Carlton grads step out to a bright future

Alex Zhou is looking forward to his future post-graduation. The valedictorian was proud to receive the recognition for reaching a long-awaited goal.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” he said. “It’s everything I’ve worked towards in my life to finally reach this point and I think it’s really rewarding.”

Zhou said it took help from many people in his life and said how thankful he is for his parents’ support and encouragement and for the guidance from the staff at Carlton, who he’s sad to leave behind.

“The teachers are certainly some of the best I’ve ever been taught by,” he said. “They’ll certainly be missed by me when I go to university.”

Zhou will be moving on University of Alberta to pursue a career in civil engineering, starting classes Sept. 1.

“I’ll miss the teachers and friends the most for sure,” he said. “My friends are some of the greatest people I know. They’ve helped me along the way to get here.”

As far as memories go, Zhou said there’s one from high school that will always stand out.

“I mentioned it in my valedictorian speech. In the summer of 2013, I believe, my friends and I were at Emma Lake I believe and we packed seven of us into an Oldsmobile convertible and blasted ‘Don’t Stop Believing,’” he said, laughing. “It was one of my favorite times with all my high school friends.”

Throughout his high school career, Zhou said he always made an effort to balance work and play. According to his

“If you only work in your life you’re never going to get anywhere,” he said. “You have to take some time out for yourself and relax, really get to know yourself more before you get to know the world.”

Kilmer said that seeing graduates out and about, and succeeding in the community, is one of the most rewarding experiences.

“It’s just so fulfilling to see them happy,” she said. “It just shows that our teachers and all staff members are role models.”

Kilmer looked back on the last four years with the graduating class, with nothing but good things to say.

“This class took risks. They were really good community members,” she said. “They didn’t wait for someone to do things for them, they did things for all of us.”

When asked if she could give one piece of advice to the graduates, she didn’t hesitate at all.

“Challenge yourself,” she said. “That sweet spot in life is outside the box.”

asoloducha@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha

by Alex Soloducha

Carlton grads step out to a bright future

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