NC student Jasmine Olah (right) poses with fellow Pan Am Games transport crew volunteer Nelly Hernandez on Henley Island in St. Catharines.
Volunteering for the Pan Am Games proved to be the opportunity of a lifetime for second-year Recreation Therapy student Jasmine Olah.
The 24-year old student, who is known throughout the College for her role as director of communications for the Student Administrative Council, was selected to be a volunteer for the Pan Am Games. She worked as part of the Transport crew on Henley Island in St. Catharines.
InsideNC caught up with Olah after the Games wrapped up. Here is what she had to say about the experience.
How did the opportunity come about?
In the previous year of my program the opportunity to volunteer at the Pan Am Games had been presented to us in class. My professor had shown us in class about the opportunity. Once I finally did apply I went through an online interview. Their questions were pre-recorded and I was to record my answers. I then waited to hear back from them! Once I was selected I had online modules to complete and in person training. I was also required to pick up my accreditation and uniform in Toronto.
Why were you interested?
This first glance had sparked an interest but at that time felt it was still too far out of my comfort zone. It was not until April of this year that I had decided it was an opportunity I was prepared to participate in. Growing up I was very involved in athletics within my high school sports teams and the influence they placed on my life played a part in why I decided to become involved. I knew this was going to be one of the first opportunities to get involved within my community and give back in a way that would tie in my general interests. It was an opportunity to be involved in the largest multi-sport Games ever hosted in Canada and I just couldn’t pass that up now that I felt I had the right skills needed to participate!
What did you do as a volunteer?
I was a part of the transport crew down on Henley Island in St. Catharines. There were designated areas in which vehicles would be dropping off and picking up athletes, coaches, officials, dignitaries and the media. My first day I assisted in the setup of these areas by hand building the signs alerting people to safe zones for pick up and drop off. There was a group of us that put everything we had into drilling, attaching and sorting these signs of designation, even in the pouring rain!
Once the games commenced we hit the ground running! When stationed in a specific area it was my responsibility to track the arrival/ departure of vehicles, perform head counts, and assist in consistent transportation for those utilizing it. I found that I loved being stationed at the accredited shuttle that took athletes, coaches, and the media back and forth from Henley Island to the Grand Stands. After expressing this interest to my supervisors I was able to take this position and make it enjoyable for not only myself but those relying on the accredited shuttle to get them from point A to point B on time for the entire week!
What did you find rewarding about your involvement?
I found it so gratifying to be placed in an area that allowed me to converse with those involved in some of the major parts of the Games. I spoke with athletes about their races and coaches about their training. Even with language barriers I was able to speak with people who were living out their passions.
One athlete in particular chatted with me about her race. I had explained to her that growing up participating in sports and seeing what my sister went through as a dedicated rower I could not even begin to imagine how proud her friends, family, and country must be of her and that I could see the pride she had in herself through her massive smile. Just to have that medal around her neck must have made it all worthwhile.
I remember looking up at her and watching her place her hands around the smooth blue ribbon that holstered her silver medal around her neck. She slipped it over her head and gestured for me to take hold of this amazing piece of hardware! I was in shock to be honest. To see all of her hard work, commitment and pride wrapped up into this gleaming medal was so beautiful. She placed the medal in my hands and we both began to tear up. It was beyond any experience I thought I was going to have in the Games.
After this she showed interest in me and what I was doing at the Games. I had explained Recreation Therapy to her and after pausing for a moment she looked me straight in the eyes and told me to keep doing what I am doing. She told me that I was making such an impact on the lives of the individuals I would be working with, and it is advice that I am going to remember on the tougher days while finishing up my program or dealing with first day jitters when arriving at placement. Upon the arrival of the accredited shuttle she reached out and gave me the biggest hug! As I watched the shuttle pull away I was still in shock that this athlete took the time to ask me about why I had gotten involved and what I was doing with my life.
The whole week was jam-packed full of pride from each country. I can still remember the chills I got on my arms as I watched one of the races, and the echo of O Canada being proudly sung by spectators; it was so heartwarming!
For me being able to be behind the scenes of a gaming event that caused a community such as St. Catharines to come together with such pride was such a fulfilling experience. I was given opportunities to build confidence by running a designated station solo, show initiative in making educated decisions to better the experience for everyone involved, and making a difference in the lives of those I came into contact with. Even the people I worked side by side with impacted me in such a positive manner. I learned how to communicate more effectively and concisely as well, by having to get messages across a radio in the middle of what may have seemed like chaos to many.
How were you able to use skills from your program at NC, or from extra-curricular involvements, as a volunteer?
Leadership is such a huge element in the Recreation Therapy program at Niagara College and I believe that being taught about how to effectively communicate with others, like actively listening came into play every single day. I was also able to recognize the different stages the transport crew was going through (forming, storming, norming, performing) to a point of synergy by the end of the week. My experience as the director of communications on the Niagara College Student Administrative Council also taught me many transferable skills that I was able to apply to my role in the Pan Am Games. I was able to identify the right time to step up/ step back from situations in order for our team to work efficiently. The opportunity that was presented to me through the college to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Award also provided me with the tools I would need to make it through the long days with a positive, open-minded attitude.
We actually had a group activity that applied directly to an experience I had at the Pan Am Games while stationed near the media shuttle! I was able to pull from the mock scenario and have the confidence to deal with the safety hazards of being set up in certain areas and the potentially harmful impact it could have on them and those around them if we didn’t find a common ground.
How do you feel that volunteering has impacted you?
Volunteering has provided me with more of a go-getter way of thinking. I find because of the Pan Am Games I will be able to lean in to more opportunities regardless of if I believe I am capable of being involved at the time. I have remembered that the best experiences in my life are always going to come from pushing my comfort zone because it will teach me skills I have yet to master, help me uncover strengths I didn’t know I had, and provide me with the opportunity to cross paths with individuals that will impact me in a lasting way, all while giving back to my community!
Being involved has given me a drive to get more involved within community services and development. I am hoping to bridge into the Recreation and Leisure services program at Niagara College in September in hope that I can one day provide experiences as impactful to others through recreation.
