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Sabina Kapoor
When I first joined Trent, I was just trying to find my place. Three years later, I’ve been fortunate to wear so many hats—orientation leader, club president, tutor, research student, award recipient, and chair of the TDSA board. Each role has shaped me in unique ways, teaching me the power of resilience, connection, and curiosity. Some of my favourite moments have been organizing events for students, whether it was hosting financial literacy workshops or game nights. Watching people come together and find a sense of belonging made every late night of planning worth it. Tutoring has also been a highlight—it’s where I discovered my passion for teaching and helping others grow. In the lab, working with incredible mentors like Dr. Saryazdi and Dr. Im-Bolter has been transformative. It hasn’t always been easy. Balancing labs, leadership roles, volunteering, jobs, and classes was overwhelming at times. But those challenges taught me resilience and the value of leaning on the amazing people around me. Whether it was speaking at a Remembrance Day event, planning events for the finance club, or working on policies, I realized it’s never about doing it all alone—it’s about the collective effort. Looking back, I’m deeply grateful for the students, friends, and professors who’ve supported me. Without them, there would have been no club events to organize, no policies to develop, and no moments to celebrate. Every small action, no matter how insignificant it seems, contributes to making our campus an amazing place. To anyone wondering if their efforts matter: they absolutely do. Whether you’re leading a club, helping a classmate, or simply showing kindness to someone, you’re building something extraordinary, even if you don’t see it yet. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that it’s okay if I haven’t achieved something big or tangible. It’s just about being curious, having compassion and collaborating with others to make meaningful progress. |
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Emma Morra
When I joined the Trent Durham Student Association (TDSA) as a Policy Analyst, I anticipated a role centered on research, writing, and advocacy. What I didn’t foresee were the unexpected joys—dancing at school events, traveling across Ontario to meet student leaders, and forming friendships that would last a lifetime. At its core, policy work is about people. My role involved researching and developing policies to address pressing issues in higher education. I spent countless hours analyzing student concerns, drafting briefing notes, and translating government policies into actionable steps. Yet, behind every statistic was a real student with a unique story. While the numbers were important, the voices behind them mattered even more. One of my most rewarding achievements was contributing to a policy paper that directly addressed the needs of my peers. Witnessing student leaders use that research to advocate for meaningful change was a powerful reminder of our collective ability to shape the future of education. It was in that moment I realized our voices aren’t just worth hearing—they are essential. But my experience with TDSA wasn’t just about policy. Some of my fondest memories come from the small, unexpected moments. Organizing the school dance, for instance, was both chaotic and exhilarating. From setting up decorations to solving last-minute issues, it was incredibly fulfilling to see students enjoying an event we worked so hard to create. Traveling to other universities was another highlight. Meeting student leaders from across Ontario opened my eyes to the shared challenges and successes we all faced. It reinforced the idea that we were part of a larger movement, united in our efforts to improve post-secondary education. Above all, the people I met made the experience unforgettable. From brainstorming sessions to late-night policy debates (and the occasional food run in between), I found a community of passionate, like-minded individuals who inspired me daily. Reflecting on my time with TDSA, I see now that it was about more than policy—it was about connection, impact, and personal growth. If I could offer one piece of advice to other students, it would be this: embrace new opportunities. Get involved. You never know where it might lead or the incredible people you’ll meet along the way |
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Ryleigh Whidden
One of my happiest moments, hm that's a good question I honestly have so many but my favorite is probably when I met my two best friends. I came to Trent Durham being a commuter, so I didn't really spend much time on campus my first year because of COVID restrictions. By my second year I became more involved in campus life, going to different little events around campus. This is how I broke out of my shell, began making more friends around campus. I met and became close with my best friends on the fall retreat that happened during my second year, and we have been inseparable since. If I could say anything to new students, it's to go out and make friends because yes they come and they go but I know that these girls are going to be the ones I have with me for the rest of my life. Yes, it's a small campus and it's very difficult from the larger campuses that you find, but I wouldn't have experiences or the friends that I have today if I hadn't made this choice, and I wouldn't change that for the world. |
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Ronan D'Souza
Started with an idea to network with like-minded individuals passionate about business and computer science. I wanted to create a space where students could come together and collaborate on ideas and help each other. I wasn’t sure what I was doing, but I did start the Trent Business Durham. We struggled with attracting students to attend our events or even hosting events. It was a journey with a light at the end of the tunnel. It all started when a Trent Durham Alum came as a guest speaker; I connected with him to get my first big role at CIBC. This role paved the way and helped me network further with company seniors, who I found were also passionate about my little venture. They were gracious enough to volunteer their time to come speak to students and help them. I would have never imagined the club would reach these heights of success, with support from friends, professors, faculty and executive sponsors from various organisations. |
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Josie Del Rosso
"Wake up! Stop dreaming, stop prancing about the woods” (Stephen Sondheim, Moments in the Woods) I have never been the outdoorsy type. I’ve never been camping, or to a cottage, or to some other place far from the hustle and bustle of city life. This year, I decided it was time to change that. I finally took some time away from my busy schedule, to, in accordance with this year’s orientation theme, step “Into the WilDURness” and explore the great outdoors. Student Life’s 2024 Fall Retreat was an action-packed adventure at Camp Mini-Yo-We in Port Sydney, Ontario. I spent three days canoeing, hiking, treetop trekking, and relaxing on the shores of Mary Lake, making new friends and learning a ton about camp life. It was definitely scary to jump headfirst into so many new experiences, but I am so glad I did. I never knew how calming nature could be; how relaxing it is to get out on the water or take a walk through the trees. I never knew how courageous I could be; how high I could push myself to climb despite my deathly fear of heights. Most importantly, I loved having the opportunity to spend a weekend away from screens, and social media, and the other technology that is required to navigate life nowadays. The retreat allowed me to be more present, more confident, and learn more about myself. My oh my, was it ever an amazing trip.“ |
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Anthony Coulter
"Being VPEA was the best two years of Trent I could have. Being able to represent the students, the advocacy, everything, it was fulfilling. If I could do it all over again I would, no question. The teams that I got to work with elevated both me and the experience, ensuring that every day was filled with joy and support, no matter how difficult the tasks ahead of me were. Despite the late nights, it was a great time, and I am so happy I got the experience" |