Two Trent Excalibur Student Athletes Honoured with 2025 to 2026 Bonnie M. Patterson Award

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Trent University Excalibur student athletes Natalie Fournier and Aly Saydam are being recognized with the 2025 to 2026 Bonnie M. Patterson Award for distinguishing themselves in competition, the classroom and the community.

photo courtesy of trent university, facebook.

Natalie Fournier, a dual-sport athlete in women’s volleyball and lacrosse, and Aly Saydam, a veteran setter on the men’s volleyball team, have each received the $2,500 award, which recognizes returning student athletes who demonstrate leadership, academic achievement and excellence in varsity sport.

Named in honour of former Trent president and vice-chancellor Bonnie M. Patterson (1998–2009), the award celebrates student athletes who reflect the values of commitment, teamwork and community contribution.

Psychology student Natalie Fournier (from Georgetown, ON.) has distinguished herself as one of Trent’s most accomplished dual-sport student-athletes, excelling at the varsity level in both volleyball and lacrosse while maintaining a strong academic standing.

A program leader and offensive force for the Excalibur women’s volleyball team, Fournier (Gzowski College) cemented her place in the record books this season, becoming the program’s all-time leader in both kills (542) and points (646). In 2025 to 2026 alone, the outside hitter recorded 126 kills, 151 points, 95 digs, 36 assists, eight blocks and 17 service aces, continuing to drive the team’s success with her dynamic and consistent play.

As a midfielder/defender with the women’s lacrosse team, Fournier played a key role in securing the 2025 OUA Championship, the program’s fourth championship title, and was recognized as an OUA All-Star, highlighting her versatility and ability to excel across two varsity sports in different seasons.

Off the field, Fournier is equally committed to serving her community. During the summer of 2025, she volunteered with Compass Community Services, supporting their Tele-Connect program, a phone outreach service that provides social connection and medication reminders for individuals navigating mental health challenges. She also gives back to the next generation of athletes by running youth secondary school clinics in both volleyball and lacrosse and volunteering at Trent-hosted high school tournaments for both programs.

Aly Saydam (from Ottawa, ON.), a fourth-year Kinesiology student, has been the steady hand guiding the Excalibur men’s volleyball program from the setter position while maintaining his academic standing on the honour roll and a renewable scholarship, earning him the title of OUA Academic All-Canadian.

During the 2025 to 2026 season, Aly recorded 405 assists, orchestrating the offence with poise and precision. He added 79 digs, 28 kills, 15 blocks, seven aces and 46 points, showcasing his well-rounded skillset and willingness to contribute in every facet of the game.

Saydam is a member of the team’s Leadership Group, fostering a positive culture within the program. He also served as Tournament Convenor for Trent’s Boys High School Volleyball Tournament, helping deliver opportunities for young athletes to compete at the university level.

In addition to his contribution to the volleyball community, Saydam is a Gzowski College ambassador, helping students navigate campus life and supporting college programming and events. He is also a member of the 1EX Council and the Trent Kinesiology Society, serving as the fourth-year representative. This year he volunteered for the East vs. West Charity Hockey Game, contributing to one of Trent’s long-standing campus fundraising initiatives through the Colleges.

Off campus, Saydam has extended his passion for kinesiology and community health through a placement with On the Move, a Peterborough-based program that offers community exercise classes for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease throughout the Kawartha region.

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PHOTOS: Trent Central Student Association Rallies Against Ontario Government OSAP Cuts

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Local post-secondary students gathered outside MPP Dave Smith’s office Wednesday morning in protest of financial aid cuts to come with the recent restructuring of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

“The Trent Central Student Association is deeply concerned about the recent restructuring of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) that will take effect starting in the 2026/27 academic year,” said the TCSA in a statement. “These changes substantially reduce the proportion of financial aid provided as grants to post-secondary students, and significantly increase the amount offered as loans. Under the new structure, grants will make up only 25 per cent of total financial aid, while loans will account for 75 per cent. This marks a major shift from the previous system, in which students could receive up to 85 per cent of their aid as grants and only 15 per cent as loans.”

For more on the TCSA’s statement, click the link.

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Local Youth Encouraged To Consider Starting a Small Business This Summer

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Youth interested in launching and running their own business this summer are encouraged to apply by May 15 to the Summer Company program offered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre (BAC). 

photo courtesy of the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre.

The Summer Company Program is the Government of Ontario’s flagship youth entrepreneurship program which helps youth aged 15-29 try their hand at business ownership by providing up to $3000 in start-up funding, one-on-one guidance from business advisors, mentorship from local business leaders, access to business workshops, training and resources and ongoing business support. Summer Company is a free youth skills program, and students are encouraged to apply early as there are limited spots available. 

“March break is a great time for students to start thinking about summer employment opportunities. While there are many excellent summer jobs available through local employers, students often overlook the opportunity to launch their own business, and Summer Company is a low-risk way for youth to try entrepreneurship,” said Madeleine Hurrell, BAC Manager for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. 

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre, operated by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, has been the program provider of this program for the City and County of Peterborough since 2001.  

To learn more about eligibility and to apply, visit the website.

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Photos: High School Students Stage Protest For Climate Action

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Students from Peterborough Alternative & Continuing Education (PACE) staged a walkout from school and protested to spread awareness about climate change as part of a movement named “Fridays for Future” at Confederation Park on Friday.

Photo by Luke Best.

The students were part of the Youth Leadership in Sustainability program held in partnership with Trent University.

Aisling MacQuarrie,16, is a Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School student who is taking Youth Leadership in Sustainability. A program that prepares grade 11 and 12 students for leadership roles in sustainability initiatives at the local and global levels. Photo by Luke Best.

“In 2019, the city announced a climate crisis and they also committed to reducing greenhouse gases by 40 per cent by 2031. We're here to remind them of that promise and make sure they're upholding and making actions to get there,” said Aisling MacQuarrie, grade 11 student. “We wanted to try to make more of a difference in our community.”

Fridays for Future is a youth-led global climate strike movement that started in August 2018 when then 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began a school strike for the climate.

For three weeks leading up to the election, she sat outside Swedish Parliament every school day, demanding action on the climate crisis.

Mayor Diane Therrien encouraged the students in their protest and movement before heading to the Peterborough Environmental and Climate Action Expo (EnviroX). Photo by Luke Best.

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Lindsay Student Awarded $8,000 From Province-Wide Bursary

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Lindsay’s Henry Stephenson was selected for the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA)-Dairy Farmers of Ontario bursary for $8,000 as one of five high school graduates announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of OMHA.

Photo courtesy of OMHA.

The bursary is awarded for students who achieved academic excellence and made a big impact in their schools and in their communities in the 2020-21 school year.

Maintaining a 98 per cent average is challenging enough yet deciding to learn Mandarin on top of Stephenson’s regular academics proved to be no issue.

Not only did he excel academically but he also played hockey with Lindsay Minor Hockey, was a cross-country provincial finalist. He was also a member of the soccer, rugby, tennis and badminton teams during his time in high school. Additionally, he is a Level 10 piano player with the Royal Conservatory of Music.

He also put together recorded musical recitals for seniors’ homes in the area and was a regular volunteer at the local food bank.

“Henry’s on a different path than most. He’s an elite young man and he’s going to do amazing things. It wouldn’t shock me if one day we’re all working for him,” said Trevor Catherwood, Stephenson’s hockey coach. “He’s an excellent kid to coach.”

Stephenson is in his first year studying Bioengineering at McGill University.

“I really like that I’ll have the opportunity to solve problems that might not have come up before,” he said.

“We are extremely proud of the five recipients chosen for the Dairy Farmers of Ontario Bursary this year,” said Ian Taylor, OMHA Executive Director. “Their desire to give back during a challenging year in hockey and their excellence in the classroom shows their leadership as people and players. I am confident these five great athletes and students will continue to shine in their post-secondary education.”

Applications for the 2022 Bursary Program will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Guest User


Here's A Poem A PCVS Student Wrote For Her English Assignment About Her School Closing

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How could they?
Why would they?
Why should they?
Love.
Compassion.
Acceptence.
PCVS is more than a school.
PCVS is a home.
A home where hate withers.
Love grows in its place.
A home is where family lives.
We're family.
As the words run through my head.
"PCVS has been chosen to be closed."
I'm in denial.
This isn't happening.
How could they?
Why would they?
Why should they?
I've been stabbed in the back.
Just getting used to this environment.
Just to have it taken away from me.
We had a family building.
It's being torn down.
Ripped to shreads.
Thrown away like it meant nothing.
Rusty Hicks.
Spend a week here.
See what you think.
What do you see?
Each and every student.
Inspired.
Creative.
Loving.
Passionate.
They've taken away our family.
We're leaving a broken home.
How could they?
Why would they?
Why should they?

[via Peterborough Needs PCVS]

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