My Fellow Graduates...

In the educational system, the mantle of valedictorian is bestowed upon the student who best represents the school’s values. However, a difficulty we almost always face is determining which values represent the entire graduating class? Should we be looking for academics? Athleticism? Activism? The challenge is to look beyond the mold of the stereotypical “top student” and let the strengths of the candidates present themselves.

This week, we held the selection process for our school’s valedictorian. This process involved a committee of teachers and administrators listening to a sample of the student speeches, and providing some feedback. After this meeting, five students made their speeches to their peers as part of a grade-wide assembly. It felt like the Olympic rings: the five distinct elements coming together to represent a whole community.

First was Sarah, rugby player and theatrical stage manager. She brought wit and charm to her speech. She brought a brightness and joy to her words that we see every day in the school. This is what our students are like: bright, energetic, and beaming with pride.

Next was Steve, hockey goalie with self-proclaimed “model-worthy” calf muscles! He spoke of his mistakes and spoke like he wanted to bear the burden of his peers’ mistakes, too. He demonstrated that our grade 12’s are truly young adults.

Then we had Navneet. By far, hers was the most passionate speech – the voice of student activism. This is something that we are extremely proud of in our building: the pride and passion to speak up and care about the community, whether it is popular or not. Her words were robust and brave and let her peers know they should embrace the future.

Fourth in line was Janaya, the artist, who spoke of challenges and difficulties and complexity. Hers was a speech about fearlessness and courage, of pride and community, sticking together. Hers was a complex theme: we may not be growing rapidly in stature, but we are becoming more sophisticated.

Finally there was Brian, the philosopher. His words were eloquent and lyrical. He spoke to the crowd with a genuineness and sincerity that seemed to soothe those fears about heading into the open world that the young people in the audience must have been feeling. He let the group know that they have what it takes to succeed, to be well-adjusted adults.

In the end, it was difficult for the MC’s of the assembly to turn to the crowd and say “Now choose the one you want”. Each candidate presented a unique perspective of our grade 12 student body. The downside? It left us with the feeling that we believe every school staff would want: we wanted to keep them all! 

Identify the stakeholders…       Trust the process…      Trust the people…