Celebrating Student Excellence: WUSA’s Winter 2025 Volunteer Awards
Clubs
Winner: Waterloo Snow Coalition
Waterloo Snow Coalition brings together students to enjoy skiing and snowboarding. Throughout the winter 2025 term, the club organized ski and snowboard trips, including biweekly trips to Blue Mountain. This gave students an opportunity to bond over winter sports and enjoy the Canadian winter.
They also hosted a variety of on- and off-campus events to keep their community engaged and active throughout the season. From getting new gear to skill development to social opportunities, Waterloo Snow Coalition offers a number of ways to get involved and make lasting connections!
Follow them on Instagram at @waterloosnowco.
Runner-Up: Muslim Students’ Association
The Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) fosters a supportive and inclusive community for Muslim students, while promoting an understanding of Islam across campus through connection and sharing resources.
Through lectures, conferences, info booths, and more, MSA offers opportunities for both Muslim and non-Muslim students to learn about Islam through meaningful dialogue. They also focus on community-building through organizing events and prayer services. This semester, MSA hosted daily iftar events during Ramadan, and collaborated with WUSA, Food Support Service (FSS), and the International and Canadian Students Network (ICSN) to host an Open Iftar for fasting and non-fasting students to break their fast and learn about Ramadan. It is through these community-building events that MSA has played an essential role in enhancing the student experience at Waterloo.
Follow them on Instagram at @uwmsa.
New Clubs
Winner: UW Builders Club
Winter 2025 was UW Builders Club’s first term in action! They aim to bring together model kit enthusiasts through a shared passion for building, painting, and customizing plastic model kits. They’ve fostered a creative environment where their members can collaborate, learn, and grow. By offering both a hands-on learning experience and a sense of community, the club has made a significant impact in the short time it’s been around.
Follow them on Instagram at @uwbuilders.
Club Executive
Winner: William Hope, Arts Student Union
As the Vice President of Retail for the Arts Student Union (ASU), William consistently goes above and beyond to transform ASU operations and improve the student experience across the board.
Notably, their most significant achievement this year was completely revitalizing the ASU Shop. Through reorganizing inventory, improving labeling systems, sourcing new products, and launching creative marketing efforts, William created a more efficient, student-centered, and accessible one-stop-shop.
Wiliam’s work ethic, initiative, and attention to detail sets them apart as they stepped up to manage finances for major events like the Arts Semi-Formal, lead weekly team meetings during staff shortages, and volunteer as an active member of the Arts Undergraduate Student Affairs Committee. Their strong sense of responsibility, collaborative mindset, and commitment to inclusivity and sustainability have left a lasting mark on the ASU and the wider campus community.
Runner-Up: Kyle Reekie, History Society
As the Events Coordinator for the History Society, Kyle’s enthusiasm and reliability have made him an integral part of the History Society. He has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure every event is thoughtfully planned, well-executed, and welcoming to all.
His most significant achievement this year was organizing the MacKinnon Dinner, a formal event bringing students and faculty together in memory of Father Hugh MacKinnon. Kyle played a crucial role in ensuring the event’s success and continuing its tradition.
What sets Kyle apart is his upbeat attitude, strong work ethic, and team spirit. He’s always the first to step up, keeps everyone informed and involved, and brings a sense of fun and collaboration to every project, leaving a lasting impact on the History Society.
President
Winner: Victoria Ventura, UW Mock Trial Club
As President of the Mock Trial Club, Victoria’s dedication has strengthened the club and elevated the University’s presence in the national undergraduate mock trial community.
Her most significant achievement was overseeing the Black and Gold Invitational—the first-ever intercollegiate mock trial competition held at Waterloo. With months of preparation, original case writing, volunteer coordination, and judge selection, Victoria led the planning and execution of this two-day event, welcoming 18 teams from 8 universities across Ontario.
What sets Victoria apart is her unmatched work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to lead with both strength and empathy. Under her leadership, UW Mock Trial has grown into a supportive and successful environment, introducing countless students to mock trial and helping them build public speaking skills, confidence, and community.
Runner-Up: Azie Satyre, UW WaterBoo
As President of UW WaterBoo, Azie played a significant role in reviving the club and building it into a vibrant, inclusive space for horror enthusiasts on campus.
Thanks to their energy and leadership, WaterBoo now hosts weekly movie nights, creative workshops, and collaborative events with other campus clubs. They co-led a short film workshop with the English Society, supported the creation of a multi-style member zine, and fostered partnerships with groups like the Cooking Club, Entomology Society, and Neurodivergence Alliance.
What sets them apart is their deep commitment to community-building and creativity. They’ve created space for students to connect, explore their interests, and express their creativity—whether through film, writing, or casual hangouts. Their efforts have not only revitalized WaterBoo but also strengthened the broader campus community.
Volunteer
Winner: Radha Vyas, Women’s Centre
As a volunteer for The Women’s Centre, Radha consistently fosters an intersectional and female-positive atmosphere, aligning with the Centre’s mission of advocacy and support.
Her most significant achievement for this term was their role at the Campus Life Fair, where she enthusiastically shared what the Centre does and the resources it offers—helping to grow its presence and reach more students. Outside of this, her involvement in organizing peer support initiatives, workshops, educational campaigns, and resource distribution has significantly enhanced the student experience on campus to break down barriers and build a more connected and resilient student body.
Radha stands out for her compassion, proactive leadership, and ability to anticipate students’ needs. Her empathetic approach and initiative have earned her the trust and respect of her peers, helping create a safe, empowering space for students to thrive.
Runner-Up: Remi Chort, Glow Centre
As a volunteer for the Glow Centre, Remi always goes above and beyond – whether its hosting events like Teatime Talks, covering extra shifts, or consistently showing up for office offers. Their dedication and compassion have truly helped make the Glow Centre a welcoming and affirming space for students who have had the pleasure to meet them.
Their most significant achievement this year was collaborating with other volunteers to create fun, engaging themes for events and spreading the word across campus as their efforts brought people together and helped foster a stronger sense of community.
What truly sets Remi apart from the crowd is their big heart. They show genuine kindness to everyone who walks through the door and have a natural ability to connect with others. Their warmth and friendliness make it easy for people to feel comfortable and make new friends, creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all.
Learn more about getting involved with clubs, societies, and student-run services at the following links:
Published: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
