The valedictorian of J.L. Crowe Secondary’s 2026 graduating class has told her peers to be “completely and utterly fearless when it comes to new things.”
Taya Broman, who delivered her address on Saturday, told her fellow grads that they have “very little to lose and so much to gain” by seizing every opportunity presented to them.
“Jump headfirst into new adventures and treat every moment as a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” she said. “Have fun, make mistakes, and do not be afraid to embarrass yourself in the process.”
In an interview afterward, Broman said she also wanted her speech to focus on the school’s sense of togetherness.
“Our school motto is ‘Together and learning, together and belonging.’ I really wanted to highlight that and talk about the interconnectedness of our graduating class with the teachers, with each other, with our community.”
Broman explained that prospective valedictorians at J.L. Crowe have to meet a certain set of grade requirements, and then go through an application process which includes gathering signatures from teachers, students, and a parent. The principal and staff then pick two finalists who are voted upon by the graduating class.
Broman said she was interested in being valedictorian because she felt that she had a lot to say.
“I feel like I’m very connected to the graduating class and I would be a good representative of them,” she said. “I’m very honoured that I was nominated to do it.”
Broman grew up in Trail and served this year as student body president, which she said gave her to opportunity to talk to a lot of people and make changes in the school.
She also said technology generally and the internet specifically has altered the way students experience school.
“In some ways, it makes people more connected,” she said. “But I feel like the face-to-face connections have sort of dwindled. And so we were trying to build that up and bring back that school spirit this year.”
Broman will attend UBC in Vancouver this fall, studying for a bachelor of arts in geography, environment, and sustainability. She discovered her passion in that field while taking the adventure leadership academy last year at J.L. Crowe, which bases learning around the environment.
Her full speech can be found below.
Good evening, faculty, family, friends, dignitaries, and of course, the people we are here to celebrate: my fellow graduates!
We have all looked forward to this day with a mixture of fear, eagerness, sadness, and relief. We counted down years, months, weeks, and days, laughing in the faces of people who told us “it’s going to go by so fast,” only to admit that they were right all along.
But now that we are standing here, in the billowing gowns and the goofy caps, I think it is safe to say that this moment feels surreal. Its approach has been long anticipated, but somehow, not a single one of us feels as prepared as we once thought we would. It is both terrifying and exhilarating, but we’re all in this together, which makes it feel possible.
That very sense of togetherness is what made all those early mornings and six-hour days meaningful. Over the past five years, we have formed relationships with teachers, staff members, and one another that will stay with us long after graduation.
We will fondly remember Mr. Sterpin’s wildly off-topic rants, Mr. Percy’s tragic attempts at using teen lingo, Mr. Whitley’s metaphors for the inner workings of the human body that weirdly work, and Ms. Ewankiw and Mr. Morrisette’s sassy banter from two classrooms away. We will miss Justine’s morning greetings from the office window, Mr. Winckers’ good-natured insults, Mrs. LaFond’s theatrical storytelling, and Mr. V’s hearty laughter, just to name a few.
The beauty of our high school is that it is not one community but rather a mosaic of smaller communities woven together. Each of us found our place: on the stage, on the field, on the court, in the library, or in the classroom. We tried new things and discovered new passions—on mountain summits, in the art room, in the greenhouse, or behind the lens of a camera capturing shots for the yearbook. Though our experiences differed, every person contributed something unique to the spirit of J.L. Crowe and, most importantly, found people who made us better.
Looking around this room, I see so many people who have made me better, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank a few of them.
Austyn, the other half of my iconic morning announcement duo, without whom this stage feels empty; Payton, the person who understands me without explanations and supports me in everything; Georgia, whose tight hug has the power to make everything feel okay; and Oona, the girl who has made that winding road to Rossland feel like the drive home.
Of course there is also my support system outside of school: my grandparents, aunts, and uncles. My little brother, who has filled my life with joy and laughter. My dad, my grounding force, whose steady encouragement and fierce love have helped me plant strong roots without which I could not grow. And of course, my mom, who has taught me to be unapologetically myself, to laugh loudly, and to take big leaps because she will always be there to catch me if I fall.
Since I have already used every single joke on the internet during the daily announcements, I would instead like you all to honour one last cheesy request: plant your feet firmly on the floor and take a good long look around the room.
Find the people who have supported you over the last five years. This weekend, make sure you take a minute to thank them for getting you to this point. With their help, you have established the roots that will sustain you through the rest of your lives.
Now is your time to branch out.
This is not an end, but rather the start of everything yet to come. As you move into this next chapter, I implore you all to embrace a carpe diem mentality and enjoy your youth wholeheartedly. This is one of the only times in our lives when we can afford to be completely and utterly fearless when it comes to trying new things. We have very little to lose and so much to gain.
So seize every opportunity presented to you: school programs, jobs, travel, creative endeavors, relationships, whatever they may be. Jump headfirst into new adventures and treat every moment as a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Have fun, make mistakes, and do not be afraid to embarrass yourself in the process. Do J.L. Crowe proud by dreaming big, going far, working hard, and loving deeply.
Continue to pursue whatever passions you explored throughout your high school careers. When you look back, you will not remember your test grades or assignment marks. What you will remember is the time you spent doing things that made you genuinely happy. For some of you, this was athletics, adventure sports, or leadership programs. For others, it was books, board games, or creative projects. Remember the joy that these things brought you and continue to find new ways to feel fulfilled.
Most importantly, continue to seek those meaningful connections. You will fall and you will fail, but because you surround yourself with the right people, you will always have the support to be able to pick yourself up and move on to the next challenge. When you succeed, your achievements will feel meaningful because you have someone with whom to celebrate.
You have come so far already, and you have so much farther to go, but for right now, in this moment, you are the J.L. Crowe graduating class of 2026.
So, graduates, please join me in removing your caps.
As we leave this chapter behind and begin our new journeys, may we carry with us the friendships, lessons, and sense of community that have shaped us. Enjoy this final moment of togetherness and take it with you wherever life leads.
On behalf of the graduating class, thank you to our families, teachers, staff, and community for supporting us along the way.
Congratulations, J.L. Crowe graduates. It has been an honour to share this journey with you.
We made it!
