction if need be on how to approach students to promote our great event – not to mention each person came in with a smile and great work ethic. The visitors on the campus for the two-day event were equally as important to our success that day – they enjoyed being on campus, were interested in answering any and all questions and each person was unique and outgoing in their own right.

I encourage all students at Conestoga to get involved, in essence, meet new people, build your management and team skills and overall just have fun.

David Parbhakar
Student Life Volunteer/Respect Committee Member
Broadcast Journalism Program – Year 1

Hi, my name is Monika Suvoda and I was an Orientation Leader for the Fall of 2010. My experience through Student Life at Conestoga College was great. I appreciated all the help like a new student, not to know that first year off College will be so different from High School experiences.

My first step to getting some help was a little bit embarrassing but after a while, I realized I needed the help from Student Life to be able to function and do better in my courses.
Students in the Student Life Center where very helpful to me to get the right information about the first week of classes, course schedules and finding out the different locations that are on the Doon Campus. The leaders helped me through the shaky and confusing days on the campus. Student Life has really removed me like a snail moving slowly out of his shell and now I feel confident to help others strive towards their goals in life. My appreciation to other students paid off because they where not shy to come up and ask questions while seeing lots of blue shirts persons walking around directing students to different locations throughout the College.

I reached my comfort zone and I am trying to help students with their courses and any other questions they have about College life in Conestoga. I felt honored to be part of the College Community when they choose me to be an Orientation Leader for Fall 2010. I know how appreciative students where the day of my Orientation so I shared the positive experiences with many new students and their parents.”
My advice to students is get involved in the college community life and you will feel more positive and comfortable being a college student! Come and join the fun at Conestoga College, you will make a BIG DIFFERENCE!

When I First Started College!

When I first started college, the Professor came in and said “Good Morning” to all of us. When we echoed back to him, he responded, “Ah, you are Freshmen.”

He explained. “When you walk in and say good morning, and they say good morning back, it is Freshmen. When they put their newspapers down and open their books, it is Sophomores. When they look up so they can see the instructor over the tops of the newspapers, it is junior. When they put their feet up on the desks and keep reading it is seniors.”
When you walk in and say good morning, and they write it down, it is graduate students.”

Monika Suvoda
Orientation Leader Fall 2010
Law and Security Administration Program

When I saw a poster hanging up in the hallways regarding the GLBTQ event, I wondered if I should go and I wondered if I would make new friends.

I arrived late from my placement to the event and was apprehensive to come into the gathering but Ryan smiled at me and welcomed me to come and join everyone. As I looked around the room I could see a few familiar faces that I knew from other events in my community. It was great to see a mix of gender and a mix of not only young, but a few of the more mature student bracket which I fall under.

Coming together in a group like this one, gives a chance for all of us in the GLBTQ community to feel more inclusive in the college. It allows an opportunity to share our thoughts and feelings. Listening to other people speak validates that I am a human being that has rights to live as I see to be true to myself. When I hear other student's stories it inspires me and gives me confidence to continue in the struggle against discrimination.

When Ryan first spoke to my class the first week of school regarding respect for one another it was such a blessing to hear that the college acknowledges someone such as myself and others from GLBTQ community. It was a welcoming feeling to know I was not alone.

The student event was a fun way to get to know other students and staff. It was even more fun sharing stories and comments while playing a get-to-know-you game. We talked and laughed over delicious pizza and punch. Most of the group seemed to have positive comments about our college regarding how they have been respected, although most of us have heard certain negative phrases around the halls like,'that's so gay'.

I am glad that I went to the event and I hope to be involved in future events.

Thank you to the GLBTQ club and all the work you do.

Paula Schultz
2nd year Social Services Program

Hi! My name is Danielle Bédard and I’m working with Student Life this summer as the Special Events Intern!

My experience with Student Life to date has really stretched me as a person. Student Life has taken me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to some pretty amazing people. I want to be an Event/Wedding Planner so when I saw the Special Events position posted I immediately got excited! This could potentially be a huge step in my career path. I confidently applied, had an interview, and got the job. However, when I finally worked up the courage to even open the email that was to determine my summer plans I started to think to myself “I can’t do this!” I worried that the person they saw in the interview was far better than the one they would really get in the summer. My fear was not living up to the expectations and potential they saw in me during that interview.

Student Life has really removed me from a shell I had confined myself in. Bonnie Lipton, especially, has shown me things about myself I never thought I would see. She has given me the confidence to do things, like plan Family & Friends Orientation, Get Involved Fair, and start initiatives such as You R Community and the Co-Curricular Record. She is constantly uplifting and always kind-hearted.

All in all, Student Life has ultimately influenced my life greatly. I have been able to be a part of things that are bigger than me. Carol Gregory has given me the opportunity to be a part of the Co-Curricular Record and I couldn’t feel more honoured to be a part of something so big in the College community!

My advice? Get Involved! Strive for the jobs you don’t think you can reach, play the sports you think you’re not good at, and do things you never thought you could do. Believe me, you can do it!

Danielle Bedard
Special Events Intern
Rec & Leisure Program

As a Promotions/Design Intern for the Student Life Department, I have learned and experienced more then I could have ever imagined. From my very first day on the job I learned how important a team atmosphere was to the department and little did I know that over the next 4 months I would be learning about those team benefits day in and day out.

I began my summer creating the new Student Life logo. The logo encompasses three different shapes – each represented by a different colour. The logo was created to reflect the departments mission statement – Shape who you are, Shape what you do, and Shape your community – as well as it represents the diverse culture present in the Conestoga College community. After the logo was finalized, I spent a good portion of my summer establishing a consistent, professional, and fun new brand identity for the Student Life Department. This included everything from letterhead and brochures to thank you cards and certificates. I worked very hard the give Student Life its own identity within the college community.

Other then developing the Student Life brand, I worked on projects for the Connect Leadership Workshop Series and You R Community – as well as many other small tasks within the office.

My experienced as an intern has been packed full of learning, teaching, talking, sharing, and of course lots of fun – and the odd sweet treat too! I think that this position is an excellent start for anyone pursuing a design career and it is the perfect transition job between school and the real world. It allowed me to take information that I had been shown how to do in class (such as requesting a quote from a printer,) and actually apply it to the real world, with real people, and see what happens! I am very proud of what Student Life has allowed me to accomplish in such a short time. I will never forget the people I have met, the experiences I have had, and the hard work I have done!

Cheers to you Student Life!

Kelsi Wilson
Student Life Design Intern
Year 3, Graphic Design Program

I had met my new teammates, the team builders were done and it was time to get to work. My internship at Student Life involves designing promotional materials for initiatives and events hosted by the department.

I started the summer by creating a brand for Orientation, after much deliberation we ended up with a great brand that is used for everything involved with orientation (guides, free giveaways, clothing, newsletters ect.). My next task was to set up photoshoots for the new Respect posters and refresh the design of the overall poster. It was an awesome experience to do photoshoots with people I had never met; each shoot brought with it an element of excitement. Once the posters were done I moved on to the posters for all of the events held throughout the year. Each poster has it’s own unique look, this gave me a chance to try out new things and take Student Life a bit out of their comfort zone.

Throughout the summer I improved my ability to please the client, take feedback and communicate within the office. This experience will help me to be better prepared when I move into the working world and has given me the chance to show off my design skills within the college community.

- Amy Eaton, Graphic Design Student, Year 3

If that statement seems a little far fetched or a little too cliché my apologies, but realistically that is exactly what you are doing once you become a student here at Conestoga College. There are many different ways to make it to that final goal and I would love to tell you how I am doing just that.

Here at Conestoga we have the advantage of some of the best academics in Ontario--if not Canada as a whole--but, academics are only a part of the equation. This was something I didn't even consider the first time I had the pleasure of being a student here twelve years ago at the age of eighteen. Back then all I was concerned with was getting out of class, getting my diploma and getting that job. For anyone else coming in with that mentality I will be the first one to tell you this is definitely not the way to get the best out of your college experience nor is it the best way to land you that elusive job. This was a point that I finally realized when I went to orientation week in January 2010 and heard the words spoken by Duane Shadd from the faculty department. The point that Duane made was that when you leave college and begin looking for work and prospective employers ask you about your experience at college, are you going to say you put in your time, got your diploma and that is it? Or are you going to do all you can to engage yourself in every aspect of college life?

There are so many clubs, committees, and teams that are available to all of us. Not only will these make your time at Conestoga so much more enjoyable, they are also a great way to network and build friendships for the future. Once Duane had put it to me that way I knew that this time around at Conestoga I was going to do what I could to be more involved with the school community.

Last semester I had the privilege of becoming a member of the Respect Student Committee led by Ryan Connell in Student Life. In a nutshell, the entire purpose of this committee is to understand the diversity of all the people at Conestoga and to ensure we are all treated equally. I'm sorry did I just say that there was a committee whose entire purpose was to ensure everyone was treated equally, no matter their sexual orientation, their ethnic background, or their physical/mental abilities? You're absolutely right I just did and that was why I HAD to become a member of such a committee.

What the Respect Committee does is something that seems so simple yet is so hard to achieve without members from all walks of life. We strive to understand what makes everyone unique and to garner an understanding of what respect truly means to everyone. Through the endeavors of the Respect Campaign and its members, people at Conestoga College can feel included and respected as they walk the many halls.

It was my experience at orientation my second time through the doors of the college that has now also lead me to become an orientation leader for the upcoming semester. It is my hope that through my interactions with my fellow students I can help to inspire you to also engage yourself completely in the college life. What you can learn and achieve from Conestoga College isn't always taught in a classroom. You are the one who decides what you will walk away with when your time here is done, so do yourself a favour and check out all that this great school has to offer.

Welcome to Conestoga College and all the best to you! I'll see you around, so feel free to say hello!

Aaron J. Dolson
- Pre-service Firefighting Student

In the beginning:
When I first came to work at the SLC Information Desk, I was lost and I needed direction. Over the year, I was able to find out who I am and what I enjoy partaking in. There was a great networking ability among staff and I have gotten to know many wonderful individuals who have contributed to my growth and success.

Everyone I've had contact with at Student Life has impacted my life and shown me what it’s like to be a role-model. The best part about Student Life is helping others change for the better and observing how you can also impact others. Student Life is an important aspect of college -they encourage student growth and promote a positive college experience.

Present and future:
By becoming involved with Student Life, I have become aware of the many opportunities for growth at the College. Over the past year I have been given opportunities to take on a leadership role and to increase my involvement. The first opportunity, I was paired with a colleague to construct and facilitate a team builder for our last team meeting. For spring orientation, I presented to all the staff about what leadership was and how important role we have at the Info Desk.

I hope to achieve a level of self confidence and increase my comfort with public speaking through this Orientation Intern Position. This was a position that I was hesitant to apply for because I had never seen myself as a leader or having any impact on others. With careful consideration I realized I need to apply for this position so I could continue to improve on my skills and develop who I am and can be.

I hope that for next year, when I return to the Info Desk and the Student Life Dept, I will be able to apply the skills I acquired during the summer internship so I can teach the others about being a positive example and role model. My goal is to aspire to be all I can be and to keep trying new things so I can one day say I have experienced all I could at college and I have no regrets of the road not taken.

Michael Costello
Business Admin Accounting, Year 2
Info Desk Staff
Student Life Orientation Intern

Hello all, I'm a member of the Respect Campaign Committee and I was asked to write a short piece about the past Respect Week which just happened at Conestoga and the meetings themselves.

I joined the Respect Campaign completely by accident, but I don't regret it all. During the few meetings I have made new friends, notably Ryan, the leader of the Respect Campaign.

I did feel like a fish out of water at the meetings at first. But thanks to the icebreakers (as crazy as some were) it did help open people up to each other more. There is the more serious side of of Respect; discussing issues, and trying to understand well why we need the Respect Campaign and Respect Week.

I found the Respect Week to be quite fun, even though I was unable to partake in all activities. Some of the things I helped out with included painting one of the shirts for our Respectful Relationships Clothesline, attempting to blow up and tie balloons, and the Smile Cookies from the Cafeteria....now that could have been the best part. I had a teacher buy a few cookies for some of my classmates and myself; and really it did put a smile on people's faces when they got a cookie. A lot of different people from different backgrounds were involved, and altogether it proved to be a great time.

At first, it felt unfortunate that more people were not aware of the fact it was Respect Week. Of course not everyone would know about it, however those that did take part did have good time from what I witnessed. Hopefully, they also learned something about what Respect means. And to me, Respect means everyone is equal. Plain and simple.

Andrew Leaman
- General Arts and Science, Year 1
- Respect Campaign Student Committee Leader

In order for me to tell you about what Student Life means to me, I need to tell you about my life before it.

I never would have guessed three years ago that I would be here right now. I was 17, on my way to Toronto to study film for four years. Oh how crazy I was. Looking back on it now, I was a little too young. I didn’t yet know what it took to survive in post secondary school. Never-the-less, I made a lot of life long friends, I learned how to live on my own, and I experienced a student council.

After my first year though, I did not return. I left behind all my friends, my studies, a part of my life really… I left a lot behind to pursue something else. I didn’t know what, all I knew was that a post secondary school is for learning first, and all that other stuff shuffles in afterwards. And I didn’t want to learn there anymore.

I took a year off. A lot of people would get excited about a year off... but it was hard work. First there are all those people expecting so much out of you. Friends and family, and you feel as though you have let them down. I had no idea whether I had or not, but I felt like I had.

I did a lot of thinking about what exactly I wanted to do. My interests were so broad. I ended up getting into the same thing I had loved all through school. My interest in film led me to Television Broadcasting. I applied and was accepted into the program at Conestoga College. I was quite excited.

I found my self fit in pretty quickly. I felt a lot more comfortable at Conestoga than I ever had in Toronto (when it came to the class room anyway). I became more and more confident in myself and realized that broadcasting is my future. It’s what I want to do.

And then one day, a young lady named Bonnie Lipton came into class. She announced that there was a filming job opportunity at Student Life for a first year broadcast student. I new it would be tough to get the job, but as I said, I new that sort of thing was what I wanted to do.

In the interview I didn’t do anything special. I was just honest. I new who I was and if I wasn’t the type of person that Student Life needed than that was fine. I left the interview happy with what I had done. I felt like whether I got the job or not, I was on a path towards a better future.

Well I had no idea just how right that path was. I got the job. I remember the first day coming in and Bonnie asking me what I thought Student Life was. I told her that they organized events for the students and provided certain services. It end’s up, that is only the surface of what Student Life actually does. Merely the tip of the iceberg as some may say. Student Life connects people of all sorts of races and religions and sexualities. We unite the students here at Conestoga and try to get everyone involved! Believe me, if we had the money and resources to employ every single student, we would. I am a firm believer in the atmosphere Student Life is trying to create, and other governing bodies should work towards it as well.

Carol is the best boss I have ever had, and I am quite aware that she could possibly be the best boss I will ever have. She has a goal but she doesn’t just work towards it, she lives towards it. She doesn’t just want me to be kind to others, but she is kind to me as well. A true leader by example.

Bonnie, also my boss, is there to talk all the time, and about anything. Her passion for her work is incredible. She is so proud of what happens here in Student Life and always wants to get more and more people involved. She once told me (after I had had a rough week) to go out and do something I’ve always wanted to do. I thought for a second and then responded “I am doing that right now.”

And it’s true. What I am doing right now is what I have worked towards for the last few years. I may not have known it at the time. Like I said earlier, I left everything behind to pursue something. Well I realized this year that I was searching for myself. Student Life helped me do that and we can help everyone else too.

I am looking forward to continuing my job over the summer and into next semester. I have already met so many incredible people and I can’t wait to meet more. I love working with people everyday who love what they are doing. I’ve been working here for three months now and I have made some very good friends. At the very least I have met some people who have helped me look at the world in a different way.

So Student Life isn’t the beginning of my story, nor is it the end. It is just my present. It’s where I am right now. And I must say, I like where I am right now…

Matthew Ethier, Student Life Productions Assistant
Broadcast Television, Year 1

Info Desk Team, 2009-2010

In brief, personal development, making a difference, interpersonal communication development, and being a leader, this has been my experience working here. Words in themselves may not fully tell, but as I reflect on the past year, I see how much development has taken place, not just in me, but the rest of our Info Desk team. Student Life has made me realize that College life can be so much fun and fruitful. It is such a great honor to be a positive ambassador of the college. I know anyone else can be the same, even if you may not hold a position. With the respect campaign, we celebrate our uniqueness, and appreciate our differences.

Be part of it!
Getting involved in the Student Life, is one step to enjoy college life. The passion they have for students, helps the students who get involved, be more proud ambassadors and champions for the college. I realized that it is actually a friendly environment. It is a great thing to know when you work, you are free to express yourself, offer ideas, carry out duties, and make a difference.

Look ahead, aspire!
It has been a great opportunity, to see myself in another light. I saw a world of possibilities, as I realized that, with the full support Student Life gives, I could, not just execute my duties, but work on the common goal of making the college a welcoming place to be. It has helped me to appreciate all people, from all walks of life, and understand that we all share one common thing as students, the desire to achieve. I desired to see a change in me, and growth to support my aspiration, it happened and I have been able to look beyond the usual, to all I can be and work towards that mark.

Meeting new people, students, faculty, staff, visitors, has been so awesome, and has build my confidence of being around people, and in speech. The greatest thing is that, the team will always be there to support you. I have learnt, to trust others more, through working with this awesome team, and have learnt to stay above of most issues, as I strike a balance of school work, my job, and personal life.

Don’t just imagine and dream, put it to action, and Student Life, can be the best place to start for you.

Rutendo Grace Dube
International Business Management, Year 2
Student Life Info Desk Staff

Hi everyone, I started working at the Info Desk this September. I started out thinking it was just a way to make some money, but it turned into something more than just a job. Im currently in my second year of Graphic Design here at Conestoga and if you have heard anything about my program it’s probably the crazy amount of time we spend here. After spending an entire year here, I still didn’t know what the school had to offer, where other classes were located or anyone outside my program.

Throughout first year I struggled with not having a job, while I really wanted one I didn’t feel I had time and hoped I would be able to second year. Part way through second semester I heard about the position at Info Desk and applied.

The first training meeting was a bit nerve wracking, but each time we had a meeting or I worked at the desk it became easier and I became more outgoing. After learning what Conestoga really had to offer, where 2A305 was located and meeting people outside of my program, I discovered what I had been missing all of first year. I was surprised by the way working for Student Life changed my day to day attitude. The year I spent working at the Info Desk really taught me to open up and improved my communication skills tremendously. I became more comfortable speaking in front of people and even spoke at a leadership workshop. Overall my experience working for Student Life has been extremely positive, it has allowed me to grow through the experiences I have encountered providing services at Conestoga.

Amy Eaton, Graphic Design, Year 2

Hi! My name is Alex Saavedra. I am an international student from Chile, studying CNC Master Cam programming at Conestoga College. Working as a Mechanical Designer, I realized that to be involved in a community of any company makes a difference. I came to Canada with the idea of improving my English, and getting new technical and cultural knowledge. For this reason, I researched about the Conestoga College community, and could see more than I used to see; for example, there are so many services that students might not be aware of. For instance, there are a lot of services such as The Learning Commons where I have taken one-one sessions to improve my English skills, and Student Life where I am volunteering to be involved in the Conestoga community, among other services.

It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to get involved in the “Get Involved Fair”. As a volunteer in the Get Involved Fair, working with students in a friendly way to achieve their goals is one of my priorities. Indeed, I have had an amazing experience volunteering for the Respect team also because I definitely had a chance to meet new students, get new knowledge, and discover new skills. There were lots of stands from different organizations which had so many opportunities for students to help in the community. I believe that by working in Get Involved Fair, we would take advantage of all the services and opportunities that the Conestoga College community has been offering to us as students.

In addition, I wanted to make a difference in my life, and for sure I have made that difference since I started to be involved in the Conestoga community. This chance provided me with a useful experience to perfect the communications skills I needed to become a successful Mechanical Engineer.

Finally, I suggest to any student to look at any posters or look at the website to get information about it because getting involved opens doors. Just do it!

Alex Saavedra, CNC Master Cam Programming

Lindsay Wood, Amanda Taves, Alex Saavedra, Amanda Shaw
Photo Credit: Lisa Bucher, Spoke Newspaper

Hi! My name is Stephanie Morrison, I am currently in my first year of Recreation and Leisure, and am a graduate of the Human Services Foundations program.

Getting involved with Student Life has been one of the most rewarding parts of my post-secondary career. I first got involved on campus through the Human Services Foundations program when we ran a fundraising event for the United Way. I loved volunteering, so I decided to sign on to a few more events such as the United Way student committee and the Respect Campaign student committee. In my second semester I was fortunate enough to get a placement with Student Life Programmer Ryan Connell, where I learned a lot about working with students and, of course, the Respect Campaign. I even ran my own Random Act of Respect Day, which was a huge success and got students involved with doing a random act of kindness for someone else and encouraging everyone to pay good deeds forward. This past fall, I was an Orientation Leader and helped students in transitioning into the College.

Working with Student Life brought out a side of me that I haven’t seen in a long time. In high school I used to be the girl who would go to school and never be seen at any school functions. In College, I wanted that to change. After getting involved I found myself having more friends and doing things with people who have the same interests. I saw me as a happier person which then in time progressed into being a happier student--which was reflected by my great marks, and I’ve finally achieved my full potential. I’ve not only enhanced my communication skills when talking to new people about various topics, but I participate more now in class and I work hard to get the most of what I can out of my education.

This has turned me into a leader in the Conestoga College community, and I encourage others to follow in my footsteps. I would recommend students to get involved with Student Life! They are always open for new ideas, to make everyone’s college experience the best that it can be.

Stephanie Morrison, Recreation & Leisure Services Program Year One

I was openly accepted into a welcoming environment by the staff of the Student Life Department. The Student Life staff have provided me with a comfortable, friendly and inviting field placement opportunity where I can apply skills from my program. I was given many opportunities to break personal barriers, explore opportunities for growth, meet new people and participate in college events in the Student Life Centre. From my desk in the Student Life department, I can see the diversity of the college community and the value that it brings to the college. My off campus activities for my placement allow me to see how important a close community is at Conestoga College. Overall, my experience has been eye opening on a personal and professional level and has had a profound effect on my path for the future. Since I had so much fun at my field placement, I would recommend the Student Life Department as a great opportunity for a field placement.

Amanda Taves 2nd Year Recreation and Leisure Services Program

My field placement opportunity at Student Life has been more of a solitary experience except that one day I was whacked in the head with hula hoops for the United Way: I have been able to observe the college experience from a unique perspective. From my window at the Student Life office, I can see the action of college life unfold before me and occasionally hear snippets of college life that I will keep to myself. I can observe the ebb and flow of activity of the in the Student Life Centre during the day and the extensive use of the couch lounge area for recuperation from exam cramming sessions. Our daily visitors to the office provide us with opportunities to touch base with a diverse crowd that value the Student Life Department and its contribution to their college experience. I have valued their visits and we have shared our observations and general concerns for our fellow student. Our only concern for the Conestoga population is the prevalence of furry and fashionable footwear. Are they practical? Are they safe? Are they really a fashion statement that their ankles can survive!?!?!:)

Jeff Schonnop 2nd Year Recreation and Leisure Services Program

Joni, Danielle, Brenda and Jahanzeb--all Respect Ambassadors!

Let us introduce ourselves. We are Joni Blueman and Brenda Laugalys, 2nd year General Arts and Science students here at the college. We are also both on the Respect Committee, and were a couple of the people in vests handing you Random Acts of Kindness cards on Tuesday and Friday.

Friday November 13th was Random Act of Kindness Day in Kitchener-Waterloo, and boy was there a lot of kindness on our campus! The two of us witnessed your kind acts in the classroom, cafeteria and in the hallways. From buying a friend a coffee, to a professor sharing doughnuts with students, Conestoga staff and students were going out of their way to do something nice for each other.

As members of the Respect Committee, we found the friendly kindness throughout the school was outstanding! Many participated by making a contribution of selfless gestures. We were thrilled to see the results of this wonderful friendly day. We are very proud to say that our respectful community was enthusiastic when achieving our goal of being compassionate.
We would like to thank you Conestoga for making the day more enjoyable for everyone. Your creative examples of kindness made for a pleasant community. We hope to pass on the message that everyday should be Random Act of Kindness Day! Thank you for being the difference.

Brenda Laugalys, Year 2 General Arts and Science
and
Joni Blueman, Year 2 General Arts and Science

Hi! My name is Carli Ingham and I’m a first year student here at Conestoga. I’m currently taking Business Foundations with the plan to move on to Marketing next September. Recently in my Student Success course, we were asked as a class to put on a fundraiser for the United Way. Our class was divided into three sections; Planning & Logistics, Sponsorship, and Promotions & Advertising.

Our class came up with an event called The Polka-Dot Express, with games such as Dart Throw and Putt Putt. We were responsible for all aspects of the event, from getting it posted on websites and in the newspaper to running the event the day of. As part of the Promotions & Advertising team, I got the chance to get on the microphone and emcee the event. This was so much fun for me because I got to be loud and vocal and use my persuasive skills, all while supporting a great cause.

Doing the fundraiser was not only really fun and entertaining, but it also showed me the relevance of getting involved in activities and clubs around the school (especially Student Life!!). You get to have tons of fun, network with students you might not meet on a day-to-day basis, and sharpen certain skills like leadership and group work. Now that I am inspired to get involved more around the school, I plan on being a Student Life Orientation Leader for new students starting in January 2010. I’m anxious and excited to try this new experience, as well as to find out what more I can get involved in!!!!

Carli Ingham
Semester 1, Business Foundations

My name is Shanon Naumann and I am a first-year student in the Human Services Foundations program, returning as an adult student to Conestoga. As part of my Social Issues course in my program, I had the opportunity to participate in Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Day on Sept. 30th in the Student Life Centre. As part of the event, I helped a lot of students become more aware about the effects of alcohol—including myself! Being a person who socially drinks, it made me aware about some of the effects that alcohol has on my body that I was not always aware of.

At our booth display, we tried to get other people who also drink socially involved in the topic. Our hope was to educate those who drink even small amounts of alcohol could face the risk of alcohol being hazardous to their health in the long run—as well as those who do drink excessively. We put together a Questionnaire asking students a lot of common-sense questions about drinking, and to my surprise, we found that nobody got any of the questions right! It really helped to inform students about a lot of the misconceptions they have about drinking.

The experience for me, at first, was really nerve-wracking as a team, because we had such a short amount of time to get prepared. However, when we got engaged at our booth display, it was so exciting to see how passionate people were about the subject and that they were so interested in learning more about drinking. A lot of people were shocked to learn some of the things we were teaching them about. So many people are normally so concerned about the effects drinking has on the liver, but they didn’t realize other effects it could have on other body parts, like the brain.

At the display, our team was responsible for getting students involved about the topic. It was cool to see faculty even getting involved in our display! Generally, it was a lot of fun! It was great to see other groups talking about topics of drinking and drugs at their booth and what they were able to do to make the topic come to life.

Getting involved for the first time outside of our classroom seemed a bit intimidating at first. The thought of doing it in front of the whole school was a bit scary, but as we got involved and started participating, it got me really excited to be a part of something. It made me feel really excited for me to get involved in something and makes me feel more encouraged to do something like this again in the future. It really helped me in developing my communication and leadership skills. It was great to get involved!

Shanon Naumann
Year 1, Human Services Foundations

At the Connect! Leadership Workshop Series, I had the opportunity to meet several new students, faculty and staff. The setting was friendly, laid-back and everyone was encouraged to participate and share their ideas in activities. What I enjoyed the most about these Workshop Series is the experiential learning style because it really gives you a true leadership experience. I think I am finally becoming aware of the true qualities of an effective leader and feel inspired to be one. I definitely feel motivated to make a difference for others around me.

For years I saw leaders as individuals with extensive authority and ability to command others; I almost associated leadership with a hierarchical status in an organization. Now, I see leaders in everyday people like my family, friends and teachers. They are the people that support us when we feel weak and lack confidence; they give us the courage to go forward and help us appreciate ourselves.

I gained more self awareness and recognized some of my personal values that I never had a chance to think about before. I realized that my every day actions have a significant impact on the lives of people around me. A smile, compliment or just recognizing and telling someone how much they mean to you can totally change their feelings and so we should try to incorporate these purposeful actions on a daily basis.

I am thrilled to complete the entire Connect! Leadership Workshop Series. So far it has been a very meaningful experience for me and I would encourage everyone to take part in it.

Aleena Aftab
Year 3 - BAHSc - Health Informatics Management Student

Hi! My name is Sandy Lozano and I am a student at Conestoga College in my first year of Social Services. As a potential future Social Service worker I understand the importance of being aware of the services in your school and in your community. I had the pleasure to assist with the Get Involved Fair, which was a cornucopia of knowledge and information.

There were booths set up for some of the services offered at Conestoga, like CSI and Student Life, and there were also many booths for services and agencies in our community. For students at Conestoga it should be a great pleasure and privilege to have representation from so many beneficial agencies come to our school. They come to let you know what you can do to help your community through volunteering, getting involved, and being aware of some of the important issues. The representatives were friendly and very enthusiastic to share their knowledge and experience with you. It is also a very good chance to do volunteer work to put on resumes or to get experience in different fields.

I believe that as students and members of the Conestoga community we should take advantage of all the opportunities and services offered at our school. Students are always in such a hurry that they sometimes do not stop to notice the little things that can help them make a difference.

So next time you are passing by and there are people eager to share their knowledge, slow down and take the time to grab a brochure, read a sign, or converse!

- Sandy Lozano, First Year Social Services

As an Orientation Leader, I was very excited because I had a chance to improve my communication skills. I also had a chance to meet a lot of new friends and help out new students, by helping the buying books, financial needs and things that they might need. Since, new students are nervous when they come to a new school; I tired to make them feel that Conestoga College has a friendly environment and tried to make sure that they are comfortable. I showed them places that they can visit when they need to. Being an Orientation Leader was fun and I had the best time ever.

Vinay Kohli
Business Administration – Year 4 Accounting (Co-op)

As a Special Events Intern, I've had the privilege this summer to help organize this years Get Involved Fair. We have had an overwhelming response from the services on campus as well as organizations from across the tri-cities.

The Get Involved Fair is a great way to learn more about volunteer opportunities within our community and to utilize the skills you have learned in the classroom. It also looks great on a resume!

Come check it out on September 24th from 11:00am – 2:00pm in the Student Life Center and E-wing!

Jaclyn Matheson, Special Events Intern
Year 1 - Business Foundations

As a mature student, it was a privilege for me to be invited to participate as a panelist at the recent Mature Student Welcome Session, and speak to the different challenges new mature students may face in the weeks to come. I had the opportunity to share the panel with individuals who are not only fellow mature students, but exceptional Conestoga ambassadors and continual contributors to the improved integration and experiences of all Conestoga students on campus. Conestoga is lucky to have such dedicated individuals!

The event itself was a huge success, with a turn out of approximately 170 in attendance, an increase of over 300% from last year when the Mature Student Welcome Session was first introduced. Congratulations to my fellow Student Life Intern, Jaclyn Matheson for all her hard work and dedication in making this years welcome session such a success!

Tristan Boutilier, Orientation Intern
Year 2, Business Administration Accounting Co-op

As an Orientation Intern I am very excited to see Orientation take place after all the hard work myself and my fellow workers have put in. I loved seeing all different types of people come together to make this event something really special. Working with the awesome people in Student Life, I have learned a lot about myself and I think that I have really grown. This has been one of the best experiences of the summer and I wouldn’t change it for the world!

Kaitlyn Howarth, Student Life Orientation Intern
Advertising Student, Yr. 2

As a leadership intern I have been given the opportunity to work with some incredible people. Developing the Connect! Leadership Workshop series along with Bonnie Lipton, Student Life Coordinator and the Leadership Advisory Committee, has allowed me to really utilize my skills to their potential. Applying for a summer internship at Student Life was a great decision this summer. I have met many incredible people here at the college, faculty, staff and students. I am really excited to see the Connect! Leadership Workshop series take flight and watch it grow!

Silvia Rodrigues, Leadership Intern
Year 4 International Business Management