York's student spirit organization, York is U, ended the winter term with a burst of activity designed to reduce stress before exams, celebrate York's 47th birthday and honour its volunteers.
"With everything from free massages to free cake and loot bags and the election of a new executive, York is U's events demonstrated why the group has been so successful in encouraging student participation in campus life," said Jeremy Greenberg, York is U coordinator.
Stress buster carnival
More than 1,000 York students kicked back and had some fun at the Winter Stress Buster Carnival March 28. They treated themselves to free chair and shiatsu massages, ate cotton candy and popcorn, and played carnival games to win stuffed animals and toys.
Right: Michelle Liu (left), York is U member, and Adeyinka Daramola, York is U campus life director, hold prizes given out at stress buster carnival
Many students who had come to de-stress from writing final papers and studying for exams were heard saying, "Wow, this is exactly what I needed!"
York's 47th birthday party events
York is U celebrated York's 47th birthday March 23 in colourful style with a host of volunteers and students wearing red and white for pride and prizes. The celebration featured free birthday cake and loot bags for all and Mardi Gras games like piñata smashing, root-beer chugging, cake eating and other contests. Events were held in the Student Centre Food Court and the East Bear Pit of Central Square. In the evening, the party moved to the Underground for a special Birthday Pub Night.
Volunteer wins more than award at ceremony
On April 5, York is U honoured over 90 volunteers for their hours of hard work and dedication at a special pinning ceremony.
Daanish Khan received the Volunteer of the Year award for contributing nearly 400 hours to the group. The evening took a romantic turn for her when emcee Douaud Shah, York is U Chair and membership director, asked her to remain on stage for a special announcement. He told the membership audience how he and Khan had met two years before at a York is U summer leadership retreat and had instantly fallen in love. Since so much of their relationship had revolved around York is U activities, Shah said he felt it only fitting that on his final night with the team he should share this special moment. He then got down on one knee, pulled out a diamond ring and asked Khan to marry him. With tears of joy, she accepted his proposal. They plan to marry this summer.
Presenting one-, two- and three-year membership pins, volunteer recognition certificates and awards were Naguib Gouda, executive director, Alumni & Advancement Services, Sylvia Schippke, assistant vice-president of student community development, and Frank Cappadocia, director of student community & leadership development. Other special guests were Donna Robbins, director of the Career Centre, and Robert Castle, executive director of the Student Centre.
About York is U
York is U is a student alumni program formed in 2002 to establish in students a lifelong connection with York. The team organizes events at the University, such as Multicultural Week, York's birthday celebration, movie nights and other special events and services to help students have the time of their lives and get connected and engaged in life at York.