Calgary born and bred, Cassie Jane Dixon, never really seems to have a second to herself! From being a full time SFU Communications Student, to the Secretary General for the Model United Nations, a Community Advisor for SFU Residence Life, and an integral part of the SFU Relay for Life along with so much more, Cassie can be found just about anywhere and everywhere playing her part throughout the community.

One of Cassies major contributions as of late has been towards the SFU Relay for Life 2012. She started as just a participant in the relay, to a committee member the following year, and then this year took on the role of chair for events and ceremonies. Personally watching the event run so smoothly I could say it looked like it was run by professionals, but Cassie pointed out that this was an event put together by hard working volunteers and dedicated friends. There were meetings taking place every couple of weeks, then every week and all of a sudden it seemed like there was about 20-30 hours of work in the last couple of weeks leading up to the event. Somehow in between being a full time student in the middle of final papers and midterms and being a Community Advisor (CA) at SFU Cassie managed to recruit bands to play at the relay’s kick off celebration prior to the event, recruiting bands and performers for the 12 hour event, as well as scheduling everything down to the last second for the big day.

Now, when Cassie was asked just why she would even bother getting involved in this event when she already has so much on her plate, without hesitation she shared her touching story. Three years ago when she saw a very close friend, someone just around her age in fact, hit with cancer, she didn’t know what to do or how to help. She first hand saw the excitement he shared for the relay and that he made it a fun thing to be a part of: a fundraiser and a fun event to raise money and bring awareness to the trials and tribulations encompassed around cancer. Ever since, Cassie has never seen a reason to take a step back from the SFU Relay for Life. In fact, she herself says it best, the relay is “all encompassing of the experience of what cancer patients go through; we don’t just say lets try and find a cure for cancer, but let’s provide support and education!”

Alongside her busy work and volunteer schedule, Cassie has also found time to pursue her hobby, and perhaps one day her future career in broadcasting. She has recently started a podcast called Hello City Culture Cast. Each week Cassie and her best friend pick a location or cultural event to attend, as well as suggest events coming up, and provide a song of the week. She has clearly shown that in the face of so many things going on and in a fast paced world there’s no time to say, “Oh, I’ll get to that tomorrow.” She has committed herself to her education, her passion, and her commitment to the betterment of society!

Cassie truly shows all of us out there that it is possible to be a student, a Secretary General (of the Model United Nations), have a job, and volunteer the leftover minutes in our lives too. Sleep is overrated anyways!