Every year several of Sheridan’s Athletic Therapy students are acknowledged with awards. It is encouraging for students to feel supported and recognized by their peers and faculty.
These awards are the result of many years of building connections and relationships, with some awards as old as 35+ years. Some are given to students who “embody the same characteristics as who the award is named after,” says program coordinator Paul Brisebois. While others are chosen based on excellence shown during their studies. Regardless, the winners are more than proud to represent Sheridan when receiving their awards.
Two students we spoke to mentioned their love for sports, and that it was this passion that led them to this industry and the Bachelor of Athletic Therapy’s program at Sheridan. Both students made it evident that receiving these awards helped them feel confident in their decision to attend Sheridan and that Athletic Therapy was the right career choice for them.
This year, Sheridan’s coveted Toronto Blue Jays Award and internship was awarded to third year student Dylan Langlois. “I don’t want to say it’s everything to me because I know if I didn’t get it I’d still be in a good place, but it’s a huge opportunity that I will not take for granted. I have a lot of people to thank because without them I would not be in the place I am,” says Langlois.
The Blue Jays have welcomed an athletic therapy student each year for nearly 40 years. Being the recipient of this award, Langlois will work alongside the athletic training staff at all home games in Toronto for the season.
Langlois has been able to combine his passion for baseball with a focus on athletic therapy throughout the first three years in Sheridan’s program. His love of the sport, professionalism, and drive to use his skills in a meaningful way has helped him tremendously in acquiring the internship. Although he grew up playing baseball, he has gained the perspective that you don’t always need to be seen on the front line, and that it’s crucial to do important work behind the scenes as well.
“Professional baseball would be a big goal of mine to work in, the experience I’ve already had within just the last week is an experience I’ll hold onto forever,” says Langlois.
Third-year student Samantha Raymond received the Dr. Ron Taylor award for leadership after her immense leadership efforts in the program.
Unfortunately, Raymond has sustained many injuries over her years from being a professional dancer. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, her dance career was shaken up. As a result, she decided to attend Sheridan to pursue a career in athletic therapy. With the knowledge she is learning at Sheridan, she’s beginning to understand how her past injuries could have been avoided, and how to prevent similar injuries for people in the future.
She is currently learning about how dancers can become more aware of their bodies, develop strength, as well as balance to avoid injuries. “There wasn’t a lot of anatomy education in dance injuries or how to cross-train or how to correct any kind of mechanical imbalance. Those aren’t really things that are talked about but our bodies are so important as dancers, so it’s something I wanted to pursue further,” says Raymond.
The Dr. Ron Taylor award exists in honour of the Blue Jays’ long time physician. “The philosophy of this award is to recognize a student who has demonstrated a commitment to education while augmenting their high academic standing with an interest to extra-curricular activities outside of school,” says Brisebois.
Samantha Raymond has shown these principles within her character, as well as leadership and strong interpersonal skills. These qualities are what made her stand out from other applicants.
“It is a big shift, there are a lot of ‘what ifs’ and ‘did I do the right thing’ questions that pop up into my brain from time to time and maybe even some FOMO like the dancing I could still be doing if I wasn’t doing this, but then when there is recognition that is awarded and someone does take the time to believe in me and recognize the efforts I’m putting in that really reassures me that I’m on the right path and I have something to offer,” says Raymond.
A big congratulations to all the award winners of this year. All your efforts are recognized both within and beyond the Sheridan community!
Here’s the full list of 2023-2024 Athletic Therapy Program Awards winners:
1. KINEMEDICS AWARD (2nd): Lloyd Asiedu
2. CANADIAN NATIONAL BASKETBALL (3rd): Briar Alderdice
3. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (3rd): Dylan Langlois
4. DR. RON TAYLOR AWARD (3rd): Samantha Raymond
5. DR. MICHAEL REIERSON AWARD OF EXCELLENCE (3rd): Megan Devogelaere
6. EVERT VAN BEEK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (3rd): Riley Fleming
7. CATA STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD (ALL): Riley Fleming
8. DR.TOM FRIED AWARD (ALL): Holly Stuart, Alyssa Lafantaisie
9. MICHELLE KUKTA MEMORIAL AWARD (4th): Ashlee Jadwiszczak
10. LOI QUACH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (4th): Nyah Davidson
11. ROBERT FIRTH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (4th): Melody Geissberger
12. DR. ROBERT JACKSON RESEARCH AWARD (4th): Jordan Rogers
13. DR. WADE WHITTEN CLINICAL AWARD (4th): Grace Richardson
14. THE FRED DUNBAR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD (4th): TBA
15. ANNE HARTLEY Award of Excellence in AT (4th): Callista Tsangarakis, Luc Comire