Alumni Spotlight: Zander

Hello! My name is Zander Neilsen, and I’m a 2019 alum from Stratford, Ontario. Following my 3-day, I returned as a J-staff & committee member for the following three years. I also attended and recently graduated from Queen’s university with a BA (Honours) in Political Studies. I’m going to talk a little about my own life since 3-day, how HOBY shaped me into the person I am today, and what it means to me. Thanks for reading if you are :)

While at Queen’s I’ve been lucky to pursue many opportunities my 3-day attending self would’ve never dreamed existed. Last summer, I interned abroad in Manila, Philippines with an environmental law & policy firm named Parabukas. They are an Asia-based, women-led consultancy who strive to provide technical assistance to marginalized communities affected by climate disaster. Here, I was lucky enough to explore a new country & culture while learning and developing a passion for community based sustainability.

Zander in Manila, Philippines.

More recently, I stepped into the biggest leadership role I’ve held to this point as captain of the Queen’s Varsity Figure Skating Team. It was incredibly rewarding to give back to something I care so deeply about and I enjoyed tapping into a kind of leadership I haven’t used so explicitly since my JGL days. Following my graduation, I’ve decided to move in a bit of a different direction (for now) and take a job touring around North America skating for Disney on ice which will be an exciting new adventure.

Zander figure skating.

All of these are experiences that my time at 3-day pushed me towards. It’s hard to say just how many ways HOBY helped me grow as a leader and a person, and it’s something I look back on incredibly fondly. The message that have stayed with me most is that you don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to be the best leader (sorry hawks) and that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. 

I came in as a shy tenth grader confused why I’d been picked to attend. The positive message and supportive community gave me the self-confidence I needed to recognize my own leadership abilities and pursue the opportunities I want. Moreover, the community gave me a space to authentically figure myself out at a very pivotal age, and this wonderful network of people allowed me to see a diversity of perspective I would not have otherwise have seen in Stratford.

All this to say, the people are what make up this wonderful organization. So, no matter how long or short your time with HOBY is, thank you for being a part of making someone else’s experience special, even if you don’t see how you did just yet.

Hoby hugs! Thanks for being here :)

Zander