Wind Out 2024-2025 Group Photo
By Sibaal Jilani, Student Experience & Housing Programs Assistant
On Saturday March 29, Renison’s Student Experience and Housing team celebrated its residents, dons, and peer leaders at Wind Out, an annual end-of-year celebration at Fed Hall. Students, staff, and Renison community members came together for an exciting night of awards, dancing, and good food.
This year’s Regency Ball theme—straight out of Netflix's hit show Bridgerton—brought an extra touch of elegance. Students were encouraged to dress in their best Regency-inspired outfits, and earlier in the week, they even got the chance to design their own decorative fans at a themed craft night. The event also featured beautifully designed themed photo ops, created by the talented student leadership team, Renisix, along with a photo booth complete with Regency-inspired props—giving attendees the perfect opportunity to capture the moment in style.
The evening was hosted by Amanda Roth and Justice Potter, two incredible members of the Don team, followed by speeches from President and Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Dr. Marc Jerry, and Scott McLeod, Renison’s Chaplain.
After an incredible buffet dinner—and an equally tempting dessert spread—the Dons and Student Experience and Housing team took the stage to present awards. These honors recognized outstanding individuals whose contributions and positive impact made a real difference in the Renison community.
Check out all the 2024-2025 Renison Wind-Out Award Winners and Recipients...
David Hartry Memorial Award - Keira Salawu
Given to a resident who has significantly contributed to student life at Renison University College.
Dunker Family Centennial Award - Abby Roman
Given to a resident who has significantly contributed to student life at Renison University College.
Jacob Hillerby Memorial Award – Ian Jinzo Macpherson
This award was founded in memory of Jake Hillerby, to support students to use their engineering skills to improve people’s lives in some way.
The Newell Cup – Justice Potter
Awarded to the Don who most embodies the heart of Renison, provides mentoring support to their fellow team and consistently ‘over-delivers.’
Debbie Kennedy Memorial Award – Amanda Roth
This award was named after Debbie who was a resident and Don of Renison who kept things happy and full of that good Renison spirit. She was the kind of person who always had time for others. Debbie died in the summer of 1985, at the age of 30. Presented in Debbie’s honour, this award is presented to the Don who through the year has shown leadership qualities, honesty, and a good sense of humour that Debbie had in her years at Renison.
Teddy Bear Award – Marina Gosselink
Awarded to a resident who gives the best hugs and comfort/support to those around them.
Most Musical Award – Owen Durnin
Given to a residence who appreciates music in all forms, playing instruments, and a love for musical talent.
Renison Contribution Award - Milo Penney
Given to a student who has made an overall difference in embracing the spirit of the Renison community.
Tower of Power Award – Simrit Bedi
Presented in recognition of a service that has gone “way” beyond the call of duty.
Honorary Renison Peer Leader - Caitlyn Yelle, Daneka Miller, Natalie Nichol
Awarded to a peer leader who has demonstrated exceptional student leadership and extraordinary degree of engagement to support other students throughout their studies at the University of Waterloo and Renison University College.
Renison University College Staff Award - Tim Farley
Awarded to a staff member who has gone above and beyond in their role at the college.
Best Overall Effort in Athletics - Zackary Cobourne
Awarded to a resident who has contributed their ‘modest’ to sports at Renison.
University of Waterloo. Dave Connolly Award - David White
Awarded to a senior resident who has raised their level of involvement and enthusiasm in the college.
Most Well-Rounded Student Award - Jaden Pladzyk-Daniels
Awarded annually to the resident who seems to be able to do it all. The individual is involved in everything while maintaining good marks.
Resident of the Year – Keira Salawu
Awarded to a resident who has made significant contributions to the Renison Residence community.
Renison Floor of the Year - Oasis
A floor who shares a strong sense of community, participates in events together and supports each other.
Floor Member of the Year: Animal – Samuel McMahon
Floor Member of the Year: Fubar - Victor Radu
Floor Member of the Year: Loft – Jacob Henwood
Floor Member of the Year: Midway – Baron Seifried
Floor Member of the Year: Oasis – Abby Roman
Floor Member of the Year: Moose Crossing – Alec Higgins
Floor Member of the Year: Euphoria – Kristina Volenter
Floor Member of the Year: Timbuktu – Louisa Wei
Floor Member of the Year: Treetop – Michelle Ruiz
Floor Member of the Year: Down Under – Aaron Du
Wind Out Award Recipients
David White is the recipient of the Dave Connolly Award: Awarded to a senior resident who has raised their level of involvement and enthusiasm in the college.
Owen Durnin is this year's Most Musical Award winner at Renison. Owen was a very active member at this year's weekly Music Jams.
Marina Gosselink is this year's recipient of the Teddy Bear Award.
Milo Penney is the award Recipient of the Renison Contribution Award, given to a student who has made an overall difference in embracing the spirit of the Renison Community.
Simrit Bedi is the award recipient of the Tower of Power award, in recognition of a service that has gone beyond the call of duty.
Zackary Cobourne is this year's recipient of Best Overall Effort in Athletics at Renison.
Jaden Pladzyk-Daniels is the year's recipient for the Most Well-Rounded Student Award, given to a student who is involved in everything while maintaining good grades.
Kierra Salawu is this year's Resident of the Year, awarded for significant contributions to the Renison Residence Community
Renison Floor of the Year award goes to Oasis. Oasis shares a strong sense of community, participating in events together and supporting each other.
Samuel McMahon is this year's Floor Member of the Year for Animal.
Jacob Henwood is this year's Floor Member of the Year for Loft.
Baron Seifried is this year's Floor Member of the Year for Midway.
Abby Roman is this year's Floor Member of the Year for Oasis.
Alec Higgins is this year's Floor Member of the Year for Moose Crossing.
Kristina Volenter is this year's Floor Member of the Year for Euphoria.
Louisa Wei is this year's Floor Member of the Year for Timbuktu.
Michelle Ruiz is this year's Floor Member of the Year for Treetop.
Aaron Du is this year's Floor Member of the Year for Down Under.
Ian Jinzo Macpherson is the award recipient for the Jacob Hillerby Memorial Award. In memory of Jake Hillerby, this award is given to support other students to use their engineering skills to improve people's lives.
Kiera Salawu is this year's recipient of the David Hartry Memorial Award, given to a resident who has significantly contributed to student life.
Abby Roman is this year's recipient of the Dunker Family Centennial Award, given to resident who has significantly contributed to student life.
The Honourary Renison Peer Leader Award is given to Peer Leaders Caitlyn Yelle, Daneka Miller, and Natalie Nichol (not pictured) for their exceptional student leadership and extraordinary degree of engagement to support other students throughout their studies.
Justice Potter is the award recipient of The Newell Cup, awarded to the Don who provides mentoring support to their fellow team and consistently "over-delivers"
Amanda Roth is this year's recipient of the Debbie Kennedy Memorial Award, presented to the Don who through the year has shown leadership qualities, honesty and a good sense of humor
