Each of the four candidates for valedictorian have a different approach in mind for how they want to reach students on the most important day of their undergraduate career.
Rosalyn Alessi wants to reach the everyday student, remembering not only the successes and failures of our university experience in the classroom, but also the ones in a gym, or in a meeting, or in our room at four in the morning, still studying for tomorrow’s exam.
“This year’s speech should speak to us, the typical average every-day students who procrastinate and learn lessons the hard way. Who’ve had to scrape by to pay for books or had to wait until that glorious moment when the student loan is deposited. Real students.”
She is a criminology and interdisciplinary student involved in residence life, athletics and other campus activities.
Juliana Duque wants graduating students to relax during the ceremony, and stop worrying about all the work it took to get there.
“I want you to remember how deserving you are of laughing and smiling on that day because you will be finishing what’s probably one the biggest accomplishments yet. You want to acknowledge that the skills we have acquired are truly going to change our lives forever. You want to remember that being a STU graduate automatically grants you the potential to improve our community and fill your life with success.”
She is involved in drama, athletics, has travelled through STU’s exchange program and volunteers for other STU events.
Fin Mackay-Boyce spoke about his home-schooling experience and the fact that he has never had a “real graduation.”
“For the class of 2013, this is it. This is the last time we’re going to be students. That makes me really sad. I’d like to be the person who says goodbye for our school, for my first school and the one you’ve been involved in.”
He is a part of the Students’ Union as well as other clubs on campus.
Victoria Blakely brings public-speaking experience, and an active role in the campus community.
(Cara Smith/AQ)
She boasts 11 years of participation in speaking competitions, both provincially and nationally. She is a double major in international relations and communication.
“If elected, you can rest assured that I would be able to speak on behalf of all of you.”
Voting takes place on February 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Residence students vote in George Martin Hall and off-campus and Windsor street students vote in James Dunn Hall.
