Jardine Bursary awarded to Jordyn Duffield

By Diana Walker

Jordyn Duffield, recipient of the Jardine Bursary, is distinguished by her commitment to therapeutic recreation and her academic achievement. While currently employed with Alberta Health Services, Jordyn is completing the Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology program through distance learning at Lethbridge Polytechnic. Although the diploma is traditionally a two-year program, Jordyn has chosen to extend her studies to three years to accommodate distance learning at her own pace.

Diana Walker presents Jordyn Duffield with the Jardine Bursary.

The eldest daughter of Steven and Stacey Duffield, and a South Central High graduate, Jordyn grew up on a farm south of Oyen. She discovered her goals aligned with the Jardine Bursary guidelines of enhancing the potential for community involvement. She knows the importance of recreational living and the impact it has on rural communities.

“I’m very excited to soon bring recreational therapy to rural communities within the Oyen area to enhance the lives of others,” says Jordyn.

“Utilizing the distance learning style Lethbridge Polytechnic offers has allowed me to stay within my community and build my volunteering experience. I often volunteer in the long-term care facility in Oyen, helping mainly on Thursday afternoons, playing games with the residents. I gain satisfaction volunteering in this facility, as it brings joy to the residents, and it is often the most exciting part of their day.”

After graduating, Jordyn plans to find a career within Alberta Health Services (Recreational Therapy Department). “I hope to work within the interdisciplinary health-care field to increase the quality of life in the community,” says Jordyn.

Recreational therapy is a health-care profession that uses recreation and leisure activities to improve the physical, emotional, and cognitive health of individuals with illnesses or disabilities. “These goal-oriented programs help people enhance their overall well-being, increase independence, and improve quality of life through a variety of activities such as sports, arts, games, and community outings,” says Jordyn. “When I complete the entirety of my program and gain my certification in my diploma, I hope to bring my skill set back to my community.”

Aside from her duties, she plans to join her fiancé, Morgan Senkiw, on a ranch north of Sibbald and to be part of that small community.

UPDATE: When asked how her courses were going, Jordyn says: “Very well! I am excited to soon go on my second practicum placement in the spring/summer to observe more therapeutic recreation processes, as well as gain hands-on experiences.”