End of the Year

As the end of the 2012-2013 school year comes to a close I can’t help but think back on all the great things that happened this year. With the student commons building opening it has brought a new life to campus giving students more space to hang out and study.  Not to mention how the SAO got some new digs to call their own.

With all these nice new things the one thing that really stands out to me is the rise in volunteerism in the school. There were lots of opportunities for students to get involved on campus, in the community, and around the world.  This was the first year that the SAO organized community projects. They gave students the chance to get involved in the community in an easy way. There were different projects every month ranging from planting garlic, to working with seniors, to packing food. 

Both the fall and winter semesters started with a bang at orientation. There was a great group of student leaders that helped introduce new students to Algonquin College along with the keynote speakers Jessie Cruickshank and Daniel Levy. A group of students also ventured to the Dominican Republic to volunteer at a school teaching English to children over reading week. 

To honor all of these great volunteers and the many more around campus there was a great volunteer gala with awards given for community impact, dedication and involvement, outstanding leadership, and volunteer of the year.

This explosion of volunteerism on campus is really great, and I really hope it continues next year.

With the last SAO events and graduation right around the corner I’m sad to see it all go but excited to move on. I will never forget my years at Algonquin College especially the last year with the SAO!

I have met a lot of great people working with the SAO and I wish them all the best! To any students returning or starting next year don’t forget to get involved and do things outside of school and work. There are tons of volunteer opportunities and events at the school, make the most of them while you can.

Signing off for the last time...

- SAO blogger Sarah Raphael

          

2013 Volunteer Awards Gala

Last night I was able to attend the second annual Volunteer Gala at Algonquin College. It was a beautiful, fun, and inspirational night. The event took place in the Student Commons which was completely transformed. All the orange chairs were pushed aside to setup a stage, tables and chairs. 

Before

After

The tables

All the tables featured beautiful centerpieces, linen and super modern chairs. I just loved how the space transformed!

I almost forgot to mention the food! It was all very good I defiantly did not go home hungry.There was a salad, then a chicken dish, and finished off with a delicious chocolate and strawberry cake for desert!  For the full menu and a list of winners please visit the SAO’s website. 

The evening was hosted by Brains4Breakfast, DJ Dario Petruzzi. After the meal he had a great speech about volunteering where he used a pool analogy to explain the different types of volunteers.

•  Those who are totally immerse
• Those who  wade in the waters they are half in and half out
• Those that wait on the edge and jump in after their friends
•  Those that walk by and think it’s lame 

Personally I would consider myself as a wader, half in half out. I became more active in volunteering since I started at Algonquin College, and after the gala I am motivated to continue helping out and volunteering as much as I can. I have meet a lot of great people and I hope to keep doing it all my life.

A group at the photo booth. 

 With such a formal atmosphere the night was far from stuffy with great music, an entertaining photo booth, and an impromptu performance by the Dominican Experience group. Even president Kent MacDonald took part in some of the fun.

There was also an announcement about the co-curricular record. This new record will allow students to track, record, and print their volunteer and leadership involvement affiliated with the college. This is an official document that will complement your transcript. To learn more about the co-curricular record visit the website and attend the official launch in the Student Commons April 8 at 11 a.m.

I just want to say congratulations to all the winners and nominees, and thank you for making Algonquin College a fun, exciting place to be.  Your volunteer efforts have brought celebrities to the school, introduced us to different cultures, and helped others explore Ottawa, so thank you.

I noticed an interesting trend that half of the winners got their start as student leaders, and take part in the community projects hosted by the SAO.  There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer and get involved on campus. If you put your self out there you never know what good will come from it, who knows you could be a winner at next year’s volunteer gala.

- SAO blogger Sarah Raphael  

Community Projects March

I expected to walk into this community project and hear another great life story from an elder like last time. But, this time I was taught how to mold my own story and gained some direction and clarity about my next steps after graduation this spring. I never expected to learn so much about myself during this volunteer project, but I did.

Sarah and Nora with journaling workshop leader Beryl.

This was a very different experience from the last volunteer session with seniors. I found that we were opening up to each other in a completely different way, and sharing our life experiences around a hobby. I was placed in a group that focused on journaling.

The journaling session was led by Beryl. She had us think and discuss what the word legacy meant to us. To her it meant “living my life every day so that people know who I am”. I have really never thought about life this way and she asked us to think, if I were gone tomorrow will the people in my life remember what I was truly like?

Students in the music section preforming what they learned.

It sparked a lot of interesting conversations about the differences between youth and seniors, life lessons, and life journeys. Beryl stated one thing she has noticed is how youth tend to live more externally worrying about looks, actions, and possessions. In contrast seniors live more internally thinking about their life, regrets, changes that could be made, and the memories that they leave behind.

To open our minds we did some journaling exercises where we were timed and had to write everything that came to mind when we saw different photos.  The next exercise we were asked to select a card and answer the question written on it. I was surprised that they question I chose was closely related to my life. For the last exercise we paired up and had to tell our partner what our legacy would be. I found this really difficult and I realized I was not used to talking to someone for two minutes straight with no interruptions. We then wrote our answers down and placed them in a sealed envelope to read at a later date. I’m not sure if I’ll ever read that letter, but I’m glad I wrote it.

Students in the scrapbooking workshop.

There were two other groups that explored different hobbies with exercises lead by other seniors. One group discussed music while another group explored scrapbooking. I was really glad I had the chance to see what everyone did in their groups, and it looked like everyone enjoyed this hobby fair as much as I did.

This opportunity was made possible by the SAO and HelpAgeCanada. They are a not-for-profit organization committed to bettering the lives of seniors across Canada. One of its’ goals is to create more opportunities for youth and seniors to spend time together, and that is where this month’s Community Project comes in. Also, I'd like to send a special thank you to The Utilitarian House for having us and sharing their hobbies!

There are different Community Projects every month with the SAO to get students involved in Volunteer opportunities around Ottawa. Don’t miss your chance to give back and add unique experiences to your resume and your life.

- SAO Blogger Sarah Raphael 

Welcome Home Dominican Experience!

On Tuesday I took a tour of the Dominican Experience students display in the student commons. It looks like they all enjoyed themselves completely! I had a great time talking to the students about their trip, the people they met, and the things they learned. All of the students I talked to had a great time and said that the trip really changed their perspective on life. it was funny to see that they were almost just as excited to hang out with each other as they were to share their experience.

"I thought I was going to change the kids but they changed me. I learned to be happy with what I have because they are happy and they have a lot less then I do," says Jordon MacLean a Dominican Experience participant.

The students were working in a Dominican school teaching English, health, art, and physical activity to various groups of local children. School runs for half the day, so around noon our students would received a new batch of kids. They were each responsible for running differently themed stations to focus on different skills with the children. Some students were group leaders, and ushered groups of children from station to station.

One of the students bought a Dominican flag from the market and had all the other students on the trip sign it and write messages. He had the flag on display in the student commons. It was really cool to read the comments and it's such a great idea for a unique souvenir for a life changing trip! I may have to borrow that idea if I ever get to go on a trip like this. There were great displays that really showed how much fun they had and how they have come together as a group

I know when they first left they were very nervous, excited, and anxious. It was great to see that they had fun and that this experience is something they will carry forward in their lives. Some of them were talking about doing it again next year, and all of them have caught the travel bug.

From talking to them and see what they brought back it's obvious that this was a huge part of their college experience and they highly recommend this for other students.

To hear more about their experiences check out the Dominican Experience blog!

- SAO blogger Sarah Raphael

Poetry Slam

Last night I was blown away by the talent of the poets! I mean wow! I have never been to a poetry slam before so I had no idea what to expect.

So I’m sure you’ve seen the posters around campus or Just Jamaal The Poet around campus.  There are eight poets, three rounds, and one winner walks away 300 dollars richer. The coolest part of the experience was that the audience votes who moves on to the next round and the poets don’t know what the order is. Each poet was given a letter from A to H and the audience decides who they see next.

This was my first poetry slam, and I have to say it will not be my last. I was so impressed by the talent that I saw last night, they were all great. On top of that, it was awesome that two of the poets are Algonquin College students. I had such a hard time voting on the best poet, that I didn’t even get my ballot in on time! 

Last night’s poets were:

• CauseMo
• Kayla
• ArRay-of WoRds
• A human experience
• Hyf GypsySun
• VNessa Ballerz
• Fatima Allen
• Ali Islam
• PrufRock Shadowrunner (Special Guest)
• Just Jamaal The Poet (Host)

The poems ranged from discussing serious topics like the treatment of women, politics, and poverty, to sex, dating, and family. One of my favorite poems of the night was by VNessa Ballerz and she talked about 10 ways to get over your ex. The Poetry Slam reminded me of the movie, Eight Mile, as it was kind of like a rap contest without the backup music. They speak with passion and truly preform their words. It was not the finger snapping, quiet show stigma that I thought when I first heard about it.

I had a great time at the poetry slam and encourage everyone to check out the emerging poetry scene in Ottawa. It would be really cool if I saw YOU performing at the next Poetry Slam! 

Movie Night: Life of Pi

Welcome back Algonquin, I hope everyone enjoyed their break! Last night was the February Movie Night featuring Life of Pi. I have wanted to see this movie for a long time I just never had the money or time to see it in theatres. I was also really excited to watch this movie after it snatched the awards for cinematography, director, visual effects, original score, at the Academy Awards on Sunday.

Life of Pi tells an amazing story about a boy on a life boat with a tiger, but beyond that it discusses religion, faith and humanity. I really loved this movie! It was a roller coaster of emotions, I was laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat the whole time.  It was a beautiful film that makes you think about life.

I’m so happy that I got to see this movie on the big screen and it was free! This is by far one of my favorite free events at Algonquin College. I get to see great movies like Argo (2012 best picture) and Life of Pi for free and the SAO lets the students pick the movie. Polls are run on the Facebook page to decide what movie will be played each month. Remember, movie night is on the last Monday of the month tentatively! I can’t wait to see what the March movie will be.

I had a great time last night and I’m looking forward to my first Poetry Slam tonight in the Observatory at 8pm. See you there!

- SAO blogger Sarah Raphael

Dominican Experience

 

On Wednesday night I was able to sit in on the last meeting for the AlternativeSpring Break – Dominican Experience before they leave on Saturday.

It was really funny to see everyone buzzing with excitement and nerves right before they leave. Some were packed while others were just starting to. The energy in the room was really fun. For some students this is their first trip south others this is their first time volunteering abroad. They did a really cool exercise where they discussed their feelings from when they first met in October to now right before they leave.  

It has been a long journey for many for this group with applications and meetings starting in October. They have met every week from October to now, sold chocolate for fundraising, and organized events. This is a group of dedicated students that have become friends because of this project. They have a mix of ages, backgrounds, and programs that may have not connected outside of this project.

I was really impressed with the amount of donations they received from the school family and friends. They packed six suitcases full of food, books, and other donations for the school they will be working at. It is really great to see the school and community come together to support these students.

This is trip will allow the students to work with an orphanage in the Dominican. They will be working with a program called Outreach360. They are a non-profit organization with headquarters in Glendale, Arizona. In 1994, they “adopted” the Hope of a Child Orphanage in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic. The focus of the orphanage is on education – teaching English, literacy, and public health. During the school year, you will most likely be teaching in local grade schools. The full-time on-site staff build relationships with the community to ensure they are meeting the highest priority needs of the area.

The students will be taking journals so that they can blog all their experiences when they get back. Check out their blog to see what they have gone through so far.
algonquindominicanexperience.blogspot.ca/

I want to wish them the best of luck in their travels. Remember to have fun and be yourself. You have all worked hard selling chocolates, and organizing events like Rich Meal Poor Meal, now is the time to enjoy yourself and make some memories.  As someone being left behind I would like you to bring back lots of pictures, stories, and sunshine.  

- SAO blogger Sarah Raphael