FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Lights College (NLC) graduates walked the stage Thursday afternoon in the presence of friends, family, college staff and local politicians.
In Fort St. John, 144 students attended the ceremony.
In total, 641 students graduated, including students from Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Collège Éducacentre, offsite learning, and online or distance education.
Peace River North MLA and Northern Lights College graduate Dan Davies spoke, but only after taking a picture of the smiling graduates.
“Having spent both time as a student as well as a teacher, I greatly appreciate the hard work that you have all put into the opportunity to finally make it to the ceremony today,” Davies said.
“This is a time for you to shape your path forward in your educational journey. A journey that we recognize has taken notable resolve. Think of all that you have accomplished. The determination, the time, the study, the anger, the tears, and everything else that has come into getting you here today.”
The 2023 Fort St. John convocation valedictorian was Rosemarie Lee, who graduated with a business management certificate.
Lee thanked the friends and families of the graduates for their love and understanding while they met their educational goals.
“Your encouragement has been instrumental to our success,” Lee said.
She also spoke of the support her graduates received from one another.
“Life can be rough and tough, but our time and NLC have taught us to work hard, persevere and be resilient in the face of fears, challenges and uncertainty. It is an honour to be standing alongside you today as a symbol of our strength.”
She encouraged her fellow graduates to “remember the lessons learned, the friendships forged and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.”
Northern Lights College President Todd Bondaroff spoke as well, encouraging the graduates to “fail big” because “every failed attempt is one step closer to success.”
“Don’t be afraid to take risks, and I’m talking professionally, of course. Be open to life,” Bondaroff said.
“Accept new views and be open to new opinions. And while it all might be frightening, it will also be rewarding because the chances that you take, the people you meet and the people you love are really, in the end, what will define you.”
Other speakers included Blueberry River First Nation Chief Judy Desjarlais, Fort St. John councillor Sarah MacDougall and more NLC staff.
Tyler Holte, NLC board chair, presented the 2023 honourary Associate of Arts Degree to Jannah Kohlman.
He said the honourary degree recognizes individuals who have made direct and significant contributions to the region.
Meesha Beaulieu, the 2023 Dawson Creek Valedictorian graduating with her social services diploma, received the 2023 Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation.
The 2023 Governor General’s Academic Medal recipient was Krista Flood.
The entire convocation ceremony can be viewed on NLC’s Facebook page.
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