After two years of virtual celebrations, the University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE) hosted an in person celebration of the winners of the 2022 Dean’s Student Leadership Awards (DSLA).
The awards, established in 2004, celebrate the outstanding leadership and significant contributions made by students of the Faculty and other divisions at U of T, who support the mission of KPE – to advance and disseminate knowledge about the interactions of physical activity and health – through student governance opportunities, peer mentorship, athletics, camp programs and community outreach.
Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of KPE, congratulated the awarded students on behalf of the Faculty, telling them she was “impressed by their commitment and enthusiasm for their academic, athletic and leadership pursuits, especially in a year as challenging as this one.
“At KPE, we know that engagement in leadership opportunities in our academic and sport & recreation programs not only has huge benefits for your health, but it also contributes to your academic success, builds social networks and develops important leadership skills that will assist you long after your graduation from university,” she said.
“You set an example for all students at the University of Toronto on how to be contributing and engaged students.”
22 students received the DSL Awards, with three among them also getting the McCutcheon, Hill-Powell and Kirkwood Awards.
Sean Reodica, Rebekah Choi and Grant Shantz, seen here (L to R) with Dean Gretchen Kerr and Vice-Dean of Academic Affairs Ashley Stirling, were presented with the Hill-Powell, McCutcheon and Kirkwood Awards, respectively, in addition to getting a Dean's Student Leadership Award each.
Rebekah Choi, a fourth year kinesiology student, won the McCutcheon Award, presented annually to a student who provides the most valuable contribution to the administration of athletic and recreation programs in the Faculty during the current year. As co-president of KPE’s Athletic Association, Choi helped lead the return of three Faculty-wide athletic events for over 1000 students and represented KPE on the U of T Intramural Sport Council. As coordinator of the KPE Outdoor Projects, she is helping to develop the program curriculum while managing up to 30 counsellors who will lead activities for over 600 KPE students.
“I am truly grateful for this recognition,” she said. “To me this commemorates the years that I have been able to give back to the Faculty. I truly appreciate all the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met. They shaped my passions and helped me develop confidence for my future pursuits.”
Choi said one of her favourite experiences at KPE has been participating – and this year coordinating - PHE4ALL, an annual tournament in which each year competes against each other and alumni in a battle for supremacy in indoor soccer, European handball, dodgeball, track, ultimate frisbee and an academic challenge.
“The anticipation and excitement that fills the room when the winner is announced is what motivated me to run for the KPEAA co-president position,” said Choi, who’s been participating in the event since year one. “Seeing the hard work and dedication that went into organizing it this year, especially after COVID-19, was amazing. I am so glad that in addition to putting together an amazing team, we were also able to successfully introduce new students to the Faculty in this way.”
Choi said she was grateful to be surrounded by amazing council members, counsellors and great friends, who inspire her with their support, motivation and drive for success.
“KPE prepared me to be a leader by providing me with a community, a family and a team,” she said.
Sean Reodica, a fourth year student of kinesiology, recieved the Hilll-Powell Award, presented annually to a student who provides the most valuable contribution to the administration of athletic and recreation programs in the Faculty during the current year. As co-president of the KPE Athletic Association, Reodica coordinates athletic events for the KPE Faculty, manages student outreach and logistics, helps organize intramurals for all KPE students and represents KPE on the UofT Intramural Sport Council. He was a student representative on the KPE Undergraduate Association and currently sits on the KPEUA executive council, coordinating student outreach and improving the student experience.
“Receiving the Hill Powell and Dean's Leadership Awards is extremely rewarding,” said Reodica. “It gives me a sense of validation for the countless hours dedicated to being in several leadership positions over the years.”
Reodica said participating in the Outdoor Project (ODP) in his first year was one of the most memorable experiences of his early years at KPE. ODP is a first year mandatory KPE course that introduces students to the many forms of outdoor physical activity, while giving them a chance to meet and bond with their classmates through team-building activities.
“It gave me a sense of belonging and encouraged me to pursue other leadership experiences,” he said. “That’s where I met most of my current friends, including Rebekah, who was in my group at ODP 100.”
The second meaningful experience for Reodica was organizing PHE4ALL 2022, along with Choi and other member of KPEAA.
“It was KPE's first big in-person event in two years since Covid forced us online” he said. “It was a great opportunity for the current third and fourth years to catch up, but it was even more important for the first and second-year students. PHE4ALL was their first taste of the KPE spirit and for most students, it was their first-time meeting others in their cohort. It felt great knowing that we were able to make such a big impact on the first and second-year students.
“I can confidently say that KPE has made me a more well-rounded leader,” he said.
Grant Shantz, in his final year at KPE, was awarded his second DSL Award and the Kirkwood Award, presented to a student member of the U of T Council of Athletics and Recreation (CAR), or one of its sub-committees or task forces, in recognition of a substantial contribution to the work of the council and its committee. As co-chair of CAR, Grant chaired general council meetings and sat on equity, budget, awards and Hall of Fame subcommittees. He represented CAR on the KPE Faculty Council and helped pass the 2021-22 KPE Sport & Rec budget to UofT’s Council of Student Services. Grant was co-president of the U of T Varsity Board and rep for men’s baseball. He was also a member of the UTSG Student Athlete Mental Health Initiative and acted as first responder & counsellor at KPE Outdoor Projects. As part of his placement at the Jays Care Foundation, he facilitated inclusive virtual programming and training for youth and adults living with disabilities. Shantz is also the recipient of the 2022 U of T Student Leadership Award, recognizing outstanding student leadership, service and commitment to the university.
“I am very grateful for these recognitions,” said Shantz. “I’ve had an incredible experience with KPE from an academic standpoint, but I’ve also grown so much from a professional and social standpoint.”
Acting as a chair of athletics and recreation was a highlight for Shantz, who enjoyed working with Sport and Rec staff and executives – “all incredible people, who provided me with so much guidance in my work with student athletes and the community.”
As a student athlete himself, Shantz said he always wanted to learn more about what goes on in the background, not just on the field. Co-chairing CAR gave him that opportunity and highlighted his passion for sport and recreation, an area he would like to stay in after graduation.
In reflecting how KPE helped him become a leader, Shantz said KPE was “one of the most personable programs out there, helping students develop their academic, social and professional skills.
“With so many opportunities to get involved in extra-curriculars, you can really develop your capacity to work with other people,” he said. “You start to look at everyone as your teammates working towards the same goal.”
These are all the winners of the 2022 Dean’s Student Leadership Awards:
JOSH ALLEN, Faculty of Arts and Science
CAITLIN ALVARES, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
WILL BROOKS, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
MAGGIE CHEN, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
REBEKAH CHOI, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
KASSIDY DAVIES, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
VAL GERLINGS, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
MAEGHAN JAMES, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
ROBYN LOVES, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
SABRINA MALOUKA, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
AALAYA MILNE, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
JESSICA MUHA, Woodsworth College
SEAN REODICA, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
ROXY O’ROURKE, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
HANNAH ROBERTS, University College
MALIEKA SHAHID, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
GRANT SHANTZ, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
STEPHANIE SARKER, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
ANIKA TAYLOR, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
RAIYA THOMURE, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
JESSICA UNDERWOOD, Woodsworth College
MANDY WANG, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education