2025 Photo Contest Winners Announced!

• One photo submission per category, per employee (four photos maximum per employee).
• Amateur photos only (photos should clearly meet category criteria).
• Maximum size: 10MB.
• Use the following naming convention for each photo you submit: [category]_[last name]; e.g. A_Smith; B_Smith; C_Smith; D_Smith.
• Provide a photo caption describing your photo (maximum of 100 characters).
• Submit photos between June 23 - September 19.
• Submit photos along with a caption throughout the contest period to wellnessatwork@ontariotechu.ca .

First Place: Nancy Mak

"The pandemic and other challenges have made me treasure time with loved ones even more. The women in this photo are my aunt and cousin. We live on different continents, but this summer we reunited in one city. Connecting in person, sharing meals, and even doing simple things like grocery shopping or riding the bus together felt truly precious."

Second Place: Nick Gauld

"Some of my favorite beings all in one photo: my wife, her grandma, and one of our dogs on a rocky beach in Nova Scotia. Every summer, we head down to Nova Scotia to spend time with family and get our daily dose of the cold Atlantic. I’ll always be grateful for those moments with the people I love in my favorite place in the world."

Third Place: Lauren Crawley

"My mother, sister and I went on a much needed girls trip this summer to Ste. Anne’s Spa. It was such a wonderful way to slow down and really connect with them, and recharge our batteries. I will always be thankful for quality time with family."

First Place: Cherly Lumley

"I watched the September Corn Moon rise at dusk while sitting on a shore at Killbear provincial park.  So peaceful and calming; one of my most mindful moments of summer 2025! The colors, clouds, and sounds of nature were extremely beautiful!"

Second Place: Cassidy Dawson

"My happy place is the cottage, it doesn’t have wifi so it’s a great place to disconnect and reconnect with loved ones, focus on a good book, kayak, chat with family by the fire, etc. All in all, relax and unwind, be in the moment and remember why we’re all here in the first place."

Third Place: Anita Krupa

"The view from my Nonna’s home in Vinci as the sun begins to set.  Vinci is a small town in Tuscany and the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci"

First Place: Cheryl Lumley

"My Frenchie, Gemma,  became curious and motherly when we brough home our new baby chicks in the spring.   She was very gentle and never too far away from them as they grew.  Now that the chickens have moved to the coop Gemma still visits them daily!."

Second Place: Nick Gauld

"SEA MONSTERS! Just kidding… those are my dogs Juniper and Arwin loving her time at the beach. They both love spending hours on the beach digging holes, finding calms, and jumping in the waves. I love being able to provide my dogs with a chance to explore new places and make their lives an adventure. "

Third Place: Anita Krupa

"Kevin’s made himself comfortable but he’s mixed the darks and the lights!!"

First Place: Nick Gauld

" After taking a break from climbing earlier this summer for medical reasons, I’m thrilled to be back on the wall, climbing better than ever. Here’s me on one of my favorite current routes at the gym, a dynamic one with lots of jumps. Being able to climb gives me that weekly adrenaline boost, helps push my comfort zone, and be a part of a great community. "

Second Place: Andrew Lee

"I believe I can fly !!!!.  In the pool before work to destress and get ready for the day. "  

Third Place: Cassidy Dawson

"Growing up, I loved reading. I was known to take out two bags of books from the library at a time. As I started working full-time, I thought I couldn’t find the time to read as much and focused on other commitments. In the last few years, I’ve committed to reading again and recently joined the Ontario Tech book club, this re-ignited my passion and allowed me to step away from screens, be imaginative again and chat with friends about books! "