Student athletes, advocates and activists honored for community work

Two students who continue to combine successful studies with volunteer activities have been admitted to the highest levels of UVic's Blue and Gold Circle, a university awards program recognizing students' contributions both on and off the campus. Sherry McLeod earned a gold pin and $600 for a third consecutive year of recognition and Kim Hawkins earned a silver pin and $400 for her second nomination. In addition, 16 students received a bronze pin, a certificate and a $200 award for making their first appearance.

The Blue and Gold Circle was created in 1996 to honour graduate and undergraduate students who serve their community while maintaining a grade point average of 5.0 in full time studies.

Gold Award

Sherry McLeod--Sherry is now in her third year of law studies after earning her BSN degree, with distinction, in 1997. She balances her duties as a student, wife and mother while continuing her outstanding record of community service which includes: serving on the UVic Senate, involvement with the Vancouver Island Public Research Group, the Student Parents Club, the UVic Planning and Priorities Committee, the National Association of Women in the Law, the Victoria Anti-War Coalition, and Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS).

Silver Award

Kim Hawkins--Kim graduated in June 1999 with a double major in biochemistry and environmental studies but continued to be involved with the New Student Orientation Program and the Peer Helping Program through counselling services. Kim was also the president of the 1999 Graduating Class Committee which coordinated the celebrations for graduates.

Bronze Awards

Lindsay Brooke--Lindsay, a fourth year bachelor of science in kinesiology student, is the captain of the Vikes basketball team and was named tournament MVP when the Vikes won the 1998 CIAU National Championships. She has volunteered many hours in the Saanich Police Player Card Program, going out to local schools to talk to young people about drugs and alcohol abuse.

Tessa Campbell--A master's student in biology, Tessa's latest research paper on bird ecology was part of a broadcast through the PBS network on 45 American radio stations in June 1999. A former member of the Vikes field hockey team and a certified provincial and national level hockey coach, she gives generously of her time as a coach at UVic and in the community. Tessa is presently running the Planned and Led Field Hockey Clinic for Grades 5 to 7 at the Gordon Head Elementary Schools.

Bradley Chewpoy--Currently completing a pre-med degree in honours biology, Bradley is also co-founder and vice-president of the UVic Men's Baseball Club. Off-campus he volunteers at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children's Health, the Victoria Hospice Palliative Care Society and the BC Lions Society for Children with Special Needs, assisting in their 24 Hour Relay.

Debbie Cybulski--Debbie, a fourth-year social work student, is also a wife, mother of two active children and community volunteer. Through the Learning Disabilities Association, Debbie has developed and delivers parent advocacy courses, assisted in the development of a training manual for support workers, raised awareness of the negative impact of funding cuts to special education and co-ordinated a special education brief which will be submitted to the Ministry of Education on behalf of the association.

Leah Diana--A nursing student in UVic's school of nursing at Vancouver's Langara College campus, Leah volunteers with the Philippine Women's Centre, directing her efforts to improving the experience of nurses and other women who are 'imported' to Canada for domestic labour and often deprived of basic human rights. Leah has been involved in grassroots political work and community projects to address the needs of marginalized women.

Joanna Holdsworth--A fourth-year bachelor of commerce student, Joanna is a member of the Vikes basketball team whose outstanding academic record placed her on the CIAU Academic All-Canadian Team this year. She volunteers as part of the Saanich Police Player Card Program helping at various schools with drug and alcohol prevention and works as a group recreation leader at an international student program hosted at St. Margaret's School.

Megan Howell-Jones--A fourth-year electrical engineering student, Megan was instrumental in developing the GO WEST program through the Engineering Students Society (ESS). GO WEST promotes engineering to female high school students. Megan is also president of the ESS and was an enthusiastic supporter of their 24-hour Bug Push that raised $2,600 earlier this month for the United Way.

Kate Kimberley--Kate is enrolled in the master of public administration program, is a member of Senate, and is vice-president of the Graduate Student Society. Kate is one of six national winners of the CIBC Youthvision Graduate Research Awards worth $30,000 over two years.

Anna Hunter--A third year student in the joint law and MPA program, Anna volunteers her time in the First Nations community developing models of self-government that reflect a combined western-indigenous perspective. An executive member of UVic's Native Student Union, Anna is active in organizing her fellow aboriginal students and promoting native issues on campus.

Stephen Macdonald--A fourth-year bachelor of commerce student, Stephen is a member of the Vikes men's basketball team who also played on the championship winning Team BC at the Canada Summer Games. He volunteers as a basketball coach and participates at clinics for younger players throughout the Victoria area and at the Boys and Girls Club in Victoria.

Narda Nelson--Currently enrolled in the honours program in women's studies, Narda volunteers in such groups as the Victoria Status of Women Action Group Agency, the Women's Studies Outreach Committee, the APEC Research Campaign, and the Making History, Making Race conference, but her primary focus is her work with the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women Collective.

Ellie Parks--A fourth year social work student, Ellie volunteers at the UVic Women's Centre, sat on the Community Coalition Against Racism and formed the University Coalition Against Racism. She has recently been selected as the student representative on the BC Association of Social Worker's Executive Council.

John Plasterer--A fourth year computer engineering student with a perfect grade point average, John is active in the Engineering Students Society and chairs the organizing committee for the Western Engineering Conference and Competition 2000, a conference to promote the ties between engineering students and engineers in industry.

Neelan Sandhu--A second year pre-med student, Neelan is a member of the St. John Ambulance and was one of 11 Victoria people assisting in the Kamloops fire disaster last year. She volunteers at UVic's athletic therapy clinic, Victoria General Hospital, the Upper Room and the Salvation Army's Beacon Bus.

Jennifer Spencer--Jennifer combines part-time graduate studies in women's studies and contemporary social and political thought with second year law courses. She volunteers at the UVic Legal Information Clinic, organized two panels for the National Association for Women and the Law, and assisted at the Garry Oak Meadow Community Festival.

Mai Yasue--A fourth year biology student, Mai helped environmental law students organize a conference on multinationals and the environment, is a regular contributor to the CRD Environmental Education Speakers Bureau, assists the CRD Waterwise Gardening forum and volunteers for BC Wildlife Rescue.

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