2024-2025 Valedictorian Speech

 by Shayan M.

I can never forget the story of how I came to Braemar College.

My mother brought me and my little sister to Canada with a vision of a brighter future. At the time, English wasn’t my first language, and I was honestly afraid that I wouldn’t fit in. I still remember walking through those long hallways on the third floor during my first few days, feeling like I had stepped into a TV show. Everything felt so new and unfamiliar, and at the same time, beautiful.

Over time, with the support of amazing teachers and the kindness of friends, things changed. I found my place. I learned, I grew, and I felt a sense of belonging that I never expected.

And I know that  I’m not alone in this. Every single person sitting in this room who is graduating today has gone through their own journey. Whether it was figuring out who we are, overcoming struggles, or learning how to keep going when things felt impossible.

Today, as we graduate, Braemar Class of 2025,  we celebrate all of those stories, all of our ups and our downs.

To the Braemar teachers who guided us and the families who supported us: thank you

To classmates and friends who made this journey sweeter, to all the Braemar staff who are working tirelessly: thank you

As many of us will begin a new chapter of our lives as we step into universities and colleges this September, the future might feel uncertain, but there is one thing that I’m certain of: that we are well prepared for it.

We’ve made it this far, and the best is yet to come. Once again, thank you and congratulations.

Shayan M., Valedictorian 2025