Yearbook

Eternal Optimists

This year’s winning Baxter Ambassadors are a diverse mix of students of different ages, backgrounds, and ambitions, but the one thing this group of graduates has in common? Optimism. Something we all need a little more of right now.

The only program of its kind in Canada, the Baxter Student Ambassador Program (BSAP) identifies the very best emerging talent from travel, tourism, and hospitality programs across the country. Based on a combination of academic success, leadership skills, community involvement, and a mock interview, one student from each of this year’s 15 participating colleges and universities is selected as the winning Baxter Student Ambassador to represent their school.

While our 15 winning Ambassadors may be ready to take on the world, the world isn’t quite ready for them yet. But not even a pandemic’s moratorium on travel is going to deter this group of graduates. They’re sticking to their career ambitions like Centennial College’s Angiela Maenel Menguita who dreams of owning her own travel agency or Algonquin College’s Megan Chatman who wants to return to Newfoundland to develop tourism in Labrador City, and Andy Chu of Capilano University who sees himself planning conventions and events that drive tourism. And their bucket lists just keep growing with dreams of someday soon seeing the pyramids of Egypt like Stefani Walter of Confederation College or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro like Red River College’s Zachary Harrison, and visiting every province and territory in Canada like Sydnee Bell of SAIT.

From a generation often criticized for being lazy and entitled, this year’s Baxter Student Ambassadors are proof that they are anything but. Ambitious, determined, and organized, this group of recent graduates is hungry for opportunity and ready to work. “I always put 110% into whatever I am pursuing,” said Hayley Johnson-Skinner, the 20-year-old Baxter Ambassador from Ryerson University. “Whether it’s school, work, or my BSAP presentation, I love the reward that comes from hard work.”

In May 2018, we once again celebrated the achievements of our winning Baxter Student Ambassadors. This year, we took our Ambassadors (as well as a couple of Professors and program finalists) on a tour of the impressive Contiki offices in North York, followed by a guided tour of the breathtaking Aga Khan Museum. We then held a networking reception at the Baxter Media offices in Toronto where Ambassadors had the chance to network with fellow winners, BSAP alumni, Baxter Media personnel, and a few of our exceptional BSAP sponsors. The next day, everyone gathered for an awards ceremony and luncheon at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. Below are some photos from this year’s celebratory events.

Each year, we celebrate our Baxter Ambassadors in style! In 2017, we held a cocktail party where Ambassadors had the chance to network with fellow winners, BSAP alumni, leaders from the travel industry, and proud BSAP sponsors. The following afternoon, everyone gathered for a formal awards ceremony and luncheon at the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto. Take a look at our photos from last year’s event, and peruse the special issue of Travel Courier profiling our amazing 2017 winners!

Each year, we celebrate our Baxter Ambassadors in style with an event at the Chelsea Toronto. In 2016, we held a cocktail party where Ambassadors had the chance to network with fellow Ambassadors from other schools, leaders from the travel industry, and proud BSAP sponsors.

Take a look at our photos from last year’s event, and peruse the special issue of Travel Courier profiling our amazing winners!