1. Philip Kartos: Gold
Program: Concurrent Education
Hometown: Etobicoke, Ontario
If you could be anyone for a day who would it be: Beyoncé, because Beyoncé
Dream job: A guidance counselor/social worker
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Probably Santorini in Greece, even though I don’t speak a word of Greek. It’s just so beautiful and picturesque like every single part of that island could go on a postcard.
Favourite Laurier memory: Winning the Hawk Team Edition of Survivor!
A few things you’re involved with on campus: A general volunteer on The Mental Health Education Group (MHEG) and the Vice President of the Society, Culture and Environment Students Association
Favourite song currently: Wish That You Were Here by Florence and the Machine
Favourite Food: Pizza
If you could have any super power what would it be: Telekinesis so I wouldn’t have to get up to grab my phone charger when it’s dying or a snack when I’m hungry.
Favourite Movie: Easy A
Favourite Book: Let’s Get Lost by Adi Alsaid
Favourite Disney Character: Maleficent because she caused so much trouble because she wasn’t invited to a party and honestly I’d do the same.
What is a piece of advice you would give to the incoming first years: Use those 4 month calendars you’re given and plan out your schedule because assignments and midterms can creep up on you and you don’t want to be sobbing the night before a forgotten midterm… I’ve never done that…
2. Sydney Nicholson: Red
Program: Concurrent Education
Hometown: Burlington, Ontario
If you could be anyone for a day who would it be: Sharna Burgess from Dancing with the Stars to experience what it would be like to be a pro dancer for a day .
Dream job: Travel blogger
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be: Costa Rica. I recently visited there and fell in love with the scenery, plus all the rain forests and adventures there are just amazing.
Favourite Laurier memory: Making the decision to be involved because it has led me to where I am today.
A few things you’re involved with on campus: Hawk team and ARK team this year as well as hopefully extramural dodgeball. I have done Foot Patrol, first year integration and Laurier Students for Literacy in prior years.
Favourite song currently: Wallpaper by Neon Dreams
Favourite Food: Strawberries and ice cream
If you could have any super power what would it be: Super strength
Favourite Movie: Finding Nemo
Favourite Book: Anything by James Patterson
Favourite Disney Character: Vanellope from Wreck-it Ralph, she was a glitch and she loved herself for that imperfection. She saw it as a gift instead of a problem
Favourite O-week memory: First year orientation week cheer-off, the feeling of family and belonging after we completed our cheers as a team. It is hard to put that type of energy into words
Why did you want to become an ice breaker: I wanted to be an icebreaker so that I could impact the experience of an incoming student. In my first year I achieved many things and became very involved thanks to my icebreakers encouragement and support not only in Orientation week but throughout the entire year. I owe who I am today to the Orientation team that welcomed me at the start of my Laurier journey. I would love the chance to influence someone else’s journey even just a little.
3. Nicole Gamsyager: Green
Program: Concurrent Education Primary/ Junior
Hometown: Oakville, Ontario
If you could be anyone for a day who would it be: Tom Cruise because I feel like he has such a cool life as a movie star… I also think it would be pretty cool to be Maverick!
Dream job: A teacher in a grade two classroom.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be: I would live in Western Ontario. I recently went on vacation to Alberta, and fell in love with the beauty and simplicity of life out there … and would love to live somewhere where I could view the mountains!
Favourite Laurier memory: When I was accepted to be a part of orientation week as a head ice breaker last year… It was the first time where I really felt a part of not only a supportive team of executives/head icebreakers but a part of the Laurier family. I finally felt that I had found my place within Laurier and was able to grow as a person. It was also one of the first times I was able to step out of my shell and really be myself.
A few things you’re involved with on campus: I am the First Year Integration Coordinator … which is a committee that helps first year students become involved in the Laurier Brantford community through promoting various Students’ Union events.
Favourite song currently: English Girls by The Maine.
Favourite Food: Sushi, especially avocado rolls!
If you could have any super power what would it be: Teleportation, I am not a big fan of traffic and therefore I would love to be able to instantly appear wherever I would like to.
Favourite Movie: 27 Dresses!
Favourite Book: Any of Nicholas Sparks’ books! I thoroughly enjoy everything he writes!
Favourite O-week memory: One of my favourite o-week memories was in my second year, when I was a first time ice breaker. I had one first year student who was shy during orientation week. During this week and throughout his time at Laurier, I have had the opportunity to watch him grow within the Students’ Union and accomplish any tasks that were thrown his way. Meeting this individual is one of my favourite o-week memories because it reminds me that if you step outside of your comfort zone you never know who you can become friends with and who can have an impact on your life as well as theirs.
Favourite Disney Character: Tigger! I have such a fascination with his bubbly personality and overall character traits.
Piece of advice to give to the incoming first years: What you put into orientation week is what you will get out of it. If you put all you have into orientation week then you will get a lot out of it. In my first year, I regret not putting more effort into the week, and therefore I didn’t gain all of the experiences that I could have. Thus I recommend putting in as much effort as possible in order to get the most out of it.
4. Nathan Reeve – Blue
Program: Fifth Year Concurrent Education
Hometown: Cambridge, Ontario
If you could be anyone for a day who would it be: J.K. Rowling, so that I could learn fun inside details on the Harry Potter stories, and maybe get in contact with Emma Watson…
Dream job: Helping students with mental health concerns access the skills, tools, and resources they need to succeed.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be: In the forest because I could live in a giant treehouse with a rope swing.
Favourite Laurier memory: Being coordinator of last year’s amazing Peer Connect team!
A few things you’re involved with on campus: I am the Student Coordinator of the Centre for Student Life & Engagement. In other words, I work for Laurier and oversee all student volunteers within the CSLE.
Favourite song currently: “KIDS” by One Republic or the jazzy “Just Love” by Us The Duo.
Favourite Food: French fries
If you could have any super power what would it be: Telekinesis – so I could move things with my mind, including make myself fly.
Favourite Movie: The Fugitive.
Favourite Book: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Favourite O-week memory: Getting to know my best friend in O-Week 2012!
Favourite Disney Character: Scar – because I love a good complicated villain, and with a voice that kills.
What is a piece of advice you would give to the incoming first years: Breathe and believe. If you take a step back, breathe a bit, and believe in what you are capable of – you can accomplish great things!
5. Mason Gomes: Red
Program – Concurrent Education J/I
Hometown – Mississauga, Ontario
If you could be anyone for a day who would it be: Eddie Van Halen – I’d love to play guitar in front of a crowd of 50,000 people, and be really good at it too!
Dream Job: I’m torn between teaching and a sales career in the Environmental Sustainability industry.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be: California. I think it has the best weather and landscape in the world. Who wouldn’t want to be able to go to the beach every single day??
Favourite Laurier memory: There are honestly too many to count
A few things you’re involved with on campus: I work at the Centre for Student Success, where students can receive help with any of their university assignments. I am also a housing agent for Next Step Rentals, which assists upper year Laurier students in finding student housing. I am also an executive of the Habitat for Humanity club, which is new to Laurier this year!
Favourite song currently: Castaway – Zac Brown Band
Favourite Food: Tacos
If you could have any super power what would it be: The ability to eat literally anything I want and just somehow be in amazing shape.
Favourite Movie: The Star Wars movies rock my world
Favourite Book: Harry Potter
Favourite O-week memory: Closing Ceremonies – just too many feels
Favourite Disney Character: Mushu from Mulan always makes me laugh
Piece of advice to give to the incoming first years: Step out of your comfort zone and try something new! Your university experience is what you make of it, so make it unforgettable
6. Alexa Prosolowski: Blue
Program: Concurrent Education J/I (5th Year)
Hometown: Scarborough, Ontaio
If you could be anyone for a day who would it be: Jennifer Lawrence! I love her and I would love to see what her day is like and meet all of her famous friends!
Dream Job: To teach in different places around the world, inspiring children to be their best selves and reach their dreams! Or you know to become a singer… whichever seems easier…LOL.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be: Australia. I have always wanted to go there and see how the other half of the world lives. See the different wildlife that is there.
Favourite Laurier memory: Sitting around all night with my roommates talking about nothing, or watching movies together.
A few things you’re involved with on campus: Foot Patrol, a club called You Can Sit With Us, and now I am joining the Leadership Ambassadors on campus this year.
Favourite song currently: Cheap Thrills by Sia.
Favourite Food: Pasta
If you could have any super power what would it be: I would want to be able to teleport anywhere I would want to go. It would give me a lot more sleep, or would keep me from being late to things
Favourite Movie: The Sound of Music. You probably don’t know it but I know all the songs from it and when I finally understood the story line better I loved it even more!
Favourite Book: Harry Potter series.
Favourite O-week memory: It happened during my First Year when my roommates and I made a paper Gator for our team the Green Gators to help us win Cheer Off that year!
Piece of advice to give to the incoming first years: Be yourself. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. And most importantly fall in love with Laurier and you won’t ever want to leave.
7. Ali Welin: Green
Program: Concurrent Education
Hometown: Keswick, Ontario
If you could be anyone for a day who would it be: Beyoncé, who wouldn’t want to be Queen B for a day?
What is your dream job: Professional crafter
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be: On a vineyard in Italy, I feel like it would be the most amazing place to wake up to every morning.
Favourite Laurier memory: The little moments like hanging out with friends between classes, getting coffees and laughing more than studying are my favourite.
A few things you’re involved with on campus: I am on Food Bank and President of the Figure Skating Club.
Favourite song Currently: Cold Water by Major Lazer and Justin Bieber
Favourite Food: Pasta
If you could have any super power what would it be: Teleportation
Favourite Movie: Miracle on 34th Street
Favourite Book: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
Favourite Disney Character: Olaf- Even though sometimes he falls apart (literally), he’s always optimistic and finds joy in the simple things
Favourite O-week memory: The overwhelming feeling I got three years ago when I found out I was going to be an Ice Breaker for the first time.
A piece of advice to the incoming first years: Make the most of your university career, don’t be afraid to get involved and put yourself out there.
8. Devynn Elligson: Gold
Program: Concurrent Education with the French Teaching option
Hometown: Stratford, Ontario
If you could be anyone for a day who would it be: Christina Aguilera because I could see what it is like to be famous and rich but more importantly I would love to be able to sing like she can!
Dream job: A teacher at a French immersion school and a Fitness Instructor in the school as an extra curricular
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be: Somewhere in Canada because I love having all four seasons. However I would like to have a big backyard on the beach.
Favourite Laurier memory: would be living in residence because it was the start of the best adventure and I met my best friends that I would make future memories with.
A few things you’re involved with on campus: This year I am the Director of the second Fashion & Dance show on campus and I am also one of the Fitness Instructors!
Favourite song currently: “Say my name” Destiny’s Child
Favourite food: Smoothies, dark chocolate and scallop potatoes
If you could have any super power what would it be: The power of extreme flexibility
Favourite movie: The Harry Potter series, The Proposal and anything Disney
Favourite O-week memory: Headphone disco from last year because it was such a unique experience and everyone let loose and had a great time.
Favourite Disney Character: Ariel and Mulan because Ariel is full of adventure and love and Mulan is a strong female character who protects her family
A piece of advice to the incoming first years: embrace change and not to be afraid to ask questions and get involved. It’s not embarrassing to ask and make sure. I will also say that be open to experiences and people because the friends you make will get you through anything and make great memories. Believe that you will be fine and that you can do it!
