Valedictorians are given the responsibility of delivering a final speech summing up twelve years of schooling, but for the class of 2020, the global pandemic has put a different spin on things. Among Vancouver Island schools, the process often involves a month-long nomination process and vote among students, with another month to prepare the speech. Kathy He, one of the valedictorians for Stelly's Secondary in Saanichton, said writing the speech was a tricky balancing act between acknowledging the pandemic, but also celebrating everyone's achievements. John Mark Suriao, one of the valedictorians at Parkland Secondary in North Saanich, said it will be a few staff members who witness his video-recorded speech. John Mark Suriao is one of the valedictorians at Parkland Secondary in North Saanich.

Source: CBC News June 07, 2020 19:52 UTC