FORT NELSON – Approximately 30 students at the Fort Nelson Campus of Northern Lights College were honoured at the annual Convocation ceremony held on June 25 at the Phoenix Theatre.
Students in four program areas were recognized through the conferral of certificates and diplomas.
Angie Bell, an Applied Business Technology student, was the Valedictorian. She recalled how two years ago she was taking the Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) and was wondering what she was going to do with her life.
“To get this far, you have to toss aside the idea of fate,
and create your own destiny,” Bell said. “You jump in head
first, confident of your potential.”
Bell also thanked her fellow students for the support provided to each other.
“The only reason we have the potential to be great is that we’ve stood on each other’s shoulders,” she said.
The keynote speaker was Diana Samchuck, Superintendent of Schools for School District 81. She talked to the graduates about several of Canada’s Olympic athletes, and how they have continued to strive for greatness throughout their careers.
She reminded the graduates of the importance of having a passion for whatever they undertake in their future.
“You may never become an Olympic athlete, but you can have the same qualities… It’s all a matter of attitude,” Samchuck said.
A number of other dignitaries brought greetings to the graduates, including Kathi Dickie, Chief, Fort Nelson First Nation; Bill Streeper, Mayor, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality; Wendy Normandeau, Chair, NLC Board of Governors; and Jean Valgardson, President, NLC. Letters were also read from Prince George-Peace River MP Jay Hill and Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Dr. Moira Stilwell.
The College holds three Convocation ceremonies each year. The Dawson Creek ceremony was held May 14, and the Fort St. John ceremony was held May 28.