WSD Valedictorians 2020

With COVID-19 resulting in the postponement or cancellation of graduation celebrations, we spoke to Winnipeg School Division valedictorians to get their take on graduating during a pandemic.

Lyn Dalit

Sisler High School

For Sisler High School valedictorian Lyn Dalit, the suspension of classes due to COVID-19 felt a little like a television series that was cancelled abruptly before the writers could concoct a perfect ending.

“Our last day didn’t feel like a last day,” Dalit said. “It just didn’t feel complete. We would have really liked to take it in, but we didn’t get that opportunity. As this quarantine goes on, I realize more and more that we’ll never really have a last day.”

Still, Dalit is keeping positive. She’s keeping in touch with her Sisler classmates online, she loves playing the piano and listening to ‘70s classic rock, and she’s looking forward to her post-secondary education.

Dalit said Sisler math teacher Ken Gordon was especially supportive during her high school journey. She also credits Sisler student group guru Greg Shedden for his role in enriching her high school experience.

“Before my Grade 12 year, I participated in our social justice groups and I was a leader for one of them, a women’s empowerment group,” Dalit said. “In my Grade 12 year I became part of student council and worked really closely with Mr. Shedden who was our main teacher advisor.”

“I really learned that while grades do of course have importance, our lives must go beyond our academic performance.”

Dalit is accepted into the University of Winnipeg’s Faculty of Education. She plans to major in mathematics and English, with the goal of one day becoming a university professor.

While she has a clear focus, Dalit understands post-graduation can be a time of uncertainty for many, a fact only accentuated by the pandemic.

“If you feel uncertain of what the future holds for you, you’re not alone,” Dalit said. “As 17 and 18-year-olds, we haven’t yet left the protection of youth. I say this in the hopes that for most of us, time is still on our side. Let us embark on our separate journeys.

“In the words of Alfred Tennyson (a 19th century British poet), let us be ‘Strong in will. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.’”

Samuel French

Collège Churchill

Collège Churchill valedictorian Samuel French has made many good high school memories, but one particular experience stands out because it got him out of his comfort zone.

"In Grade 9 some of the kids in my class went on a canoe trip with the school. That was a wonderful time and it really brought us closer together," said French, noting the trip was on Lake of the Woods near Kenora, Ont.

"My friends dragged me into it and the science teacher Mr. Sims was like 'You have to try it.' It was wonderful, I loved it and I'll never do it again. That was my time with outside."

Not exactly an outdoorsman, French's interests include theatre and psychology. He plans to study the latter through the University of Manitoba next fall.

"There are lots of psychologists and psychology in my family. I guess just being around them it's been a developed interest for me," French said.

French spent six formative years at Collège Churchill. Collège Churchill is a Grade 7 to 12 French milieu school located inside Churchill High School.

"It's a wonderful school with a wonderful energy. It's small, but that's what makes it awesome," French said.

Despite attending a French school, not to mention his surname, French said his favourite subject at Collège Churchill is English.

"I like to write a little bit, but I also think the English teacher is a very good teacher," French said. "Mr. (Ryan) Wiens is fantastic at helping kids find what they want to do in life. He helps them grow and write about what they want to write about."

As valedictorian, French is a bit sheepish sending a message to his fellow graduates, but he has been staying in contact with his classmates during COVID-19 through social media to make sure there are "no broken bonds."

"I feel like I don't want to say the stereotypical thing like 'fly high', but I really don't know what else there is to say but follow your dreams. Stay strong and stick through it," French said.

Katrina Lengsavath

Gordon Bell High School

Her high school experience may have been cut short due to COVID-19, but there's no doubt that Katrina Lengsavath made the most of her time at Gordon Bell High School.

Lengsavath participated in a multitude of extracurricular activities while attending Gordon Bell for Grades 7 to 12.

She played such sports as volleyball, basketball, badminton and track and field. She danced with Gordon Bell's senior high audition dance crew Urban Fusion, as well as the school's Ladies Small Group. Lengsavath also sang in in Gordon Bell's Vox choir, which took her to the Music Fest Canada educational music festival twice.

"It was exhausting, but I think it made the experience worthwhile and it made me care about things beyond my marks," said Lengsavath of her absolutely packed school schedule.  

"I think a lot of students put a lot of pressure on themselves to achieve a certain standard, so having these other areas to explore my identity as an individual and to flourish as an individual, it gave school a different level of meaning. It gave me a sense of purpose outside of academics."

Lengsavath knows how disappointing it can be to have your performance cancelled or sports season suspended, but she's not going to let an anticlimactic ending take away from her high school experience.

"I hope you don't let the lack of closure you deserve and the experiences you're waited all these years for take away from the fact that you've come such a long way from when you started your passion," she said.

"All these things you've grown to love and the lessons you've learned are still a significant part of who you are."

Lengsavath will study arts and sciences at Canadian Mennonite University in the fall. She said she's ready for the next step in her educational journey thanks to Gordon Bell's teachers.

"I think if I were to stand here and list all of (her favourite teachers) that would be a dangerous game to play, just because so many people have helped me along the way and made me feel loved. They know who they are," she said.

Carl Camagay and Shania Garcia

Technical Vocational High School

Tec Voc valedictorians Carl Camagay and Shania Garcia aren't getting a big grad blowout, but that's not going to bring them down.

"It's a little bit sad that grad isn't happening, but there isn't much we can do but to accept what's happened and to remember this isn't the last celebration we're going to have in our lives," Camagay said.

"There will be tons of milestones ahead and once everything settles we'll have a chance to celebrate with our families and friends. Eventually things will get better."

Besides, as Garcia points out, it's the little, everyday experiences of high school that she'll best remember.

"I'm going to miss the times every day after school when my friends and I would just gather in our little meeting spot," Garcia said. "We just talked and had fun and spent our last few minutes of school laughing with each other and making last-minute plans. That's what I'm going to miss, because it's not like I'm going to see them every day next year."

Garcia said social distancing has actually strengthened her social life and helped her gain perspective on what's important.

"I've tried to spend more time on the things I want to do like spend time with my family and friends, appreciate them more and appreciate what I have around me," Garcia said. "I'm so lucky to go to school like this, where I'm around amazing people. This pandemic gave me a chance to realize that and I'm thankful for that."

Garcia will attend the University of Winnipeg this fall to study pre-pharmacy, while Camagay will attend the University of Manitoba with plans to enter the College of Nursing. 

Camagay he'll especially miss his English and art classes at Tec Voc, as well participating in the school's Dance Tec Company.

"Any subject that allows me to put my ideas on to paper is just super intriguing to me," said Camagay, who also plays guitar, piano and ukulele in his spare time.

"Whether it's writing or drawing a picture or making a painting, anything that allows me to express my creativity is super cool.

Krancheska Macusi 

St. John's High School

For St. John's High School valedictorian Krancheska Macusi, the pandemic has provided her perspective on what is really important in life.

"My mom is basically my rock during this time," Macusi said. "I've been talking to her a lot about how I feel with classes being suspended and being in quarantine and not getting to really finish the rest of my senior year."

"She says that if you can't do anything about it, why worry about it? What I've done with her is we've focused on the positive things like spending time with our family and friends and having time for yourself and really reflecting on what you want to be and what you want to do."

In regards to her future, Macusi wants to pursue a career in medical science. She said she was considering anesthesiology, but is keeping her options open when she enters the University of Manitoba in the fall.

"My brother and sister are both nurses, and although I don't want to be a nurse, I do want to be in the medical field," Macusi said.

"We have a lot of diseases that are hereditary in my family. I just want to help out in the family in the most caring way I can. Also, I realized I really like biology, chemistry and physics and I really like taking care of people, so why not medicine?"

Macusi said she also enjoyed studying English at St. John's as it was a chance for her to "show off my creativity through words."

A very active student, Macusi served as St. John's student council's co-president in her Grade 12 year. She was also co-chair of the school's Youth in Philanthropy club, played on St. John's Tigers volleyball teams, and participated in the school's dance program.

"We won Dance Manitoba's Maximum Impact Dance Challenge," Macusi said. "It was so amazing because even though our piece was super long and we were out of breath and dying, we were able to let it all out and give everything we had onstage."

Macusi started attending St. John's in Grade 7. She said she'll look back at her six years at St. John's fondly and is grateful for the educators who helped give her a great high school experience.  

"All the teachers I've had are great people," she said. "They really helped shape my perspective on the world and how I see things. A lot of them gave me life talks, especially when I needed it. In a way they were like my second parents."

Nathanael Solomon

Argyle Alternative High School

Argyle Alternative High School valedictorian Nathanael Solomon has a clear and simple message for his classmates and Winnipeg School Division grads.

"You will never get anywhere in what you want to succeed in if you don't choose to work hard for it. Success comes with dedication and commitment," Solomon said.

With classes suspended due to COVID-19, Solomon was able to focus on his interests and passions.

"My hobbies outside of school include motorcycling – which is the main one I love doing – video games, a bit of coding and programming, drawing and sketching, and snowboarding when I can," Solomon said.

"I'm focusing on what I love doing, my hobbies and such. I try to keep in touch with friends, even if we can't hang out in-person. I like getting out and going for a walk in the park. It can really get your mind off of everything that is going on."

Solomon said his favourite subjects to study at Argyle were history and art.

"History because I love to learn about the World Wars, what caused them, what ended them, significant battles, and such. And art because I love to sketch and draw," Solomon said.

Solomon is still undecided on what career path he'd like to follow, but said he is "seriously considering" coding and programming.

Whatever road he decides to go down, Solomon said his teachers at Argyle have prepared him well for his post-high school journey.

"I would like to thank every one of my teachers," Solomon said. "They all helped me to find my own path to follow in life and I hope they continue to guide many other great students to become someone even greater one day."

Katherine Patri

Elmwood High School

COVID-19 is forcing her to exit stage left, but Katherine Patri will always cherish her time in Elmwood High School's theatre program.

"I definitely loved the arts, so English, drama, choir, and I was part of a lot of school productions and musicals," Patri said. "That's definitely where I found myself thriving. This year I played Babette in Beauty and the Beast. It was a supporting lead role and it was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I'm so happy I got the opportunity to do that before COVID hit."

Patri, who is Métis, said her fondest memories of high school revolve around Elmwood theatre productions, especially the closing night performances.

"We do three nights of performances. You work so hard toward this one goal of finishing the production, and when it's done it's bittersweet," Patri said.

"You're sad that it's over, but you're so happy and thankful that you got to be a part of it. Especially this year, it was hard to say goodbye to the stage. I remember the last night when the curtains closed I was just crying my eyes out, and everyone was like 'Here she goes again.' It's just so lovely to be there with those people."

That said, life's a stage and the show must go on. In the fall, Patri will be attending the University of Winnipeg on a full scholarship from the Tallman Foundation. She'll be studying pre-chiropractic medicine and pursuing a Bachelor of Kinesiology.

"I've always wanted to help people and I've always been interested in the medical field," Patri said. "I've talked to people that have had (chiropractic) done and they say it's lifechanging for them."

"Miss Church who works in our Student Success Centre, her sister is a licensed chiropractor, and I got in contact with her. She said it's very fulfilling and it's definitely something I can see myself enjoying."

Patri said her teachers at Elmwood have always helped her find the path that's right for her.

"One thing I love about Elmwood is you truly become friends with all the teachers and you build those relationships. They don't just see you as students, they see you as future leaders," Patri said.

Her high school experience isn't ending the way she or anyone planned, but Patri isn't letting that faze her.

"Just be proud of what we have done and what we have been given," Patri said. "We've worked so hard for this and while it may not be the way we expected it to end, be proud in your accomplishments, because it truly is remarkable that we managed to graduate in a time of uncertainty."

Mickayla Santos

Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute

Mickayla Santos isn't sick of school. In fact, she wants to work in one.

The Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute valedictorian is enrolled in the Integrated Education Program at the University of Winnipeg this fall. Santos plans to become a teacher one day, maybe even at DMCI.

"To be honest, because I look a whole lot different, I don't look like I get the good grades and there is always those few teachers who don't really have empathy for the students who look like me," Santos said.

"When I'm older I want to be that one teacher who is relatable. Not cringy relatable but someone you can actually talk to. I don't just want to help students with their education, but also I want to help with their mental health, body issues, just wherever I can."

"Also, I'm just one person, but a little bit of the diversity that I bring could really help in the long run, especially if I teach here in the West End."

That's not to say Santos didn't have great teachers at Daniel Mac. One DMCI educator who she really admires is physics teacher Mohammad Lou.

"I complained a lot in class, but I want to say thanks to Mr. Lou because right after quarantine, he went back to school and did online classes from his classroom," Santos said. "He was the first teacher to put the new units at the front of the school so we could pick them up. He put in a lot more effort than he needed to and I'm really grateful for that."

As far as favourite subjects in school, Santos said she really enjoyed chemistry, as well as English.

"I really liked Grade 10 English specifically because that's when we got into classic literature. I'm really into classic lit," Santos said.

"My all-time favourite book was Pride and Prejudice, but I recently reread Tess of the d'Urbervilles and it's probably the best book I've ever read."

The suspension of classes due to COVID-19 has provided Santos with lots of reading opportunities, as well as time to spend with her family, including her baby sister who is turning two.

And although her high school journey is coming to an anti-climactic end, Santos believes this experience will serve her and others well in the future.

"It's really good life experience," Santos said. "Now we know how to deal with the curveballs. If we can get through this, then we can get through anything."

Michael Kozubski and Nicole Normand

Winnipeg Adult Education Centre

Michael Kozubski decided to give high school another shot and he's happy he did. 

Kozubski and fellow student Nicole Normand are the co-valedictorians for Winnipeg Adult Education Centre. Kozubski, 38, said he felt he was at the right place in his life to finally earn his high school diploma.

"I've always had a passion for business and technology and I've been doing work at home, different ventures I've pulled off myself, but I haven't really been making it anywhere on my own," Kozubski said.

"My shunning of the mainstream has been a barrier for me. Returning to school was accepting that you need others, you need people, you need help and you can't just do everything on your own. You can learn from other people. Trying to do everything yourself is not the best way to take you to a successful future. So, I came here to try again."

Kozubski thrived at WAEC, and not just academically. He and Normand formed the Grade Monster social academic club to help their fellow students with their studies.

Also, Kozubski and Normand, who is Métis, also worked together to help bring awareness to Indigenous issues. 

"The best memory I have was Reconciliation month," Kozubski said. "It's a month-long event in which Nicole and myself created buttons and ribbons to help raise awareness regarding Indigenous issues, such as residential schools and the upcoming destruction of survivor statements, which are the only existing account of the atrocities that took place there."

Kozubski said all of the teachers at WAEC are "amazing", but one educator especially made an impact on him.

"My personal experience had me spending the most time with Lea Mansel, who I see as the type of person to which I aspire," said Kozubski of WAEC's business technology teacher.

"She's one of the most caring people I've ever met. She's always looking for new ways to help support her students. Not only did she arm me with the tools needed to move forward with my academic career, I also like think she made me a better person."

In the fall, Kozubski will attend Red River College for its Business Information Technology program.

"From there I'm unsure of the exact direction," Kozubski said. "As much as I love business and the idea of a corporate office one day, I also love my community and might want to focus my skills toward non-profits and community ventures."

Speaking of, Kozubski said he enjoys volunteering his time at Art City in the West Broadway neighbourhood.

"It's a great organization that provides high-quality art programming to the inner-city and anybody is welcome, no matter your age," Kozubski said. "Anyone can go there, create some art and have a good time."

Amanda Chambers

Kelvin High School

When it comes to her high school days, Kelvin High School valedictorian Amanda Chambers is going to miss the little moments the most. 

"My Grade 9 math class was really fun," Chambers said. "We had a group of kids that all had a great sense of humor and a really good positive outlook on everything. That was my first class in the morning and it boosted my mood for the whole day."

"Just the little things here and there. The little inside jokes are probably my favourite memories."

From favourite memories to favorite teachers, Chambers said two Kelvin educators, Kennet Mann and Angela Remillard, made an especially big impact on her life.   

"Mr. Mann, who was my math teacher, he's always been so patient with me and put in extra time to show me that I can achieve the things I want to achieve," Chambers said.

"And Miss Remillard, I had her for Indigenous studies last year and English in Grade 9 and 12. She's always been a leader and a role model to me. She's inspired me to pursue my passions and to self-educate myself and to explore what I'm interested in."

Chambers said her favourite subject in school was chemistry, because it's the "perfect balance of math and science." Appropriately, Chambers will study sciences at the University of Manitoba in the fall. She's considering a career in medicine. 

"I'm thinking of going into pediatrics, but I'm not 100 per cent sure yet, as there are so many options," Chambers said.

"I've always liked helping people and I'm very much a people person. It just seems like a very neat field to me with lots of variety. It's not the same thing every day."

At Kelvin, Chambers participated in multiple student choirs, including the concert choir and the chamber choir, the latter being an auditioned group of singers. Chambers also enjoys playing guitar and ukulele, as well as listening to music and painting.

While COVID-19 put a bit of a damper on her Grade 12 year, Chambers is doing her best to stay positive.

"Even though this is a tough time for everyone, instead of viewing it as a negative experience, view it as a positive," Chambers said.

"We gained a lot from it. Even though we don't necessarily see the things we gained from it, we did gain strength, we gained creativity in the ways we interact with others, and we gained independence which is super important in adulthood."

Praise Oluwafemi

Churchill High School

For Churchill High School valedictorian Praise Oluwafemi, the secret to staying positive during a pandemic was to stay busy.

"I saw this thing online about a virtual prom and I ended up signing up for it," Oluwafemi said. 

On May 22, Student Life Network presented #PromIsOn2020, a live-streamed virtual prom event on YouTube.

"I became part of the virtual prom planning committee, which was made up of students from all over Canada. That gave me something to look forward to," she said.

A very active student, Oluwafemi participated in many extra-curricular activities while attending Churchill, including Peace Learners, Youth in Philanthropy and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg.

In her Grade 12 year, Oluwafemi served as the co-president of Churchill's student council. She also sang in the school's choir, as well as its vocal jazz ensemble.

"With vocal jazz, I like it because it's more focused on you and your technique," Oluwafemi said. "You have more chances to improve than in choir where there's like 50 of you. It's a smaller group and you can do sub-parts and solos, which is why I really like it."

Oluwafemi said participating in student clubs and other extra-curricular activities really enriched her high school experience.

"When I think of Churchill, those clubs are the things that come to my mind first," she said. "I think because I've made such good friends, not just in my class, but also in other grades and other schools, it creates that community aspect. That's something I'll definitely remember beyond school."

Speaking of beyond school, Oluwafemi will attend the University of Manitoba in the fall with plans to major in either psychology, sociology or criminology. She said she has career aspirations of becoming a criminal defence lawyer.

"The reason why a lot of people go to jail is because they don't have a lawyer who is there to support them. I think no matter the crime done, people still need someone there to support them," Oluwafemi said.

To her fellow grads at Churchill and across Winnipeg School Division, Oluwafemi's message is to follow your dreams and don't give up.

"It's really easy with everything going on around us to just let go of everything and give up," she said. "Keep holding on, because the worst thing you can do for yourself is to not try. It's better to try and fail then to not try at all."

"Our generation can do so much, especially with social issues and social justice. I think that's because we refuse to stop trying. So, don't give up and keep going."

Arlene Agcaoili 

Grant Park High School

It may have interrupted her senior year, but Grant Park High School valedictorian Arlene Agcaoili said coronavirus did create more time for family. 

"I have an older sister and we have bonded more," Agcaoili said. "We got closer through COVID, because we're both together at home most of the time and our parents still have work, so the two of us just kept talking and bonding."

Through online communication, Agcaoili has also managed to stay close with her school chums. Still, she said the cancellation of Grant Park's annual Grade Wars event in the spring was pretty disappointing.

"It's like Grant Park's spirit week. It just brought us all together, even though there was that competitiveness," said Agcaoili of previous Grade Wars events. "It was great to see the whole school come together as one and celebrate our school spirit."

Agcaoili said her favourite subjects in school were biology and chemistry. Appropriately, she's been accepted into the Faculty of Science at the University of Manitoba. She hopes to one day work in the medical field.

"I've always dreamed about being a pediatrician, because of my love for kids and science," Agcaoili said. "When I was young my parents bought me a toy doctor kit. I was intrigued by the fake needles and used them to stab my sister. She was OK with it."

She'll be studying the sciences, but Agcaoili also has a passion for art. She participated in Grant Park dance teams and loves to draw and paint as a pastime.

Agcaoili said one Grant Park teacher was especially impactful in her love for art.

"He's since retired, but Paul Bartlett was my art teacher and he saw the beauty in my mistakes," she said. "He taught me how to make a mistake into a masterpiece, which I'm really grateful for."

Agcaoili stays true to her teacher's advice with her message to her fellow grads. 

"Don't worry too much about the end result, but focus more on the process of getting there," she said.

"Remember the people you met, the places you saw, the memories you made and the knowledge you gained, because these will all stick with you no matter what your destination is."