Even a global pandemic couldn’t deter Queen’s Law Students’ Society from upholding a decades-old tradition. When the COVID-19 crisis cancelled all events at the law school, Colette Koopman, the outgoing LSS President, began making plans to ensure a key tradition was upheld.

“It was important to have an awards ceremony despite COVID because this is the one opportunity the LSS has to formally recognize the efforts of students,” Koopman said from her parents’ farm in Vanessa, Ontario, where she finished classes and exams remotely. “We had such a great year with a ton of unique events and initiatives it was important that these people were recognized.”

Winners were contacted and encouraged to share their thank-yous via phone-shot video. “When I emailed people asking for a micro-video for the final video they were all very excited,” Koopman says of the winners’ responses. “This is when people found out that they won awards so it was a great positive thing to send to people during these trying times.”

The videos were then stitched together, with interstitial titles explaining each award, to create a virtual ‘awards show’.

Does it match up to the standards set by the live awards? It’s different, Koopman says, but no less heartfelt. “The final product captures the generosity, care and collegiality of the Queen’s Law environment. Watching the thank you micro-videos I was struck by every person talking about their colleagues helping them to achieve their goals.”

“This video captures the spirit of the LSS Awards, celebrating everyone’s amazing accomplishments.”