Rayvn Wiebe

Give a brief bio about yourself/your background/your history.

I grew up on a farm outside of Morden, MB. When I was in middle school, I started to play volleyball and I became enamored with the sport and the way it connected me with other girls my age. I played all through high school and had the opportunity to play for the provincial team for three summers. That piqued my interest in playing at a higher level and led me to playing for the Bobcats.

What education have you taken?

I graduated from Morden Collegiate Institute in 2016 and I am currently finishing up my four-year Bachelor of Science here at Brandon University.

What accomplishments are you proud of?

Our team votes for the winners of our team awards. Any time I have won one of those awards, I was selected by my teammates. To be recognized by the women I train alongside is such an honour.

How did you become interested in your field of study?

I owe my admiration of science to my high school science teachers (shoutout to Mr. Petkau, Mr. Duerksen, and Mrs. McCallum). They all had such a passion for science that it was just contagious.

What is your philosophy in life?

Leave it better than you found it. Any place I go, I try to make a positive impact by lifting others up and setting an example.

Where do see yourself in the future?

I see myself continually figuring it out! I value roles in leadership, so I hope to find myself in the position that allows me to help build community.

What do you #ChooseToChallenge?

I #ChooseToChallenge biases.

Nominator’s Comments:

Rayvn is the captain of the women’s volleyball team at BU and an outstanding athlete, stepping up last season as the oldest outside attacker on the team and setting multiple records. With a cancelled 2020-2021 season, she has really stepped up to ensure that the team still has a sense of belonging during an unusual year. She meets with the team on a regular basis via Zoom/FaceTime to chat and make sure that they are doing okay in school and with their mental health. Rayvn is also a leader in the weight room, leading by example. With Zoom workouts, she is still motivating and encouraging for the other athletes to really push themselves to get better.

Rayvn has been an Academic All-Canadian three times in her time at BU and is always willing to help the other athletes with their studies. Additionally, Rayvn is the first to volunteer for any event. She is always out visiting with sponsors, thanking them, and loves to volunteer for February’s “I Love to Read” month. Even with not being able to go to schools to participate, she read a few books for the Bobcat YouTube channel so schools could still experience such a special event. Rayvn truly encompasses what a BU student-athlete should be, on and off the court, and was recognized as not only the MVP of the women’s volleyball team but also as the Nancy Stanley Female Athlete of the Year in 2020. An overall phenomenal woman, Rayvn Wiebe truly deserves this recognition.