As Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” And just like that, it's incredibly hard to believe that is the fifty-fifth and final article of the 2024/2025 AEO Onward Blog. It’s been an incredibly eventful year – one filled with growth and high spirits. This year, we were able to triple our turnout from the previous year through our two successful networking events, and increased engagement with the campus community. Through coverage of Ivey vs. Engineering games, Ivey section culture, and events hosted by fellow clubs, we hope that we have provided readers with insightful articles that achieve the blog’s mission of creating a connected community of AEO Students across campus. Our social media page reached new levels, harnessing thousands of views from the Western community and beyond.
We must acknowledge that this outward impact was all driven internally – our incredible team of 8 writers, 3 social media managers, and Staff Advisor, Nicole Jesko, brought the life to AEO Onward. Whether it was attending an evening meeting in the dead of winter or an extra event on a Saturday afternoon, the drive and dedication of our group was remarkable.
Anusha
To say that my second year was a completely different change of pace from my first would be an understatement. I walked past Western’s main gates this past September with excitement, ready to seize my sophomore year with the confidence and clarity I had developed after a relaxing summer and successful freshman year. While I had heard about the added complexities that second year inevitably brings – such as living further from campus, facing increased academic rigour, and managing the increased time commitments of extracurriculars – I didn’t let them cloud my optimism.
But that mindset was short-lived.
I quickly discovered that my myriads of commitments, new courses, and bustling lifestyle as a whole, was drastically different from the tranquil, predictable, and triumphant year I had envisioned. I quickly became drained, and neither reading week nor the holiday break afforded me any serenity. Second semester was comparable, and suffice it to say, I had lost my footing – apart from one variable.
The blog was the one predictable constant in the whirlwind known as second year, and it served as an anchor keeping me grounded. I went into the year with the arduous goal of expanding the blog’s reach, especially by shedding a light on campus events and life more broadly to engage a larger audience. I am happy to report that this goal was more than surpassed thanks to the initiative of our wonderful and talented writers and social media team – a feat which is beyond impressive. Between meetings filled with brainstorming and laughter, and the constant inflow of unique articles I could refine – while also being provided with a weekly chance to learn something new –, I couldn’t be more grateful for the team this year.
At the foundation of this fruitful year was my relationship – and more importantly, friendship – with my Co-Editor Brooke. I always had all the support I could ever need, and am beyond grateful for how our leadership styles aligned. And of course, I couldn’t be more excited to see where Shreeya and Holly take the blog next year!
Brooke
Reflecting on my first year of university, I recall eagerly pausing my final exam studying to prepare for my AEO Onward Co-Editor interview. Even then, I recognized what a unique opportunity the Co-Editor position was, allowing me to blend my passion for leadership with my love for business and writing. Now, one year later, I’ve had the pleasure of watching the ideas I once jotted down come to life, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
It is a bittersweet moment writing my final piece for the AEO Onward blog. This experience has defined my first two years at Western, and with every article written or meeting led alongside Anusha, I learned something I’ll carry with me, university and beyond. This year was far from linear — starting first semester as a Faculty Soph while selecting our team was no easy feat. Regardless, no matter how challenging the balancing act, I knew it was up to myself and Anusha to set the tone for the year.
One of our biggest goals was to establish a broader presence at campus events to publish more articles highlighting student life. From covering the Ivey-Eng rivalry to attending the Ivey Sports Leadership Conference, I witnessed Ivey’s vibrant spirit firsthand — and our talented team was able to convey this energy to readers and future students.
This blog has been a learning tool and a creative outlet, but most importantly, a community. At the heart of that community is our team of writers and social media managers, who are some of the brightest people I’ve met. Editing articles felt effortless, and hearing the sharp and diverse perspectives of each team member impressed me time after time. I am so lucky to have done this alongside someone as intelligent and driven as Anusha, and I know our connection will span far beyond AEO Onward. We always managed to be on the same wavelength -- I’m truly grateful for our collaboration and friendship. Shreeya and Holly are incredibly dedicated and bright students, and I am sure that their creativity and work ethic will continue to bring the blog to new heights!
Shreeya
In the thick of club application season last fall, I knew I had my eyes set on the AEO Onward blog. I first came across it in Grade 12 while deep diving the Ivey website (a true nirvana for anxious applicants) and quickly realized it offered more valuable insight than any Reddit thread ever could.
Now, one year, endless draft docs, and many spells of writer’s block later, I can confidently say that being part of the blog has become my favourite extracurricular – sitting right at the intersection of my love for writing and storytelling. Beyond sharpening my writing skills, the blog gave me a way to engage with my first year more intentionally. Whether I was covering a student initiative, highlighting a club, commenting on a broader trend, or reflecting on a personal journey, it became an outlet to notice, document, and appreciate what made this year meaningful.
None of that would have been possible without the guidance of our Co-Editors, Anusha and Brooke, who made experimenting feel natural. From title to tone, they encouraged me to find my voice over fixating on a formula and welcomed every brainstorm that started with “this might be weird, but…”
What stood out to me the most was the range of thought, voice, and curiosity across the team. I learned so much simply from reading my peers’ work, with each article reminding me that there is always more room to explore an idea, shift my perspective, or elevate a piece just a little further. It’s safe to say that being surrounded by teammates who approached every piece with care, curiosity, and originality pushed me to do the same. I’m ever grateful for the opportunity to help carry that culture forward for another year.
Ultimately, this blog has given me the kind of ownership that is rare in first year. It is one of the few spaces where the more I put in, the more I grew as a writer, a thinker, and a teammate. I am incredibly excited to step into the Co-Editor role alongside Holly Storey and continue building a space where the next group of writers can grow through the process, take creative ownership, and truly make the blog their own.
Holly
When I came to Western, I wasn’t completely alone but with all my closest friends at another university, it felt like starting from scratch. I knew I wanted to get involved. I didn’t know where I’d land — until I found the AEO Onward Blog, and something just clicked.
My first article was about my journey to Ivey, a piece that blended personal reflection with the non-linear path that led me here. I shared what it was like to grow up always packing up and starting over. Hockey was my constant, and my ambition was the one thing that kept me moving forward — all the way to Western. It was raw and real, and when it was published, my parents sent it to everyone. I remember feeling like I had finally planted a flag in this new chapter of my life.
From there, the blog became my anchor. I wrote about gender equity in sports, about fear and cold emails, about navigating first year when nothing feels certain. The blog pushed me to think critically, research thoughtfully, and pitch ideas with intention. It taught me how to say something meaningful and say it well. Those are the same skills I’ve taken into my internship this summer at Scotiabank.
That growth didn’t come easily; I rewrote this reflection four times and still don’t think it’s perfect. But that’s something the blog has taught me too — to show up, do the work, and let the process shape you. I’ve learned to embrace the drafts, the edits, the overthinking — because in the end, every sentence gets me closer to the writer I want to become. And every article strengthened the communication, leadership, and strategic thinking skills I know I’ll carry into business.
What makes this blog so special is that it doesn’t feel like a first-year extracurricular. It’s one of the most meaningful ways to get involved on campus — and easily one of the most rewarding. It’s not just theory. There’s real responsibility: your name goes on every piece, and it lives on Ivey’s website. It’s an opportunity to contribute meaningful work and gain lasting visibility.
Anusha and Brooke created that space with calm, thoughtful leadership. They gave us room to grow while quietly guiding us, and I’m grateful they trusted me to carry it forward by stepping into the Co-Editor role alongside Shreeya Patel. Her writing is consistently thoughtful, relevant, and rich with perspective. I’m excited to keep building and to see where we can take the blog next.
A Glimpse Ahead
As we look Onward into the blog’s next year, we are incredibly grateful to continue building a platform that reflects the depth, drive, and diversity of the AEO community. This year, we’re looking to push the blog beyond written content by bringing our ideas to life through engaging, student-focused events. Whether it’s creating space for mentorship through casual coffee chats, demystifying recruiting with mock interviews, or spotlighting the stories that often go untold, we want Onward to become something AEOs can see themselves in -- through the stories we tell and the spaces we create. We're ready to carry forward the momentum of this year with fresh energy, bigger conversations, and a stronger sense of community.