Paige McFaddin has been chosen valedictorian of Castlegar’s Stanley Humphries Secondary class of 2023. She’ll deliver her speech during the cap and gown ceremony at Selkirk College on Friday. A parade, march, and prom will follow on Saturday. 99.3 The Goat’s Sheldon Button spoke with her on his show this week.
Valedictorian is a big honor.
Yes, it’s a huge honor. I am in awe, constantly, that my grad class has chosen me to represent them.
How were you chosen?
At SHSS, students who wish to run for valedictorian have to make a five-minute application video, showing that they meet the requirements of good grades, good attendance, and that they have peer and teacher support. Once that video is completed and submitted, a teacher council reviews the videos and then they get sent to the grad class and they vote for who they want to be valedictorian.
So the teachers narrow it down first?
I think the teacher council just makes sure it’s legit before it gets sent out to the students. There wasn’t any narrowing down this year.
How does it feel to represent your classmates for such a monumental experience?
I am super honoured and extremely thankful I have this opportunity. I have a really deep love for my entire grad class and every single person in it. I think it’s super special to send them off and encourage them as we step into this next chapter of life.
How did COVID affect your school life?
We were in Grade 9 when school shut down. We never went back to school after spring break. That was really challenging socially. It was hard on a lot of students’ mental health. Also motivation and self-discipline was challenging because you’re not in a classroom every day with a teacher saying “Hey, get your work done. Stay on task.” You’re at home, you can watch Netflix all day. You don’t have to do your schoolwork really. I think it made a lot of students realize they had to take time management into their own hands. Some grew in that and some did not.
Going back into school after that was quite challenging. People not feeling motivated and students having a hard time getting back in the flow of things. Trying to get people to say yes to volunteering. I think COVID actually had an effect on that. There was a lack of community and togetherness and helping out. Putting something out saying “Hey, could we have a few extra hands for this?” there’s no response. Which is really frustrating.
Do you felt added pressure as valedictorian because you’re the mayor’s daughter?
Not really. My parents are really involved in the community, so it’s kind of always been this balance of I’m Paige, but I’m also James and Maria’s daughter. This year specifically I’ve become Paige. I’m honored to be the mayor’s daughter, but I am my own person. I think it’s cool that I get to have an opportunity to speak.
How much time did you put into your speech?
The application for valedictorian didn’t come out until a couple of weeks ago. There was that process and the voting. I found out I was valedictorian Sunfest weekend, and thought “Time to write my speech.” The school said “We need it by this date,” so I really only had a week to work on it. I was a little bit stressed, because I want it to be good but I don’t have a ton of time. But it all came together very well, and even as I was applying, I had thoughts of what I would say if I won. Because I care so deeply about my grad class, it wasn’t hard to find encouraging words to send them off with.
What’s one thing you would say to your classmates?
Be mindful of how you’re treating other people. Money, education, all of these things are parts of life. But relationships with others is a really, really important part.
What’s next for you?
In September, I’m going to Summit Pacific College in Abbotsford and taking their counselling foundations program in hope to get my degree and eventually get my masters and be a registered clinical counsellor.
