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. We'll publish their answers daily this and next week, at 8:05 a.m.
Renzel Arinaza
Terry Fox Secondary (Port Coquitlam)
What are your plans after graduation?
- I’m going to be playing football at the University of Regina and will be studying kinesiology.
What are you most proud of during your high school years?
- I am really proud of turning my low moments into very high moments. Staying optimistic no matter the situation.
What would you change about your high school years?
- Nothing at all. I personally think everything that has happened to me was for a reason, whether it was a mistake or something I needed to learn.
What does being a valedictorian mean to you?
- Being the person that represents everyone and being the guy that holds a good reputation for those around me.
What advice do you have for the next graduation class?
- Have fun, talk to people you’ve never talked to and, of course, take risks and learn from them.
Photo op
Port Coquitlam is celebrating the class of 2024 by proclaiming June 10 to 14 as Grad Week, lighting up city hall in school colours and providing Congrats Grad 2024 photo backdrops in city parks.
Congrats Grad 2024 photo backdrops will be placed in the following locations:
- Blakeburn Lagoons Park (2900-block of Elbow Place)
- Lions Park (2300 Lions Way)
- Castle Park (2252 Castle Cres.)
