[{"id":1595967,"date":"2026-04-15T12:12:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T16:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/?p=1595967"},"modified":"2026-04-15T12:16:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T16:16:25","slug":"nc-celebrates-student-athlete-excellence-at-annual-athletics-banquet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/15\/nc-celebrates-student-athlete-excellence-at-annual-athletics-banquet\/","title":{"rendered":"NC celebrates student-athlete excellence at annual Athletics Banquet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Niagara College recognized the outstanding achievements of its student-athletes during the 56th<\/sup> annual Athletics Banquet, held April 10 at the Stone Mill Ballroom. The event brought together student-athletes, coaches and staff to celebrate a successful 2025-2026 season, highlighting accomplishments both in competition and in the classroom.<\/p>\n

A total of 167 awards were presented throughout the evening, honouring individual excellence, team success, and contributions to NC Athletics.<\/p>\n

“The 2025-26 season was celebrated with an amazing evening at the Niagara College Athletics Banquet,” said Michele O’Keefe, Senior Director of Athletics & Student Engagement. “Our student-athletes are a tremendous group who have shown success on and off the field of play. For our graduating student-athletes, we thank you for your commitment to your team and Niagara College. We wish you all the best as your start your next chapter.”<\/p>\n

Major award winners<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Female and Male athletes of the year:<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the second consecutive year, the evening’s top honour featured Co-Female Athletes of the Year, with Julia Markle (St. George, ON) and Tessa Vahrmeyer (St. Catharines, ON) sharing the award. Gerrit Oldejans (Dundas, ON) was named Male Athlete of the Year.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Michele O’Keefe with Male Athlete of the Year Gerrit Oldejans.<\/p><\/div>\n

Markle, a skip with the Knights women’s curling team, delivered another exceptional season, leading her team to gold at the OCAA Curling Championships and earning MVP honours. She also continues to excel academically and is on track to receive multiple academic awards.<\/p>\n

Vahrmeyer, a forward with the Knights women’s soccer team, had a record-breaking season, setting a new program record with 14 regular season goals. Her performance earned her OCAA West Division Scoring Champion, First Team All-Star, and CCAA All-Canadian honours, along with both OCAA and CCAA academic recognition.<\/p>\n

Oldejans, a fifth-year forward on the Knights men’s soccer team, was a standout leader on and off the field. He captured the OCAA West Division Scoring Champion title and earned First Team All-Star recognition, while also being named both an OCAA All-Academic and CCAA Academic All-Canadian.<\/p>\n

\"\"

President Kennedy addressing NC student-athletes at the Stone Mill Ballroom.<\/p><\/div>\n

Additional major awards<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Aidan Luk (St. Catharines, ON) and Julia Markle were named Male and Female Tournament Sport Players of the Year for their contributions to the Knights curling program.<\/p>\n

Joseph Buckley (Oshawa, ON) and Savannah Speck (Fonthill, ON) were honoured as Male and Female Rookie Athletes of the Year across all sports, recognizing their impact in their debut seasons.<\/p>\n

Leadership awards were presented to Samantha Cormier (St. Catharines, ON) of women’s volleyball and RJ Martin (St. Mary’s, ON) of men’s volleyball for their commitment to their teams and leadership both on and off the court.<\/p>\n

Academic excellence was also celebrated, with Sam Guzak (Beaumont, AB) receiving the Male Top Scholastic Award and Charlize Trudell (Belle River, ON) earning the Female Top Scholastic Award for achieving the highest GPAs among NC student-athletes.<\/p>\n

Coaching and service recognition<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Chris Poulouski, head coach of the OCAA gold medal-winning women’s curling team, received the Ralph Nero Memorial Award for coaching excellence and contributions to student recruitment and retention.<\/p>\n

Samson Balogun, team manager for the men’s basketball team, was honoured with the Luciano Berardocco Memorial Award for his outstanding service to intercollegiate athletics.<\/p>\n

The Ray Sarkis Award, recognizing passion, commitment and community-mindedness, was presented to Abbey Gooder of the women’s volleyball team.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Academic and athletic honours<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Vahrmeyer was also recognized NC’s only CCAA All-Canadian this season, highlighting her as one of the top players in her sport nationally.<\/p>\n

Student-athletes were further recognized for their academic success through CCAA Academic All-Canadian and OCAA All-Academic awards, alongside team-specific honours for leadership, scholastic achievement, rookies, and most valuable players.<\/p>\n

The banquet also celebrated milestone achievements, including four- and five-year student-athlete recognition awards, acknowledging dedication and long-term commitment to Knights athletics.<\/p>\n

For a full list of award recipients, including CCAA Academic All-Canadian and OCAA All-Academic honourees, read the\u00a0Niagara College Athletics press release here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Niagara College recognized the outstanding achievements of its student-athletes during the 56th annual Athletics Banquet, held April 10 at the Stone Mill Ballroom. The event brought together student-athletes, coaches and staff to celebrate a successful 2025-2026 season, highlighting accomplishments both in competition and in the classroom. A total of 167 awards were presented throughout the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":229,"featured_media":1596345,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[154,225,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1595967","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-athletics-and-recreation","category-athletics-and-student-engagement","category-my-people"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nNC celebrates student-athlete excellence at annual Athletics Banquet | InsideNC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/15\/nc-celebrates-student-athlete-excellence-at-annual-athletics-banquet\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"NC celebrates student-athlete excellence at annual Athletics Banquet | InsideNC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Niagara College recognized the outstanding achievements of its student-athletes during the 56th annual Athletics Banquet, held April 10 at the Stone Mill Ballroom. 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Week Spotlight: EDI Catalyst project strengthens student support and self-advocacy through accessible communication"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As NC celebrates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/edi\/inclusion-week\/\">Inclusion Week<\/a> from April 13-16, members of the College’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Catalyst program are being recognized for advancing initiatives that foster a more inclusive and equitable campus community.<\/p>\n<p>Launched as part of the College’s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/edi\/blueprint\/\">EDI Blueprint<\/a>, the EDI Catalyst program brings together employees from across departments to lead projects that promote equity, diversity and inclusion in meaningful and practical ways, supporting one of the four areas and actions identified in the Blueprint.<\/p>\n<p>For NC Counsellor Yiching Chua, Health, Wellness & Accessibility Services (HWAS), the EDI Catalyst role complemented her existing work supporting racialized students navigating both academic and personal challenges, while also offering an opportunity to contribute to broader change.<\/p>\n<p>“My role as a Counsellor felt complementary to the goals of what the EDI Catalysts were trying to work towards when teaming up with other members of the NC community,” she said. “My role as a Counsellor has been more individually focused; however, often would intersect with systemic challenges.”<\/p>\n<p>She added that becoming a Catalyst helped bridge that gap between individual support and wider institutional impact.<\/p>\n<p>“As a Catalyst, our roles were more intentionally systemic, macro in nature, attempting to support the goals in the various areas of focus,” she said. “I found that part of my role as a Catalyst could help support the systemic work that I encountered in my counselling office.”<\/p>\n<p>Chua’s EDI Catalyst project focused on student experience, with a goal of developing and enhancing consistent structures to support students from equity-deserving communities, while also improving the accessibility and flexibility of academic programming for students with varying life circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>However, she notes that the direction of her project evolved in response to the broader context on campus at the time.<\/p>\n<p>“It took me some time to pinpoint a project that I wanted to focus on,” she said. “During the time where we were tasked with setting up our project was when budgetary restraints were announced at the College. I was mindful of the current climate that we were all facing.”<\/p>\n<p>Through conversations and collaboration with colleagues across the College, her focus shifted toward strengthening student self-advocacy as a key component of accessibility and support.<\/p>\n<p>“Empowering students to self-advocate was a key part in supporting their academic accessibility when life circumstances occurred,” she said.<\/p>\n<p>Working with other members from the HWAS team, Chua helped shape a social media-based initiative designed to share information more intentionally and make supports more visible and accessible to students.<\/p>\n<p>“We decided to be more intentional with our postings, helping students access information in a way to help them learn to be more willing to ask for help and to advocate for themselves,” she said.<\/p>\n<p>The ongoing project continues to evolve, with Chua and her collaborators developing content aimed at increasing engagement and connection with students. Early results have shown increased traffic, follows and interactions, reflecting stronger engagement with the messaging.<\/p>\n<p>She says the work reinforces the importance of consistently embedding EDI principles into everyday communications and student supports.<\/p>\n<p>“EDI work is always important and needs to be continually worked on because we’re human and we have biases,” she said. “The social media project was a positive initiative as it helped our team to be more intentional in the content we were putting out to our NC community.”<\/p>\n<p>At its core, Chua says the initiative is about helping students feel more confident navigating challenges and seeking support when needed.<\/p>\n<p>“The focus on empowering students to advocate for themselves or ask for help when they were met with difficult life circumstances helped them learn how to navigate challenging times,” she said.<\/p>\n<p>She describes the relationships built through the EDI Catalyst program as one of the most meaningful parts of her experience.<\/p>\n<p>“There were so many meaningful aspects of being a Catalyst, like having a role in bringing the EDI Blueprint to life,” she said. “However, the most meaningful aspect of my experience was working with other NC team members.”<\/p>\n<p>She adds that the program helped her connect with colleagues across the College and strengthened her sense of community.<\/p>\n<p>“It was a great way for me to have met different people throughout the College that I wouldn’t have met in my current role,” she said. “Hearing what others were doing on their projects on a regular basis helped me feel a sense of community.”<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, Chua and her colleagues plan to continue developing and sharing meaningful content to support both students and the broader NC community, with a focus on mental health awareness, accessibility, and culturally relevant resources.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As NC celebrates Inclusion Week from April 13-16, members of the College’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Catalyst program are being recognized for advancing initiatives that foster a more inclusive and equitable campus community. 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Week Spotlight: EDI Catalyst project advances inclusive healthcare through immersive learning"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As NC celebrates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/edi\/inclusion-week\/\">Inclusion Week<\/a> from April 13-16, members of the College’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Catalyst program are being recognized for advancing initiatives that foster a more inclusive and equitable campus community.<\/p>\n<p>Launched as part of the College’s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/edi\/blueprint\/\">EDI Blueprint<\/a>, the EDI Catalyst program brings together employees from across departments to lead projects that promote equity, diversity and inclusion in meaningful and practical ways, supporting one of the four areas and actions identified in the Blueprint.<\/p>\n<p>For EDI Catalyst Tina Annett, Associate Dean of the School of Health Sciences, the opportunity to connect beyond her department and expand her perspective was what first sparked her interest in the role.<\/p>\n<p>“My interest in becoming an EDI Catalyst started with me wanting to connect with colleagues outside of my department and broaden my sense of community at the college,” she said. “Having spent all of my career in healthcare, I was looking for opportunities to engage with people outside of my department.”<\/p>\n<p>Annett was particularly drawn to the Blueprint’s emphasis on Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Doing and Being, an area shaped by both her professional and lived experiences.<\/p>\n<p>“I was drawn to the focus on Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Doing and Being, as both my professional and lived experiences have exposed me to the disparities faced by Indigenous populations,” she said. “This motivated me to apply for the role, as I saw it as an opportunity to learn strategies to create a more inclusive and equitable environment.”<\/p>\n<p>Annett’s project brought these intentions to life through an immersive learning experience for students in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/alliedhealth\/program\/paramedic\/\">Paramedic program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1595862 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Tina-Annett-EDI-Catalysr-project.2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"314\" height=\"472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Tina-Annett-EDI-Catalysr-project.2.jpg 183w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Tina-Annett-EDI-Catalysr-project.2-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Tina-Annett-EDI-Catalysr-project.2-90x135.jpg 90w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Using a Canadian-made virtual reality (VR) experience titled <em>This Is Not a Ceremony<\/em>, Annett introduced a 20-minute cinematic piece that challenges participants to confront bias and reflect on Indigenous experiences in healthcare. Unlike traditional teaching methods, the VR experience uses storytelling to prompt emotional engagement and self-reflection.<\/p>\n<p>“It presents a message through an immersive, story-driven format,” she said. “It delivers a narrative centered on Indigenous experiences, challenging participants to recognize that stereotyping and bias persist today while encouraging self-reflection on personal assumptions.”<\/p>\n<p>The project has since been fully implemented into the program’s curriculum. All first-year paramedic students now participate in the VR experience, followed by in-person reflection sessions designed to deepen learning and discussion.<\/p>\n<p>“The outcomes have been very positive,” said Annett. “Feedback from the final survey has been overwhelmingly encouraging, and it has been especially meaningful to hear students share their perspectives and reflect on their learning. This is exactly what I was hoping for.”<\/p>\n<p>For Annett, the work is personal and driven by a responsibility to help shape future healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n<p>“Having had the opportunity to work in remote communities early in my career, I recognize that that work had a huge impact on me and it’s something I have always felt the need to share,” she said. “With NC graduating so many new healthcare practitioners, I believe I have a responsibility to try and help build culturally responsible healthcare practitioners.”<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the project, she says the relationships built through the EDI Catalyst program were one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience.<\/p>\n<p>“The individuals in my group truly brought the ‘I’ in EDI to life,” she said. “Building relationships with colleagues from across the college was fantastic. Through these connections, I learned a great deal from others’ perspectives, experiences, and expertise, and was continually inspired by the work being done across departments.”<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, she hopes the project will continue to grow and reach more areas of the College community.<\/p>\n<p>“My hope is that more areas across the college will adopt this project to help raise awareness of healthcare disparities experienced by Indigenous peoples,” she said. “While the VR experience itself is impactful, the most meaningful learning emerges through the conversations and reflections that follow.”<\/p>\n<p>As Inclusion Week highlights the importance of belonging at NC, projects like this show how experiential learning and connection can inspire reflection, conversation and meaningful change.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As NC celebrates Inclusion Week from April 13-16, members of the College’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Catalyst program are being recognized for advancing initiatives that foster a more inclusive and equitable campus community. 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Launched as part of the College’s EDI Blueprint, the EDI Catalyst program brings together employees from across departments to lead projects […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/15\/inclusion-week-spotlight-edi-catalyst-project-advances-inclusive-healthcare-through-immersive-learning\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"InsideNC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/niagaracollege\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-15T13:00:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-15T15:26:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Para-VR.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"733\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"550\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" 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Awards of Excellence recipient spotlight: Michael Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A model of professionalism, Michael Wales is a compassionate and tactful leader who prioritizes collaboration, mentorship and trust as Niagara College’s Communications Director.<\/p>\n<p>A double alumnus from NC’s Journalism and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/media\/program\/public-relations\/\">Public Relations<\/a> programs, Michael joined the College as an employee in 2000 after working as a print journalist in Niagara, culminating in a spot with a team of Canadian media that spent 10 days in Bosnia with Canadian peacekeeping forces in 1998. He also spent a year as the editor of a mental health magazine.<\/p>\n<p>Having seen the growth of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/communications\/\">Corporate Communications<\/a> department from a one-person shop to a dynamic team of contributors, Michael has been an impactful part of NC’s evolution over his 25-year career.<\/p>\n<p>Whether guiding college communications and media relations, celebrating milestones, or amplifying student and employee achievements, Michael builds bridges between teams and strengthens a culture of community at NC. He also taught part-time in the Journalism program in 2006, sharing his knowledge and skills with the next generation, and is a member of the Leadership Niagara Class of 2018.<\/p>\n<p>Equally as important, his passion for the College has contributed to its positive reputation in the local community and across the sector. He is a valued and trusted voice within the Ontario college system as a member of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.collegesontario.org\/en\">Colleges Ontario<\/a>‘s Communications Advisory Group, a select complement of leaders from the sector who advise Colleges Ontario on communications matters.<\/p>\n<p>Behind the seriousness of the work, Michael’s good humour and his ability to balance professionalism with genuine warmth, makes him a natural leader at the College. His legendary local food recommendations, including his chase for the next best taco, are also appreciated among colleagues.<\/p>\n<p>Congratulations to Michael Wales, NC’s recipient of the 2025 Administration Award of Excellence.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>What does it mean to you to be recognized by your colleagues and the College with this award?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>MW:<\/strong> It means a lot. I’ve spent close to half my life here as a student and an employee and so many of the opportunities I’ve had in life were created or supported by Niagara College. This is also a place where the commitment, experience and talent across all employee groups is really remarkable – to be recognized for excellence at a place that oozes excellence is really humbling.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>You are known as a level-headed, compassionate and good-humoured leader at NC and a respected communications expert in the college sector. How have you built strong relationships in your career?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>MW:<\/strong> Well that’s very kind of you to say. I think the best professional relationships are built on respect, and one of the ways you earn respect is by being respectful. I’ve always tried to be that way towards my colleagues and in my work. I’m not sure if I’d describe myself as an “expert,” but I’ve certainly had the opportunity to develop skills and a broad experience here, while learning from some smart colleagues and great bosses including Dorita Pentesco, Steve Hudson, Pam Skinner and Gord Arbeau.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of your work?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>MW:<\/strong> Leading the best comms team in the college sector. I have the good fortune of working with six women who are talented and seasoned communications professionals, each of whom brings her own unique skill set, experience and perspective to the team. More than that, they’re good people who contribute to an atmosphere of respect, collaboration and kindness that makes it fun to come to work every day. I like to think that our department enjoys a strong reputation across the college and in the community, and that’s something the seven of us have built together.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1595988\" style=\"width: 2010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1595988\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1595988\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team-337x225.jpg 337w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Corporate-Communications-team-810x540.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1595988\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NC’s Corporate Communications team: (left to right) Development Communications Specialist Ana McKnight; Communications Writer Elyse Howarth; Communications Consultant Julie Greco; Director Michael Wales; Communications Consultant Courtney DeCaire; Communications Consultant Jessica Torok; and Communications Coordinator Alyssa Milana.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><strong>What has made NC a special place for you to work and learn through the years?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>MW:<\/strong> Over the course of my career here I’ve attended hundreds of convocation ceremonies. It never gets old, and every ceremony reminds me of why I’m fortunate to be a part of the Niagara College team. It’s the work that we do, collectively, at NC that makes this such a special place – and convocation ceremonies are the culmination of all of our work. Each of us, in our own role and in our own way, contributes to the lives, careers and futures of thousands of students each year. When you’re in a role that isn’t always student-facing, you have to remind yourself of that every once in a while.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Are there memorable moments or milestones that you would like to share from your time at the College?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>MW:<\/strong> Well, years ago there was an annual college-wide Christmas Tree decorating contest. I worked in the marketing office at the time, and we had Graphic Designer (and Niagara College legend) Bob Roach stand on a table in the middle of the office while we wrapped lights around him and covered him in tinsel (apologies to HR if this is the first you’re hearing of it). I think we won first place. The point of this story is that my best memories of Niagara College will always involve the people I’m so lucky to work with, and our ability to take our work seriously without taking ourselves too seriously.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Are there hidden talents or hobbies you have outside of work?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>MW:<\/strong> I play the drums (I’m cooler than I look). I’m also pretty good with a grill and a smoker and I’ve been told I have a gift for 80s music trivia (although some of my colleagues don’t use the word “gift”).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A model of professionalism, Michael Wales is a compassionate and tactful leader who prioritizes collaboration, mentorship and trust as Niagara College’s Communications Director. A double alumnus from NC’s Journalism and Public Relations programs, Michael joined the College as an employee in 2000 after working as a print journalist in Niagara, culminating in a spot with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":151,"featured_media":1595987,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[235,284,183,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1595990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advancement","category-alumni-relations","category-corporate-communications","category-my-people"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>NC Awards of Excellence recipient spotlight: Michael Wales | InsideNC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/15\/nc-awards-of-excellence-recipient-spotlight-michael-wales\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"NC Awards of Excellence recipient spotlight: Michael Wales | InsideNC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A model of professionalism, Michael Wales is a compassionate and tactful leader who prioritizes collaboration, mentorship and trust as Niagara College’s Communications Director. 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Week Spotlight: Carpentry and Renovation alumna builds career and confidence in skilled trades"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As more women enter the skilled trades, NC alumna Olivia VanDenBelt is contributing to a growing presence of women in construction through her work in carpentry, reflecting the diverse paths women are forging in traditionally male-dominated industries.<\/p>\n<p>A 2020 graduate of NC’s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/trades\/program\/carpentry-renovation-technician\/\">Carpentry & Renovation Technician program<\/a>, VanDenBelt says her passion for working with her hands started long before she stepped into an NC classroom.<\/p>\n<p>Growing up on a farm, she was regularly involved in hands-on tasks and quickly discovered she thrived in active, practical environments.<\/p>\n<p>“I grew up on a farm, so I’ve always been exposed to working with my hands and helping my Dad with various tasks around the farm,” she said. “I also grew up playing a lot of sports and was a very active kid, and I knew from a pretty young age that I wanted a job where I was on my feet and active.”<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1595852\" style=\"width: 522px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1595852\" class=\" wp-image-1595852\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260413_Women_In_Construction_Panel_NCC_0315.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" data-wp-editing=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260413_Women_In_Construction_Panel_NCC_0315.webp 825w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260413_Women_In_Construction_Panel_NCC_0315-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260413_Women_In_Construction_Panel_NCC_0315-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260413_Women_In_Construction_Panel_NCC_0315-800x533.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260413_Women_In_Construction_Panel_NCC_0315-540x360.webp 540w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260413_Women_In_Construction_Panel_NCC_0315-338x225.webp 338w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260413_Women_In_Construction_Panel_NCC_0315-180x120.webp 180w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260413_Women_In_Construction_Panel_NCC_0315-810x540.webp 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1595852\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">VanDenBelt speaking to a group of NC students at the Women in Construction panel on April 13. VanDenBelt spoke about her involvement with Women on Site, a network that connects women working across trades, STEM and agriculture.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A high school construction class first sparked her interest in the field, helping to shape her future career path.<\/p>\n<p>“There was a window in our computer lab that looked into the construction shop,” she said. “Every morning when I was supposed to be focusing on my computer, I found myself staring through the window to see what students in the construction shop were building.”<\/p>\n<p>That curiosity led her to take construction classes throughout high school before enrolling at NC, where she says hands-on learning and co-op experience helped lay the foundation for her career.<\/p>\n<p>“Taking the Carpentry & Renovation Technician program at Niagara College provided me with a great base knowledge for a variety of construction tasks,” she said. “Having a co-op as part of the program was also very beneficial to starting my career in the trades… Co-op really helped me get my foot in the door and start my carpentry career.”<\/p>\n<p>That experience quickly translated into employment with DRC Renovations in London, Ontario. Following her co-op placement with Clay Design, Construction & Cabinetry (formally Millennium Construction), VanDenBelt was hired full-time, beginning her apprenticeship in 403A General Carpentry. She completed her Red Seal certification in December 2024 and has since been promoted to lead carpenter.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside her work on the job site, she is also actively involved in supporting other women in the trades. She serves as the London, Ontario chapter host for <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenonsite.ca\/\">Women on Site<\/a><\/em>, a network that connects women working across trades, STEM and agriculture, and also mentors apprentices through the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum.<\/p>\n<p>While she describes her experience in the industry as largely positive, she acknowledges there are still challenges for women working in construction.<\/p>\n<p>“As the only female on job sites, it can sometimes feel isolating, but my co-workers have been very supportive of me and are always willing to help me out,” she said.<\/p>\n<p>She also notes that some challenges have helped her develop stronger problem-solving skills on the job.<\/p>\n<p>“I’m a lot smaller than some of my co-workers, and I can’t lift things the same way they do,” she said. “I have to think about things beforehand, and sometimes figure out another way of lifting or doing something. By taking that extra second to think things through, I’m working more ergonomically, which is very important in the long run.”<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, VanDenBelt believes continued progress in the industry depends on open conversations and meaningful change around workplace supports.<\/p>\n<p>“There’s been a big push for more and better washroom facilities for women on job sites and having smaller sized personal protective equipment available,” she said. “I think continuing these discussions about the barriers women face is incredibly important.”<\/p>\n<p>She adds that employers also play a key role in creating more inclusive environments through practical supports such as flexible work arrangements, maternity planning, and improved access to properly fitting equipment.<\/p>\n<p>For current and future students considering a career in the trades, her advice is this: stay curious, ask questions and take advantage of every opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>“Don’t be afraid to do what you need to get the knowledge and experience that you want,” she said. “Ask lots of questions, be open to learning and trying new things… and don’t be afraid to speak up for what you need.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As more women enter the skilled trades, NC alumna Olivia VanDenBelt is contributing to a growing presence of women in construction through her work in carpentry, reflecting the diverse paths women are forging in traditionally male-dominated industries. A 2020 graduate of NC’s Carpentry & Renovation Technician program, VanDenBelt says her passion for working with her […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":229,"featured_media":1595893,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[284,7,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1595850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni-relations","category-my-people","category-school-of-trades"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Inclusion Week Spotlight: Carpentry and Renovation alumna builds career and confidence in skilled trades | InsideNC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/14\/inclusion-week-spotlight-carpentry-renovation-alumna-builds-career-and-confidence-in-skilled-trades\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Inclusion Week Spotlight: Carpentry and Renovation alumna builds career and confidence in skilled trades | InsideNC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As more women enter the skilled trades, NC alumna Olivia VanDenBelt is contributing to a growing presence of women in construction through her work in carpentry, reflecting the diverse paths women are forging in traditionally male-dominated industries. 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to EDI: Key Concepts course now accessible for NC employees on Brightspace"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Building on the success of the introductory course completed by over 100 NC employees,\u00a0<\/span><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Intro to EDI: Key Concepts<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is now accessible\u00a0as an online module\u00a0via\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=wgrfDvBLjkqQsrP1J5Avubtr0N8O6HFCjhbXqRgXZydUM0g2VjZISklZT1IzOE4wQ0FYRUpZNFhPSS4u\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Brightspace<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, allowing employees to complete it at their own pace.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">“Engagement has been strong, and as we continue to expand EDI learning opportunities at NC, we want to ensure they are as accessible as possible so employees can engage\u00a0with the\u00a0learning in a way that works best for them,” said Brooke Pasco, Workplace Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The module also supports the goals of NC’s\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/edi\/blueprint\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">EDI Blueprint<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to create self-directed\u00a0and self-paced employee resources.\u00a0The course highlights key EDI principles like allyship, inclusive terminology, and significant dates, with the COE team leading its transition from a hybrid to an asynchronous format.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Self-directed, self-paced employee resources are among the actions that support the goals of NC’s EDI Blueprint.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Interested employees may\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=wgrfDvBLjkqQsrP1J5Avubtr0N8O6HFCjhbXqRgXZydUM0g2VjZISklZT1IzOE4wQ0FYRUpZNFhPSS4u\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">register for the\u00a0module\u00a0here<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, which will then add it to the\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">My Courses<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0section of Brightspace.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Those who complete the\u00a0module\u00a0will receive a certificate of completion and learn how to:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"\uf0b7","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Define common terms, including equity,\u00a0diversity\u00a0and inclusion\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"\uf0b7","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Distinguish between intent and impact-focused approaches to EDI\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"\uf0b7","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Situate personal social location and experience in relation to power and privilege\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-list-defn-props=\"{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"\uf0b7","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Identify\u00a0ways to enact equity and inclusion in your daily work practices\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The EDI team would like to thank the Centre for\u00a0Organizational\u00a0Excellence team for their support in transitioning the module from a hybrid to an asynchronous format.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For more information, please contact\u00a0the Equity,\u00a0Diversity\u00a0and Inclusion team at <a href=\"mailto:edi@niagaracollege.ca\" class=\"autohyperlink\">edi@niagaracollege.ca<\/a>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Building on the success of the introductory course completed by over 100 NC employees,\u00a0Intro to EDI: Key Concepts\u00a0is now accessible\u00a0as an online module\u00a0via\u00a0Brightspace, allowing employees to complete it at their own pace.\u00a0\u00a0 “Engagement has been strong, and as we continue to expand EDI learning opportunities at NC, we want to ensure they are as accessible 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to EDI: Key Concepts course now accessible for NC employees on Brightspace"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/","name":"InsideNC","description":"Staff news from Niagara 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with school spirit: NC hosts FIRST Robotics provincial qualifier"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>At Niagara College’s Welland Campus on April 12, a three-team alliance featuring St. Catharines’ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluealliance.com\/team\/1114\/2026\">Simbotics 1114<\/a>, Toronto’s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluealliance.com\/team\/919\/2026\">Panthera Tigris 919<\/a>, and Stoney Creek’s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluealliance.com\/team\/2056\/2026\">Op Robotics 2056<\/a> rose together to claim <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluealliance.com\/event\/2026onwel#rankings\">top honours<\/a> at the <a href=\"https:\/\/firstroboticscanada.org\/frc\/niagara\/\"><em>FIRST Robotics<\/em> Competition<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The unique STEM competition that sees students design, build and battle robots brought together 27 teams from across the province, each made up of 10 to 45 students in grades nine through 12. The teams and their robots battled in the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre, showcasing an impressive level of skill, creativity, and collaboration throughout the weekend.<\/p>\n<div data-carousel-extra='{\"blog_id\":53,\"permalink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.niagaracollege.ca\\\/insidenc\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/13\\\/robots-with-school-spirit-nc-hosts-first-robotics-provincial-qualifier\\\/\"}' class=\"tiled-gallery type-square\" data-original-width=\"660\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item\"><a border=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/13\/robots-with-school-spirit-nc-hosts-first-robotics-provincial-qualifier\/fr11\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1595360\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR11.webp\" data-orig-size=\"733,550\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}\" data-image-title=\"FR11\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR11-300x225.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR11.webp\" style=\"margin: 2px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR11-325x325.webp\" width=325 height=325 title=\"FR11\" \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item\"><a border=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/13\/robots-with-school-spirit-nc-hosts-first-robotics-provincial-qualifier\/fr9\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1595361\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR9.webp\" data-orig-size=\"733,550\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}\" data-image-title=\"FR9\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR9-300x225.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR9.webp\" style=\"margin: 2px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR9-325x325.webp\" width=325 height=325 title=\"FR9\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<p>An enthusiastic crowd of over 900 families, friends and guests gathered in the bleachers as gears whirred, sensors flashed, and the competition heated up. Following rounds of qualifiers on Saturday, top-performing teams carried their winning momentum into Sunday when they formed alliances and combined their strengths in a vie to win the top spot.<\/p>\n<p>During opening ceremonies, NC’s Gord Arbeau, Vice-President of Advancement, announced three scholarships of $1,000 for FIRST Robotics Canada participants in attendance who enroll for 2026-27 in Technology or Trades program with have an average of 75 per cent or higher.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1595427\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1595427\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1595427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Image-23.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Image-23.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Image-23-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Image-23-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Image-23-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Image-23-128x96.jpg 128w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Image-23-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/Image-23-720x540.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1595427\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NC President Sean Kennedy with the St. Catharines team Simbotics.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Niagara College was proud to host the <em>FIRST Robotics<\/em> Competition for the second year, showcasing talented young innovators in STEM, creativity, and problem-solving, closely aligned with our values and our commitment to innovative, hands-on learning programs.<\/p>\n<div data-carousel-extra='{\"blog_id\":53,\"permalink\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.niagaracollege.ca\\\/insidenc\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/13\\\/robots-with-school-spirit-nc-hosts-first-robotics-provincial-qualifier\\\/\"}' class=\"tiled-gallery type-square\" data-original-width=\"660\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item\"><a border=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/13\/robots-with-school-spirit-nc-hosts-first-robotics-provincial-qualifier\/fr4\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1595370\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR4.webp\" data-orig-size=\"413,550\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}\" data-image-title=\"FR4\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR4-225x300.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR4.webp\" style=\"margin: 2px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR4-325x325.webp\" width=325 height=325 title=\"FR4\" \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery-item\"><a border=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/13\/robots-with-school-spirit-nc-hosts-first-robotics-provincial-qualifier\/fr14\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1595367\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR14.webp\" data-orig-size=\"413,550\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}\" data-image-title=\"FR14\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR14-225x300.webp\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR14.webp\" style=\"margin: 2px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR14-325x325.webp\" width=325 height=325 title=\"FR14\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Thanks to all the Niagara College volunteers, including judges Neil Wilkinson, Mitchell Lutz, Maura Lecce, Becky Sciliberto, Mike Sciliberto, and Melissa VanderLelyl; Judge Advisor Dr. Marc Nantel, Volunteer Coordinator, Board of Governor Janet Allan.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1595365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR16.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"733\" height=\"550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR16.webp 733w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR16-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR16-480x360.webp 480w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR16-128x96.webp 128w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR16-180x135.webp 180w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/FR16-720x540.webp 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 733px) 100vw, 733px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Niagara College’s Welland Campus on April 12, a three-team alliance featuring St. Catharines’ Simbotics 1114, Toronto’s Panthera Tigris 919, and Stoney Creek’s Op Robotics 2056 rose together to claim top honours at the FIRST Robotics Competition. The unique STEM competition that sees students design, build and battle robots brought together 27 teams from across […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":141,"featured_media":1595358,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[165,283,149,8,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1595353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-community-relations-and-events-advancement","category-marketing-and-communications","category-my-college","category-school-of-technology"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Robots with school spirit: NC hosts FIRST Robotics provincial qualifier | InsideNC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/13\/robots-with-school-spirit-nc-hosts-first-robotics-provincial-qualifier\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Robots with school spirit: NC hosts FIRST Robotics provincial qualifier | InsideNC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"At Niagara College’s Welland Campus on April 12, a three-team alliance featuring St. Catharines’ Simbotics 1114, Toronto’s Panthera Tigris 919, and Stoney Creek’s Op Robotics 2056 rose together to claim top honours at the FIRST Robotics Competition. 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winning teams at provincial qualifiers at NC for FIRST Robotics 2026."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/13\/robots-with-school-spirit-nc-hosts-first-robotics-provincial-qualifier\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Robots with school spirit: NC hosts FIRST Robotics provincial qualifier"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/","name":"InsideNC","description":"Staff news from Niagara 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Take part in sessions for Inclusion Week April 13-16"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Returning April 13 to 16, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/edi\/inclusion-week\/\">Inclusion Week<\/a> brings together students and employees for its second year, offering a range of opportunities to engage with equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives at Niagara College.<\/p>\n<p>Please note registration is required for some of the sessions so be sure to complete the registration to guarantee yourself a spot. We look forward to connecting with you!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Monday, April 13:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/03\/16\/inclusion-week-women-in-construction-panel-on-april-13\/\">Women in Construction Panel<\/a> <\/strong>(Hybrid; WC) from 1 to 2 p.m. <a href=\"https:\/\/zoom.us\/meeting\/register\/Sw_UL0ZVSD2KmIYLrci-Ow#\/registration\">Register<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tuesday, April 14:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Snoezelen Room Open House<\/strong> (WC in M102) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Indigenous Peoples: True or False<\/strong> (WC in S174) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Zine 101 Workshop<\/strong> (WC in S174) from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=wgrfDvBLjkqQsrP1J5Avubtr0N8O6HFCjhbXqRgXZydUMkQ4UzJSUzZQSUVGV1U3RzY1NE5RRVVUVy4u\">Register<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Wednesday, April 15:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Boccia<\/strong> (WC in Gym A) from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncengage.ca\/edi\/rsvp_boot?id=381752\">Register<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Understanding the Environmental Impacts of AI<\/strong> (Hybrid; DJP-NOTL) from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. <a href=\"https:\/\/zoom.us\/meeting\/register\/FazwztT_Qlyaknz-Im6VRw#\/registration\">Register<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Thursday, April 16<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Boccia<\/strong> (DJP-NOTL in Gym) from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. <a href=\"https:\/\/ca.cglink.me\/2y7\/r381669\">Register<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you have any questions about Inclusion Week, please email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:edi@niagaracollege.ca\">edi@niagaracollege.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Returning April 13 to 16, Inclusion Week brings together students and employees for its second year, offering a range of opportunities to engage with equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives at Niagara College. Please note registration is required for some of the sessions so be sure to complete the registration to guarantee yourself a spot. We […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":141,"featured_media":1589787,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[225,5,30,218,143,45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1589716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-athletics-and-student-engagement","category-campus-update","category-centre-for-academic-excellence","category-edi","category-indigenous-education","category-sustainability"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Reminder: Take part in sessions for Inclusion Week April 13-16 | InsideNC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/13\/join-us-for-inclusion-week-april-13-16-and-help-advance-belonging-at-nc\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Reminder: Take part in sessions for Inclusion Week April 13-16 | InsideNC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Returning April 13 to 16, Inclusion Week brings together students and employees for its second year, offering a range of opportunities to engage with equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives at Niagara College. 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Week Spotlight: Building strength beyond barriers one rep at a time"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Between sets, Frank Hall, a second-term student in NC’s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/justiceandfitness\/program\/fitness-health-promotion\/\">Fitness and Health Promotion program<\/a>, turns to his interpreter to communicate next steps before guiding his client through the movement.<\/p>\n<p>The transition is so seamless it becomes part of the routine.<\/p>\n<p>All around, students are doing the same in the college’s training gym; coaching their clients through sessions built upon individualized plans in a space that blends learning with real-world practice.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1591923\" style=\"width: 402px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1591923\" class=\"wp-image-1591923 \" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233-338x225.jpg 338w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9233-810x540.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1591923\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Frank Hall coaching one of his clients.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>At 42 and a father of four, every training session is a step toward a career where connecting with clients as a Deaf trainer will matter just as much as the workouts themselves.<\/p>\n<p>As Niagara College celebrates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/02\/join-us-for-inclusion-week-april-13-16-and-help-advance-belonging-at-nc\/\">Inclusion Week<\/a>, Hall’s journey underscores how inclusive education can open pathways, especially for students navigating unique challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Now pursuing fitness, Hall continues to build a solid base shaped by multiple complimentary programs. He completed the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/communityservices\/program\/educational-assistance-adult-supports\/\">Educational Assistant – Special Needs Support<\/a> in 2019, working at a group home in Milton in the years leading up to the pandemic. He later returned to the College to study <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/communityservices\/program\/recreation-therapy\/\">Recreation Therapy<\/a>, with a growing focus on supporting others through movement and wellness.<\/p>\n<p>As a Deaf student, Hall approaches communication differently. At the College, he communicates by working with an interpreter named Julia Habig to connect with his teachers, classmates and clients. During personal training with real clients (a core, experiential learning component in the program) Hall’s coaching style pairs physical demonstrations and verbal instruction with an interpreter.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1591926 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"401\" height=\"266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434-540x360.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434-338x225.jpg 338w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9434-810x540.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>“Having Frank in the classroom has been an inspiration to both students and faculty,” said professor Carrie Schachtschneider. “Getting to know him and seeing how he balances the demands of work, family, and his studies has been a true example of dedication.”<\/p>\n<p>Hall notes that he grew up, and continues to live largely, in the “hearing world,” surrounded by hearing people.<\/p>\n<p>“In the real world, I don’t walk around with an interpreter,” said Hall. “I text back and forth, write things down, use captioning glasses. For me, I’m going to bring the skills I’ve learned to fitness, but I’ll have to communicate differently with clients. It’s the same with any skill I learn in that communication is the biggest thing to overcome.”<\/p>\n<p>In addition to an interpreter, Hall says he was able to access captioning glasses through NC’s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/hwas\/services\/accessibility\/\">Accessibility Services<\/a> as part of his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/hwas\/services\/accessibility\/loa\/\">Letter of Accommodation<\/a>, with financial assistance from a grant. With built-in microphones, these glasses use AI to instantly process speech and display it as text for Hall.<\/p>\n<p>“The glasses have been a huge benefit during my placement,” he said.<\/p>\n<p>For co-op, Hall works with high school students at Welland Centennial Secondary School, developing fun, inclusive fitness programming to motivate students who may be disengaged or face barriers.<\/p>\n<p>“A lot of the grade nine students don’t want to do gym, and they feel intimidated, but I want them to know it’s a good place to be,” said Hall. “It’s hard to be a teenager but I try to make it fun, so they want to be there… It’s a great school, I’m lucky to be there and use skills from both my programs.”<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1591924\" style=\"width: 348px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1591924\" class=\" wp-image-1591924\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9299-e1775673511207.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"338\" height=\"250\" data-wp-editing=\"1\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1591924\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Frank demonstrates an exercise for his client.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Hall explains that while new environments can be “jarring” for a Deaf person, his classmates have been quick to warm up to him.<\/p>\n<p>“I taught my class a little bit of sign, specifically what you would use in a gym with a Deaf client,” he said, adding that he would love to see a basic sign class offered at the College.<\/p>\n<p>“Frank consistently approached learning with enthusiasm, eagerly participating in skill-based classes, seeking clarification when needed, and ready to problem-solving when faced with challenges,” said Schachtschneider. “Watching him put all the skills into action with clients has been empowering.”<\/p>\n<p>Juggling family life and part-time work at Mossimo’s Pizza in Fonthill, Hall has taken both the Fitness and Health Promotion, and Recreation Therapy programs at his own pace and will complete them next winter.<\/p>\n<p>Looking to start his career, he knows he would love to work with kids.<\/p>\n<p>“I’ve been advocating for more fitness programming for kids and teenagers.”<\/p>\n<p>To Hall, education is a way for anyone, but especially those with a disability, to improve their life.<\/p>\n<p>“Education should be for everyone, and inclusion means that anyone can have an opportunity to get whatever education they want like I have,” he said. “With an education, you’re going to have more chances, more opportunities. It’s important for anyone but especially those with a disability.”<\/p>\n<p>Alongside strong coaching skills developed through his NC program, Hall brings his lived experience to advocate for more accessible programming and visibility in fitness.<\/p>\n<p>As the end of term nears, Hall and fellow Fitness and Health Promotion students will wrap up with their clients having levelled up their form, technique, and encouraging them to push for one more rep.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1591928 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/53\/2026\/04\/20260402_Frank_Hall_Fitness_NCC_9547.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"385\" height=\"237\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>About NC’s Personal Training Program<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>During the final term of the winter semester, students in the Fitness and Health Promotion program complete a Personal Training course designed to provide hands-on experience. Throughout the term, each student works weekly with two clients, motivating and coaching them toward meaningful fitness progress.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The process begins with client counselling and screening, followed by a comprehensive fitness assessment. Students then lead weekly training sessions tailored to their clients’ goals, concluding with a post-assessment to measure progress and outcomes over the term.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>In 2026, 20 students supported 40 clients in achieving their fitness-related goals through the program. The program will be open to new clients in December 2026. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Between sets, Frank Hall, a second-term student in NC’s Fitness and Health Promotion program, turns to his interpreter to communicate next steps before guiding his client through the movement. The transition is so seamless it becomes part of the routine. All around, students are doing the same in the college’s training gym; coaching their clients […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":141,"featured_media":1591925,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[218,177,7,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1592881","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-edi","category-wellness-and-accessibility","category-my-people","category-school-of-justice-and-fitness"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Inclusion Week Spotlight: Building strength beyond barriers one rep at a time | InsideNC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2026\/04\/13\/building-strength-beyond-barriers-one-rep-at-a-time\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Inclusion Week Spotlight: Building strength beyond barriers one rep at a time | InsideNC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Between sets, Frank Hall, a second-term student in NC’s Fitness and Health Promotion program, turns to his interpreter to communicate next steps before guiding his client through the movement. 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Local: NC Spring BioBlitz featured in weekend roundup"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>NOTL Local posted an article on things to do in Niagara this weekend, including NC’s Spring BioBlitz.<\/p>\n<p>On April 11, community members, scientists and amateur enthusiasts will be brought together at NC’s Daniel J. 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