Student initiative, volunteerism and dedication are integral to the vision of Hart House. Each year, the House recognizes the extraordinary contributions that U of T students make through their commitment and leadership. This year, the House toasted the winners on April 2, 2025.
"Cultivating a space for student leadership is a priority at Hart House. The Audrey Hozack Student Leadership Award and the Judi Schwartz Memorial Scholarship, two donor-supported awards, are perfect examples of how we shine a spotlight on these remarkable U of T students,” says Associate Director of Advancement Peter Wambera.
The 2025 Audrey Hozack Student Leadership Award
Audrey Hozack was the first woman to assume a senior leadership position at Hart House. She retired as Assistant Warden after 39 years of service.
The donors who created this award — including the estate of Audrey Hozack — were motivated to recognize the spirit of volunteerism and student leadership. The award also supports Hart House’s strategic goals of enhanced participation and engagement for communities whose members have been traditionally underrepresented in our space and programming.
This year’s winner of the Audrey Hozack Student Leadership Award is Danny Min Gyu Choi. Danny — a member of University College — has shown incredible dedication to community-building efforts, serving as co-chair of the Hart House Camera Club and on the Hart House Student Farm Committee. He has exemplified the House’s values by amplifying underrepresented voices and helping to develop student communities that foster inclusion, creativity and collaboration.
“Hart House has been transformative in my journey of evolving from a participant to a leader,” he says. “This journey has refined my ability to connect communities, support others and pursue creative solutions. With the wealth of experiences and relationships that I have gained, Hart House has truly shaped me into the ‘renaissance’ individual I aspired to be at university.”
The 2025 Judi Schwartz Memorial Scholarship
Judi Schwartz was the founding curator and director of the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at Hart House. An employee at the House for 32 years, she was a passionate advocate for student-led communities.
This scholarship — created through a generous gift from the estate of Judi Schwartz — recognizes the achievements and contributions of student leaders.
There were seven winners this year.
Ayeza Ahmad, secretary (2023–24) then co-chair (2024–25) of the Hart House Student Art Committee, has fostered student engagement initiatives across all three campuses. Currently working at SickKids Hospital, Ayeza — a UTSC student — demonstrates how her time at Hart House prepared her to contribute meaningfully to healthcare, reaffirming the importance of an integrated arts education.
Tyrus Kalanyos — a member of Trinity College — served as secretary, steward representative of the Board of Stewards and co-chair of the Hart House Student Debates and Dialogue Committee. His work at the House helped to foster a greater sense of community at U of T. Through programming, he and others hosted events that encouraged people to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences.
Teya Knightingale — a Rotman Commerce student and member of Woodsworth College — has served as co-chair of the Hart House Finance Committee and the Committee on Budgets. As a work study student, she was project assistant (Hart House Farm) and coordinator of the Good Ideas Fund. She has led events and programs, and built connections among students, staff and partners — using her passion to support and connect the community.
Charlie Olsen — a PhD candidate in the Deptartment of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology — has been volunteering at Hart House Theatre for years. They were invited to join the Hart House Student Theatre Committee in 2023. This year, they are both co-chair and steward of the Board of Stewards. They are committed to helping to strengthen the Theatre’s position as a cultural destination for U of T and Toronto.
Giulia Rocca — a member of Victoria College — is the chair of the Hart House Student Farm Committee. She is an exemplary leader, demonstrating organizational ability, as well as excellent communication and social skills. She is devoted to finding means of engaging Indigenous ways of learning and knowing through Farm programming. She is also the recipient of Starfish Canada's Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25 Award.
Kritika Sharma — a member of St. Michael's College — was co-chair of Hart House Recreational Athletics and Wellness Committee (2022–23) and is currently the chair. She was also a standing member in the Committee on Budgets (2024) and steward on the Board of Stewards (2024–25). Her work focuses on teamwork and collaboration, and promotes accessibility and tri-campus engagement in a variety of athletic and wellness events.
Emily Shi — a member of Innis College — has been involved in the Hart House Debating Club from novice rep to external then internal tournament coordinator, to president, her current role. Her four years on the executive team have transformed the Club. She has also connected students across the world to Hart House by hosting dozens of hundred-person events.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Learn more about the Hart House Awards and the annual winners.