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.
Nicholas Kontanist
Pinetree Secondary (Coquitlam)
What are your plans after graduation?
- It has been a long-time passion of mine to pursue electronics engineering, and I have been very fortunate to receive admission to Simon Fraser University in the fall where I plan to get my bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering.
What are you most proud of during your high school years?
- I am proudest of the people I have helped and inspired throughout my high school career. It has been a personal mission of mine to inspire those around me to appreciate our learning journey. With a positive and perseverant attitude, I do my best to help those around me both in their schoolwork and morale. Seeing someone succeed after I have helped them is one of the greatest feelings I have felt during my high school career.
What would you change about your high school years?
- While there is nothing major that I would like to change about my high school years, there have been times where asking for help, either from my teachers or peers would have significantly helped me in my studies; understanding that I am not alone in my studies has helped me face my difficulties far better.
What does being a valedictorian mean to you?
- To me, being a valedictorian is a duty to represent the memories, hard work, and future aspirations of my graduating class. In addition, it means that my co-valedictorian and I are the face of our graduating class, and with such acknowledgement comes the responsibility of leaving our high school careers with good memories for all.
What advice do you have for the next graduation class?
- The advice I would like to give the next graduating class is to make the most of your last year. High school has come and gone in the blink of an eye, and the graduating year will certainly be the most eventful one. Focus hard on schoolwork, but do not be afraid to put yourselves out there and get as involved in all of the activities that your school is doing for you. Make your last year one that you will remember positively for the rest of your life.
