Adrienne Gilbert Student Award of Excellence

2023 Award Winner: Crystal-Jade Cargill

This award recognizes the outstanding contributions of students within and outside of their academic programs. In celebrating the academic and extracurricular accomplishments of students, we highlight the vast array of experiences and knowledge that these future professionals bring to our field.

Therapeutic Recreation Ontario renamed the “TRO Student Award of Excellence” Award to the “Adrienne Gilbert Student Award of Excellence” in 2012 when Adrienne Gilbert retired as a way of acknowledging the contributions she had made for so many years in the education of TR students experiences and knowledge that these future professionals bring to our field.

Adrienne Gilbert made significant contributions to the field of Therapeutic Recreation not only as a well-respected faculty member in the Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation Program at University of Waterloo, but also through her countless hours volunteering in various positions on the TRO Board of Directors.

Past Award Winners

Award Information

The Winner Receives

• Complimentary TRO Conference Registration for the current year (>$250 value)
• Professional Contribution points for initial Registration (R/TRO, R/TRO DIP) application (awarded = 2, nominated = 2, to a maximum total of 4 points)
• Recognition at the Annual TRO Conference Awards Ceremony (includes two complimentary tickets)
• TRO Award plaque
• Recognition to members in various TRO communications: TRO website, e-TRO newsletter, social media etc.

Nomination Criteria

Open to TRO Student members enrolled in full-time and part-time studies in Therapeutic Recreation at the undergraduate or Ontario College Graduate Certificate level, as well as students who have graduated from a TR program within the last 12 months. Please note that all supporting requirements of this award must pertain to the time when the person was a student, not after they have graduated. Past recipients of the Adrienne Gilbert Student Award of Excellence are ineligible to re-apply for the award.

Selection Process

The Awards Sub-Committee consists of a minimum of three volunteers including: at least one representative from the Membership Services Committee and up to six TRO members (TRO’s Communications Coordinator is an ex-officio member). It is responsible for reviewing TRO award nominations and will forward recommendations to the Membership Services Committee for approval by the TRO board of directors. The selection committee will identify if there is a conflict of interest with any of the award categories, any persons with a conflict of interest will not be part of the discussion and decision-making process for that award.

Application Requirements

Anyone may nominate a student TRO member for this award, ​or a student who has since graduated from the TR program within the last 12 months.

How To Apply

• Nominators: please provide us with the student’s name and contact information. You as the nominator do not have to complete the questions below. Please send student’s name, student’s email and name of award to the Communications Coordinator at: communications@trontario.org
• Nominees: Students, you are required to complete the award application form below (including two letters of reference, your resume) and submit your reference letters via email.

1. Download the award form (Adrienne Gilbert Student Award of Excellence Nomination Questions), complete and save on your computer. NOTE: TRO accepts 2 different formats for nominations now: written and video!
2. Upload your completed form in the award nomination form.
3. Complete and submit the award nomination form. Youtube videos should be set to UNLISTED. Please submit the link in the form below.
4. Use the Reference Letter Guidelines below to ensure that your 2 letters of reference on official letterhead have been emailed from the source directly to: communications@trontario.org by the nomination deadline.

Reference Letter Guidelines

Please address the following points in the reference letter:

1 letter from an Academic Instructor that describes:

• Overall leadership abilities of the student
• Level of interest and knowledge in therapeutic recreation
• Academic achievements

1 letter from a TR Professional that describes:

• Personal Character (e.g., integrity, interpersonal skills, initiative, critical thinking ability)
• Accomplishments (please include any relevant examples of initiatives, self directed learning, etc.)
• Professionalism (e.g., professional conduct, ability to relate with clients, staff and volunteers)