Welcome Class of 2023!
UW Optometry Orientation Week: September 3-14, 2019
Please use the menu bar above or scroll down to view important info, including the O-Week schedule, registration, important dates, and much more!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Welcome to UW Optometry!
You’ve worked hard to be here and we’re so happy to welcome you into our optom family! Get ready to make some of the best friends of your life and learn all there is to know about optometry. The Orientation Committee has been working so hard to make your O-Week the best yet, and we cannot wait to meet you all.
While you’re not-so-patiently waiting for O-Week to start, feel free to browse this website for any information regarding the week. If you have any questions, please feel free to either e-mail us, message us on Facebook, or post in your Facebook group, and we'll be happy to answer (please see "Contact Us" section).
Love,
Jessica, Nicole, and Celine
Your O-Week Co-Chairs
FORMS & DUE DATES
*You need to pay the minimum registration fee ($130) to participate in any student-organized events (YELLOW on schedule), and receive a welcome goodie bag & O-Week T-shirt. School-organized events (BLUE on schedule) are at no extra cost.
*AUGUST 1, 2019 Registration form and Big Sib Match-Up survey must be completed *AUGUST 15, 2019 O-Week cheques must be received at the School Cheques (payable to "University of Waterloo Optometry Orientation Committee") must be mailed: University of Waterloo Optometry Orientation Committee University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science 200 University Ave. W. Waterloo ON, N2L 3G1
EVENT SCHEDULE
EVENTS
Tight & Bright Bowling
There's no better way to get to know your optom peers than through a little competition. Come out for a fun night of bowling, and don't forget to wear tight and bright clothing! Please bring extra money if you want to buy any food or drinks!
Social Mixer Event
Last year it was an arcade bar... this year it's a night of dancing, video games, and ping pong at Ace Ping Pong Lounge! Pizza will be provided and drinks will be available for purchase.
Big Sib BBQ
Get ready for one of the best nights of O-Week! Your Big Sib should tell you where their BBQ is being held. You will get the opportunity to mingle with a few of your classmates and second years... AND they feed you!
Pub Night
After the BBQ comes the pubs! Your entire class will meet at Huether Hotel, and then head over to Chainsaw for some karaoke. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know your classmates better and (try to) learn most of their names! It's also a great way to meet some upper years. Free cover and drink tickets provided!
Canada's Wonderland
This is definitely a class favourite. Rise and shine early in the morning to spend a full day at Canada's Wonderland, home of Canada's largest roller coasters and many other exciting attractions. Lunch will not be provided but feel free to bring one with you or buy one at the park!
Mystery Trip
The name says it all: hop on the bus and prepare to be taken to a mystery location! Last year the trip was a visit to Niagara Falls, but this year it is a completely new trip! Feel free to bring snacks on the bus, but dinner will be provided for everyone. This is definitely an event you don't want to miss out on!
CAOS Talk
The Canadian Association of Optometry Students will give you an introduction to the association and all of their initiatives!
Kick-Off Semi-Formal
Get dressed up with your classmates and fellow optometry students and attend the Kick-Off Semi Formal! It's a fun time dressing up with your new optom family and dancing the night away.
O-WEEK COMMITTEE
Nicole Chau
Co-Chair
Hey Class of 2023! My name is Nicole and I'm from Newmarket, Ontario and graduated from Mac Health Sciences with a minor in economics. Deciding on optometry was easily one of the best decisions made. I love singing and playing guitar, and performing on the rare occasion! I also enjoy watching Youtube videos! I'm so excited to plan and get involved in O-Week this year, as it is such a FUN time to meet new people and create new memories. My favourite events last year were Semi and the Big Sib BBQ! Looking forward to seeing you all this September :)
Jessica Wong
Co-Chair
Hi Class of 2023! My name is Jessica and I'm from Markham, ON. I studied Biomedical Science during my undergrad at the University of Waterloo. When I'm not studying, I love baking, bullet journaling, watching puppy videos, taking naps, and getting involved with clubs on campus! My favourite O-Week events were definitely the Big Sib BBQ and Pub Night. I'm so excited to be a part of the team organizing your O-Week and I hope you're all excited too! Congrats again and I can't wait to meet you all in September!
Celine Pitre
Co-Chair
Hey everyone and welcome to the optom family! My name is Celine, I'm from Stoney Creek, Ontario, and I graduated from Medical Sciences at Western. I enjoy cuddling with my dog, watching terrible reality tv shows, and spending time with my friends whether that be a night in playing card games, or a night out dancing! My favourite O-week events were semi-formal and the Big Sib BBQ. I hope you guys have an amazing week getting to know your classmates and enjoy all the events we have planned for you! Can’t wait to meet you all in September!
Yvonne Au
Sponsorship
Hi friends! My name’s Yvonne and I’m from Richmond Hill, Ontario. When I’m not in Napville, you’ll find me playing the piano, binge watching Netflix shows or lounging around bbt shops. I absolutely loved the Big Sib BBQ and I can’t wait for you guys to see what we have planned for you!
Lena So
Sponsorship
Welcome Class of 2023! My name is Lena, and I’m from Markham, ON. I enjoy traveling, working out, trying new food, and obsessing over dogs. My favorite O-week event was the Big Sib Barbecue/Pub Night. Can’t wait to meet you all!
Sarah Emmons
Sponsorship
Hey first years, my name is Sarah Emmons. I’m from Kelowna BC and when I’m not busy with school, I spend my time hiking, going on road trips, baking, and I like to spend time with my family and friends. One of my favourite hobbies is travelling. My favourite event of O-Week was the Mystery trip!
Josh Barnes
Finance
Hi First Years, welcome to the Optometry fam!! As you can see, I have no pictures of myself so photography is not one of my greatest skills. But, I am a HUGE Raptors fan and I am absolutely loving the playoff run this year so this picture with Jack Armstrong seemed fitting. I took my undergrad in Life Sciences at Queen's. Outside of school, I enjoy playing sports and basically anything that involves having fun with friends. My favourite event from O-week was the Big Sib BBQ! Super excited to meet you all in September!
Senuri Aponso
Finance
Hi! My name is Senuri and I’m from Toronto! I did my undergrad in McMaster in Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour. I love baking, reading good books and sharing yummy food with friends. My favorite O-week event was the Big Sib BBQ because I got to meet LOTS of other first years and form memorable bonds with them!
Lauren Lesage
Finance
Hi, my name is Lauren! I grew up in Kitchener, and did my undergrad at Waterloo. I like to play and watch sports, read, and hang out with friends. My favourite o-week event was the big sib bbq!
Karley Brooking
Events
Hey, welcome to optom! I’m Karley, and I’m from Halifax, Nova Scotia. I like running, petting dogs, hiking and finding new places to go out to eat. I hope you’re excited for O-week! My favourite events last year were the pub night and big sib bbq. I can’t wait to meet you in September! :)
Betty Chen
Events
Hi guys! My name is Betty, I’m from Markham, Ontario and went to Queen’s University for my undergrad. I love travelling, trying new food, corgi’s, and Youtube. My favourite o-week event was the big sib BBQ/pub crawl. It was a great opportunity to meet the upper years and get to know your class. Have a lit summer and I can’t
Brooke Hill
Events
Welcome to the optom fam! My name is Brooke and I’m from Regina, Saskatchewan. I did my undergrad south of the border in Illinois while playing my favourite sport - golf! In addition to sports, my other favourite things are the outdoors, good eats, and of course, wine! All of these are made better with my friends and family. My favourite O-week event was the Big Sib BBQ & Pub Night!
Eric Leung
Events
Hello there. My name is Eric Leung and I’m from Newmarket, ON. I did my undergrad here at the University of Waterloo for Biomedical Sciences. In my free time I enjoy reading novels, games, movies, and picking heavy stuff up followed by putting heavy stuff down. Favourite event from last year’s O-week was the big sib bbq + bar – lots of good memories there. I-ris you all enjoy O-week as much as I did!
Jasper Wong
Events
Hello Class 2023! My name is Jasper, and I’m from Richmond Hill, Ontario. My hobbies include cooking, gaming and watching anime. My favorite O-week event was the mystery trip. Look forward to meeting you all!
Pam Libfield
Events
Hey first years!! We are all so excited to meet you and welcome you into the optom fam! I live in Thornhill, Ontario (basically Toronto) and went to Western University where I studied chemistry. I grew up dancing and continued to dance on one of Western’s competitive dance teams, TIL, throughout my undergrad! My favourite o-week event was definitely the Mystery Trip!
Nirmala Dewi
Events
Hi class of 2023! My name is Lala and my passions include eating out, travelling, and lifting. Youre going to have so much fun in O week! My favourite events were the big sib/little sib BBQ and semi formal.
Juan Giraldo
Events
Aye first years! My name is Juan and I’m from Vaughan, Ontario (yes, that rhymes). I love playing soccer and making music in my spare time. My favourite O-week event was the Big Sib BBQ because it’s a good way to “meat” your fellow classmates.
Vaness Ho
Events
Hey lil sibs! My name is Vaness and I'm from Aurora, Ontario. When I'm not studying, you'll probably find me online shopping, hitting the gym, planning for vacation, or watching Netflix. My favourite O-Week event was the Big Sib BBQ/ Pub Night. Get ready for a fun O-Week and welcome to the family!!!
Oskar Shura
Events
Hey HEY Class of 2023!! My name is Oskar and I’m from a tiny town in Ontario called Mississauga, where I did my undergrad in life sciences at UTM. We’re SO excited to meet you guys in September, and we have so many planned events to ease you guys in :) Outside of school, I love doing anything active, such as sports, dancing, or TRAVELLING. My favourite event was the Pub Night, where I’m one of the leaders helping to plan it!! So get PUMPED, can’t wait to see everyone soon :)
Daniel Napierski
Events
Hey class of 2023, welcome to the family! My name is Daniel and I'm from Mississauga, Ontario. When I have free time I enjoy working out, playing soccer, hiking and trying new restaurants. My favourite O-Week event would have to be Pub Crawl which I'm helping organize this year. I'm looking forward to meeting you all in September!
Cole Sutherland
Events
Hey class of 2023! My name is Cole, and I am from Brandon, MB. In my free time I like to watch Netflix, play intramural sports, and hang out with my friends. My favourite O-week event last year was the big sib BBQ/pub night. I hope you are all really excited, O-week is going to be a blast!
Cedrick Mah
Events
Hi everyone, my name is Cedrick and I did my undergrad studies at the University of Alberta, specializing in immunology and infection. I definitely miss going hiking on the weekends and enjoying nature in my spare time, but in Waterloo my spare time is usually spent looking at pug memes & crying, making study schedules instead of studying, at AYCE, or regretfully at the gym – (I like to tell people that I go to the gym in hopes that it will motivate me to go regularly… but it hasn’t worked yet). I’m passionate about advocating for the future of optometry and how we can make a larger impact in our communities, so I’m often running around with CAOS events as well. Nevertheless, I’m so excited to meet you all and welcome you to the optom family! One interesting fact about myself is that I eat kiwis with the skin on, mostly because I find it more efficient – don’t judge me on this because I will fight you. My favourite O-week event would have to be the big sib BBQ and bar crawl (from what I can remember anyways).
Victoria Bajorek
Events
Hi new optoms! My name is Vicky and I’m from Brampton, Ontario. In addition to eyeballs, I also love travelling, rock climbing, cats, and anything outdoorsy. My favourite and most memorable O-Week event was definitely the Big Sib BBQ and Pub Night. Get excited!
CONTACT US
- Feel free to contact us through the form, by email, posting on the Facebook group, or messaging any of the Co-Chairs on Facebook!
