This week I had the pleasure of interviewing a good friend of mine, Jason Zhang. We delve into his time here at McGill and involvement as Co-president of McGIll Hoops for Youth.
Claire Butler for Her Campus McGill (HC McGill): Hi Jason, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Jason: Hi there! I’m Jason or Jie depends on who you speak to. I am a fourth year pharmacology student, a Vancouverite, and a self-proclaimed chef. I’ve been called an extroverted introvert, and an idealist who practices realism. Apart from memorizing drugs and their pathways, I find much joy in discovering cheap restaurants with friends, Samyang Spicy Chicken Roasted Noodles (if you know you know), trash talking at a basketball game, and working on my “start up”.
HC McGill: What drew you to McGill? Why did you decide to come here?
Jason: I genuinely don’t have an answer for this question. I felt like it…I guess. I visited Montreal during high school and I just loved how I’m technically in Canada but it felt a bit like Europe. I honestly don’t remember the exact motivation for coming to McGill, I can barely remember what I had for breakfast two days ago (probably nothing though).
HC McGill: You are graduating this year, what is one thing you wish you had known first year?
Jason: I wish I had known that Gardner Hall is on top of a frozen iced over hill.
HC McGill: I know you are involved in several clubs, how has that shaped your time here at McGill?
Jason: If you were to ask me back in first year whether I was interested in joining a McGill club, I would’ve laughed and said no. I truly didn’t believe that there were clubs that can possibly interest me and or an issue that I can relate to and be passionate about. Nevertheless, I was wrong, after joining several organizations here at McGill I found myself loving the overall “club” experience. I got a chance to meet people I wouldn’t normally have met otherwise. And now a few years later, that same young, dumb (and broke) freshmen is a co-president for McGill Hoop for Youth?! Who whould’ve thought! ? Being involved with SSMU clubs have made my time served here at McGill more fruitful.
HC McGill: What is Hoops for Youth? What is it’s mission?
Jason: The club was founded in 2015 with the mandate of bringing together children ages 6 to 12 and McGill students around their passion for basketball. We seek to provide children with a solid foundation of basketball skills while also promoting the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle. For McGill Students, we provide the opportunity to acquire and develop leadership skills. In both cases, we aim to facilitate character development because we believe in the positive impact basketball can have.
HC McGill: What is the most rewarding part of being involved with Hoops for Youth?
Jason: The fact that I get to teach the kids my favourite tricks and moves in basketball is really rewarding. Moreover, witnessing the growth and development of our young athletes have always been the highlight of my Sundays.
HC McGill: Have there been any challenges?
Jason: As a young club, recruitment has been a bit of a challenge. Everyone seems to think that they must be in love with basketball to join our club, which is NOT true. We need leaders and good mentors for the kids (not necessarily basketball skills).
HC McGill: How can someone get involved with Hoops for youth?
Jason: They can either contact us through our Facebook page, email (mcgillhoopsforyouth@gmail.com), or apply to be a volunteer at our website under “Volunteer Opportunities”.
HC McGill: Are there any future directions you hope to be taking Hoops for Youth?
Jason: The main goal is to set up the club for long term success (beyond my graduation). As we grow this club, we would like to expand our community outreach program to more elementary schools around Montreal. This way we can spread our message of being healthy and active to as many youths as possible.
Images provided by interviewee and McGill Hoops for Youth