June 20, 2013
By Pippa Wysong; photography by Roberta Baker
This piece originally appeared as part of a feature profiling graduating students from across the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. Read the other stories here.
If ever two students reflected the spirit and energy of U of T Engineering, Luis Ramirez (ElecE 1T2 + PEY) and Sandra Sousa (ElecE 1T3) did. Not only were they involved in a myriad of student-based campus activities, but they motivated many other students to get involved as well.
That motivation was most obvious when they co-chaired the Engineering Student Society’s Blue and Gold committee in the 2011-2012 school year. But before that, Sousa already had a history of being active in engineering activities. In her first year, she managed the Cannon Ball. The following year, she was named Godiva’s Crown, “something that is supposed to represent school spirit,” she said. Clearly, a sign of things to come.
She was also involved with Skule Nite for four years, working both on and backstage, and occasionally was part of the Bnad (sic). Skule Nite was a natural draw – when she was growing up, she leaned towards music and drama, though as she got older she appreciated the creativity in math and science, and found herself in engineering.
Ramirez meandered his way towards engineering via an early love of playing video games. Both he and Sousa ended up in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering.
While serving as B&G chairs, a lot happened. They coordinated events and volunteers for Frosh! Week, Godiva Week, and various clubs and parties – including bowling nights, and even a Game of Thrones Marathon. And they ran the engineering pub.
Volunteers on the committee built floats for Frosh! Week – one float in the style of a big castle for the Homecoming Parade was big enough to support the entire Bnad.
A particular highlight for Ramirez and Sousa was the building of a float for Toronto’s annual Pride Parade.
“We wanted a float that would show our support for Pride and that our fellow students could identify with, so we chose to build a giant shiny version of Godiva’s horse,” Ramirez said. It was the first year that U of T Engineers added a float to their normal Pride activities of simply marching in the parade. The float consisted of a big decked-out pick-up truck with a large horse sitting on top. The Bnad, along with other supporters, marched behind.
It was such a hit that Pride Toronto presented U of T Engineering with the Special Judges Award for Shock and Awe. The shock part of the award was undoubtedly earned when the engineers fired the Skule Cannon in front of the judges. “We tried to make an ‘Earth-shattering kaboom’,” Ramirez joked.
(Find out how you can get involved and march with engineering students in this year’s Pride Parade.)
All these events are inspired by longstanding U of T Engineering traditions, Ramirez said.
“We have this awesome community in engineering. So many people are involved, and there are so many different aspects to it. It gives all of us a great opportunity to come out of our shell and develop our talents,” he said.
Aside from B&G activities, and studying, Ramirez played and coached rugby. He also took a PEY elective where he worked for a company that develops mobile apps, and now has an interest in networking infrastructure.
Sousa is now helping with project management for a big hospital renovation project. She enjoys working with people and sees herself continuing work that involves teams.