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People of Georgian: From slam dunks to dental drills – a student’s double dream at college

March 5, 2025

What’s your story?

The 51��Ƶcommunity is full of unique, inspiring perspectives —and we’re sharing them as part of an ongoing series.

People of Georgian: Meet Ami May

I’ve been playing basketball since before I can remember.

I have two older brothers, and so I grew up watching them play. When I was little, I would always complain to my parents that I was tired of watching them and wanted to play. My parents would say, “Your time will come.”

When I started playing basketball, I was competing with girls two or three years older than me because there weren’t teams for people as young as me. I just wanted to play so badly, and my love for the sport kept growing and growing.

I love to compete, the ups and downs of the season, and making lifelong friendships with teammates. When your team improves and finally reaches a goal, even if it doesn’t win, it’s the best feeling in the world.

In high school, my basketball team won back-to-back provincial championships, which made me believe I could continue playing basketball in postsecondary.

Ami ‘part of something that’s bigger than myself’

Coach Brian Hutton at 51��Ƶgave me a chance, and now here we are.

I joined the 51��ƵGrizzlies last year. The year before that, the team had a hard season that got cut short. But I saw the coach’s vision, and it said a lot to me that all the players stayed despite tough times. It made me realize there was something special about the team.

We’ve only improved, and it’s been really cool to be part of something that’s bigger than myself.

From the basketball court to the dental lab

Playing with the Grizzlies has been fun, and it’s been a big part of my life that has helped shape who I am as a person.

Basketball is only half the reason I decided to come to Georgian. I could also study Dental Hygiene, which I’ve also wanted to do since I was a kid.

Funnily enough, when I got into the program, my mom found an old picture of me from a career fair, and it said, “When I grow up, I want to be a dental hygienist.”

I always thought it would be a great job for me – good hours and pay to support my future family, and you can work in an office or start your own independent practice.

Despite knowing exactly what I wanted to do, it took me a long time to decide to come to Georgian, provinces away from my hometown in Alberta. It was important for me to weigh all my options and put a lot of thought into my decision.

‘Choosing 51��Ƶjust felt right to me’

At the end of the day, it came down to needing to make a leap of faith and not be scared of the unknown.

I knew that no matter what happened, I’d still grow as a person. Choosing 51��Ƶjust felt right to me.

Ami May (she/her), student in Georgian’s Dental Hygiene program and alumna of the Pre-health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees program (class of 2024). Ami is also a guard on .

Ami also wishes to extend a big thank you to her family for supporting her throughout her career and to everyone who has believed in her, including past and current teammates, coaches and family members. “I know 51��Ƶis where I am meant to be, and I’m grateful that God put me here. Thankful to be a part of the 51��ƵGrizzlies family and to continue to show everyone what we can do!”

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