OTONABEE COLLEGE INTRODUCTORY SEMINAR WEEK STAFF + Co-chairs
Geneva Forestell - Co-Chair
Hometown: born and raised in Ottawa, ON. Major: Sociology (French minor) Year: Fourth year Favourite ISW Event: Learning all the cheers! So much fun with lots of energy...and you are never short of an opportunity during ISW to share what you learned. Fun Fact: The picture on the left is my first day at OC! I was just as nervous and excited as you probably are now :) Something to keep in mind: Trent has so many opportunities for each individual person. Take advantage of each one of them whether it is social, educational or otherwise and if you don't like something - change it! The world is your oyster.
Rachel Arsenault
Hometown: Kitchener Major: International Development and Environmental Studies Year: Second Year Advice: It's not a popularity contest, just be yourself and try your best and everything will fall into place. It's okay to make mistakes :) Fav ISW Event: Paint Fight!!! Fun Fact: I love working out! #gymrat
Alexa Cherrett
your hometown: Ottawa, Ontario your major/program : BScN (Nursing) what year you're in: going into second year what advice you would give your first year self: For a first year student at Trent, the first week of meeting new people and being in a new environment can be extremely daunting. Trust your ISW leaders to help you navigate the way through the unknown. your favourite ISW event: All of them! FUN FACT: I have travelled through Transylvania.
Kiley Dunlop
Hometown: Gananoque, which I'm guessing no one has heard of but it's near Kingston. Major/program: Forensic Science Year: 2nd Advice for 1st year me: don't worry so much about all the changes, they come fairly easily, stressing out wont be good for anyone. Also don't hit up res express after every time you go to the gym, it's counterproductive and you'll run out of your meal plan quickly if you do. Favourite ISW event- I loved the box sled racing! Before the event the whole house got time to bond as we made the sled and got ready and then at the actual event the friendly competition was awesome! Fun Fact- I'm a twin! And, just because I can, another fun fact about me is I am deathly afraid of caterpillars, I jumped in front of a car once because there was one on the sidewalk.
Cornel Grey
Hometown: Kingston, JamaicaMajor/Program: Joint Major in English Literature and Sociology Year: 3rd Advice to First Year Self: Keep an updated playlist of your favorite feel-good tunes close by your side at all times. It will come in quite handy in several situations. Favourite ISW Event: The Great Race Fun Fact: Most people sing in the shower, but I have dance parties.
Lexie Houghton
Hometown: Orangeville Major/Program: Concurrent Education with History and English as teachables Year: Second Advice for you first year self: Call your parents, they will always help, especially when you're broke, and they want to hear from you. Favourite ISW event: Glow Dance! Fun Fact: I was in a barber shop quartet for 2 years, minus the canes, stripped jackets and wicker hats.
Krista Koepsel
Hey Everyone! My name is Krista and I'll be going into my second year majoring in biology. I'm from the small town of Desjardinsville, which is on the Quebec side of the Ottawa river. A fun fact about me is that I have a black belt in karate. Some advice that I wish I could have given myself first year would be to get to know your house mates right away. I came to Trent not knowing anyone is my house and I was so nervous that I had kept my door closed for the first few days. Finally, I left my door open and I was surprised at how many people popped in to introduce themselves. The fact that these people went out of their way to make sure they got to know me made me feel more than welcomed and I'm glad because I met some of my closest friends in my house. My favorite ISW event would have to be the cheer off. The energy and school pride was like nothing I had ever experienced! The sense of community I felt really helped to transition into the university experience. I'm so excited to meet everyone and see what this year has to bring!
Patrick Lafleur
I was born in Ottawa, Ontario but grew up in Mississauga. I am 4th year in Chemical Physics with a Minor in Math. If I could give advice to my first year self I would say, "Participate in as many events as you can throughout your entire four years at Trent". My favourite event during ISW is boxsledding! My fun fact is that during my life, I've lived in more than 15 different houses including the same house twice and two houses beside each other 10 years apart.
Mikayla Peasey
My name is Mikayla I'm from Greely, which is just outside of Ottawa. I am a second year psychology major looking to also get a french minor and emphasis on education. If I could give my first year self some advice it would be to relax and keep smiling! Don't stress the small stuff and just enjoy the ups, the downs and the stress that comes with being in university! My favourite ISW event would have to be bright fight and fear factor. A fun fact about me is I work for Little Rays Reptile Zoo.
Scott Pharand
Hometown: Wasaga Beach Program: Biochemistry, Second Year Advice: Don't be afraid to make new friends! Favorite ISW Event: Glow Show! Fun Fact: I failed my driver's test...3 times
Alayna Simpson
Hi everyone, my name is Alayna and I am a third year student in Cultural studies (emphasizing in media) and Psychology! I'm from two places...Waterford Ontario and Charlotte, North Carolina where I lived for some middle school and all of high school! Looking back to first year, it was an amazing experience and because OC had such a sense of community to it, I felt right at home. Some advice that I would give to my first year self is to just explore all the different classes and topics Trent offers- play the academic field a little more before making a decision your not really sure about. Not sure if you like history? Take another course! It's not the end of the world to switch classes around, it's all about finding out what you want to do with your life, and there are so many possibilities at Trent! ISW was so much fun my first year and my favourite event was the box sledding competition! It was the first time my 'house' got together to build this ridiculous car out of cardboard and we ended up winning! It was a great place to meet everyone and to have an awesome kick start to my year! I have a few fun facts, but the one I'm most proud of is being able to talk like Stitch (the cartoon Hawaiian alien), you'll learn more of them later! Anyway, kick back and relax... welcome to OC!
Hope you enjoyed getting to know all your ISW leaders! Each of these individuals are so unique but all have at least a few things in common: they LOVE Trent, ISW and are looking forward to meeting each and every one of you!
SEE YOU SOON!
Tyler Kinley - Co-Chair (aka @tykinley on twitter)
Hometown: Scarborough, ON Major: Cultural Studies (also enrolled in the Trent-Queen's Con-Current Education Program) Year: 4th Favourite ISW Event: I love any event that gets people talking! The great thing about OC is the diversity of all the students who are a part of this amazing college - so get to know them! Fun Fact: I was in two info-mercials as a child. They aren't on YouTube so don't even bother trying to look for them... I swear they're not there... like, actually. Something to keep in mind: Your first year at Trent is truly what you make of it. Get involved! Meet people! Do anything you want to make this year an amazing one :)
Felicia Birmingham
Hometown: Lansdowne, ON Major: Business Administration Year: 3rd Advice: Don't be shy, afraid or nervous! Favourite ISW Event: The Great Race Fun Fact: I love the feeling of cleaning my ears
Haley Brough
Hometown: Oshawa Ontario...aka the shwiggity, 'shwa, the dirty, what have you. Major: Anthropology-Biology-Forensics Year: 4 Advice for first year me: EASE UP ON THE REZ EXPRESS!!! Eat healthier in general. Don't waste time taking courses that you hate and don't need, take something you enjoy and you're more likely to go to class/do better. Don't sweat the small stuff, it won't matter in the long run, relax and enjoy! Fav ISW event: The Amazing Race. Never will you EVER see more school spirit and college pride! So inspiring! Fun Facts: I used to be an emo kid, not conforming as can be! I will love Harry Potter and Disney obsessively until I die, and I can wiggle my ears.
Caitlynn Dibello
Hey everyone! My name is Caitlynn, and I'm a third year nursing student! I'm from Ajax, Ontario. If I could go back to first year I would be sure to take more pictures. Things just happen so fast and I feel that pictures are the best way to keep a memory. I would also tell my first year self to get as involved as possible because its a great way to meet people and make the experience of university that much more amazing. My favourite ISW event is east stock, its a great chance to bond with other colleges and have a blast! A fun fact about me is that i lived in Alberta for two years! The best advice I could give to the incoming students is that everyone else is also nervous of going through all these new changes. Don't be shy, you're all in the same boat. Can't wait to meet you and have an amazing ISW week!!
Amanda Evans
My hometown: Etobicoke, Ontario My Program/Majors: Concurrent-Education and Majoring in Psychology/French Year: Fourth Year Advice I would give my first year self: Get as involved as you possible can! You never know what you might like and the people you can meet along the way unless you try it and keep an open mind! :) Favourite ISW Event: Boxsled Racing because it is an amazing house and OC bonding opportunity!! Fun Fact: I can twerk...but only upside down!! Additional info: Looking forward to a fantastic ISW Week and can't wait to meet each and every one of you! :)
Devon Hamill
My hometown is Merrickville, Ontario, I'm in con-ed with a major in Mathematical Physics and I'm going into 3rd year, 20 years old. I think the best advice I would give to first years would be to not be afraid to get out there, try and experience as many things as they can, and to just be friendly and positive to everyone they meet! And a fun fact is that I can play 7-string guitar
Lian Jong
Hometown: Toronto, ON Major: Biology and Forensics Year: Third Year Advice For Myself: Don’t be afraid to go to your professor’s office hours; even if it’s just to meet them. It gives you the chance to have one-on-one time with them and it helps them put a face to your name. It can also allow you to establish a relationship, which can prove to be useful and valuable in the future. Favourite ISW Event: The Great Race!! Fun Fact: My cousin started to teach me how to throw knives this summer and not gonna lie...I'm not too shabby!
Alex Kopun
Hometown: Oshawa Program:History Year: Third Advice I'd give myself in third year: Budget the meal plan. It doesn't last as long as you think. Fun Fact: My earlobes are attached to my head. SAY WHAAAA?
Jamie Lester
Hometown: Oakville Major/Program: Con-Ed Majoring in Biology, Minoring in Geography Year: 3 Advice: I would tell my first year self to take advantage of the amazing opportunities you've been given while you have the chance to. Make your first year one to remember and experience new things! Favourite ISW Event: This is probably the hardest decision ever. Definitely the Great Race is a big stand out to just see the amazing amount of College pride everyone brings to the event! Also a shout-out to Eaststock because it is just a fun time to start off a great week! Fun Fact: I don't know how to ride a bike! It kind of just never happened, I'm sure it will one day!
Meaghan Perrotta
Hometown: Dundas, ON Major/Program: Concurrent Education - Psychology Year: Fourth Advice to my first year self: Embrace all of the changes that happen. First year is a world wind of fantastic and if you try to stay the same you won't be able to make the most of it. Grow and learn from your experiences. Fave ISW event: The glow show. I JUST LOVE TO DANCE! Fun Fact: I can fit my fist in my mouth.
Michael Segovia
Hometown: Oshawa Major/Program: Joint Major in History and Indigenous Studies Second Year Advice to First-year self: Don't do homework on your bed! It doesn't end very productively.. Favorite Event: Otonabee vs. Champlain capture the flag! Fun Fact: You may see me around campus twice as much.. I'm a twin! (lame joke, I know)
Emily Vandepoele
Hometown: Beachville, ON (there is no beach) Major/Program: Nursing Year: Going into third year Advice to First Year Self: Don't hide in your room waiting for others to introduce themselves, go outside of your comfort zone and make the first move. Favourite ISW Event: BOX SLED! It's a great way to meet your house and have some laughs! Fun Fact: I can't stand on a two step ladder without freaking out, but I love all roller coasters at Wonderland.