Just For the Health of It Photo Contest
People, Places, Pets and Peers
To support the university’s commitment to a healthy workplace, the university’s Healthy Workplace Committee (HWC) offered all employees the opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable people, cherished places, beloved pets and peers that have brought you joy, comfort, and/or solace.
Over the summer months, several photos were submitted and the Healthy Workplace Committee would like to thank those that contributed to this annual event. Although not all photos could be selected as winners, each one tells a unique story of cherished moments, beloved pets, and the remarkable people and places that bring us joy, comfort, and solace.
Click on the tabs below to view winning photos!
- 'People' Category Winners
- 'Places' Category Winners
- 'Pets' Category Winners
- 'Peers' Category Winners
First Place: Tracey Castano
"My family and I rent a cottage every summer for a week, and as the tradition stands we take a family photo on the dock. We enjoyed a relaxing week in Burks Falls making meals together, playing lots of games, and of course enjoying the lake."
Second Place: Stephen De Wit
"I wanted to share a picture that captures a truly joyful moment with two of my favorite people, Keka and Jennifer.
This was taken just after Jen hilariously slipped into a mud puddle during one of our hikes, and our friend Bonnie managed to snap the perfect shot at just the right time.
This moment is especially meaningful to me, not only because of the amazing people in it but also because it was experienced in one of our favorite natural spots. It was one of those rare opportunities to let our hair down (even though I don't have a lot these days, lol) and laugh till we cried."
Third Place: Jennifer Kessell
"Linton’s Farm, enjoying family time, laughter, the outdoors and picking/eating strawberries."
First Place: Lana Pickering
"Took this on the Isle of Skye, was we climbed up to the Old Man of Storr. This was a trip taken as part of my ancestral search. Isle of Skye was one of many places this search took me and I would go back in a heartbeat. Scotland in general is beloved to me."
Second Place: Cheryl Lumley
"My son, Luke, enjoying our first evening of camping and swimming at Inverhuron Provincial Park, on the east coast of Lake Huron. I enjoyed watching him build an Inukshuk as the sun set while listening to the waves crash into the shore. The sunsets here are stunning!"
Third Place: Samantha Woitzik
"This was a Mountain biking trip I took with my girlfriends in Quebec City. On a rainy day, we hit Quebec City and rode our bikes along the St Lawrence river for the morning and happened to find this cool set up for a picture scene. So I grabbed my bike and hauled it up on the platform to create an image of me with wings riding a bike! Sometimes riding my bike, I feel like I’m flying. 😉It was an amazing trip overall which helped me relieve my stress level and focus on the more important things, my health and well-being."
First Place: Anita Krupa
"My dog Kevin living his best life at our cottage on Davis Lake. The sun is setting and that means his wildlife patrol shift is almost over, he’ll sleep well knowing he kept his family safe."
Second Place: Cheryl Lumley
"My French bulldog Gemma and I enjoying a relaxing sunset at Inverhuron Provincial Park after taking a nature stroll along the wooded trails. The smile on her face made my day!"
Third Place: Jennifer Kessell
"Never too old to enjoy a spa day! Charlie is 11 years young, and his joy is infectious."
First Place: Isabel Savransky
"The curling tournament this year was a great opportunity to bond with my coworkers outside of the office."
Second Place: Cassidy Dawson
“Can’t spell Ontario Tech U without U + I”
Third Place: Emmeline Meens Miller
"This is an image of me and my colleague at an event on campus about data driven decisions for mid-sized cities. This individual has taught me about perseverance, kindness, grace, and intelligence. A true role model."
2024 Submissions
We appreciated all of the photo contributions and wish to share additional submissions from our university community in the gallery below!
Are you interested in finding out more about how People, Places, Pets and Peers help promote overall well-being?
Take a closer look into the powerful ways that People, Places and Pets contribute to enhancing your well-being. Explore the influence of connections with others, the restorative powers of natural environments, the remarkable benefits of pet companionship, and the support provided by your peers. Explore these four categories and unravel the secrets to cultivating a fulfilling and balanced life.
People
Discover the profound impact that close connections with people can have on promoting overall well-being. In this comprehensive document, LifeWorks provides valuable insights and practical tips on how to foster meaningful relationships, cultivate a support network, and nurture emotional bonds.
Places
Immerse yourself in the healing power of nature. Watch this captivating video that explores the mental health benefits of spending time in natural environments. From reducing stress to enhancing mood and boosting creativity, nature has a transformative effect on our well-being. Experience the wonders of nature by watching this video.
Pets
Unleash the joy and well-being that comes with owning a pet. This enlightening video dives into the numerous ways pets positively impact out mental, emotional, and physical health. From providing companionship to reducing loneliness and stress, discover why pets are truly our faithful allies in promoting overall well-being.
