Portage Collegiate Institute has been holding its graduation in parts for its students. Among the awards and recognition being given, Jacinda Houle was selected as valedictorian for the 2020-2021 class this year.

Houle shares what it felt like to receive the honour.

"Honestly, I feel so relieved and also feel very honoured to be chosen for this year's valedictorian," says Houle. "I'm making history here. I'm the first Indigenous valedictorian and I delivered my speech in my regalia, which was so awesome."

Houle shares what it's been like to have dealt with pandemic restrictions in her graduating year.

"It was challenging. It was really tough," notes Houle, "adjusting to online classes. I found that being in school was a lot easier for me because it's a lot easier to stay motivated, unlike being at home with the computer. It was really hard to stay motivated and my grades definitely did drop being at home and being online for school. I'm glad we were able to push it through and make it through the year adjusting to all the COVID restrictions."

She offers advice to fellow graduates who are launching themselves out into the world.

"Honestly, just follow your dreams," says Houle. "Take it easy. Failure shouldn't put you down. If you fail, it's not a big deal. It's never too late to go back to school and do whatever you want to do. Just do what you want."

She extends some recognition to those who helped her along the way.

"I definitely want to give a shout-out to all Indigenous youth graduates and all youth in general," continues Houle. "I'm really inspired. If you're an Indigenous youth and you want to dance, you want to sing, or do art, definitely do it. Pursue it. It's worth it. Do it for your ancestors who were never able to do it. So, that's what really inspires me to keep going and practice my culture."

Houle says she plans to continue working with PCRC for a year, and then hopes to go to Brandon University and study education to become a teacher like her mother. She notes her mother teaches Ojibwe beading and other classes.

"I really want to be a teacher who can teach beading and Ojibwe, because I feel like the school division needs more teachers to teach that so students can regain their culture and then pass on that knowledge," adds Houle.

She says she thanks Indigenous Academic Achievement Facilitator Jill Fast who helped her tremendously through this year and nominated her for the Young Humanitarian Award, for which she's greatly thankful.

"She's been there for all four years of my high school and just helped me get involved with a lot, which is really good," says Houle. "Also a shout-out to Ms. Marie Bertholet. She, honestly, was there for me for one of the toughest years of my life. She was really just such an amazing person to be around, and she was just so helpful. And a shout-out to all the graduates. I wish you all success, and whatever you want to do, do it. Follow your dreams."

Andy Lee also graduated and won the Governor General's Award.

He describes how the year has been for him.

"It's kind of different than other years because students came to school once in two days. But since most of my classes were math classes, it was pretty similar to the other years for me compared to other people. Math is a full load."

Lee took part in various math competitions throughout the year and says graduation is definitely a highlight for him.

"I was new to them," adds Lee. "But as I got more experienced with them, I got better. I also practiced. So, I just printed off practice sheets from Waterloo's website and I just practiced a bunch of them. After I got through some practice questions and just kind of got a grip of what kind of questions they ask, I started to get better. That really helped."

He notes the University of Waterloo is renowned for computer science and says he's excited to be going there to take in those studies.

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