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Students’ Association hosts its first online chess tournament

The popularity of the Netflix show The Queen’s Gambit lead Allison Barnes, the events programmer for the Students’ Association, to host the SA’s first-ever online chess tournament on Feb.11, 2021. The four-hour afternoon tournament was hosted on the popular chess website Chess.com. The format of the tournament was arena-style, where players could come and go […]

Julien Bernier

Photos: Julien Bernier

February 18, 2021
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:37pm

Photo: Julien Bernier

Chess, usually a game played over the board, was played online for the SA's event. The position on the board pictured here is the queen's gambit declined.

The popularity of the Netflix show The Queen’s Gambit lead Allison Barnes, the events programmer for the Students’ Association, to host the SA’s first-ever online chess tournament on Feb.11, 2021.

The four-hour afternoon tournament was hosted on the popular chess website Chess.com. The format of the tournament was arena-style, where players could come and go as they pleased. The tournament winner would be awarded a chessboard from Canadian company Chess Baron valued at $120.

Barnes says that hosting a tournament on a platform like Chess.com was new to her and so the decision on the format was a test run for a tournament in the future. The format she chose was arena-style and each game was 20 minutes.

Allison Barnes, event host, and events coordinator for the Algonquin college student association mentions the decision to set up the chess tournament was mostly due to influence from watching the Netflix original The Queen's Gambit. — Allison Barnes, host of the tournament mentions that not only did she organize the tournament she also played a few games. Photo credit: Provided by Allison Barnes

Forty-five people registered for the tournament, Barnes says, and of that group, 31 unique users logged in and played some games. As it was arena-style, however, those numbers fluctuated throughout the duration of the event.

“I personally have never played chess or understood it very well and I watched The Queen’s Gambit and it was very interesting,” she said. “And I took up wanting to learn chess myself and I thought it would be a good idea to host a chess tournament.”

Barnes says there were other factors other than The Queen’s Gambit that led her to play chess. She mentions that her dad and boyfriend play chess as well, and that influenced her decision to pick up chess.

The eventual winner of the tournament, Vladimir Vershinin, a network administrator at Algonquin College, says he started playing chess at a fairly young age.

“I started playing chess when I was a child, maybe five years old,” he said. Vershinin had never played any tournaments before. Once the COVID-19 pandemic began, he decided that playing chess online would be a good way to pass the time.

As Vershinin works at the college in person, he says heard about the tournament when he happened to pass by the Algonquin Commons Theatre and there was a television with an announcement for the tournament displayed. Vershinin took home the top prize, ending the tournament with 23 wins.

Donovan Gignac, a first-level electrical engineering technician student, says he found about the tournament through the Student Association website and also when he was at the college.

Like Vershinin, Gignac played chess when he was younger. “I started playing when I was a kid, but I kind of rekindled that passion for it after watching The Queen’s Gambit,” he said. “After watching it a couple of months ago I started playing with my girlfriend whenever I can.”

Donovan Gignac, a first-level electrical engineering technician student, who participated in the tournament, mentions he rekindled his passion for chess after watching Netflix's the Queen's Gambit. — Donovan Gignac mentioned he played a game against someone else named Donovan during the tournament and came out victorious. Photo credit: Provided by Donovan Gignac

Gignac enjoyed the way the tournament was set up, as he was able to come and go as he pleased.

“I thought it was great, you can go in and out of the lobby whenever you wanted, so I had a codes and regulations test,” he said. “I thought it was really easy to sign up, I made note of it. You just had to make an account on Eventbrite, and make an account on Chess.com and you just have to follow the link and follow the student association profile.”

Vershinin explains that the duration of the tournament and also game length may have been too long and would have been okay with two hours and 10 minutes games.

Barnes mentions she would like to organize another tournament in April. A firm date has not been set.

“I still have to work that out,” she said. “I have to look at the exam schedule so I don’t place it in a time where exams are happening.”

Arts & Entertainment | Featured Story

Algonquin college | Covid-19 | Netflix | Student association | Tournament

Julien Bernier

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Club life continues during the pandemic

Although Algonquin clubs are facing challenges with COVID-19, through patience and Zoom they’ve still been able to provide a place for student communities to enjoy each other. But new situations come with new problems. “It’s been difficult to connect to the Algonquin college community to get students to join the club because everything is now […]

Cedfrei Sarmiento

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February 17, 2021
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:37pm

Deena Hassan, the Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour Student Society club leader has created a safe place for members to speak about their stories.

Although Algonquin clubs are facing challenges with COVID-19, through patience and Zoom they’ve still been able to provide a place for student communities to enjoy each other.

But new situations come with new problems.

“It’s been difficult to connect to the Algonquin college community to get students to join the club because everything is now online,” Deena Hassan, club leader of the Black, Indigenous & People of Colour Student Society. “Attracting BIPOC students to the group has been difficult because everyone is remote and it’s hard to connect directly with students.”

Hassan along with Grace Grant had created the BIPOC Club as a space for students of colour where they can feel comfortable enough to share their stories and to talk about anything they want to.

But their conversations aren’t always limited to issues like racism and discrimination.

“For example, yesterday we spent half the time talking about Disney movies and that was a fun time,” she said. “So it’s just a little community for us BIPOC students.”

Although the amount of club members joining may decrease during this time, Brandon Carkner, tabletop RPG club leader has approximately 150 members and has kept a stable flow of students joining the club.

Brandon Carkner, Tabletop RPG club leader has maintained a steady flow of new members. — Brandon Carkner, tabletop RPG club leader, has maintained a steady flow of new members.

“Our club has seen a steady increase in the amount of membership that we have had since last year,” Carkner said. “The bulk of new admissions of membership into the club comes around the beginning of each semester, and after that, there is very little increase in the amount of membership, but I can expect a new member around every five to ten days on average.”

There are many ups and downs in the digital world. Carkner and the tabletop RPG club faced a lack of activity within the club, but they now have become very organized in managing the club.

“With everyone being concentrated to online activity for clubs, this has allowed for people to know exactly where and when to reach the club and its members through our discord and associated emails,” Carkner said.

Melissa Palamar, the leader of the sustainability club has 24 members, 10 to 12 members usually show up, and six actively participate. Palamar believes that a reason for this is that Zoom makes it easy for students to sit back and hide, without the actual participation.

Melissa Palamar, the Sustainability club leader expresses the difficulties they have faced and the progress they have achieved. — Melissa Palamar, the sustainability club leader, expresses the difficulties they have faced and the progress they have achieved.

“Even though they show up a lot, with Zoom it’s easy to turn everything off and stay quiet,” Palamar said.

Like Carkner, Palamar has seen an increase in members joining the club. Palamar expressed her frustration jokingly about how the new batch of members each year reform the club but also why it is important that they do.

“But It’s also part of the reason why we’re building a foundation, so that next year when the new group comes in, they’ve got something to continue on, instead of having to start new,” she said.

Busy schedules have been a prominent obstacle that Palamar’s club has been having.

“Monday’s are our longest days, so we’re in school from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. on Mondays, and we have a meeting right after. So, a lot of us are kind of like ‘we don’t really want to be here right now,'” she said.

And although Zoom problems and busy schedules occur, Palamar and the club have continued to triumph against the unconventional roadblocks their club has dealt with.

“It’s definitely challenging, but we’re getting quite a lot done, so it’s still invigorating and rewarding,” she said.

Featured Story | Life

BIPOC | Club | Zoom

Cedfrei Sarmiento

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Couple Match-Up

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February 17, 2021
Revised: February 23, 2021 10:18am

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Virtual pub night offers students fun, trivia and prizes

Algonquin College held its second pub night event of the year on Feb.9, where students and staff from the college were invited to answer trivia questions about things like television, sports, geography and politics to win a prize. The event was held virtually and about 20 students participated from their homes. Once students arrived with […]

Muna Aden

Photos:

February 17, 2021
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:37pm

Students and staff from the college were invited to compete in a game of trivia to win a prize.

The event was held virtually and about 20 students participated from their homes.

Once students arrived with the Zoom link, they were directed to a website where they would type out a provided code leading them to the trivia page. The trivia game was one round that lasted an hour with 50 multiple choice and short answer questions.

Pub trivia night is an event that only occurs six times this year. So far, two have now passed with the next one happening in March.

For students this is a time where they can network and practice their public speaking and social skills. There is also the potential of winning a $100 gift card to a variety of different stores like Sport Chek, Amazon and Sephora.

Kristoffer Mortensen, a student in the business accounting program, was one of the players who spent the night playing the game. For Mortensen this event was a fun distraction from everything going on in the world.

“I have participated in every SA trivia since September of last year when I began studying at Algonquin and intend to keep playing as long as I am a student,” he said.

Mortensen also walked away with the grand prize of a $100 Sephora or Amazon gift card, as he came in first place with 2631 points. He still isn’t quite sure what to do with his win though.

“I haven’t made any plans for my prize yet,” said Mortensen.

Kat Ottley, who graduated from the public relations program in 2019 and is now an alumni at the college, spent the night hosting the event.

“As an Algonquin College alumni, I feel a duty to connect with the learners of today the way past alumni connected with me while I was enrolled,” she said.

This was only Ottley’s second time hosting the event but her continued involvement with pub trivia night stems from her love for the college.

“I want to continue nurturing my relationship with the college for the entire duration of my career,” she says. “I am thankful for everything Algonquin has done for me and believe in paying it forward.”

The next pub trivia night will happen on March 9.

Arts & Entertainment | Featured Story

Remote | Trivia night | Virtual event, | Zoom

Muna Aden

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Living in residence ‘not bad – just different’ during COVID-19 times

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, many students living on campus are managing well. Currently Algonquin College residence is at 45 per cent occupancy, a drop due to the pandemic which typically is home for up to 1,050 students each term. While the number of students living on campus has gone down, the overall mood of […]

Roberto Iraheta

Photos: Roberto Iraheta

February 17, 2021
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:37pm

Photo: Roberto Iraheta

Dileep Davis, a residence service representative, stands behind the front desk, ready to assist residence students.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, many students living on campus are managing well.

Currently Algonquin College residence is at 45 per cent occupancy, a drop due to the pandemic which typically is home for up to 1,050 students each term.

While the number of students living on campus has gone down, the overall mood of those currently in residence is a positive one.

“The last survey we did in November – we do one every term – the feeling was generally quite positive,” said Sarah Wills, residence service lead at Algonquin College. “They did say they miss their family, they miss their social aspects of things, but at the same time people did say they felt safe and that they understand why the certain restrictions are in place.”

Sebastian Solano, a resident advisor at Algonquin College echoed those sentiments.

“This year has been, you know different – not bad – just different in terms of you can’t see your friends as much, you can’t do group things with people and your friends,” said Solano.

“But in residence overall, even though things like having social distancing, and having to wear masks, residence has done a good job of keeping the social aspect going,” said Solano.

Because social interaction is limited, resident advisors organize and run virtual events specifically for residential students to meet and stay connected with others.

“Some of the events are like crafts, so we provide them with the materials and they can do the craft while we go through the steps over Zoom,” said Solano.

For others having a selected group of individuals works equally as good as a run in with a stranger.

“I got about eight buddies from my hometown that I get to chat and hang with so that’s been good for the most part,” said David Mathers, a bachelor of building science student.

Many of the student support services have remained accessible throughout the pandemic.

“We still have 24/7 front desk staff. If you need any mental health support, or any academic support, or you’re just having a problem with a roommate – all of that support is still there,” said Wills.

As vaccines begin rolling out across the province, Algonquin Student Residence staff will continue taking the appropriate steps needed to protect those living on campus.

“We take all of our guidance straight from Ottawa Public Health, so until they say it’s cool to open up, we are following their guidelines,” said Wills.

Featured Story | News

Algonquin college | Covid-19 | Residence

Roberto Iraheta

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Scriptwriting students help with new animated TVOKids series, Wolf Joe

Algonquin College scriptwriting students spent the latter half of 2020 working to make the January launch of the new animated TVOKids series, Wolf Joe, a howling success. Wolf Joe premiered on Jan. 9, 2021 and follows the adventures of young Joe, an Anishinaabe boy and his two best friends, Nina and Buddy. The three embark […]

Tamara Condie

Photos: Algonquin College script writing interns

February 16, 2021
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:37pm

Photo: Algonquin College script writing interns

Joe, the main character of the Wolf Joe series, and his three friends embark on exciting adventures inspired by tales from his grandfather.

Algonquin College scriptwriting students spent the latter half of 2020 working to make the January launch of the new animated TVOKids series, Wolf Joe, a howling success.

Wolf Joe premiered on Jan. 9, 2021 and follows the adventures of young Joe, an Anishinaabe boy and his two best friends, Nina and Buddy. The three embark on exciting quests to learn about nature and perform good deeds for their Turtle Bay community.

The trio’s ventures in this episodic series draw heavily from Anishinaabe teachings passed down to Joe from his grandfather and put emphasis on the characters’ spirit animals: the wolf, lynx and bear, connecting them to their cultural roots.

Gerald Tripp, chair of the advisory committee for the scriptwriting program at Algonquin College and line producer on Wolf Joe, worked with five scriptwriting students over the course of two semesters in post-production on the series.

“The field-placed students from the scriptwriting program were very helpful in this series,” said Tripp. “I was lucky to have them because each one of them brought their own diverse set of skills, such as graphic art, fundamental writing and researching.”

This series was not Tripp’s first collaborative endeavour with Algonquin College scriptwriting students — for the past 10 years, he has been taking students from the program under his wing.

According to Tripp, the scriptwriting program is high-caliber. He advocates for the field placement option, which gives students an overview of the vast possibilities and opportunities that exist in the industry.

“I remember what it was like to be a student without an overview of the industry, which is why I love giving field placement students experience in areas of the everyday professional production world,” said Tripp.

Tripp believes that this animated series is something for the Algonquin College community to be proud of.

Wolf Joe provides viewers with valuable insight on the Anishinaabe culture.

“You will find fine Algonquin College graduates in all of the best production companies across Canada,” said Tripp.

“Elder Dave Courchene was in a great partnership with the Wolf Joe production team, and his moving comments about the show’s embodiment of the Turtle Island identity reinforce its theme.”

Another Algonquin College community member that played an integral role in the production of Wolf Joe is Kerry Patten.

Patten mentioned that her experience with the college was so fantastic during the completion of her pre-animation diploma in 2017 that she went on to complete a second diploma in illustration and concept art in 2018.

Patten worked on the animation front for Wolf Joe as a production assistant at Big Jump Entertainment — she is originally from the U.K. and has worked on various live-action features such as Game of Thrones, World War Z, and the Fast and the Furious franchise.

When moving to Canada, Patten switched gears from live-action to the animation industry — she has worked on the animation of every episode in the 46-episode series Wolf Joe.

“I had very little experience in the animation pipeline, so my learning curve was huge,” said Patten. “It is a perfect job if you want to learn all about animation, as you really can see how much work is involved in each episode.”

Like Tripp, Patten believes that this show centred on Anishinaabe culture is a great learning avenue for non-Indigenous children.

“Each episode has a great message and is linked to the Seven Sacred Teachings through their spirit animals of the wolf, lynx and bear,” said Patten.

Wolf Joe provided Patten with valuable insight into the world of animation. She is currently in the process of creating her own stop-motion series to eventually be pitched to Wes Anderson’s production company in the U.K.

“Making kids animation is hard work, but it’s also a ton of fun and it is so satisfying to see your name come up in the TV credits,” said Patten.

Arts & Entertainment | Featured Story

Field placement | Scriptwriting | Students

Tamara Condie

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White Ribbon event at Algonquin College sets out to end violence against women

Project Lighthouse at Algonquin College worked in collaboration with The White Ribbon campaign to host an event for men premised on how they can become better allies in ending violence against women and girls. David Garzon, the team leader of community engagement at White Ribbon, hosted a workshop on Feb. 9 that offered students strategies […]

Gabrielle Nadeau

Photos:

February 16, 2021
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:37pm

"The White Ribbon Project challenges culture overall, we aim to create an environment and a community that is safer for everyone," said David Garzon.

David Garzon, the team leader of community engagement at White Ribbon, hosted a workshop on Feb. 9 that offered students strategies about speaking up and taking a stand in ending gender-based violence.

The White Ribbon campaign was started by a pro-feminist group in November of 1991 in response to the École Polytechnique Massacre — a lethal shooting that occurred in 1989 which resulted in the murder of 14 women at an engineering school in Montréal.

“The White Ribbon campaign was created to engage men, raise awareness and speak on the role that men play in this conversation,” Garzon said.

This issue remains important even amidst a global pandemic. Instead of canceling the event, the hosts ran the event virtually.

“We want men to speak up, to be good role models, and to be an example of what healthy masculinity could look like,” Garzon said.

Sexual assault is more common than most would think—over 80 per cent of sexual assault and domestic abuse victims are women according to sexual assault statistics published by Statistics Canada.

“It’s very apparent that men and boys are not as educated on the matter as women and girls,” said Maclean Collins, a business administration (CORE) student at Algonquin College who attended the event. “It would be a step in the right direction if more men and boys provided their support, awareness, and understanding when it comes to these topics.”

It is important men and boys work to remain active allies to the women’s rights community.

“Oftentimes, gender-based violence and sexual violence are seen by our communities as women’s issues— they’re seen as this because they mostly impact females,” Garzon said. “Therefore, they’re only often relevant to women and people of the LGBTQ2+ community.”

Having conversations, stepping out of one’s comfort zone, and understanding the issues women face make room for men to grow as allies.

“Opening up spaces for men to engage in these conversations challenges gender expectations and speaks to the endless possibilities that exist when we step out of the ‘man box,’” Garzon added.

The “man box,” Garzon explains, is a theory based on a specific set of expectations, perceptions, and behaviors society imprints on men.

While the White Ribbon campaign is a great way to become an ally to the women’s rights community and supporting violence against women, there are many other ways men and boys can show their support.

“There are definitely things I learned during this event that I can implement when it calls for it like being watchful of a situation where sexual violence can occur, and act accordingly if need be,” Collins said. “I also learned to be non-judgemental on men’s choices to be more vulnerable, but to rather applaud them for the courage it might’ve taken them to go that route.”

The White Ribbon campaign aims to educate men by engaging them in these conversations on gender-based violence and sexual violence.

“Even though it unlikely as a man to experience this ourselves we need to validate the voices of various women and use that knowledge to change our behavior and how we present ourselves,” Garzon said.

It is important men continue to dismantle toxic masculinity and the “man box” in support of women.

“The event taught me to be understanding and open when it comes to men defying toxic masculinity standards, and also not to be a bystander when it comes to sexual violence against women,” said Collins. “I strongly suggest more men and boys attend events like the White Ribbon project so that they can be more aware of the harsh reality we’re living in.”

Reports can be submitted anonymously through Algonquin College’s counseling services.

For additional resources, go to www.algonquincollege.com/projectlighthouse.

Featured Story | Focus

Campaign | Gender-based violence | Project Lighthouse | Women and girls

Gabrielle Nadeau

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Enrolment for fall 2021 expected to increase, but not to pre-pandemic levels

Algonquin College has seen a rise in enrolment since last year but still has yet to reach their pre-COVID-19 numbers. Enrolment was down 15 per cent for fall 2020, and while the college cannot predict the upcoming fall numbers in these uncertain times, they are sure that it will be higher. “We are not yet […]

Ethan Grove

Photos: Andrea Sternberg

February 16, 2021
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:37pm

Photo: Andrea Sternberg

The bridge connecting Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence to B building.

Algonquin College has seen a rise in enrolment since last year but still has yet to reach their pre-COVID-19 numbers.

Enrolment was down 15 per cent for fall 2020, and while the college cannot predict the upcoming fall numbers in these uncertain times, they are sure that it will be higher.

“We are not yet forecasting our enrolments to be back to where they were prior to the pandemic,” said Chris Janzen, senior vice president academic, during the Algonquin College town hall meeting on Feb. 10.

When asked, during the town hall meeting, about the forecasting for student enrolment this year and next, Janzen said he would hesitate to give specific numbers off the top of his head but knows they are lower than pre-pandemic. He then assured good solid numbers are expected.

“We know that there is a significant demand for our programming from abroad, yet we have a number of difficulties,” said Janzen. “Travel bans, the new restrictions on needing to quarantine in a government-approved hotel after coming into one of three airports, any number of challenges.”

During the ongoing pandemic travel has been made very difficult. International students must consider the Canadian-enforced travel restrictions as well as those of their own countries.

According to the 2018-19 annual report, Algonquin College saw, over 3,000 international students from more than 100 countries. This was a 42 per cent increase from the previous year.

“This coming spring is very strong,” said Laura Stanbra, vice president of student services, during the town hall meeting. “In terms of new programs being launched that is offsetting some of the challenges we are having with our international students who may have barriers coming here.”

While Janzen and Stanbra believe that the upcoming enrolment is strong, they do specify that it does not mean the college will be seeing the same enrolment numbers as they had before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our enrolments went down significantly during this past year,” said Janzen. “A drop in enrolment by approximately 15 per cent that has caused a great deal of challenges. When we say we’re looking good for next year that doesn’t mean we’re going to be fully recovered to pre-COVID numbers.”

Janzen said that it could take the college about three years before they begin seeing enrolment numbers at the same level they saw before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are doing well within the College Ontario system,” said Stanbra. “We are actually often at the very top or top three of how we’re performing, both in applicants and converting those applicants into confirmed students at the college.”

Featured Story | News

Covid-19 | Enrolment | Fall 2021

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Trump impeachment blocked as not enough Republican Senators vote against former president

INTERNATIONAL NEWS BBC: Trump’s impeachment trial rolls out with Democratic prosecutors showing new unseen images of the riot attack on the Capital. Trump’s lawyers and supporters in the Senate are arguing that it is unconstitutional to put a private citizen through this process. For Trump to be convicted 17 Republican Senators will have to go […]

Tanner Reil

Photos:

February 16, 2021
Revised: February 16, 2021 4:03pm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

BBC: Trump’s impeachment trial rolls out with Democratic prosecutors showing new unseen images of the riot attack on the Capital. Trump’s lawyers and supporters in the Senate are arguing that it is unconstitutional to put a private citizen through this process. For Trump to be convicted 17 Republican Senators will have to go against the former president, which did not happen as the Republican Party in the Senate sided with trump, blocking the impeachment conviction.

NATIONAL NEWS

Global News: Newfoundland and Labrador election officials have cancelled in-person voting, opting for mail-in ballots, due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. The entire province has been moved into Alert Level 5, the highest level of their pandemic plan. Over 200 new cases have been reported, largely centered around the St. John’s metropolitan area. The more infectious United Kingdom B.1.1.7. variant of the virus is behind the sudden spike in infections, according to Chief medical health officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald.

LOCAL NEWS

CBC: As the province’s stay-at-home order will be lifted in Ottawa and other surrounding areas this week, the city looks at a reopening plan. As of Tuesday, gyms, restaurants and hair salons will reopen in Ottawa following specific COVID-19 safety guidelines. Public and lane swims at select pools, aqua fitness programs, weight and cardio rooms, sport activities and older adult programming are also set to resume on Tuesday, as the city moves out of lockdown. People may also begin engaging in outdoor sports such as hockey on rinks—indoor arenas are set to reopen Saturday, Feb.20—, although, limits of 25 skaters at larger outdoor rinks and 12 at smaller rinks remain.

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Virtual personal training sends fitness and health promotion students back to basics

Lockdown measures imposed by the government of Ontario have forced the health and fitness promotion program at Algonquin College to think outside the box when it comes to how they offer their personal training. Personal training is usually conducted in person as part of a six-week-long assignment for the level-four students in the health and […]

Julien Bernier

Photos: Provided by Renee Pierre Tremblay

February 16, 2021
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:37pm

Photo: Provided by Renee Pierre Tremblay

Renee Pierre Tremblay, 34, is a professor in the health and fitness promotion program.

Personal training is usually conducted in person as part of a six-week-long assignment for the level-four students in the health and fitness promotion program.

This semester, Renee-Pierre Tremblay, a professor in the health and fitness promotion program, has had to figure out a way to allow her students the ability to develop a new skill while refining previously acquired skills.

Tremblay decided the best way for the students to complete their projects would be to do it virtually through Zoom.

In order for a client to be deemed eligible, they have to ensure that they have no underlying health conditions that would prevent them from training rigorously.

Tremblay put together a form that the client would have to sign electronically and send back to her in order to proceed.

During a typical academic, Tremblay explains, personal training starts in level three, which would have been fall 2020. Due to the current global circumstances, however, the way the students conduct the project had to be altered for a virtual setting.

“It does accompany new skills when looking at the instructional side of things,” Tremblay said. “Typically, we give back feedback or queuing or touch, or we use our bodies to talk. Now, it’s different.”

Tremblay explained that the fall semester was an introduction to personal training, so the former level-three students were paired with level-one students to learn the new skills required to deliver personal training in a virtual setting.

This semester Tremblay’s level four students were assigned two clients — most of which were faculty or administrative staff at the college. Tremblay would assign one client, and the students were responsible for finding their second client.

This project takes place over six weeks; the student takes their clients through a training session, typically comprised of a warmup, workout, cool down and stretches.

Callista Fong, a level-four student in the fitness and health promotion program, says initially virtual personal training took some getting used to. In the beginning, it was a new concept.

This semester, however, Fong has found it to be much easier.

“Basically, the first client was assigned to me by Renee,” Fong said. ” I’ve finished all the required training sessions, and the second client, my husband, I will give the last training session to this coming Sunday.”

Other students have not found the adjustment so simple. Yet Elizabeth Williams, a level-four student, believes virtual personal training is possible and she is doing it with one of her clients.

Elizabeth Williams, a fourth level health and fitness promotion program student that is conducting virtual personal training. — Elizabeth Williams is a fourth-level health and fitness promotion program student who is conducting virtual personal training. Photo credit: Provided by Elizabeth Williams

Because of the hands-on nature of personal training, Williams has found a way to exercise both skills by training her roommate.

Williams mentions that lack of equipment has certainly presented its challenges but has found ways to work around it, whether it be a backpack with canned goods, or other household items in order to emulate certain varieties of exercises.

“There are some exercises that are really good doing bodyweight, like push-ups or planking,” Williams said. “But with equipment, my client and I thought of filling a backpack with a certain amount of cans and doing squats or rows.”

“I’ve had the experience of having a client who has a full-on home gym,” she said. “But also, the client I’m working with now has zero equipment, so I’ve had to think about what I’m going to do.”

Catherine Link-Henniger, a professor of English and computer science at Algonquin College, explains that she applied for virtual personal training to allow her to remain active despite already living a very active lifestyle.

“I heard about it in an email through my college email,” Link-Henniger said.

Catherine Link-Hanniger, a professor of English and computer science at Algonquin College, is a client of one of the fourth level students and is enjoying the simplicity of the training offered. — Catherine Link-Hanniger, a professor of English and computer science at Algonquin College, is a client of one of the fourth-level students and is enjoying the simplicity of the training offered. Photo credit: Provided by Catherine Link-Hanniger

With times being as uncertain as they are, the students, professors, and clients have had to simplify their approach.

“Being in the same sort of level, it’s just brought the simplicity back to what we have at hand,” said Link-Henniger. “We were so accustomed to being able to go to a gym and have an array of different equipment available.”

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