CREDIT: STEPHEN ECHAVIA
Fanshawe Student Union President Adam Gourlay (left) and Fanshawe College President Peter Devlin (right) presented Sabrina Dent with a College Student Alliance Leadership Scholarship.

Health Sciences student Sabrina Dent was awarded a $1,000 leadership from the College Student Alliance (CSA) on February 15 for her continual involvement on- and off-campus.

CSA is a student advocacy organization in Ontario that brings student organizations from across the province together to talk about what they want in student government.

The organization's annual Leadership Award is given to a student who is well rounded.

“CSA Leadership Award is basically [for] a student [who] does well grade-wise, is very involved in the community, has the right attitude, always helps others, is just a good voice for students,” said Adam Gourlay, president of the Fanshawe Student Union. “It was very cool for Sabrina because she got to receive the award from [College President] Peter Devlin and myself.”

Dent wasn't sure why she was chosen at first, but upon closer examination, she realized she possessed exactly what CSA was looking for.

“I guess because of my willingness to put myself out there without knowing what I'm going to be doing, but willing to learn from it,” she said. “Wanting to help people while maintaining a good academic record.”

Being in a demanding program doesn't make it easy for her to stay involved, however, Dent finds herself on the Student Administrative Council (SAC) board and volunteering wherever she can.

“It's hard to get in [to Dental Hygiene], and it's hard to stay in,” she explained. “Being on SAC, I've been able to balance life after with scheduling ... You can't let things fall behind or else your life turns into turmoil.”

Dent has enjoyed being involved with CSA and said it's been beneficial.

“It's been a real eye-opener,” she said. “Being involved can turn the wheels and make it all go together. I've really grown as a person from it ... learning all sorts of aspects as opposed to just sitting in a classroom all day. Getting involved on campus… you don't feel bored.”

She encouraged students try to get involved.

“It'll make your time more valuable because you'll feel important, and when you help others, you get a sense of accomplishment,” she said. “You meet lots of new people [you] would never have met before ... and it's an awesome resume builder.”

The scholarship will be helpful in her academic career and beyond.

“It's part of an overall excellent college career, but it's also good for my personal life because it encourages me to keep volunteering for things,” she said. “I didn't do it expecting to get an award out of it. It will hopefully encourage me and other people to keep doing good for others.”

Both Dent and Gourlay encourage students to get involved, it could pay off in the end.

“With the co-curricular record, we can now put things we do outside of the classroom and it will help people find jobs better,” said Dent. “Employers look for people who stand out on things that you don't learn in the classroom.”

“If you're a SAC rep, a club president ... If you're involved in these different things as a student and you take a leadership perspective ... you can show a verified [co-curricular record] to an employer,” said Gourlay. “Pay attention to the posters — we're always looking for volunteers. It's not hard to get involved.”