DANIEL LUKENCHUK: PASSION FOR SPORT TRANSFERS TO PROFESSION
Daniel Lukenchuk attended Webber Academy from 2004 until 2015. He spent his final two years of senior high at Ernest Manning High School, where he graduated in 2017. Daniel is currently a first-year chiropractic student at the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon. While it has been an adjustment moving to the United States, Daniel is hard at work completing a Doctor of Chiropractic degree as well as a Master’s of Science in Sports Medicine. Prior to this academic venture, Daniel attended the University of Calgary where he obtained an undergraduate degree in kinesiology. Throughout his studies, he also played for the U of C Dinos Men’s Rugby team. As a former student-athlete, Daniel still remains active lifting weights and competing in downhill skateboarding. Daniel Lukenchuk began his academic journey at Webber Academy in kindergarten. We are excited to see him complete this next step of his education, and we know he will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of others.
How did the pandemic affect your professional life?
The pandemic was quite a roadblock for me regarding my entrance into the professional world. I was in the third year of my undergraduate degree at the time, and I was trying to get clinical research experience as well as maintain a GPA above 3.7, which was a requirement for grad school. COVID had shut down all the research opportunities I had lined up, and it also made learning and understanding material extremely difficult for me. I’m definitely a person who needs to be in a class environment, and needs to always be moving and changing scenery to remain focused. Having to do school from the same one-bedroom apartment was quite a challenge for me. The greatest impact on my professional life definitely had to do with the cancellation of practical experience, such as research and shadowing current practitioners.
What was a blessing you got from the pandemic?
One blessing I got from the pandemic was to be able to strengthen relationships with my friends. The video game Call of Duty: Warzone had just been released as the pandemic had come about, and many of my friends who were in school, work, or in residency positions now had a ton of time to play video games. I think we played quite literally every single day and utilized every amount of free time we had. Being able to talk to them, interact with them, and have such a great connection with them, even though we were busy isolating, was something I will remember fondly for the rest of my life.
Now that you have been away from Webber Academy for a while, what sticks out to you as something you remember well, or cherish from your time here?
One thing that sticks out to me is the relationships I had formed with my peers. Many of my friends from Webber are extremely close friends of mine, and to think I have known some of them for almost 20 years at this point is something I cherish. Webber Academy is a very close-knit community. You experience the collective struggle of school together, you grow up together, you celebrate together, and, in my case, you get into a lot of trouble together (sorry, Mrs. Clouston). The friendships I have made are truly irreplaceable, and I am forever blessed to have those relationships.
What advice do you have for current Webber Academy students?
Attending Webber Academy is truly an invaluable experience, and your time here will serve your academic success for many years to come. However, there are certain things Webber Academy can’t offer you as easily. Take all the opportunities you can from teachers and mentors, and take advantage of the quality of education delivered, but don’t get tunnel vision and ignore other facets of life like sports, relationships, and extracurriculars, which are equally important to being successful. Winning awards may feel like the be-all end-all at this point in your life. They are certainly excellent things to work and aspire towards, but you’re no better or less of a person in terms of your integrity or academic ability because of them. If you feel lost, feel like you don’t have a great grip on your life, or simply feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t worry. Nobody does. I probably got into the most trouble in the history of Webber Academy. I wasn’t as academically adept as many of my peers, and frequently chose to join yet another sports team instead of studying. If I can earn four degrees and become a doctor, you truly have nothing to worry about.
If you see Dr. Webber in the halls, make an effort to say hi to him. He is genuinely happy to see each and every one of you in his school.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
In the next 10 years I hope to own a collaborative health care practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. Aside from that, I hope to still be around my friends, still lifting weights, still playing sports, and still skateboarding.
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“Enjoy Yourself” by Pop smoke Ft. Karol G
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I hope to make a trip down to San Diego for my next break!
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“Nothing worth anything comes easy”
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I am currently listening to a podcast about the history of the Second World War by Mark Felton.
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Happy, grateful, stressed, learning, excited
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I’m feeling grateful for my friends and family who are always helping me through my current academic endeavour.