The Tri-City News asked SD43 valedictorians in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody to reflect on their high school years and tell us what their future brings.
Graeme Morton
Heritage Woods Secondary (Port Moody)
What are your plans after graduation?
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After graduation, I plan to attend Simon Fraiser University (SFU). There, I will study Criminology and Social Sciences/Sociology (Faculty Degree of Arts).
What are you most proud of during your high school years?
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I have been most proud of my strength and resiliency over the course of my high school career. There were times when I struggled with my own sense of capability, was anxious and questioned whether I could develop the academic skills required for success. Despite my initial uncertainty, however, I continued to work hard and put in my best effort at school. Now, I am much more confident in my own abilities and, most importantly, I have become a successful student. I have achieved what I had previously thought to be unachievable.
What would you change about your high school years?
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There is nothing I would change about my high school years. Not even some negative experiences or my own shortcomings. They have all shaped the person who I am today. After high school, I will still have to do hard things that are challenging and frustrating, which may require me to jump through hoops. This is all part of the journey — this is “adulting.” I have learned that perfection should not be the goal; that there is courage and resilience in failure — a stepping stone to growth.
What does being a valedictorian mean to you?
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Being a valedictorian, to me, means having great respect for your school, for the students who deserve to feel seen, heard and represented within the speech you create. Speeches should reflect students’ strengths yet capture their anxieties about their uncertain future and their excitement for their new beginnings. The speech Jason and I gave at the Heritage Woods Commencement was not just our speech — it was our entire grad class’s speech. School District 43 (SD43) is full of diversity, and at Heritage Woods we celebrate our differences because we are stronger because of them. I am proud to have had the opportunity to reflect the many different voices and interests of our peers. It has been an honour to represent our amazing grad class.
What advice do you have for the next graduation class?
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For students who will be graduating next year, I suggest that they find a slice of life that is just for them — a passion which interests them and really speaks to them. Sometimes due to financial constraints or family expectations, students are unable to pursue their passion for a career. I believe it is crucial for graduates to keep their joy, to make room in their lives for their own hobbies and to find creative ways of expressing themselves. I hope that, come June of next year, those graduating will make the effort to find space for their own dreams, gifts, and passions. Despite obligations and unpredictable life turns, I hope future grads remember to fill their hearts and hold space for themselves.
